Icons key:

• Paved, gravel, and/or woodchips trail

• Accessible

• 30-60 minutes, or under 2 miles

• Flat with occasional gradual inclines

• Gradual walking pace

• Daytime

Moderate Hiking Level/Level 2

(Includes 4 or more of the following)

• Gravel, woodchips, and/or unimproved trail

• 60-90 minutes, or 2-4 miles

• Rolling terrain

• Evening (night hikes, full moon hikes, etc.)

• Brisk walking pace

• At location with limited facilities

Strenuous Hiking Level/Level 3

(Includes 4 or more of the following)

• Gravel, woodchips, and/or unimproved trail

• Includes potential water obstacles (mud, rivers, creeks, etc.)

• Includes off-trail explorations

• 90-120 minutes, or 4+ miles

• Includes steep inclines and rolling terrain

• Evening (night hikes, full moon hikes, etc.)

• Suitable clothing and appropriate footwear required (hiking boots or hiking shoes and/or shoes that can get wet)

• Fast walking pace or trail running

• At location with limited facilities

• Length: 1.5 miles

• Surface: Asphalt

The one and a half-mile Beaver Creek Trail shows a surprising amount of diversity. The asphalt trail loops past a small cattail marsh, into the Beaver Creek Valley, and through a pine forest. The trail can be accessed from the main parking lot or from the neighborhood trailhead on North Main Street.

High Meadows
1750 Ford Road, Elyria, OH 44035

Bur Oak
6150 Ford Road, Elyria, OH 44035

Day’s Dam
2720 East 31st Street, Lorain, OH 44055

• Length: 6.5 miles

• Surface: Asphalt

The focus of the Black River Reservation is a 6.5 mile hike/bike trail which runs along the Black River. The fully accessible asphalt trail is suitable for hikers, bicyclists and other modes of non-motorized transportation and connects High Meadows on Ford Road in Elyria to Route 611. The Bridgeway Trail is highlighted by a 1,000 foot bridge that crosses the Black River twice. The Steel Mill Trail is connected to the Bridgeway Trail and is highlighted by slag fields from the Steel Mill surrounding it. Tram tours are available for both trails.

• Length: 0.75 mile

• Surface: Natural

Caley Reservation’s hiking trail is all natural as it was reclaimed from agricultural land so visitors will see a variety of wildlife. The short, 0.75 mile trail offers views of ponds and wetlands and traverses through open fields, wooded areas and even over the Wellington Creek.

Carlisle Visitor Center
12882 Diagonal Road, LaGrange, OH 44050

Duck Pond Picnic Area
12550 Diagonal Road, LaGrange, OH 44050

Equestrian Center
13630 Diagonal Road, LaGrange, OH 44050

• Length: Over 11 miles of total trails

• Surfaces: Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass

• Over 6 miles of equestrian/bridle trails

The 1,500 acres of the Carlisle Reservation provide for an adventurous amount of hiking. The flood plain, upland meadows, mature forests, and a 65-acre wetland area provide for scenery changes during hikes. There are asphalt, gravel, dirt, and grass trails to pick from.

• Length: Over 2.5 miles of total trails

• Surfaces: Asphalt, Dirt, Grass

Cascade Park has trails for all park visitors. The park’s trail diverse trail system features beautiful views of the Black River throughout. The asphalt trail overlooks the river while connecting the park’s two playgrounds. The park’s towering waterfalls can be viewed by traveling along asphalt trails that overlook the ledges or on the primitive, natural trails among the ledges that include wooden bridges and rocks to climb. The trails can be accessed via the main entrance parking lot near the large playground.

• Length: 1.8 miles of total trails

• Surface: Sandstone gravel

Cassell Reservation features an out-and-back hiking trail with a short loop at the Eastern end, totaling about 1.8 miles of total trails to explore. The park’s gravel trail is constructed of sandstone rather than limestone to eliminate any possibility it might alter the site’s pH and affect the plants that grow adjacent to it. It is the ideal site for a leisurely nature-filled stroll in the woods.

• Length: 5.2 miles

• Surface: Natural

This 5.2-mile loop trail is an extremely primitive trail and is most commonly used for horseback riding (park closed to horseback riding from third week of October to December 31st for hunting season). Traditional hiking also takes place here as the trail traverses through mostly open fields and through some forests. Numerous ponds, wetlands and the Charlemont Creek can also be seen on the trail.

• Length: Over 4 miles of total trails

• Surfaces: Asphalt, Crushed stone, Natural

• Dog-Walking is allowed only on specific trails

This 425-acre primarily wetland reservation offers both paved asphalt and crushed limestone trails that run through both wooded and open areas. All trails are open to biking. Dogs are allowed year round on the asphalt trail and seasonally on the Briarwood Trail (prohibited from April 1 - June 30).

Pine Tree Picnic Area
4951 French Creek Road, Sheffield Village, OH 44054

French Creek Nature Center
4530 Colorado Ave, Sheffield Village, OH 44054

• Length: Over 4.5 miles of total trails

• Surfaces: Crushed Stone, Natural, Dirt

The French Creek Reservation features over four and a half miles of trails to guide you through the rich woodlands and along picturesque streams and cliffs. The Big Woods Stone trail is accessible from the French Creek Nature Center or from the Pine Tree Picnic Area.

• Length: 0.6 mile

• Surface: Asphalt

Hollstein Reservation’s short 0.6-mile trail is a beautiful jaunt through the woods that ends with a nice view of the Beaver Creek. The trailhead for this walking trail is adjacent to the parking lot of the Amherst HealthPlex and is part of the Beaver Creek Trail which connects Hollstein Reservation and Amherst Beaver Creek Reservation.

• Length: Over 3.1 miles of total trails

• Surfaces: Crushed Stone, Natural, Dirt

This trail connects the well-established Sheldon Woods Picnic Area with the larger, and wilder, section of this portion of the Indian Hollow Reservation.  It also features a connector trail at both ends.  The eastern connector joins a section facilitated by the Village of Grafton. A spectacular, humpback bridge crosses the East Branch of the Black River.  A portion of the trail follows a railroad bed that once held the tracks that served the sandstone quarry that once thrived here. Scenic views of the Black River, sandstone outcrops and quarrying debris, and wildlife are plentiful. Mountain bicycles are permitted on designated sections of non-improved trails.

• Length: 1.9 miles of total trails

• Surface: Crushed Stone

The Royal Oaks portion of Indian Hollow is a former golf course turned hiking and fitness trail. The Fitness Trail section is a 0.3 mile loop featuring 15 different workout stations. The crushed limestone trail is a total of 1.9 miles and is a great place to run or walk your dog as it travels through beautifully scenic fields and features 3 catch-and-release fishing ponds. At the beginning of the trail, near the former clubhouse, there is a water fountain which even features a doggy drinking fountain.

• Length: 2.2 miles of total trails

• Surface: Natural

This 2.2-mile loop trail is an extremely primitive trail and is most commonly used for horseback riding. Traditional hikers also enjoy this trail because it is unimproved and travels through the thick woods and over the Vermilion River numerous times. The difficulty of this hiking trail would be considered moderate.

• Length: Over 3 miles of total trails

• Surface: Asphalt, Crushed Stone

Follow the Kopf Family Reservation trail through woodlands that boast many flora and fauna. You can access the trail at several different entrances including the Avon Lake Public Library parking lot, Woodstock St, Sunset Park and at Belle Road Park.

Main Entrance/Conservatory
2739 Center Road,
Avon, OH 44011

Avon Wetlands Trailhead
35120 Riegelsberger Road,
Avon, OH 44011

• Length: Over 2.1 miles of total trails

• Surface: Crushed Gravel

Just behind the conservatory, outdoor garden and Butterfly house are the park’s beautiful wooded hiking trails. The park has two separate walking paths that both begin at the trailhead near the back of the parking lot. The Pin Oak Trail is a short trail through the woods that, at some points, lies adjacent to local neighborhoods. The Sycamore Trail is a wonderfully wooded trail that follows the French Creek and has gorgeous views of wildlife.

*Please Note: Dogs are allowed on all trails, however they are prohibited from the outdoor gardens and the butterfly house.

Gateway Trailhead
6275 Gateway Boulevard, Elyria, OH 44035

Butternut Ridge Trailhead
44342 Butternut Ridge Road, Oberlin, OH 44074

• Length: 65 miles, 13.1 in Lorain County

• Surface: Asphalt

The North Coast Inland Trail encompasses 65 miles, from Elyria to Toledo. The city of Oberlin owns the 3.1 miles within its city borders and the Lorain County Metro Parks owns and manages the remaining ten miles. This 12-foot-wide asphalt path is available to all non-motorized vehicles and can be picked up at several intersections throughout the adjacent communities with parking available at the Gateway and Butternut Ridge trailheads.

• Length: 2 miles

• Surface: Crushed Stone

• Dog-Walking is not allowed in wetlands area

• Bicycling is not allowed in wetlands area

The two-mile-long trip on the Sandy Ridge Trail will take you through the pristine wetland areas of the Sandy Ridge Reservation. This crushed stone loop trail tops the dikes that surround this preserve. An observation mound allows you to view the marsh from above and benches on the top allow you a scenic place to rest.

*Please Note: Pets and bicycles are not allowed on the Wet Woods and Marsh Loop Trails due to these areas being more “nature preserve” than “park.”

• Length: 2 miles

• Surface: Natural Grass & Dirt

• Dog-Walking is not allowed

• Bicycling is not allowed

The Schoepfle Garden Nature Trail starts near the back pond at the rear of Schoepfle Garden. The trail goes through the woods to the Birmingham Community Center. The trail is rich in nature and gives an idea of the type of plants and animals native to the Vermilion River Valley. The park also features a formal garden loop through the beautiful gardens and a river valley trail.

• Length: Over 3 miles of total trails

• Surface: Crushed Stone, Natural Dirt

The river valley at the Vermilion River Reservation provides for diverse communities of animal and plant life. There are over 3 miles of trails that travel through open meadows and shaded forests. The reservation has a walking center to assist you in finding the best trail for you. Once you find a trail you can begin your tour of one of the most historic sites in Lorain County.

• Length: Over 4 miles of total trails

• Surface: Asphalt, Crushed Stone

Over four miles of trails meander through the Wellington Reservation grassland fields, wetland habitats and around the South Reservoir. The loop trail system highlights a different section of the park, providing visitors with a variety of vistas across the lake from atop an elevated observation mound, and throughout the intermittent wetlands in the grassland prairies.