HomeOhioWilloughby Hills › North Chagrin Reservation

North Chagrin Reservation

4.8 ★★★★★ 1,832 Google reviews · Running trail in Willoughby Hills, Ohio · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Mixed
Loop distance
Not reported
Shape
Loop
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from North Chagrin Reservation'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.

MixedLoopScenicFlat & fastRestroomsWaterTrailhead parking

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

What runners say about North Chagrin Reservation

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (1,832 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 4 mentions

“Very well kept relaxing reserve with small trails and a small lake with 2 fishing docks, allowing you to walk around and enjoy the water and wildlife.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 11 mentions

“Castle is beautiful in the winter, The Nature center here is better than most ive been too, especially with toys for toddlers and very safe place to walk around inside.”

👟 good for all levels 2 mentions

“Great trails that are pretty family friendly.”

Castle is beautiful in the winter, The Nature center here is better than most ive been too, especially with toys for toddlers and very safe place to walk around inside. Love the bird watching area, birds came up to the window and got to see them up close. Staff was nice and friendly! Recommended a visit!!

★★★★★ — Christina , Jan 2023

Our first time visiting was for the Nature at Night event and it was phenomenal. The staff and volunteers were friendly and knowledgeable. The marsh and pond was my favorite, but my children really enjoyed the Nature Center, Nature Shop and the trails.

★★★★★ — Brittany , Sep 2023

Great place to explore. Events coming soon, my kids can't wait. Beautiful pond area. Walk about trails. Educational boards on path walks. There is so much to do here.

★★★★★ — Michelle , Aug 2023

So many trails to choose from. We come again and again and always see something else! It's a treasure right in our own back yard. Today we had a guide take us on a tour of one of the trails. His name was Sebastian and he sure knew his stuff! He was knowledgeable about all the creatures and trees.

★★★★★ — Margaret , Jul 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 1,832 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 14 mentions

“Castle is beautiful in the winter, The Nature center here is better than most ive been too, especially with toys for toddlers and very safe place to walk around inside.”

More trails like this →

🛣️ Paved surface 4 mentions

“There are trails for everyone--paved and not paved, flat and hilly, trails for hiking and biking and horseback riding.”

More trails like this →

Flat & fast 2 mentions

“There are trails for everyone--paved and not paved, flat and hilly, trails for hiking and biking and horseback riding.”

More trails like this →

🚻 Restrooms 2 mentions

“The nature center has bird feeders outside a window, and restrooms, even a gift shop and event room.”

More trails like this →

🌲 Natural surface / singletrack

“Be cautioned that the trails do get muddy, but the views are well worth it.”

More trails like this →

🔁 Loop trail

“We combined several of them in a loop of about 9 miles, and it went around all the major areas of the park.”

More trails like this →

🅿️ Trailhead parking

More trails like this →

🪨 Crushed gravel / limestone

More trails like this →

🚰 Water fountains

More trails like this →

Plan your run at North Chagrin Reservation

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, restrooms, water — reported by runners
  • Websiteclevelandmetroparks.com
  • Phone+1 440-473-3370
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 6 am–11 pm
Tuesday 6 am–11 pm
Wednesday 6 am–11 pm
Thursday 6 am–11 pm
Friday 6 am–11 pm
Saturday 6 am–11 pm
Sunday 6 am–11 pm

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 North Chagrin Reservation

3037 SOM Ctr Rd, Willoughby Hills, OH 44094

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.

North Chagrin Nature Center

4.8 ★★★★★ 1,293 reviews

Willoughby, OH

MixedScenic

under a mile away

Scenic Loop Trailhead

4.9 ★★★★★ 32 reviews

Willoughby Hills, OH

LoopPavedScenic

under a mile away

Squire's Castle

4.7 ★★★★★ 2,789 reviews

Willoughby Hills, OH

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

1.0 miles away

Hach-Otis Sanctuary State Nature Preserve

4.7 ★★★★★ 54 reviews

Willoughby Hills, OH

MixedScenic

1.9 miles away

Pleasant Valley Park

4.1 ★★★★☆ 46 reviews

Willoughby Hills, OH

2.1 miles away

Highland Heights Community Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 377 reviews

Highland Heights, OH

Clean, wide-open park featuring a 3-story playground with slides and a baseball field, plus a pool.

2.7 miles away

All running trails in Willoughby Hills, OH →

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.