Did you know our very own Cuyahoga Valley has great trails for snowshoeing and cross country skiing? Cooler temperatures don’t require us to stay indoors for months at a time!
Photos courtesy of Cuyahoga Valley National Park
You can snowshoe on any of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park trails (except Brandywine Falls and Ledges). Be aware that some of the trails have stairs and that cross-country skiers have the right-of-way. Rental snowshoes are available at the Winter Sports Center and Boston Store Visitor Center, both open from 10am to 4pm every day. Rentals cost just $5. You will need to leave your credit card and driver’s license with the centers as a deposit. (Please note that rentals are only available when the snow is four or more inches deep.)
The trails are also open for cross-country skiing! If you don’t have your own, cross-country skis are available to rent at the Winter Sports Center. Rentals cost $15 for a day or $7.50 for three hours. You will need to leave your credit card or driver’s license at the rental facility as a deposit. (Please note that rentals are only available when snow is six or more inches deep.)
Some of our favorite snowshoeing and cross-country skiing trails include the following:
- Bike & Hike Trail: You can explore this trail for ten or more miles. As part of the Metro Parks, this flat, smooth train is perfect for cross-country expeditions.
- Cross Country Trail: This 2.5-mile trail is great for either snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. It is best for adventurers with intermediate levels of experience, as it crosses steep hills, old fields, and wooded areas.
- Boston Run Trail: Enjoy either snowshoeing or cross-country skiing this 3.5-mile trail. It requires an intermediate level of experience to traverse the wooded areas and steep hills.
- Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath: For a longer cross-country skiing adventure, try this 19.7-mile trail. The easy trail is known for its scenery.
- Ledges Field: This trail is perfect for beginner cross-country skiers. The flat, open field is large enough for fun explorations without any chance of collisions!
- Pine Grove Trail: For a moderately strenuous snowshoeing experience, try this 3.5-mile long trail. Best accessed through the Winter Sports Center, the drainage steps add a unique snowshoeing challenge.
- Oak Hill Trail: The 1.5-mile loop trail is easy-to-moderate. The trail extends past a pond and through a wooded region. Try it out on your snowshoes or cross-country skis!
- Tree Farm Trail: This snowshoeing and cross-country skiing loop trail is just 2.75 miles long. It crosses over gentle hills, open fields, and clusters of coniferous trees.
- Plateau Trail: This moderately strenuous trail includes two steep hills for both snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. The 4.9-mile outer loop is just right for some exercise!
If you’re interested in more snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, visit the Winter Sports Center at Kendall Lake Shelter. The center hosts hot drink stations to warm you after a day spent in the chilly outdoors. The facility also provides schedules for park events, maps of the area, and weather updates, as well as information about their snowshoeing and cross-country skiing programs.
A Winter Hike With Appalachian Outfitters
To build on old friendships and create new ones, join us for a winter hike guided by Appalachian Outfitters staff. Meet us at the Cross County Trail at 10:00am on Sunday, January 18, 2015 to explore our winter wonderland!