Beautiful Northeast Ohio Hikes + Views You Need to See This Fall

Try These Fall Northeast Ohio Hikes This Year

With so many amazing parks to hike in Northeast Ohio during the fall, it can be daunting to choose a hike (or many hikes) for your fall bucket list. To help, I’m sharing a handful of my favorite places to hike during the fall that showcase fall foliage and epic views. This curated list takes you from moss-covered ledges that you’ll crawl through, hike around, and even see carved figures on, to seeing the trees from above, to some of the prettiest waterfalls.

This post features some classic go-to hikes plus a few you don’t hear about too often. There’s a little something for everyone below. Not all photos were taken at peak fall, but you can imagine these beautiful hikes looking spectacular in fall.

I’d love to hear your favorite fall hikes, share them in the comments below!

Disclosure: Local Love and Wanderlust is a member of the adidas Blogger Community and this post includes gifted items. As always, all opinions are my own.

What To Wear Hiking in Northeast Ohio

In Northeast Ohio, you will find a full range of weather during the fall. From practically still summer temperatures, to a crisp chill, to a rainy gray day. Here are my suggestions on what to wear.

A Light, Water Repellent Jacket or Light Layers

During fall the temperatures can easily range from the low 50’s up to the high 80s. It can be hard to plan for what the weather will feel like which is why I like to wear layers and light jackets or hoodies. I love my adicolor Essentials Women’s hoodie and it’s perfect for when the weather isn’t cold enough for a jacket just yet and so comfortable. You can find a good selection of women’s and men’s hoodies and sweatshirts on the adidas website, a perfect fall staple.

Hiking Shoes for Women With A Good Tread

Trails in Northeast Ohio primarily tend to be rock or dirt and are often covered with leaves that can hold the moisture from recent rainfall within them. This slippery surface is made easier when you wear shoes with good tread and grip to them. Recently I got a pair of adidas Terrex Ax4 Hiking Shoes and I was extremely impressed with the grip on the tread. I was walking on rocks and my feet never slid. Plus, being in tennis shoe form I felt a lot of flexibility and breathability from when I would wear hiking boots. You can check out other adidas hiking shoes or adidas waterproof hiking shoes, too, which are great for hiking near waterfalls and creeks.

Hiking the Many Northeast Ohio Ledges

If you’re looking for maximum adventure and views this fall then the many ledge hikes throughout Northeast Ohio need to be on your radar. Whether you’ve been to a ledge before, or had no idea we had so many, this is the perfect fall day hike. Here are some of my favorite ledges in Northeast Ohio:

Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park

From the street, this park feels small and unassuming, but you’ll discover so much once you start along one of the four trails offered at Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park. Catering to different levels, you can take it easy and stroll along the ledges, or make it more challenging and squeeze through tight openings and rocky surfaces.

Want more? I share more about this most amazing Ohio hike on the blog.

More Details
Trail: White, Blue, Yellow, and Red.
Description: Range from 0.2 to 0.8 miles with varying levels of difficulty.
Official Site: Visit the official site for Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park here.

Worden’s Ledges at Hinckley Reservation

See the unexpected as you stroll through this hauntingly beautiful hike through the ledge-filled forest. Keep your eyes peeled as you hike along the trail to see if you can find the various carvings left behind by those who owned the land many years ago. From shapes to odd-looking faces, this is a perfect hike for the explorer at heart.

More Details
Trail: Worden’s Ledges Loop Trail
Description: a moderate, 0.7-mile loop trail, about 72 ft elevation gain
Official Site: Visit the official Worden’s Ledges site for more details

Ledges in Cuyahoga Valley National Park

This is a classic hike through Ohio’s only National Park. What I like is that you can make this hike as challenging or as easy as you want it to be. Stroll along the upper part of the ledges, cut through at the halfway point of this loop trail by heading up a beautiful stone staircase, or continue past. In addition, you can head over to the Ledges Overlook I’ll mention below, just across a field from the parking lot. Worth it for the views.

For more details, check out a post I shared on hiking the ledges in CVNP

More Details
Trail: Cuyahoga Valley Ledges Trail
Description a moderate, 2.3-mile loop trail with roughly 203 ft elevation
Official Site: Visit the official site on the National Park Service website here.

Whipp’s Ledges at Hinckley Reservation

Looking for more of a challenge? The hike up to the top of Whipp’s ledges will get your heart rate pumping. The steep incline leads you to a trail lined with lovely ledges and forests. You might even find people climbing the rocks at some point as this park allows.

More Details
Trail: Whipp’s Ledges Trail
Description: a moderate, 1.1-mile loop trail, about 223 ft elevation gain
Official Site: Visit the official Whipp’s Ledges site to help plan your hike

Thompson Ledges at Thompson Township Park

This hidden gem of a hike is located in Geauga County and is well worth the drive from Cleveland to visit.

Check out an Instagram Reel I shared on Thompson Ledges here.

More Details
Trail: Upper Ledge Loop, Lower Ledge Loop
Description: Upper: 0.5 miles, Lower: 0.25 miles. Easy-to-moderate loop trails, about 55 ft elevation gain
Official Site: Check out their Facebook for a map to help plan.

Twinsburg Ledges at Liberty Park

This unassuming park in the middle of a suburb has a beautiful loop trail taking you through sandstone ledges, a wetland, and an awesome Glacier Cave.

More Details
Trail: Ledges Trail
Description: a moderate, 1.1-mile loop trail, about 148 ft elevation gain
Official Site: Visit Summit Metropark’s Site

Northeast Ohio Hikes & Views from Above

Berea Falls Scenic Overlook in Rocky River Reservation

Lovely overlook with beautiful falls cascading over a rocky riverbed surrounded by trees.

More Details
Trail: There are nearby trails, but you can just enjoy the views here, too.
Description: Overlook is connected to the parking lot.
Official Site: Check out the Berea Falls Scenic Overlook website for more details.

Overlook at Euclid Creek Reservation

This recently opened trail takes you through the woods and up to an overlook with sweeping views of the valley below.

More Details
Trail: Eastern Ledge Trail
Description: a moderate, 1-mile out-and-back trail with a roughly 130 ft elevation
Official Site: Check out the Euclid Creek Trails website for more details.

Fort Hill Stairs at Rocky River Reservation

If you’re looking for a good workout with your hike, take the Fort Hill Stairs up 155 steps to see expansive views of the Rocky River. This is also an earthworks site on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s believed the Early Woodland people created these long, earthen walls over 2,000 years ago.

More Details
Trail: Fort Hill Loop Trail
Description: an easy-to-hard, 1.3-mile loop trail with a roughly 90 ft elevation
Official Site: the Fort Hill site

Scenic Overlook at Chapin Forest Reservation:

Walk around the top of Gildersleeve Mountain and see awesome rock formations and one of the most popular scenic overlooks. On a clear day, you can see downtown, Cleveland.

More Details
Trail: Lucky Stone Loop
Description: an easy, 1.5 miles loop trail with about 147 ft elevation gain
Official Site: Learn more and find trail maps on the official Chapin Forest Reservation website.

Coastal Observation Tower at Lake Erie Bluffs

This unique trail skirts on bluffs 40 feet above Lake Erie and has an awesome and unique feature: a 50-foot tall coastal observation tower with 360-degree views of Lake Erie, the park, and beyond. Get a workout and a killer view of trees from above.

More Details
Trail: Eagle View Loop
Description: an easy, 0.6 loop trail
Official Site: Check out the official Lake Erie Bluffs website to see a webcam, maps, and more details.

Murch Canopy Walk at Holden Arboretum

Stroll 65 feet above the trees at this awesome suspension bridge that takes you through a beautiful forest. Also, you can visit the Kalberer Emergent Tower to get even higher views of the trees. A great way to spend a fall day.

More Details
Description: 500-foot-long suspension bridge that hovers 65 feet above the forest floor.
Official Site: Check out the official Holden Arboretum website for more details.

Tinkers Creek Gorge Scenic Overlook

A wood boardwalk that overlooks the vista of Tinker’s Creek Gorge, a National Natural Landmark since 1967. The creek is about 220 feet below the overlook, and in the fall the view is especially spectacular.

More Details
Description: An accessible boardwalk overlook with expansive views of trees and Tinker’s Creek.
Official Site: Get more information on the Bedford Reservation website.

Love parks? Check out my post on my 5 favorite Cleveland Metroparks for more.

Chase These Waterfall Hikes & Water Views in Northeast Ohio this Fall

Berea Falls Scenic Overlook

Post-glacial river water rushes through these rocky falls made of Berea sandstone, and the overlook gives you wide views of the falls, river, train, and plenty of trees. If you’re feeling adventurous, you should definitely see all the colors of fall from this beautiful viewpoint.

More Details
Official Site: Get more details at the official page for Berea Falls Scenic Overlook

Chagrin Falls Waterfall

The Chagrin River and these lovely falls are without a doubt one of the most visited features in this charming town. In addition, lovely views of the falls can be seen from various viewpoints from a bridge, a lower-level overlook, and even a restaurant or two have lovely views. I’m hoping to visit during peak fall this year to see the lovely trees.

More Details
Description: Park in a nearby lot or on the street, stroll the town, and enjoy the views.
Official Site: Get more details at the official page for downtown Chagrin Falls.

Blue Hen Falls in Cuyahoga Valley National Park

The intensity of this 15-foot tall waterfall depends on how much it’s rained recently, but there is something charming about the light falls that drip into this bowl-shaped opening in the rocks. Observe from above, or crawl down toward the water for a similar perspective to my photo. This hike is very hilly, so be prepared to hike uphill for a time along the trail.

More Details
Trail: Hop on the Buckeye Trail to get to these falls.
Description: a moderate, 2.5-mile out-and-back hike with a roughly 580-foot elevation.
Official Page: Check out the Blue Hen Falls on Cuyahoga Valley National Park’s official website.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park’s Brandywine Falls

This is one of those obligatory fall Northeast Ohio Hikes that most locals frequent this season. The hike takes you down to the gorge, over footbridges, around a waterfall, and down about 80 steps to a viewing deck to see the falls up close.

More Details
Trail: Brandywine Gorge Loop.
Description: a moderate, 1.6-mile loop trail with roughly 160 ft elevation.
Official Page: Check out the official Brandywine Falls page for more details.

Cascade Falls

This rocky trail through the Nelson-Kennedy Ledges is an exciting hike that takes you through tight squeezes and gives you some killer views, too. You can hike above or down at the bottom of this waterfall depending on which trail you take. Behind the falls is Gold Hunter’s Cave which often has a walkway, but that was half-missing when we last visited.

I shared a post about this awesome park on the blog, check it out here.

More Details
Trail: Yellow Trail to see lower level, white trail to hike the top.
Description: The yellow trail is a moderate 0.2-mile point-to-point trail, and the white trail is an easy 0.4-mile lollipop-style trail.
Official Site: Visit the official site for Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park here.

Bridal Veil Falls Overlook in the Bedford Reservation

This is an easy-to-access 30-foot waterfall that cascades over a shale gorge and is especially easy due to a staircase taking you down to the falls. Enjoy the serene views as you walk down a dirt path as well as a wooden staircase down to the overlook along the Buckeye Trail.

More Details
Trail: Part of the Buckeye Trail
Description: a 0.4-mile out-and-back trail with a roughly 32-ft elevation
Official Page: Find more information on the Bedford Reservation page.

The Sanctuary Marsh Loop Trail at North Chagrin Reservation

This particularly lovely hidden gem of a hike takes you around the marsh behind the North Chagrin Reservation Nature Center. It’s so peaceful, serene, colorful, and if you’re lucky, you’ll see some wildlife. Also, be sure to stop in the Nature Center, too.

More Details
Trail: Sanctuary Marsh Loop Trail
Description: An easy 0.6-mile loop trail with roughly 6 ft elevation gain. Mixed surfaces from paved and dirt trails to a boardwalk over the marsh.
Official Page: Find more information on the Bedford Reservation page.

Local Park Systems Fall Hike Challenges and Info for 2023

Here are some links to local & regional park systems and their 2023 Fall Hike Challenges in and within a short distance of Cleveland.

• Cleveland Metroparks Trail Challenge: Not fall-specific, but you can still complete it this year
• Summit Metroparks Fall Hiking Spree: From 9/1-11/30 you can participate in this fun challenge. It should be noted that it’s free to Summit County residents, $10 for out-of-county residents.
• Lake Metroparks Binge Walk Your Parks: Check out their Fall Foliage Walks for a fun fall challenge.
• Medina County Park District Trekking Through Autumn: A self-guided challenge from 9/1-11/30
• Geauga Gems Trekking Series: While this officially started in January, you can get hiking inspiration for fall (and maybe even complete the series!)
• Cuyahoga Valley National Park: Find the best fall colors with their list of locations throughout what is undoubtedly one of Ohio’s favorite parks.

Did I miss a park challenge? Let me know in the comments!

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