Hike the Brandywine Gorge Loop

This is one of those trails that punches well above its weight class. In just a mile and a half, you drop into a shaded gorge carved by Brandywine Creek, loop through old-growth hemlock forest that feels more Pacific Northwest than Ohio, and arrive at a 65-foot waterfall that stops people mid-sentence. The trail starts with a boardwalk descent — wheelchair-accessible to the first overlook — before transitioning to packed dirt and wooden stairs that wind along the gorge rim. The canopy keeps things cool even in July, and the sound of rushing water follows you the entire loop. The elevation change is modest, maybe a few flights of stairs' worth, so your legs won't notice but your camera roll will. This is the trail you bring your visiting relatives to when you want them to understand why Cuyahoga Valley deserves its national park status.