The roughly 4-mile loop winds via wooded hills, meadows, and shaded ravines, with about 500 ft of elevation achieve unfold throughout light terrain and some brief, steep climbs. The path is well-marked and consists of a number of stream crossings over charming wood footbridges, which add selection and curiosity to the hike. A key spotlight is the namesake Deer Lick Cave—a shallow sandstone overhang that’s particularly placing after rainfall when water trickles down the rock face. Although not a real cave, the formation is a neighborhood favourite and infrequently accompanied by a seasonal waterfall.
Water filterable all through
Do not miss mountain climbing the path after a tough rain
Mountaineering Deer Lick Cave
It’s a damp night in mid-June, and with a number of free hours earlier than assembly up with Heather, I make a fast cease at Deer Lick Cave—one in every of my favourite close by trails. The trailhead sits simply off the car parking zone, starting with a short paved stretch that passes a big restroom, a studying middle, and the Brecksville Reservation Nature Heart.
From there, the trail drops down a flight of 60 stairs right into a shady ravine, the place a small wood footbridge crosses Wallin Creek. On the opposite facet, the path climbs one other 60 steps, rising again out of the ravine.
On the prime, the red-blazed path winds via gently rolling forest, providing the occasional glimpse of Wallin Creek far under. A dense cover of hardwoods retains the trail shaded because it twists and turns beneath the bushes.
Across the one-mile mark, I hop throughout a shallow stream, climb a gentle incline, and shortly discover myself tracing the sting of Chippewa Creek Drive.
I cross the Decrease Chippewa Picnic Space—an awesome various start line if the primary lot had been full—earlier than diving again into the woods for a steep-ish, quarter-mile climb.
The path continues over light, rolling terrain earlier than merging with the blue-blazed Buckeye Path—Ohio’s longest steady mountain climbing route.
As I transfer alongside, the trail crosses a number of wood footbridges and climbs a collection of timber-framed steps, finally resulting in a slim boardwalk.
Simply past the boardwalk lies one of the crucial scenic sections of the loop, the place tree-lined borders body the path because it meanders deeper into the forest.
On the 2.4-mile mark, the Deer Lick Cave Path splits from the Buckeye Path and begins a rocky descent down rough-cut stone steps. The trail quickly ranges out and arrives on the path’s namesake characteristic: Deer Lick Cave. Regardless of the title, it’s not a real cave however moderately a shallow sandstone overhang, framed by huge boulders and a slow-moving stream. The ledge is partially flooded at this time, so after a fast look, I proceed on.
Simply past, one other smaller overhang seems, this one accompanied by a collection of delicate cascades fed by latest rain.
Round mile 2.7, I cease at one more wood footbridge—possibly the tenth or twelfth thus far—and take a second to catch my breath.
Refreshed, I push forward because the path rises and dips via the forest, crossing a number of closing streams and one other boardwalk space earlier than descending the staircase above Wallin Creek and rising close to the Nature Heart.
With just a little daylight nonetheless to spare earlier than assembly up with Heather, I attain the trailhead in good time, able to squeeze in yet another path—this time to Deep Lock Quarry, one of many final native trails nonetheless on my record. My hike on the Deer Lick Cave Loop involves an finish—for now. Like numerous occasions earlier than, I do know I’ll discover my approach again. It’s miles too lovely to not return.
