Cuyahoga Valley National Park guide · 1 min read
The Ledges Trail: Massive Rock Walls
The Ledges Trail is a short hike in the Virginia Kendall area of the park, and it loops around a plateau crowded with sandstone formations.
For much of the route, the path runs beside towering walls of moss-covered sandstone, and the view shifts with every bend. The loop covers 1.8 miles and usually takes one to two hours, with at least 80 feet of rise and fall along the way.
Along the way you can step into alcoves tucked into the rock and scramble over boulders. The path is rocky and unpaved, so wear solid walking shoes or boots and keep a close eye on your footing. Scaling the rock formations is off limits, since the park wants to keep this delicate habitat intact.
Along the loop sits the Ledges Overlook, the park's most popular lookout. Stand on the exposed rock and look out across the park. You do not need to walk the whole loop to get there. Starting from the lot, head southwest over the grassy field, then pick up the path that enters the woods at the field's far southwest corner. Expect about 200 yards between the lot and the overlook.
The main parking lot at the Ledges Trailhead is large and sits beside the shelter. Kendall Lake and Octagon Shelter offer more parking and links into the trail network. Choosing non-peak hours means fewer crowds and easier parking. Keep valuables out of your vehicle, because car break-ins have happened here. This route is out of reach for anyone with a mobility impairment.
Pine Grove, Haskell Run, and Kendall Lake trailheads offer other ways in if you want a longer or different outing. Bring a map and plan ahead, since those routes take some preparation.
