Michelle McQuade

The Best Hiking Trails in Moreland Hills

Hiking woman traveler with backpack checks map to find directions in wilderness area, real explorer. Travel Concept

Moreland Hills’ leafy environment is a great playground for outdoor enthusiasts, especially those who love to hike. Here are some trails in and around Moreland Hills that you should definitely explore.

  1. Upper Pond Trail

    Relatively short and beginner-friendly, the Upper Pond trail stretches to only 0.1 square miles and can be accessed from Chagrin River Road. Although the trail has an estimated altitude of 814 feet, it’s relatively level all throughout. If you continue hiking the trail, you’ll come across the so-called Harry Potter Trail, which will also be discussed below.

    If you’re looking for a bit of a challenge, take the 2.1 mile-long Upper Pond to Wild Turkey Trail. One of the best-kept secrets in the area, this trail is considerably more difficult that its trailhead and has an approximate elevation gate of 324 feet.

    Despite being relatively short, it still packs quite a challenge with some steep parts. It can be rewarding, however, as you’ll get to treat yourself with gorgeous views of the valley.

  2. Harry Potter Trail

    From the Upper Pond Trail, continue west and you’ll stumble along what is locally known as the Harry Potter Trail. It’s only 0.2 mile long and is great for hiking and trail running.

    While the origins of its name remain dubious, exploring the Harry Potter Trail can be a magical experience. It’s lightly trafficked, allowing you to fully immerse yourself to the sights and sounds of nature.

    Both the Upper Pond and Harry Potter trails are part of the Forest Ridge Preserve. Other trails in the area include the Apple Orchard Loop, which extends to 0.5 miles.

    The Upper Pond trail can be connected to the Bridge Trail and Wildflower Way, which extends to almost a mile in distance. Check out the map of the Forest Ridge Preserve for more details.

  3. Bridle Trail Loop

    Located in nearby Chagrin Falls is the 2.4 mile-long Bridle Trail Loop, one of the more popular hiking trails in the area. It’s only a few minutes away from the center of Moreland Hills and right across Chagrin River Road if you’re coming from the Upper Pond Trail.

    The Bridle Trail Loop is recommended for more advanced hikers. Its most prominent feature, of course, is the Chagrin River, which winds throughout the whole South Chagrin Reservation.

    The whole trail loop is best described as rugged and may feature rock scrambling and such. If you’re planning on bringing your dog with you, however, feel free to do so but keep your furry best friend on the leash.

There is more to explore in Moreland Hills and the Greater Cleveland area. Browse my community guides to learn more about these fine communities.

If you are ready to start your real estate journey, get in touch with me today. I’ll fill you in about everything you need to know about Cleveland real estate and homes for sale. Give me a call at 440.823.2448 or send me an email at michellemcquade(at)howardhanna(dotted)com. I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

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