North Chagrin Mega Loop

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Views · Wildlife

This circumnavigation of North Chagrin Metropark combines sections of the Buckeye Trail, several bridle trails, Castle Valley and the Hemlock Loop trail.

Limited parking and port-a-john toilet at the trailhead. Additional toilets available at the picnic and parking areas you pass through on the hike.

Good footing throughout. Watch for road apples on the bridle trail.

Start up the hill from the Wilson Mills trailhead and explore North Chagrin. It starts with a good climb along a section of the Buckeye Trail: North Chagrin Section before flattening out and passing by the A.B. Williams memorial. You'll pass connections to the Castle Valley Trail, Overlook Trail, and Sylvan Loop Trail before heading downhill toward the horse trailer parking area the end of Rogers Road. From here, you continue north on a flat section of the bridle trail that parallels River Road. Peel off the bridle trail onto the Castle Valley Trail as you run through the River Grove picnic area and head toward Squire's Castle.

Take a break at Squire's Castle and explore the old stone gatehouse built in the 1890s. From there, you'll pick up the bridle trail again, head up a steep incline and start working your way back. The trail flattens out again as you approach Buttermilk Parkway and the Strawberry Picnic Area. Cross connections to the Squire's Lane Trail, Scenic Loop Trail, and White Pine Trail before picking up the Hemlock Trail. You'll run through hemlock groves as you follow the rim of a steep ravine before reconnecting with the bridle trail.

Pick up the All-Purpose Trail at the Buttermilk Falls trailhead. Pass by Sunset Pond, the North Chagrin Nature Center, and Forest Picnic Area before reconnecting with the Buckeye Trail: North Chagrin Section and heading back down the hill to your car.

Classic maple-beech forest sprinkled with hemlock groves.