Safety, safety, safety....this should be your prime consideration in choosing where to run.
There are some places in the Cleveland area where one should not run even if accompanied by a pack of Dobermans. Other places may be safe during the day but not at night. The following list of potential places to run does not come with any guarantee of safety, especially if you run after dark or if you run alone. Places that look attractive as you are driving by in your car may not be good choices for running.
Also, your momma does not approve of you running in the street!
Maps for many of the areas are included with the descriptions.
Cleveland Metroparks
Overview
As a group, the Cleveland Metroparks are the best place to run in the Cleveland area (but also see the Cuyahoga National Recreation Area, below). Some areas are better suited for running than others, however. Most offer paved paths, some also have dirt trails.
Best bets:
Best Overall: Probably Rocky River
Relatively Flat, Medium to Long Runs (5 miles and up): Big Creek, Millstream Run, North Chagrin, Polo Field (trail), Rocky River
Dirt Trails: Polo Field (part of South Chagrin), North Chagrin, Rocky River (southern end)
Hills: Bedford, Brecksville, Euclid Creek, North Chagrin, South Chagrin
General: There is paved path that runs along Euclid Creek, and goes most of the length of the narrow park. There is also a dirt trail on the other side of the road in the lower half of the park. The out and back round trip on the paved path is 4.5 to 5 miles.
Conditions: Contains a long and in some parts quite steep hill, which goes upward as you run south. The paved path is undergoing a short area of construction at the upper end. The dirt trail is more rolling than the paved path, giving you more hills for your money.
Where to Park: If you want to run uphill first, park at the Highland Picnic Area at the northern end. If you want to run downhill first, park at either the Quarry or Kelly Picnic Areas near the southern end (there are no parking lots at the extreme southern end, but a residential neighborhood offers plenty of parking). Restrooms are at Quarry, Highland and Welsh Woods picnic areas (Welsh Woods is half-way in between the other two).
Description: Distances from the southern entrance of the park: Quarry Picnic Area 0.3 miles, Kelly Picnic Area 0.4 miles, Welsh Woods Picnic Area 1.2 miles, Highland Picnic Area 2.4 miles (if you go all the way to the telephone at Highland Road, or if you go the Upper Highland Picnic Area parking lot). The southern end of the path is generally steeper than the northern end. The dirt path runs on the opposite side of the street as the creek and the paved path, and goes between the Welsh Woods and Highland Picnic Areas.
General: There is a paved path that runs along or near the road in the upper (western) part of the park (parallel to Buttermilk Falls Parkway), plus there are numerous dirt trails throughout the park. The Buckeye trail goes through the southern part of the park.
Conditions: The paved path is relatively flat with some minor hills. The dirt trails vary from almost flat (those that run north-south) to very hilly (those that run east-west), and from smooth to rough. Bike riders and roller bladers may be numerous on the paved paths during warm months. There generally are not many horses on the trails.
Where to Park: In the upper part of the park the largest parking areas (with restrooms) are at Strawberry Pond, Sanctuary Marsh/Sunset Pond, and the Forest Picnic Area. In the lower part of the park (along Chagrin River Road) there are several parking areas of which the one at Squires Castle (which as a restroom) may be the best for trail access. Many other smaller parking areas are located throughout the park. If you are interested in trail running, pick up a map at the Nature Center at Sanctuary Marsh/Sunset Pond, or join the Northeast Running Club for one of their Sunday morning runs.
Description: The main paved path runs approximately 2.7 miles from the southern end of Buttermilk Falls Parkway to the northern end of the park (ie. 5.4 miles round trip), and has mileage markers. The paved path follows close to the road, except for the section between Sunset Lane and Strawberry Lane. If you want to stick to paved paths, the distance can be extended by taking one of two paved paths that run from Buttermilk Falls Parkway to S.O.M. Center Road, and running along S.O.M. Center Road towards Wilson Mills Road. At the southern end of Buttermilk Falls Pathway there is still a section of the old road which goes part way down into the valley, and offers a good opportunity for hill work. The dirt trails are numerous. The one that runs roughly parallel to Buttermilk Falls Parkway is quite smooth and relatively flat, and the one that runs roughly parallel to Chagrin River Road is less smooth in some areas and is also relatively flat. The dirt paths that run between the valley and the rim of the valley are very steep and can get rough in some areas.
General: A six mile (round-trip) out and back trail run along the Chagrin River. Most of it consists of a horse trail that runs from the Polo Field south to the main part of South Chagrin Reservation.
Conditions: The trail is generally flat to minimally hilly (uphill as you go south). Depending on the season and the location, the trail varies from hard packed dirt to mud, and from smooth to rough. This trail tends to remain icy for a few days after the snow has melted in the vicinity. Keep an eye out for horses, which can sometimes be numerous (and not always well controlled) during the warmer seasons.
Where to Park: There are two parking lots at the Polo Field (South Woodland and Chagrin River Road), as well as a number of places to park along Chagrin River Road. A restroom is closest to the northern end of the Polo Field.
Description: Park at the northern end of the polo field and run counterclockwise around the field to the southern parking lot of the Polo Field. From there, the trail follows the road briefly before heading down a small hill into a wooded area. The trail thereafter goes through a mixture of woods and fields. After about 1.5 miles, take the left fork which goes underneath Chagrin Boulevard (the right fork goes to a parking lot). Continue until you reach a sidestream of the river, which necessitates getting your feet wet or taking a small detour to the road and back. Eventually, the trail leads to a short but very steep hill, followed by a parking lot just before you reach Miles Road. Turn around and go back the way you came for the six mile round trip, or follow the road for about one-tenth of a mile to the main part of South Chagrin Reservation for a longer run.
General: There is a great paved path which runs along the Rocky River for the entire length of the park. In some areas the river and road are close together and the path is sandwiched between them. In other areas the road veers away from the river; the path follows the river in some places and the road in others. The one-way distance on the paved path is 13.2 miles. There is also a well-maintained bridle trail in the southern part of the park, starting at the South Mastick Picnic area. In addition, in some areas there are foot paths that follow close to the river.
Conditions: The paved path is generally flat, with a mild (but continuous) uphill grade as it runs southward. There are markers every half mile, of which a few are missing. During warmer weather watch out for the large number of cyclists and roller bladers. The bridle trail is quite smooth and wide. The dirt paths close to the river's edge are of variable quality, and in some areas are better suited for walking/fishing than running.
Where to Park: There are multiple places to park, some of which have restrooms. Scenic Park, located near the foot of the Detroit Bridge, is at the northern end of the park and has the lowest elevation. Heated restrooms with running water can be found at Scenic Park, Little Met Golf Course, and Rocky River Nature Center (for those of you into creature comforts). Cleveland West Road Runners Club group runs start at Scenic Park, Little Met Golf Course, and Rocky River Nature Center, depending on the day of the week.
Description: Starting at Scenic Park (mile 0), the first four miles are relatively flat and follow the river closely. At mile 4 the path leaves the river and goes up a short hill around mile 4.2-4.5, after which one reaches the Little Met Golf Course (mile ~4.7). From Little Met Golf Course the path goes along a marsh followed by the golf courses, and rejoins the river at the North Mastick Picnic area. Starting at the South Mastick Picnic area the paved path leaves the river and follows the road for an extended distance. However, the bridle trail which starts here generally runs close to the river (or at least away from the road), and is a much more scenic alternative to the paved path. [to be continued]
General: This is a great 19.5 mile-long well-maintained dirt and cinder trail that runs along the towpath of the old Ohio & Erie Canal, and parallels the Cuyahoga River. It goes from Independence (Rockside Road) at the northern end to Indian Mound (near Bath Road) at the southern end. Mile markers indicate the distance from the mouth of the Cuyahoga River (as it enters Lake Erie), so that the trail goes from approximately mile 11 to mile 30.5. The canal is fully maintained (filled with water) at its northern end from mile 11 to mile 17. Further south, you can see the old canal bed to various extents.
Conditions: The trail goes uphill as you go south. The slope is always very gradual, but it is relentless, so if you go a long way it can make a big difference which way you are going. Most of the trail is hard-packed cinder and dirt, but there are some sections of asphalt. Bicycles are numerous on the trail, whereas horses are only occasionally present.
Where to Park: There are many parking lots along the way, the majority of which have (portable) restrooms and a billboard with a trail map. If this is your first visit, stop at the Canal Visitor Center (near the northern end) or the Hunt Farm Visitor Information Center (towards the southern end) to obtain maps and other information.
Description:
From mile 11 (the northern end) to mile 14.5 (Frazee House) the trail runs close to a road and is relatively sunny. If you do part of this section, park at the Canal Visitor Center (which has a small museum about the canal) and go south.
The best part of the northern half of the trail is from mile 14.5 to mile 19.5 (especially mile 14.5 to mile 17, which goes through Pinery Narrows). This section has a decent amount of shade. You are best off parking at Frazee house and running south, but you can also park at Station Road Bridge (adjacent to the Brecksville Metropark) and run in either direction.
The section from Red Lock Trailhead (mile 19.5) to mile 21 or so is the least attractive.
The best part of the southern half of the trail is from Boston Trailhead (mile 21.5) south to mile 25 or so. The trail in this section follows the river closely most of the time, and is also rather shady. Park at Boston Trailhead (off Boston Mills road) and go south, or park at Lock 29 trailhead (at Peninsula, near state route 303) and run mainly north.
From mile 24.5 to the southern end (mile 30.5), the trail generally does not come close to the river, but goes through woods, meadows, and farmland. There is a nice view of Beaver Marsh near mile 28.
Other Areas Near or Within the Park
Bike and Hike Trail: The Bike and Hike Trail runs along the eastern edge of the Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area, and in some areas is not located in the CVRNA itself. There are two connections between the Towpath Trail and the Bike and Hike Trail: the Buckeye Trail (at Frazee House, mile 14.5 on the Towpath Trail), and the Old Carriage Trail/Old Carriage Trail Connector (between miles 18 and 19 on the Towpath Trail, 1 - 2 miles south of Station Road Bridge Trailhead). Both connections are steep, as the Bike and Hike Trail is located outside of the Cuyahoga River Valley.
Bedford and Brecksville Metroparks: The Brecksville Metropark can be reached directly from the Towpath Trail at Station Road Bridge. The Bedford Metropark can be reached via the Bike and Hike Trail, or the Buckeye Trail (catch the latter at Frazee House).
General: Pleasant residential area along a long and straight but not too busy street, extending the entire length of Lakewood.
Conditions: Essentially flat. However at times the wind coming off the lake may make one direction a lot easier than the other direction.
Where to Park: This is more of a local place to run than a place to specifically drive to. Lakewood park is located around the middle of this stretch of road, and offers a parking area, restrooms, and a nice view of the lake and downtown Cleveland.
Description: Run on the north side of the street to minimize busy street crossings, as many north-south streets dead-end at Lake Road. This run can be extended further east into Cleveland or further west into Rocky River, as desired.
General: There is a 3 mile (round trip) out and back asphalt trail along the Shaker Lakes. In addition, there are several other dirt trails around the lakes plus scenic detours past large mansions into Southerly Park and the surrounding neighborhood that can increase the mileage to the 6 - 9 mile range. The Shaker Lakes Nature Center is located in this area.
Conditions: There is a mild grade that goes uphill as one goes east. The asphalt trails along the Shaker Lakes and in Southerly Park are in good condition, whereas the dirt trails are variably smooth to rough.
Where to Park: This area is residential, so one can park almost anywhere along the route. Best bet is to park on the dead end street comprising the dam of the Lower Lake, located 10 - 20 yards east of the intersection of Coventry and North Park. There is a restroom at Horseshoe Lake, but it is closed in the winter.
Description: Park at the dam of Lower Lake. The asphalt trail goes due east along North Park Boulevard for a total of three long blocks, each of which is 1/2 mile long; out and back is therefore 3 miles. For a more interesting run, follow the dirt trail along the southern border of the Lower Lake, and then continue east along South Park Boulevard. Eventually cross over (go north) to North Park Boulevard (which further east becomes Shelbourne), and return to the starting point by running west. The following are distances for the loop depending on where one turns north: Park Blvd, 3.4 miles; Eaton Road, 4.3 miles; Courtland Blvd, 5.0 miles; Warrensville Blvd, 5.8 miles. If you go along the southern side of the Lower Lake but take West Park Boulevard around Southerly Park and then back to South Park, add 0.9 miles to the above distances. Extending the route slightly further south along Parkland and South Woodland Blvds will take one past two other lakes. Finally, see the "Shaker Heights and Beachwood" section if you want to extend the run further east.
Shaker Heights and Beachwood: South Woodland Blvd and Vicinity
General: Pleasant residential area along a long and straight but not too busy street. The distance from Lee Road to Richmond Road is 3.5 miles one-way; returning via Shaker Boulevard (slightly north) makes for a 7.5 mile round trip.
Conditions: The section from Lee Road to Warrensville Center Road has a mild but constant grade, whereas the section from Warrensville Center Road to Richmond Road has rolling hills (none steep). This route goes uphill as you go east.
Where to Park: This is more of a local place to run than a place to specifically drive to. Public libraries (translation: bathrooms) are located at Shaker and Warrensville (Shaker Heights Library, Bertram Woods Branch) and at Shaker and Richmond (Beachwood Library).
Description: Distances (one-way) are as follows: Lee Road to Warrensville Center Road 1.5 miles, Warrensville Center Road to Green Road 1 mile, Green Road to Richmond Road 1 mile. For a round trip, go north to either Shaker Boulevard (which adds slightly over 0.5 mile for the round trip) or Fairmount Boulevard (which adds roughly 1.5 miles to the round trip). There are some good quiet side streets which run between South Woodland and Shaker Blvd (east of Warrensville Center Road). Further east of Richmond the sidewalk ends after a short distance. If you plan to go on South Woodland further west than Lee Road, you are better off heading slightly north to the Shaker Lakes area (see description) and continuing there.
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