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Lots of steep climbs and technical portions—and incredible views.


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Map Key

3.2

Miles

5.2

KM

Point to Point

1,013' 309 m

High

749' 228 m

Low

422' 129 m

Up

383' 117 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

21%

Max Grade (12°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Wildlife

Description

Beginning at the Everett Covered Bridge, the Riding Run Trail ascends a short slope before plateauing onto a wide path that gradually leads you uphill, elevating you above the valley that slides off to your right. The trail traverses an old township road through a forest of white oaks, sycamores, ferns, and an occasional conifer. And, toward the end, toe-scrunching downgrades and serpentine curves will remind you why Riding Run is rated as a moderate-to-difficult bridle trail.

What Makes It Great:

For about two miles of the four-mile trail, you’ll feel like Little Red Riding Hood wandering through the forest. But instead of a wolf, you’ll encounter deer flies, pileated woodpeckers, and rabbits. Coyotes patrol the park as well, but you’re more likely to hear them than see them.

A little ways down the trail you won’t be able to miss all the vines twisting into abstract art, two sturdy pedestrian bridges awaiting footsteps, and a monolithic oak. Unfortunately, roots and other trip hazards render this trail very challenging for children and folks who are unsteady on their feet.

Who Will Love It:

Anyone looking to work up a good sweat. Clevelanders who moved downtown to renounce a stop-and-go commute but still want to retreat to the woods once in a while will like the quick half-hour highway drive to the trailhead. Injury-prone people and those who are afraid of losing their wi-fi connection will like the fact that Everett Road and Wheatley Road border two-thirds of Riding Run, making civilization just a hop, skip, and jump away. Those who like nature but don’t want to be touched by it won’t have to dodge low-hanging branches or trudge through tall, possibly tick-filled grass.

Flora & Fauna

You'll likely see woodpeckers, eastern bluebirds, and other stunning birds along this trail.

Contacts

Shared By:

Maggie Olson

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 15 votes

#1938

Overall
  4.3 from 15 votes
5 Star
53%
4 Star
27%
3 Star
20%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#27

in Ohio

#1,938

Overall
4 Views Last Month
1,317 Since Mar 29, 2016
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

0%
0%
46%
23%
31%
0%

Photos

Furnace Run trail, CVNP
Aug 6, 2019 near Peninsula, OH
Furnace Run trail, CVNP
Aug 6, 2019 near Peninsula, OH
Furnace Run trail, CVNP
Aug 6, 2019 near Peninsula, OH
One of several huge, astonishing trees that can be spotted along the trail.
Apr 20, 2016 near Richfield, OH
Towering trees line almost every step of this trail. Photo by NPS/DJ Reiser
Apr 20, 2016 near Richfield, OH
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

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