TO RUN IN CLEVELAND

Where to Run in Cleveland: Explore the Best Trails & Parks

Cleveland is home to an extensive network of parks, reservations, and trails, making it a prime destination for runners of all levels. Whether you're seeking scenic lakefront views, forested paths, or challenging hill climbs, Cleveland’s outdoor spaces have something for everyone. Below are some of the city's top spots for runners to explore:

East Side Running Trails

Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP)

• Terrain: Forested trails, creekside paths, challenging hills
• Notable Trails: Ledges, Kendall Lake Cross Country Trail, Pine Hollow, Everett Covered Bridge
  Located just south of Cleveland, CVNP offers diverse trails through rolling hills, forests, and creeks. Trails like the Ledges and Kendall Lake are popular for runners looking for elevation and variety, while the Pine Hollow and Salt Run trails provide more tranquil, wooded paths.

North Chagrin Reservation

• Terrain: Wooded, hilly trails
  North Chagrin Reservation, located in Willoughby Hills, offers beautiful trails through forested landscapes. The park has several miles of rugged terrain, including the Rocky River Trail, which provides scenic views and varied terrain for runners.

South Chagrin Reservation

• Terrain: Hilly, wooded trails
  In the nearby suburb of Bentleyville, South Chagrin Reservation features peaceful trails through deep woods, including the picturesque "Rocky River Trail" that runs along the river. It’s a great spot for trail runners who enjoy elevation changes.

West Side Running Trails

Hinckley Reservation (Hinckley)

• Terrain: Varied natural trails
  This reservation offers a mix of open fields, wetlands, and forests. With trails surrounding the beautiful Hinckley Lake, this park is perfect for a scenic, varied run through nature.

Edgewater Park (Cleveland)

• Terrain: Paved lakefront trail
  Located along Lake Erie, Edgewater Park provides stunning waterfront views and a relaxing environment for running. Its paved trails along the lake are perfect for those looking for a flat, scenic route with views of downtown Cleveland and the water.

French Creek Reservation (Avon/Lorain County)

• Terrain: Wooded trails and wetlands
  This peaceful reservation near Avon offers wooded paths alongside French Creek, providing a tranquil run surrounded by nature. The park is ideal for those who enjoy creekside trails and quiet forests.

Black River Reservation (Elyria/Lorain County)

• Terrain: Riverfront and forested trails
  Located in Elyria, Black River Reservation features trails that wind along the Black River and through forests. The combination of river views and forested paths makes this park a serene spot for runners.

Rocky River Reservation

• Terrain: Paved and unpaved trails, hills
  One of the most well-known parks in the area, Rocky River Reservation offers a variety of running options. From the paved all-purpose paths to more rugged trails around Fort Hill, there’s something for everyone. Don’t miss the 155 steps at Fort Hill for a challenging climb and an incredible view.

Emerald Marina (Lakewood)

• Terrain: Paved trails along the river and lake
  Located in Lakewood along the banks of the Rocky River and Lake Erie, Emerald Marina offers scenic views and a peaceful environment for runners. Its waterfront location makes it a great place for an easy, picturesque run.

Mill Stream Reservation (Strongsville)

• Terrain: Paved and natural trails
  Mill Stream Reservation is a hidden gem in Strongsville with a variety of trails that wind through woodlands and around water features. This park is great for runners who want to experience a mix of paved and unpaved paths.

Big Creek Reservation (Parma)

• Terrain: Paved and nature trails
  Big Creek Reservation offers a combination of paved all-purpose trails and natural paths that wind through woodlands and along the creek. It’s an accessible spot for runners who enjoy a mix of paved and natural terrain.

Kopf Family Reservation (Avon)

• Terrain: Easy, wooded trails
  Located in Avon, this park features simple, scenic trails through wooded areas. The easy terrain makes it a great option for beginners or those looking for a gentle run through nature.

Big Creek Parkway (Parma)

• Terrain: Paved all-purpose trail
• Notable Trails: Lake Isaac Loop – A 1.2-mile unpaved trail that provides a scenic, natural addition to your run, along with the option to connect to the Lake-to-Lake Trail, 5 mile paved out-and-back route.
  The Big Creek Parkway is a long, paved route that connects several parks, including Big Creek and Mill Stream Reservations. This trail offers a continuous, mostly flat path ideal for those looking for a steady run. Access points along the trail make it easy to customize your distance.

Valley Parkway

• Terrain: Paved and unpaved paths
• Notable Trails: From north to south, some popular starting points are at Emerald Necklace Marina, South Mastick Picnic Area, Rocky River Nature Center, Wallace Lake, Bonnie Park, Pawpaw Picnic Area, or Oakgrove Picnic area.
  The Valley Parkway system stretches from Lakewood to Brecksville and crosses multiple Cleveland Metroparks reservations, including Rocky River, Mill Stream Run, and Brecksville. The parkway offers a combination of paved all-purpose trails and scenic, more rugged bridle paths. Popular starting points include Emerald Necklace Marina and Wallace Lake.

Royalview Mountain Bike Trail (Brecksville)

• Terrain: Technical, hilly trails
  If you’re looking for a more challenging run, the Royalview Mountain Bike Trail in Brecksville offers an 8-mile course with hilly and technical terrain. Though primarily for mountain bikers, runners can enjoy the challenge of the rugged terrain and gain a great workout.

Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail

• Terrain: Paved and crushed stone, mostly flat
  Starting in downtown Cleveland and running south through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail offers 90 miles of scenic running paths. The trail is mostly flat and runs along the historic canal, making it perfect for long-distance runs.