Pros & cons
PROS
- Hub for Salt Run, Wetmore, and Kendall Lake connectors
- Large parking with flush restrooms and picnic tables
- Wide grassy hills with views; great sledding in winter
CONS
- Can be crowded on weekends and during sledding season
- Wetmore loop requires crossing Quick Road
Overview
Pine Hollow sits atop the Kendall Hills and works as a one‑stop launch pad for several of the park’s best loops. Expect broad, grassy slopes, big‑sky views, and quick access to miles of forested singletrack. It’s lively year‑round—picnics and wildflowers in warm months, sledding when snow hits.
Trails from Here
- Salt Run Trail (3.3 miles): Find it to the left of the parking area when you’re facing the hills—rolling terrain and fewer crowds than the lakeside paths.
- Wetmore Trail (4.5 miles): Start across Quick Road from the lot; a straightforward road crossing gets you into a longer loop option.
- Connectors: Short paths drop from Pine Hollow to the Lake Trail (1.0 mile) and the Cross Country Trail (2.3 miles), making it easy to build custom loops without moving your car.
Scenery & Wildlife
You’ll move between open meadows, hardwood forest, and marshy pockets. In spring and summer, expect wildflowers and butterflies along the hillsides; marshes can hold bullfrogs and ducks. The mix of open and wooded edges draws plenty of songbirds. Fall paints the hills in color, and winter turns them into a sledding playground.
Amenities & Logistics
This is a well‑equipped trailhead: ample parking, full‑service restrooms, picnic tables, benches, trash cans, and an info kiosk. Drinking water is available seasonally, so bring extra if you’re hiking shoulder seasons or winter. Note that reaching Wetmore requires crossing Quick Road from the lot.
Best Time to Visit
- Weekdays and early mornings are the sweet spot for quieter trails and easy parking.
- Saturdays, especially mid‑morning through mid‑afternoon, get busy.
- The lot is generally open 7 am–9:30 pm (to 10 pm on Saturdays), which makes golden‑hour walks easy.
- For photography, aim for late afternoon light across the grassy hills or peak‑color weekends in fall. Winter sledding is best right after fresh snow.
A Bit of Backstory
The Kendall Hills landscape reflects a long recreation legacy—people have been coming here for play for generations, with remnants of an old toboggan run still along nearby routes. The rolling terrain itself is classic glacial country, with ravines and open ridges shaping the views and the hiking.
Where it is
41.2143, -81.5314Tips for Pine Hollow
- 01For Salt Run, look left from the parking lot when facing the hills.
- 02To hike Wetmore, start by crossing Quick Road from the lot.
- 03Arrive early on nice weekends or sledding days to find parking.
- 04Open hills get hot—pack sun protection and extra water in summer.
- 05After rain or snowmelt, expect mud and slick sections on steeper hills.
Amenities
Near Pine Hollow
All places →All trails →
0 mi awayKendall Hills Toboggan ChutesNatural sledding hills with long runs and easy accessTrailhead · Parking
0 mi awaySalt Run TrailShady ravines, pine groves, and short, punchy climbs on a tidy loopModerate · 3.4 mi · 1.4 hr
0.4 mi awayKendall Lake ShelterCCC-era lakeside shelter with trails, picnics, and mellow fishingTrailhead · Restroom
0.4 mi awayKendall LakeQuiet CCC-era lake with a pier, easy loop, and fishingTrailhead · Restroom
0.4 mi awayLake TrailEasy lakeside loop with wildlife and quick connections to bigger hikes.Easy · 1 mi · 36 min
0.7 mi awayWetmore TrailheadQuiet forest trail hub with hills, creek crossings, and horse trafficTrailhead · Parking
0.7 mi awayRiding Run TrailQuiet, rooty bridle loop with short steep punches and solitudeModerate · 3.9 mi · 2 hr
0.7 mi awayWetmore TrailShady, stitchable loop network where clay tread keeps you honestModerate · 4.5 mi · 1.9 hr
