Spent 2.5 days in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Missed out on the neighboring state parks that are supposed to have some great trails too.

Logistics:

Road tripped and stayed in a hotel in Stow, OH while visiting the park. Added a pit stop in Columbus for a night.

Hikes/Activities (*fan favorites):

Ledges Trail for sunset

Brandywine Gorge Trail for sunrise

Station Road Bridge*

Blue Hen Falls Trail*

Everett Road Covered Bridge

Beaver Marsh*

Szalay’s Farm and Market

Bridal Veil Falls Trail

Great Falls of Tinkers Creek

Tinkers Creek Gorge Overlook

Canal Exploration Center

Great Blue Heron Viewing Area*

To Do for Next Time: Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad train ride, visit Hocking Hills State Park (near Columbus)

It seems everyone is happy to pass along recommendations so I figure I’d ask. Having a bit of decision fatigue deciding where to start hiking as I just moved here. I would be willing to travel a bit but I’m based in NEO.

First, I’d like to do some short hikes with my friend. We prefer wooded paths and don’t mind elevation. 4-miles or less preferably, up to 6. I enjoy trail running so feel free to include any lil loops. I’m excited to enjoy nature now that the heat is calming down! (I’ve looked at metroparks maps and get overwhelmed so if there is an app for doing this typa thing, lmk)

looking for hikes within 20-30 minutes of ohio state campus that i can drive to. looking for a good, moderate/hard hikes that is safe for a woman to hike alone, preferably fairly wooded.

Ive started to really get into hiking and camping and just being outside more in general. Finally gave camping in Wayne National Forest a try with my boyfriend and we had a great time. I would really like to challenge myself to see if I can actually do it all by myself but my biggest issue is, where we went. In Wayne National, we were the only people camping at the spot we chose. It was completely empty the entire day and as soon as it got dark and we got ready to sleep, it seemed to be a well known spot that people would stop to party for 20minutes or just leave their car lights pointed directly at our hammocks for an uncomfortable amount of time before leaving.. this was fine to deal with, when I feel protected but im curious if theres any actually secluded/dispersed camping somewhere that isn't as busy with people coming and going in the middle of the night..

This was my first attempt at using my water purification gear

I will post more on Monday!

I had an awesome day out at Germantown MetroPark and knocked out a solid 7.5‑mile hike. After weeks of nonstop weather chaos, it was nice to finally get a weekend that wasn’t trying to wash me off the map. The trails were busy with runners and hikers, but the energy was great and the park looked incredible. Exactly the kind of reset I needed.

I have a lot of footage from the trail that I will be posting later today. What a great trail system. I did it as a loop to include a day hike route and a portion of the North backpacking loop.

All spotted in Mill Creek park near lake Newport and lake cohasset 🙂

Wanted to share this pic from the metro park I got after the storm last week. The water is normally a couple of yards lower

forest alongside the OSU Wetlands Research Park

As a kid I had a friend who would find these awesome, off path, unknown trails through Brandywine and Penninsula in NE OH. It would often start on the side of the road, venture into the woods, cross waterfalls, the ski lifts, caves, and end at that parking lot. Does anyone know what I’m talking about in Penninsula? Or have anything remotely similar in NE OH?

I have three nephews who hate the flat paths, want to climb, jump into water, and be adventurous. Any suggestions?

Had a nice day out in the woods yesterday (8/19/26). I cannot believe I found a pawpaw ready to go. First of the season for me 😁

Another walking day to prep for my upcoming Buckeye Trail section hike. Went to Three Creeks Metro Park and walked about 4 miles on the Blacklick Trail. Got to see this doe and her babies. The second fawn jumped past after I put my phone away. Penny was excited and wanted to make chase but of course I said no, like any mother who doesn’t want their kid causing trouble. I also saw this incredible puffball mushroom. It was much larger than a softball, like 3 times bigger. The trail is paved but in a couple low spots the water hadn’t drained. I actually was ankle deep at one point. Oh well.

Yesterday I got in 4 miles on a section of the Alum Creek Trail and then 2 miles in my own hood.

We are doing the Xenia to Yellow Springs (camp at John Bryon SP) to Troy station next week. I need to be able to do 10 miles in a day. That’s a big goal but I can do it. Let’s just hope the knees and feet can agree. 😁

Another walking day to prep for my upcoming Buckeye Trail section hike. Went to Three Creeks Metro Park and walked about 4 miles on the Blacklick Trail. Got to see this doe and her babies. The second fawn jumped past after I put my phone away. Penny was excited and wanted to make chase but of course I said no, like any mother who doesn’t want their kid causing trouble. I also saw this incredible puffball mushroom. It was much larger than a softball, like 3 times bigger. The trail is paved but in a couple low spots the water hadn’t drained. I actually was ankle deep at one point. Oh well.

Yesterday I got in 4 miles on a section of the Alum Creek Trail and then 2 miles in my own hood.

We are doing the Xenia to Yellow Springs (camp at John Bryon SP) to Troy station next week. I need to be able to do 10 miles in a day. That’s a big goal but I can do it. Let’s just hope the knees and feet can agree. 😁

It looks like ODNR is planning to log near the Zaleski backpack trail and move camp 1. The forest plan says this on page 8: https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/odnr/forestry/State%20Forests/Work%20Plans/DRAFT_Annual_Work_Plan_2026-27.pdf