Brandywine to Buttermilk Falls

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Features Birding · Fall Colors · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This route will allow you to see three of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park's notable waterfalls.

The trip starts at the parking lot for Brandywine Falls. Start on the boardwalk down to the falls and continue on the Brandywine Loop in the counter-clockwise direction. We then turn onto the Stanford Trail and run to the Stanford House. Cross the road in front of the Stanford House and there will be a sign leading to the Towpath.

We take the towpath going south to the visitors center. There will be signs for the Buckeye Trail to Blue Hen Falls. The trip up to Blue Hen is steep and difficult. Once at our second waterfall, Blue Hen, there is a sign that states the trail ends. That is where the trail to Buttermilk begins.

There is no trail marker for Buttermilk but there is a defined path. Follow the stream all the way to Buttermilk. It is impossible to get lost and if the water level is low the stream is walkable. A walking stick is preferable due to the terrain here.

Do not stray far from Buttermilk Falls or the stream due to private property straddling the area. The way back to Brandywine Falls is mostly the same route except for a few deviations for the sake of novelty. The trip can be done as a true out and back or you can mix things up by taking Old Stanford Road back to the Brandywine Falls area. Most of the road is closed to cars except for CVNP employees.

Expect 9-9.5 miles total for the trip. There are restrooms at the visitor center and at Brandywine.