TOP FIVE ways to explore & enjoy your Lake Metroparks this fall



Jeff Taipale

Fall Colors Tour: Take a hike along one of the 50+ miles of trails to discover the beauty of fall foliage in Lake County. If hiking isn't for you, scenic trail cart tours are now accessible for non-hikers.

Enjoy the Harvest: Enjoy harvest fun at Farmpark every weekend through October 19!

Gather Round: Get the family together around a blazing campfire for stories, songs, roasting marshmallows and old-fashioned outdoor fun!

Eye to the Sky: Did you know that fall is an excellent time for birdwatching? Catch a glimpse of a variety of birds during fall migration.

Conquer the Maze: Test your skills as you "walk the stalk" through a multitude of twists and turns through the three-acre corn maze at Farmpark.

Top 5 color hikes in Lake Metroparks

 

Hiking is one of the most popular forms of outdoor leisure—surveys suggest that one in three Americans rate it as one of their three favorite forms of outdoor recreation. Hiking combines several pursuits—interests in scenery, wildlife, discovery and solitude—all in a low-impact form of healthy activity.

Lake Metroparks has more than 50 miles of trails spanning Lake County. These trails provide countless opportunities for walkers to enjoy the beautiful fall scenery. Get out and soak up the beauty while it lasts!

Chapin Forest Reservation
Lucky Stone Loop Trail to the scenic overlook at the historic Sperry Quarry


With a panoramic view of everything from Lake Erie to the Cleveland skyline, the view of fall colors may be the best in Lake Metroparks. Best accessed via the Rt. 306 entrance.

Indian Point Park
Lookout Ridge Trail
This trail takes you to a spectacular view over the Grand River. The forested hillside comes alive with colorful leaves. Best accessed via the upper parking lot. 

Hell Hollow Wilderness Area
 Beechridge Loop Trail
Standing on top of a 200-foot cliff, a breathtaking view of hills and valleys stretches out before you.




Hogback Ridge Park 
Hemlock Ridge Loop Trail
From the start of the loop to the finish, fall colors will surround and envelop you. Access via the main entrance (south).
  



Hidden Valley Park
River Breeze Trail 
This riverside trail has excellent views of the forested hillside and the display of colors never ends along the entire half-mile trail. Access via the south entrance.


Click here for complete list of trail maps available to download.

Passport to the Parks puts fall color in spotlight

Overlook at Lake Metroparks Girdled Road Reservation
Photo by Duncan Scott/The News-Herald

Passport to the Parks is offering a view of the fall colors in its final month.

The fifth and final installment of the summer walking program sponsored by The Cleveland Clinic spotlights Girdled Road Reservation in Concord Township.

The 902-acre park is bordered by Girdled, Radcliffe and Concord-Hambden roads.

Visitors can access the pedestrian walkway from the North Entrance on Girdled Road.

Passport to the Parks encourages area residents to get out and get some exercise in the area’s parks.

While you’re out walking the trail, you’ll come across a trail marker with a code word for entry into a contest with prizes such as a three-month subscription to The News-Herald and a one-year membership to Lake Metroparks Farmpark.

There are three ways to enter the contest:

* Text the code word to 22700.

* Email the code word to http://bit.ly/girdledroad

* Call Lake Metroparks at 440-358-7275 and provide the code word to customer service.

Each month since June, a new park has been announced as part of the program.

The code words for the first four parks — Veteran’s Park in Mentor; Lakeshore Reservation in North Perry Village; Gully Brook Park in Willoughby; and Chagrin River Park in Willoughby — remain in effect.

You can enter once per park, and if you walk all five parks, you’ll have five entries into the contest.

The signs and code words will remain in place until Nov. 15.

Those who complete all five parks will be entered into a drawing to win reusable lunch containers, courtesy of Lake Metroparks.

Up to 100 participants will receive the lunch containers.

Story by Laura Kessel/The News-Herald