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You are here: Home / Local Love / Hiking The Ledges At Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Hiking The Ledges At Cuyahoga Valley National Park

In: Local Love, National Parks

Man walking a trail along moss covered rocks

Hiking the ledges at Cuyahoga Valley is one of my favorite hikes to do in Ohio’s only National Park. One of the more unique National Parks out there, you can be hiking through the forest, rocky ledges, and waterfalls one moment and then the next you’ll be walking by a railroad, a farm, or even the city.

While the park doesn’t have majestic mountain ranges, huge bodies of sparkling water, or surreal alien-like cacti, there is still a lot to love about this modest but beautiful park. In a state known for being on the flatter side, the geologically fascinating sandstone ledges make you feel like you’re in another area altogether.

Hiking The Ledges

Tree growing between moss covered rocks
Trail between moss covered rocks

The Ritchie Ledges

The Ritchie Ledges is part of the Virginia Kendal area. You’ll probably also hear it called “The Ledges”, “the Virginia Kendal Ledges”. There are four trails in the ledges area but I usually stick to The Ledges Trail. The Ledges Trail is a 2.2-mile loop trail that takes you through a lower area of the trail and an upper park with an overlook.

There’s a Ledges Shelter that splits through the middle of the trail where you can just visit parts of the park instead of visiting the full trail if you’d like, this is great if you’ve been here before and know what you want to go see. 

Moss covered rocks

Love National Parks? Me, too! Check out my posts on National Parks we’ve visited. 

Moss covered rocks
Man standing between moss covered rock formations
Woman standing between moss covered rock formations
Moss covered rocks with holes

Get some close-up shots of all the incredible textures throughout the park

Trees growing between moss covered rocks

Cuyahoga Valley National Park looked similar to our Hike to Marymere Falls in Olympic National Park

Trees growing between moss covered rocks
Hiking the Ledges

Carved In Time

Petroglyph faces in moss covered rocks

200-Year-Old Petroglyphs

About 200 years ago the owner of large sections of land, William Goeppert, carved petroglyphs into part of the rocky ledges. You can still see the horse and face shapes today hiking in between the ledges in Cuyahoga Valley along the trail. 

Woman hiking through moss covered rocks
Trees growing between moss covered rocks
Trees growing between moss covered rocks
Moss covered rocky staircase

This staircase connects the upper and lower portions of the Ledges Trail and is a perfect location for a portrait photo session or that perfect Instagram shot.

Mushrooms growing on side of moss covered tree
Burnt tree trunk

Destination Details

The Ledges Trail

Distance: 2.2 Mile Loop
Time: 1.5-2 hours
Rating: Moderate
Elevation: 105 ft. 

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Website

Fees: No fees
Hours: Most destinations 24 hours. Exceptions: Brandywine Falls, Virginia Kendall Ledges, Octagon, and Lake close from dusk until morning opening
Parking: Several lots throughout the park

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Hiking the Ledges in Cuyahoga Valley National Park

· In: Local Love, National Parks · Tagged: Cuyahoga Valley, Hiking, Ohio

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Hey there, I'm Jen! Photographer and blogger behind Local Love and Wanderlust, a place where I share all things Cleveland, Ohio, travel, and lifestyle.

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Did you know there is a book-themed brewery in Cle Did you know there is a book-themed brewery in Cleveland’s Ohio City neighborhood? Bookhouse Brewing, a local brewery making ciders and beers in a historic building from the 1800’s previously owned by the Baehr family-read more on Bookhouse’s website about previous occupants and the interesting history. Lots of original details can be seen throughout the brewery, too. Definitely worth a visit when in town, it’s in the heart of one of the most popular Cleveland neighborhoods and minutes from Downtown Cleveland. In fact, due to a new park being built along the Cuyahoga River nearby, the brewery has an amazing view of downtown due to some buildings being taken down. Killer views, amazing interior aesthetic, and great beers (and other drinks for us non-beer drinkers!)

Check out my travel guides on the blog for more on the historic Ohio City neighborhood.
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#clevelandohio #thisiscle #bookhousebrewing #ohiocity #brewery #hellofrom #ohio #travelblogger #hingetown
National Park week starts tomorrow and park fees w National Park week starts tomorrow and park fees will be waived! What park will you celebrate National Park week at?

I live near Cuyahoga Valley National Park which doesn’t have any entry fees but is always a fun adventure!
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#nationalparkweek #nationalpark #sparkdiscovery #nationalparkphotography #travelblogger #ohio #cleveland #cuyahogavalleynationalpark #feefreenationalpark #findyourpark
Nothing like nature for the ultimate reset. . . . Nothing like nature for the ultimate reset. 
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#valleyoffirestatepark #valleyoffire #nevada #landscapephotography #travelphotography #travelblogger #hellofrom #travelandleisure #exploremore #wanderlust #abmtravelbug #igtravel #lonelyplanet #mountainchic #gltlove35
Valley of Fire State Park… we only had a couple Valley of Fire State Park… we only had a couple hours here but I could have spent a couple days exploring. The colors, the views, the epic desert road into the horizon photo ops. Incredible. 100% worth the 45 minute drive from Las Vegas.
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#lasvegas #nevada #stateparks #landscapephotography #travelphotography #travelblogger #hellofrom #optoutside #parklife #desert #valleyoffire #valleyoffirestatepark #valleyoffirenevada
Added a new National Park to our list last week. W Added a new National Park to our list last week. While in Vegas we spent a day at Death Valley National Park. A beautiful, strange, desolate and unique landscape full of color and texture. I can see why they chose to film Star Wars here!
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#deathvalleynationalpark #nationalpark #wanderlust #nationalparkphotography #travelphotography #landscapephotography #desert #californiaadventure #deathvalley #zabriskiepoint #mesquiteflatsanddunes #mosiaccanyon #badwaterbasin #hellofrom #travelblogger
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