Ohio isn’t the first state that comes to mind when you’re planning a hiking trip, but Cuyahoga Valley National Park has a way of changing that. Spanning 33,000 acres along the Cuyahoga River between Cleveland and Akron, this park packs in an impressive variety of landscapes — forested ridgelines, ancient sandstone formations, cascading waterfalls, and thriving wetlands. My husband and I spent several days exploring the park in early November, and we left completely won over. Over at Lily Travel, I cover a lot of hiking destinations, and Cuyahoga genuinely surprised me with how much it had to offer.
We used the AllTrails app throughout our visit to navigate trails, check conditions, and discover options we wouldn’t have found otherwise. I highly recommend downloading it before your trip. Below are the five hikes that stood out most from our time in the park.
1. Brandywine Falls Loop
Trail Stats
- Distance: 2.6 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Elevation Gain: 334 ft
Brandywine Falls Loop is the park’s most iconic trail for good reason. The 65-foot waterfall that tumbles over layered shale and sandstone is stunning, and the boardwalk viewing platforms put you right in front of the action. There’s both an upper and a lower viewing deck, and the perspective from each is completely different. The loop itself takes you through dense forest, over a footbridge, and past some mossy sandstone cliffs along the gorge — it’s beautiful well beyond the falls themselves.
💡 Pro Tip: Go early. This is one of the most popular trails in the park, and the parking area can fill up quickly, especially on weekends. Midday visits tend to feel the most crowded. If you can catch it on a weekday morning, even better.
2. Ledges Trail Loop
Trail Stats
- Distance: 2.4 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Elevation Gain: 216 ft
This was my favorite hike of the entire trip. The Ledges Trail Loop winds through a landscape of enormous ancient sandstone formations — the kind of massive boulders, narrow crevices, and mossy overhangs that make you feel like you’ve stepped into the Appalachians rather than northeast Ohio. The rock formations, known as the Ritchie Ledges, are millions of years old and made of Sharon Conglomerate — geology buffs will love this one.
While we were on the trail, a hawk swooped down and flew right past us. I couldn’t believe it had just happened. The Ledges Overlook at the top is a fantastic reward with sweeping views across the valley.
3. Beaver Marsh
Trail Stats
- Distance: 1.8 miles (out-and-back)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Elevation Gain: 29 ft
If you’re a birder or wildlife lover, don’t even think about skipping Beaver Marsh. This accessible boardwalk trail winds through a restored 70-acre wetland along the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath and has become one of the most productive wildlife-watching spots in the entire park. The marsh is designated as an Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society, and it earns that designation — we were there hoping to see wood ducks, and we were thrilled to see many. They were everywhere, and unusually comfortable around people, so we got a long, close look at them along with other waterfowl and birds of prey.
Beyond birds, the marsh is home to beavers, turtles, frogs, herons, water snakes, and the occasional otter. The trail is flat and paved in sections, making it great for all fitness levels and accessible for strollers and wheelchairs. If you brought a bike, this stretch of the Towpath is an excellent place to use it.
💡 Pro Tip: The best wildlife activity tends to be early morning or in the evening. Bring binoculars if you have them.
4. Bridle Trail to Bridal Veil Falls Overlook
Trail Stats
- Distance: 4.4 miles (out-and-back)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Elevation Gain: 344 ft
Just north of the national park in Bedford Reservation, the Bridle Trail to Bridal Veil Falls Overlook is one of the most rewarding routes in the area. The trail follows a wide dirt bridle path through scenic woodlands with a few notable elevation changes along the way, two low-traffic road crossings, and a pair of small creek crossings over bridges — all building toward the payoff at the end: the beautiful Bridal Veil Falls Overlook.
The falls themselves tumble down along Deerlick Creek, surrounded by hardwoods and hemlocks, and they earn their name — the cascading water has a delicate, curtain-like quality that’s especially striking in the cooler months when the foliage has thinned. The overlook is reached via a boardwalk with steps, giving you a gorgeous close-up view. This is one of the longer routes to the falls, so it works well if you want to stretch your legs while still ending at a scenic destination. The trail is popular for hiking, running, and birding, and you can often find a bit of solitude away from the falls themselves.
5. Cascade Locks Park
Trail Info
- Location: 57 West North Street, Akron, OH
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
- Activities: Hiking, biking, birding
Technically just outside the national park boundary, Cascade Locks Park in Akron is a worthwhile detour for anyone interested in the layered history of this region. This industrial heritage park, part of the Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area, tells the story of Akron from its early frontier days through the canal era and into its industrial rise — all set along a stretch of the Towpath Trail with trails for hiking, biking, and birding.
What makes this stop especially convenient is its location right next to Lock 15 Brewing Co., which makes a perfect pairing for a post-hike lunch. The brewing scene around Cuyahoga Valley is excellent, and this combo of historic park plus great beer is hard to beat. If you’re looking to add some cultural and historical context to your outdoor adventure, Cascade Locks Park delivers.
💡 Pro Tip: Combine Cascade Locks Park with a visit to Lock 15 Brewing Co. right next door — a perfect reward after a morning on the trail.
Final Thoughts on Hiking Cuyahoga Valley
Whether you’re chasing waterfalls, sandstone formations, or quiet wetland wildlife, there’s a trail for you at Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The park is accessible year-round, free to enter, and easy to navigate, and with AllTrails as your guide, you’ll have no trouble finding exactly the right hike for your pace and interests.
For the full trip report — including where to eat and where to stay near the park — check out my complete Cuyahoga Valley National Park guide on Lily Travel.
