The Cuyahoga Valley National Park

The Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Loosely speaking, the Cuyahoga Valley National Park lies between Cleveland and Akron…running alongside the Cuyahoga River. At almost 51 square miles (32,572 acres), Ohio’s only national park dovetails nicely with other nearby parks (Cleveland Metroparks and Summit Metro Parks systems) with a spectacular variety of natural areas, including forests…rolling hills…ravines…caves… wetlands… rivers…and Northeast Ohio’s tallest waterfall (Brandywine Falls). Equally notable are thetrails—especially the 20-mile Towpath Trail, which follows what was once the Ohio/Erie Canal.

In the midst of the Coronavirus Pandemic, CVNP trails have been a lifeline to people who are weary from social distancing and who long for closer interactions with others. With most travel curtailed; dining inside with friends and family restricted; shopping indoors at crowded malls limited; and attending people-packed concerts, sporting events, and theatrical performances minimized, we are anxious to stretch our legs, our minds, and our hearts.

What better place than the CVNP, where hikers, bikers, and runners can pretend that life is as normal as life can be. With many miles of trails available, a person could spend days and days exploring this part of our world. Paths are fascinating in all seasons, too. Lush summer gives way to the beauty of fall, which bends to the sharp grays and whites
of winter then renewal in the spring. It’s breathtaking in all weather and at all times of the year.

On most days, you can find me on a trail—hiking with my husband as we jettison concerns and restrictions in favor of the peace and beauty that we find in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

As usual, I now will shut down my computer, put on my hiking boots, and head out. Happy trails!