Salt Run Trail Hike Overview
- Length: 3.2 miles (5.18 km) round-trip
- Hiking Time: 75 minutes
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Elevation Gain: 349 feet
- Route: Loop
- Best Season: Summer. When the trail is solid, wildlife is abundant, and scenery is plentiful
- Pets Allowed: Yes (leashed)
- Kid-Friendly: Yes, for those who can hike a hilly trail.
- Wheelchair Accessible: No
- Finding the Trailhead: 1000 Truxell Road, Peninsula, Ohio 44264
Salt Run Trail (Cuyahoga Valley National Park)
The Salt Run Trail is a 3.2-mile loop that starts at the top of Virginia Kendall Hill in Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
To begin, pull into the parking lot (closest to the western side). You will immediately walk out of your car and begin heading west towards the woods. You’ll quickly see a trailhead sign reading “Salt Run.” You will take the trail to the left and immediately begin ascending a single path.
You’ll continue on this path through some minor hills, where on quiet winter days you’ll be able to hear cars on Truxell Road. You’ll notice in this section that the forest is thick with maple and oak trees, making it a beautiful hike in fall and spring. About a mile into the hike, you’ll also come across one of the only natural springs in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, White Oak Springs.
You’ll continue another 1/3 mile through windy trails before beginning a descent. Due to roots, loose dirt, etc., it is important to be very careful in this section. During this section, you’ll also be able to see more of the road to your left. As you reach the bottom of the trail, you’ll notice the difference in the landscape. In some parts of this section, the trail and forest around you are wide open, and in other parts, it becomes narrow with brush surrounding you.
Right around mile 2.25, you’ll come across my favorite part of the trail. You’ll trek across a beautiful bridge and then have to ascend stairs (the steepest part of the trail) before hiking through a quick flat area and descending through a peaceful and beautiful section of pine trees.
Before you know it, you’ll be getting to the last 1/2 mile of the trail. This is a great spot to take a detour to the Kendall Lake Trail or watch sledders on Virginia Kendall Hill during the winter months. You’ll next hike up the last 1/4 mile on the single path before taking a left back onto Kendall Hill and getting to your car.
Alternative Option
If you’ve enjoyed the Salt Run Trail, you’ll love the Ledges Trail, just a short 10-minute drive away.
The benefits of this hike are the following:
- Like Salt Run Trail, it is a hike filled with history, hills, forests, and amazing views!
- You can hike to Ledges Observation Point, the best location for sunsets in the entire park, if not all of Ohio.
- Learn a little bit about the history of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and early settlers in the area.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can hike on this trail any time of the year. However, the summer is the best time when wildlife is abundant, and the trail is easiest to navigate.
This trail is perfect for kids who can handle elevation, rolling hills, and uneven terrain. This is considered one of the harder trails in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
No, this trail is not recommended for individuals with mobility challenges or physical disabilities.
Yes, you can bring leashed dogs on the trail at any time of the year
Yes, trail runners of all levels will appreciate the hilly terrain of this trail. It is the perfect trail for trail runners and ultramarathoners. It is also part of the Burning River ultramarathon course.
It would be best to park at the Virginia Kendall Hill parking lot.
Salt Run Trail is considered a challenging trail in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, with nearly 350 feet of elevation gain, uneven terrain, and numerous rolling hills.
Deer, squirrels, chipmunks, and rabbits frequent this trail. On the trail, you may also see red-tail hawks, owls, coyotes, and the occasional fox.
Yes, Salt Run Trail is marked. Follow the signs to avoid adding miles to your trip, or you can take a shorter loop version of the hike.
Carrying a phone, a backpack, water, hiking boots or shoes, and a light snack. In the summer, carrying 2 liters of water is recommended when it is hot and humid due to the altitude and heat.
No, you can hike this trail at any time. However, it is recommended not to hike it at night.
This is one of the more popular trail systems in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. While you won’t have as much foot traffic in winter, expect larger crowds in spring, summer, and fall.
Salt Run Trail Map
Driving Directions
The easiest way to get to the Salt Run Trail is to input the Salt Run Trail (1000 Truxell Road, Peninsula, Ohio 44264) into your phone and GPS, as the trail starts here.
Driving Directions:
- There are several ways to get to Salt Run Trailhead. You can either come from Quick Road or Akron Peninsula Road. Once you are on Quick Road, you will go east (if coming from Akron Peninsula Road) or west down Quick Road until you get into the parking that it shares with Virginia Kendall Hill.
Learn More About Cuyahoga Valley National Park Hikes
While Salt Run Trail is one of the most challenging and interesting hikes in the Kendall Lake area of Cuyahoga Valley National Park, numerous other fulfilling hikes can be enjoyed during the day or on a long weekend. Check out some of my other favorite hikes below.
- Buttermilk Falls Trail
- Blue Hen Falls Trail
- Towpath Trail
- Stanford Trail
- Brandywine Gorge Loop Trail
