Autumn is upon us here in Cleveland. Pumpkin beers abound from various breweries across the city, pumpkin patches, and apple orchards are in full swing, and places in and around Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP) are at their most beautiful.
Everywhere is bursting with color, and the best way to take in the vibrant leaves of the area is through hiking – making the Summit Metro Parks Fall Hiking Spree an amazing event each fall.
This year marks the 61st annual Fall Hiking Spree for Summit County, the longest and largest continuing event of its kind in the entire country!
If you are searching for things to do outside in the fall around Cleveland, then participating in the Fall Hiking Spree is a must!
Whether you’re an expert hiker or just getting started, this is the ultimate guide to participating in the Summit Metro Parks Fall Hiking Spree.
What is the Summit Metro Parks Fall Hiking Spree?
Each year, Summit County, just south of Cuyahoga County where Cleveland is located, promotes hiking in their Metro Parks by putting on the Fall Hiking Spree from September 1-November 30 each year.
Hikers must sign up and complete 8 hikes from a designated list (which I’ve included below). Each hike is located in a Summit Metro Park, and hikers can choose any of the hikes on the list, including a Hiker’s Choice trail.
If the hiker completes all 8 of the hikes before November 30, they earn a hiker’s staff and shield if it’s their first year. For Fall Hiking Spree veterans, they’ll earn another shield for their staff.
It’s a really fun way to find hiking trails you otherwise may have missed, and it’s a great way to see the fall foliage. Many hikers take it pretty seriously, and you’ll see veterans sporting their staffs decorated with several shields from past Hiking Spree years.
Also, as Cuyahoga Valley National Park winds its way through Summit County, a few of the hikes are actually within the park itself!
When is the Fall Hiking Spree?
The Summit Metro Parks Fall Hiking Spree starts on September 1 and runs through November 30, perfect for leaf-peeping season!
How Do You Sign Up for the Fall Hiking Spree?
Signing up for the Fall Hiking Spree is easy! Just head to their page here, download the form, and complete 8 trails. Once you’ve completed the hikes, you can drop off your form at one of the offices or submit it by mail. Then, you can either pick up your reward or have it mailed to you if you are a veteran hiker of the spree!
Here are the offices to get your reward and submit the form:
F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm Welcome Kiosk
1828 Smith Rd., Akron
Open Wednesday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m.-5 p.m. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
Liberty Park Nature Center
9999 Liberty Rd., Twinsburg
Open Wednesday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m.-5 p.m. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
Summit Lake Nature Center
411 Ira Ave., Akron
Open Wednesday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m.-5 p.m. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
If you need to mail in your form and already have the hiking staff from a prior year, then send the form and include a self-addressed stamped envelope to:
Administrative Offices, 975 Treaty Line Rd., Akron, OH, 44313
Note too that you may sometimes find a Metro Parks volunteer at some of the trailheads (especially on weekends). They can also help you sign up for the Fall Hiking Spree and get you started.
How Much Does the Fall Hiking Spree Cost?
It is completely free for residents of Summit County. If you are not a resident of Summit County, then it is $10 for first-time hikers of the spree and $5 for veterans.
Hikes on the Summit Metro Parks Fall Hiking Spree
Now that you know all of the small details of the hiking spree, it’s time to get into the fun part: Where can you hike?
There are designated trails that are part of the official Fall Hiking Spree each year, spanning different Metro Parks throughout Summit County. There’s a nice mix of easy and more strenuous trails, and almost all of them are family-friendly.
All of these hikes can also be done in under an hour, which is great. So if you’re short on time, you can still hike a lot of these within a weekend if you want to.
And yes, they change these trails each year! Here are the included trails in 2025:
1. Towpath Trail/Summit Lake Nature Center
South to Wilbeth Road and Back
Address: 411 Ira Avenue, Akron, OH 44301
Explore a stretch of the Towpath Trail on this easy 2.2-mile hike, which will take you past history and nature in South Akron.
2. Cascade Valley Metro Park
Prather Trail
Address: 1134 Cuyahoga St., Akron, OH 44313
Prather Trail is an easy 1-mile trail featuring wildflowers that have taken over this once manicured landscape. This is perfect if you’re looking for a short, easy hike.
3. Deep Lock Quarry Metro Park
Quarry Trail
Address: 5779 Riverview Rd., Peninsula, OH 44264
This moderate 1.4-mile trail leads through a forest to the old Deep Lock Quarry, offering scenic views of the Cuyahoga River.
4. F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm
Fernwood Loop
Address: 1828 Smith Rd, Akron, OH 44313
If you’re looking for a short hike, you can try the easy 0.9-mile Fernwood Loop, which crosses a suspension bridge and passes Echo Bond.
5. Firestone Metro Park
Redwing Trail
Address: 2620 Harrington Rd., Akron, OH 44319
This easy 1.1-mile hike offers views of the Tuscarawas River, and follows a wooden boardwalk through wetlands where you can spot local wildlife.
6. Furnace Run Metro Park
Old Mill Trail
Address: 4955 Townsend Rd., Richfield, OH 44286
Another relaxed and easy trail is this 1.4-mile route, which will take you on a loop through beech-maple woods
7. Goodyear Heights Metro Park
Piney Woods Trail
Address: 550 Frazier Ave., Akron, OH 44305
If you’re looking for something a little challenging, Piney Woods Trail is a moderate 2-mile hike through the pines, with black cherries, oak trees, and tulip trees along the route as well.
8. Hampton Hills Metro Park
Spring Hollow Trail
Address: 2925 Akron-Peninsula Rd., Akron, OH 44313
For a more difficult hike, head to Hampton Hills Metro Park. Spring Hollow Trail is a difficult 1.9-mile route featuring a switchback that crosses several streams.
9. Liberty Park
Bluebird Trail
Address: 9999 Liberty Rd., Twinsburg, OH 44087
This easy 0.6-mile trail is perfect if you’re looking for a quick hike. The route takes you through a scenic meadow where you can see prairie plants, insects, and birds.
10. Munro Falls Metro Park
Meadow Trail
Address: 1088 North Ave., Tallmadge 44278
This easy 2-mile hike is perfect for a crisp fall afternoon, passing by the County Home cemetery and through woods, wetlands, and a meadow.
11. Sand Run Metro Park
Dogwood Trail
Address: 1400 Sand Run Pkwy., Akron, OH 44313
Dogwood Trail is a more challenging 1.9-mile hike to the top of a hill in the North Hawkins Area, and back down to Sand Run Valley.
12. Silver Creek Metro Park
Pheasant Run Trail
Address: 5199 Medina Line Rd., Norton, OH 44203
Pheasant Run Trail is an easy 1.4-mile hike that is mostly flat. You will pass through fields, woods, and an old pine forest, as well as two small ponds.
13. Springfield Bog Metro Park
Prairie Trail
Address: 1400 Portage Line Rd., Springfield Twp., OH, 44312
As the name implies, this easy 1.6-mile trail leads hikers through a prairie. During early fall, a variety of wild sunflowers, asters, and grasses make this trail very vibrant and colorful.
14. Hiker’s Choice
Last, but not least, is the option to choose your own adventure. The only catch is that it has to be in a Summit Metro Park, and you can only do this option for 1 of the 8 hikes. Luckily, many of these Metro Parks have multiple trails, meaning you can just do another trail after finishing one on this list.
RELATED: 15 Best Cuyahoga Valley National Park Trails for Hiking
Which Trails Should You Choose?
This is entirely up to you! If you are a beginner when it comes to hiking, I recommend sticking to some easier trails at first and then working your way up. If you’re more experienced, then why not check out the more moderate or strenuous trails?
Also, depending on what you’d like to see, such as wetlands, colorful foliage, or creeks, then that will help you decide where to hike.
What to Pack for the Fall Hiking Spree
Most of the hikes are not so technical that a lot of gear is needed. As the hikes take an hour or less to complete, just bring enough water for that time frame and maybe a snack.
If you plan to do multiple hikes in a day, a small hiking backpack is perfect for packing some water, snacks, sunscreen, and maybe electrolyte tablets if you run into any really hot days (which we all know can totally still pop up in the fall!).
As for what to wear, regular tennis shoes, athletic shorts or pants, and an exercise shirt should be just fine for your hike, unless the weather is wet. If it’s raining (or if it has recently rained), you’ll probably want to add a raincoat and perhaps some waterproof hiking boots.
Why Participate in the Fall Hiking Spree?
It is an incredible outdoor fall activity to participate in around the Cleveland area! With trails ranging from easy to a bit more strenuous, these hikes are the perfect way to get acquainted with trails in the area (including in Cuyahoga Valley National Park), and enjoy all the fall foliage while doing it!
Plus, the hiking staff and shields are a fun collector’s item that many use throughout the year at CVNP.
If you want more hiking ideas, then check out the Cleveland Metroparks Trail Challenge! Complete 10, 20, or 30 trails to earn prizes. This lasts all the way until the end of the year.
Would you like to partake in the Summit Metro Parks Fall Hiking Spree?
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Kat is a Cleveland transplant and has lived here for over 5 years. She loves to eat, drink, and explore all across the city, and has made it her personal mission to find the best breweries and pizza in Northeast Ohio. She also runs a couples travel blog and podcast called World Wide Honeymoon.
Thank you for this!!