HomeOhioWilloughby Hills › Hach-Otis Sanctuary State Nature Preserve

Hach-Otis Sanctuary State Nature Preserve

4.7 ★★★★★ 54 Google reviews · Running trail in Willoughby Hills, Ohio · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Mixed
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Hach-Otis Sanctuary State Nature Preserve's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

MixedScenicTrailhead parkingQuiet

What runners say about Hach-Otis Sanctuary State Nature Preserve

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (54 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 9 mentions

“My favorite place to hike and enjoy a beautiful view with the company of nature.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 4 mentions

“It is so serene and beautiful here and obviously so full of nature!”

This place is amazing. Packed full of old growth trees and an amazing view of the Chagrin River Valley. The trails are marked and are very easy to hike. Bring a camera. You'll definitely need it. This preserve is a hidden gem. Parking lot is small and gate closes at 4pm so plan accordingly.

★★★★★ — Bill , May 2019

Beautiful preserve boasting incredible views of the river! A true gem! Plenty of wildlife and a great place to enjoy nature! Off the beaten path which makes for a nice quiet treat! Gorgeous views and a real nice hiking trail!

★★★★★ — Lydia , Jul 2016

Privately maintained park, it's got a great overlook of the river, and is decent for walking. Needs some maintenance of the trails, you need to be aware of roots sitting under leaves.

★★★★☆ — Roger , Apr 2023

My favorite place to hike and enjoy a beautiful view with the company of nature.

★★★★★ — Jesse , Nov 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 54 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 21 mentions

“Not only is it very well maintained location The view is spectacular and we ended up meeting one of the caretakers of the park.”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack 4 mentions

“Needs some maintenance of the trails, you need to be aware of roots sitting under leaves.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 4 mentions

“It is so serene and beautiful here and obviously so full of nature!”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 3 mentions

“Parking lot is small and gate closes at 4pm so plan accordingly.”

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🪵 Boardwalk 2 mentions

“Non-boardwalk sections can be quite muddy after rain.”

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Plan your run at Hach-Otis Sanctuary State Nature Preserve

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
  • Websiteohiodnr.gov
  • Phone+1 614-265-6565
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 8 am–4 pm
Tuesday 8 am–4 pm
Wednesday 8 am–4 pm
Thursday 8 am–4 pm
Friday 8 am–4 pm
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Hach-Otis Sanctuary State Nature Preserve

Willoughby Hills, Ohio

Get directions

Running trails near Willoughby Hills

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Pleasant Valley Park

4.1 ★★★★☆ 46 reviews

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under a mile away

Squire's Castle

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Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

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Scenic Loop Trailhead

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LoopPavedScenic

1.3 miles away

North Chagrin Reservation

4.8 ★★★★★ 1,832 reviews

Willoughby Hills, OH

LoopMixedScenic

Wildlife-rich area with woodland & wetland trails to Buttermilk Falls Preserve & Squire's Castle.

1.9 miles away

Gully Brook Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 518 reviews

Willoughby, OH

LoopDog-friendly

Simple park with playgrounds, picnic tables and a pavilion with a fireplace, dog runs and hiking trails.

2.0 miles away

North Chagrin Nature Center

4.8 ★★★★★ 1,293 reviews

Willoughby, OH

MixedScenic

2.4 miles away

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Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.