Mountaineering the Oak Hill Path in Cuyahoga Valley Nationwide Park affords a quiet, woodsy escape excellent for a peaceable stroll or brief path run. The 1.6-mile loop winds via a mixture of pine, beech, oak, and maple forest, with gently rolling terrain that’s simple to navigate however various sufficient to remain fascinating. The path is mostly much less crowded than extra common spots within the park, making it an important possibility for solitude seekers. Seasonal wildflowers, songbirds, and the occasional deer add to the pure appeal, whereas spur trails hook up with the longer Plateau Path for these trying to prolong their journey.
Do not miss dawn or sundown at Sylvan Pond
Mountaineering the Oak Hill Path
It’s one other humid morning in late June after I pull into the Oak Hill Trailhead, the place to begin for each the Oak Hill and Plateau Path. Simply final night, I hiked the for much longer Plateau Path, which loops round Oak Hill, so this morning I’m again for a fast run on the shorter internal loop. From the trailhead, the trail instantly dips into the forest, crosses a brief boardwalk, and reaches a well-marked junction: left heads towards the Plateau Path, however I keep straight on Oak Hill.
The path winds via a dense hardwood forest, the place morning mild filters via the cover, dappling the bottom with shifting patterns.
About half a mile in, the trail hugs the northern fringe of Sylvan Pond—one in every of over 100 lakes and ponds scattered all through Cuyahoga Valley Nationwide Park. Lily pads dot the water’s edge, and wildflowers line the shoreline. With the day already heating up, I pause for under a second earlier than persevering with on.
Previous the pond, the path slips again into the woods, the place a blanket of pine needles softens every step—a refined however welcome change in terrain.
I go two extra clear path junctions, each resulting in the Plateau Path and the close by Hemlock Ravine, earlier than crossing one of many loop’s few footbridges.
Across the 1.1-mile mark, the Oak Hill Path intersects with the Plateau Path as soon as extra earlier than narrowing right into a extra uncovered, much less shaded stretch.
Quickly after, the trail crosses one other small wood bridge and geese again into cooler forest cowl earlier than returning me to the trailhead.
It’s simply the proper distance to get the blood flowing earlier than the workday. The Plateau Path continues to be my favourite of the 2 by far, however on mornings like this, a fast lap round Oak Hill suits the invoice. I’ll be again within the valley later this week—hopefully chasing waterfalls after the rain.
