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Blue Hen Falls Trail

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate Intermediate
 4.1 (39)
  1. Areas
  2. OH
  3. …Northeast Ohio
  4. Cuyahoga Valley National Park
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“An out-and-back trail that follows a creek between two waterfalls. ”

Scho Wolers
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Map Key

1.6

Miles

2.6

KM

Out and Back

902' 275 m

High

734' 224 m

Low

168' 51 m

Up

168' 51 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

9%

Max Grade (5°)

Dogs Leashed

Features River/Creek · Waterfall

Family Friendly The trail itself is relatively easy, but children will love the waterfalls (especially Blue Hen, which is easier to get close to).

Overview

This route may be short, but what it lacks in distance, it makes up for with great scenery. Featuring not one, but two fantastic waterfalls, this short route will give visitors a great "bang for their buck," especially those visitors looking to see some of the Park's best features on a limited timescale.

Description

From the parking area at the trailhead, follow the route until the bridge, immediately after which the trail goes to the right (left follows the Buckeye Trail). Shortly after the bridge, the trail will pass Blue Hen Falls, one of the more scenic and well-known falls in the region.

Although the area is heavily wooded, minimal elevation change makes the trail quite doable for groups with children. However, recent flood damage has made the trail easy to lose in certain spots. After an easy crossing (the creek never gets deeper than a 1/2 foot or so), the trail will terminate at the foot of Buttermilk Falls, a less-renowned but much taller waterfall than Blue Hen. For the most impressive views of the falls, go right after heavy rainfall!

Flora & Fauna

The dense forest consists of a variety of old growth tree varieties.

Contacts

Land Manager: NPS - Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Shared By:

Scho Wolers
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.1 from 39 votes

#3

in Cuyahoga Valley National Park

#403

Overall
  4.1 from 39 votes
5 Star
36%
4 Star
38%
3 Star
23%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
3%
Recommended Route Rankings

#3

in Cuyahoga Valley Nation…

#4

in Ohio

#403

Overall
27 Views Last Month
9,890 Since Jan 15, 2016
Intermediate Intermediate
16%
3%
59%
9%
9%
3%
Add a Photo

Photos

Close-up of Blue Hen Falls.
Jan 20, 2016 near Peninsula, OH
Fall foliage of Blue Hen Falls.
Jan 20, 2016 near Peninsula, OH
Blue Hen Falls in Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Apr 20, 2016 near Peninsula, OH
Route to Buttermilk Falls follows a stream.
Oct 6, 2020 near Peninsula, OH
Buttermilk Falls
Oct 6, 2020 near Peninsula, OH
Top of Buttermilk Falls
Aug 23, 2018 near Peninsula, OH

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Minor Issues 9 days ago
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Check-Ins

Apr 14, 2024
Braden Herrick
2.6mi — 1h 26m
Nov 17, 2023
Markus Jeremiah Moretto
Couldn't quite figure out how to get to Buttermilk without getting shoes wet, so stopped at second stream crossing past Blue Hen.
Nov 6, 2023
Debbie School
Nov 5, 2023
CYNTHIA MATHIS
Oct 21, 2023
Jacquelyn Krueger
Oct 18, 2023
Kristine Lin
Oct 10, 2023
Megan Wellman
Went down to the falls which was fun as a choose-your-own-adventure. Trail was maintained super well but not much scenery until the end. Loved it! 1.6mi — 14h 48m
Aug 13, 2023
Angela P

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