Ten Hidden Gems in Cleveland Metroparks
White Pine Trail, North Chagrin Reservation
Nestled in the heart of North Chagrin Reservation, the White Pine Loop Trail features a one-mile trail and boardwalk under majestic white pine trees that soar above. The trail ends at a small overlook with a pretty valley view, a perfect destination for those seeking a quiet retreat.
Owl Aviary, North Chagrin Reservation
Home to live, native owls including eastern screech owls, barred owls, and great horned owls, the Owl Aviary at North Chagrin Nature Center cannot be missed. Here you can get an up close view of these beautiful birds of prey and their features that make give them their nighttime hunting prowess.
Music Mound, Mill Stream Run Reservation
This former outdoor amphitheater was built during the Great Depression using locally quarried Berea Sandstone. You can still see the raised stage area, stone lined corridors and remnants of an old drinking fountain.
Chippewa Creek Gorge Scenic Overlook, Brecksville Reservation
This scenic gorge is filled with large boulders of Berea Sandstone which have tumbled into the creek and is lined with Eastern hemlocks. It can be accessed year-round via the Gorge Loop Trail.
Oxbow Lagoon, North Chagrin Reservation
This gem is so close to Squire's Castle in North Chagrin Reservation that it sometimes gets forgotten, but its serene trails make it worth exploring. This peaceful trail overlooks a marsh with elevated boardwalks that take you up and over the action of this thriving ecosystem. Visitors can more easily enjoy views of wildlife like herons fishing for lunch without the bustle of a busier trail.
Quarry Trail, Bradley Woods Reservation
Bradley Woods is located on a massive Berea sandstone formation which was once quarried at various sites throughout the reservation. Take the 1.3-mile Quarry Loop Trail for the best views of some of the old quarrying sites.
Brookside Overlook, Brookside Reservation
A quarter mile from Meadowridge Picnic Area, the Brookside wetlands and overlook are hidden gems packed with action. Red-tailed hawks nest nearby, so flyovers are frequent and exceptional. The overlook offers sweeping views of the Big Creek Valley below, while the wetlands are home to several species of waterfowl and are often visited by the resident white tailed deer and their young.
Astorhurst, Bedford Reservation
At the entrance of Astorhurst is a pond and managed wetland, offering a perfect evening spot where you can be serenaded with the music of trilling toads and peeping frogs. There is a paved walkway between the pond and wetland that will allow you to enjoy the show without interrupting the spring activities of these amphibians.
Viaduct Park, Bedford Reservation
Viaduct Park is filled to the brim with hidden gems including the remnants of the former viaduct and the exposed remnants of a saw mill, grist mill, and hydro-electric power plant. The best and brightest gem of Viaduct Park is the Great Falls of Tinker's Creek, which spans the width of Tinker's Creek and sends a thundering torrent of water into the 511-foot long arch, a true feat of engineering that was constructed over 120 years ago.
Water Tower and Pump House, Huntington Reservation
Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the 1880's water tower and pump house provided water for the extensive gardens at the summer estate of John Huntington.