Valley Trail

Overview

The Valley Trail (also called the Valley Bridle Trail) is Cuyahoga Valley’s long, horse-friendly backbone. Expect a real mixed bag underfoot—firm dirt, sandy stretches, and occasional loose rock—with gentle rolls to short, punchy ups. Inside the national park, the three core segments add up to 18.9 miles total. You’ll see woods, historic farms, and slices of the Cuyahoga River corridor. It’s open year-round, there’s no entrance fee, and leashed dogs are welcome.

Some descriptions list the trail around 24–25 miles when counting mileage beyond the park core. For planning inside the park, use the three official segments below.

Route and Distance

• Brecksville to Boston Store: 6.9 miles (moderate)
• Boston Store to Wetmore Trailhead: 9.25 miles (moderate)
• Wetmore Trailhead to Everett Covered Bridge: 2.75 miles (easy)

This is not a loop. Do an out-and-back, arrange a shuttle, or stitch a loop with connecting trails (many hikers pair sections with the Towpath or Buckeye Trail). If you want a bite-size sampler, start at Everett Covered Bridge and wander north; if you want a point-to-point day, target Everett to Boston Store or vice versa.

What You’ll See

The trail slips between forest and field, crosses streams, and threads past active and historic farmsteads. Keep an eye out for the site of a Great Depression–era tree nursery, the Hunt Farm Information Center, and an easy detour to Szalay’s Farm & Market near the Everett Covered Bridge trailhead. Views are more pastoral than jaw-dropping; the charm is the long, quiet rhythm of the valley.

Trail Feel and Footing

Surfaces vary a lot—part of the challenge and the fun. You’ll encounter firm dirt, sandy pockets, and loose, fist-sized rocks. After rain, mud is a given. It’s a shared bridle route, so expect horses and yield appropriately.

Access, Parking, and Navigation

Main access points include Brecksville Reservation (north end), Boston Trailhead, Wetmore Trailhead, and Everett Covered Bridge (south end). The Wetmore lot is primarily for horse trailers; hikers commonly start elsewhere nearby. Grab printed maps at Boston Mill Visitor Center or download the park’s official trail maps and use the NPS App for on-the-ground navigation.

Best Time to Hike

Open year-round. Winter can bring icy, hazardous footing (especially near popular areas), and wet seasons get muddy. For drier tread and easier parking, aim for weekdays in late spring through fall and start early; weekends and holidays can be busy, especially around Boston Store and other hotspots.

Who It’s For (and Who It Isn’t)

If you’re craving a long, connective trail that links pockets of the valley—and you don’t mind variable footing, mud, and equestrian traffic—this is a rewarding day. If you’re hunting for the park’s biggest “wow” moments, you’ll find more dramatic scenery on short hikes at the Ledges or Brandywine Falls and can pair those with a short Valley Trail sampler.