As the weather warms up and the winter rains subside, there’s nothing like a short and sweet hike to prepare you for an entire season of adventure. Fortunately for Clevelanders, the landscape of Northeast Ohio is spectacularly beautiful. The Emerald Necklace, our nickname for the Cleveland Metroparks, is overflowing with natural splendor and offers many lovely hikes. If you’re looking to start out with something short, sweet, and scenic in the Metroparks, look no further than the lovely campus of Garfield Park Reservation.

Welcome to the breathtaking Garfield Park Reservation!
Cleveland Metroparks/Facebook
You can find driving directions here.
The entirety of the park is breathtaking.
Tim Evanson/Flickr
Garfield Heights officially opened as a park in 1895, and its campus has grown more beautiful since. Prior to its life as a park, this site was made up of three farms.
Much of the spectacular stonework you will encounter dates back to New Deal Era projects.
tde1973/Flickr
The 1930s stonework and enchanting Victorian trails will transport you to a world that's a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of Cleveland.
But no trail is as short and sweet as the charming Cattail Trail.
Christopher Irwin/Flickr
This site is located near the Metroparks' maintenance center on Garfield Parkway. The trail is only 0.2-miles-long.
This trail connects to the Iron Springs Loop Trail, so if you start walking and don't tire, you should keep exploring.
Christopher Irwin/Flickr
The loop trail is 1.3 miles in total, but Cattail Trail connects to it in three different places. You could easily loop back to the parking lot by hopping onto the Iron Springs Loop.

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Along the way, you will encounter an inspiring variety of flora and fauna.
Barbara Hobbs/Flickr
Additionally, the tallest waterfall in Cuyahoga County is hiding just a short distance away.
Cleveland Metroparks Online
Walk or drive over to The Yard at Mill Creek to witness the splendor of Mill Creek Falls. It stands at a whopping 48 feet and cascades flawlessly over pretty gorge walls.
There's a bit of man-made beauty along the way, too.
Cleveland Metroparks/Facebook
From artsy sculptures to beautiful stonework, the campus of Garfield Park Reservation entertains wonders of all kinds.
So plan your trip today...
Tim Evanson/Flickr
...No matter the weather, you're always in for a treat in the Emerald Necklace.
Cleveland Metroparks/Facebook

This hidden park has delighted locals since the 19th century, but it continues to be one of the lesser-known wonders in the park system. Well-traveled Clevelanders know that this park holds otherworldly beauty and it truly is the perfect place to kick off an entire season of hiking.

Have you strolled along the Cattail Trail (or other marvelous Metropark trails)? Let us know in the comments below, and don’t forget to share photos of your adventures!

For another spectacular hike, check out this beautiful gorge trail near Cleveland.

If you’re a fan of Ohio’s natural beauty, you’ll love our brand new Ohio Nature Lovers Facebook group. You can find fantastic nature photos taken all across the state, connect with other Ohioans, and share your own shots!

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