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Red Lock Trailhead

4.7 ★★★★★ 139 Google reviews · Running trail in Northfield, Ohio · Open 24 hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Paved
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Open 24 hours

Confirmed from Red Lock Trailhead'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.

PavedOpen 24hScenicHillyRestroomsTrailhead parking

A trailhead for the towpath along the Cuyahoga River.

What runners say about Red Lock Trailhead

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (139 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 8 mentions

“For technical hikers, some of the side trails and challenging and very beautiful.”

This is a good place to end your kayak trip on the Cuyahoga River. I started at lock 29 and ended at Red Lock. I dropped my bike off here, drove my kayak to lock 29, kayaked back to Red Lock, rode my bike back to Lock 29, then drove back to Red Lock to get my kayak. The kayak trip took about 1.

★★★★☆ — Brian , Sep 2023

Great access to the Towpath Trail, Cuyahoga River (kayak/canoe), and a hidden/forgotten trail.

★★★★★ — Randy , Feb 2024

The main trail is often pretty busy and full of Hikers/Mountain Bikers. It’s fully paved. There are a few side trails to disappear in if you are like me and don’t want to be around 20 Karens gossiping about Becky’s new haircut or some shit. lol.

★★★★★ — Iamgroot , Oct 2024

This is a flat trail that follows the river. It’s paved and wide which makes it great for bikes and strollers. Also, we ran a few miles out and didn’t have any road crossings. Also it is set back from the homes very far, so it feels serene and quiet.

★★★★★ — Simon , Apr 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 139 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 8 mentions

“For technical hikers, some of the side trails and challenging and very beautiful.”

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⛰️ Hills / elevation 6 mentions

“Provides access to popular paved trail and a more primitive trail network (immediate steep climb up out of the parking lot entryway for an excellent hill workout).”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 6 mentions

“Provides access to popular paved trail and a more primitive trail network (immediate steep climb up out of the parking lot entryway for an excellent hill workout).”

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🛣️ Paved surface 3 mentions

“Provides access to popular paved trail and a more primitive trail network (immediate steep climb up out of the parking lot entryway for an excellent hill workout).”

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🚻 Restrooms 2 mentions

“It's a relatively small trailhead parking area with a restroom facility.”

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Plan your run at Red Lock Trailhead

The practical stuff

  • AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
  • SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
  • 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 — reported by runners
  • Websitenps.gov
  • Phone(440) 717-3890
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday Open 24 hours
Tuesday Open 24 hours
Wednesday Open 24 hours
Thursday Open 24 hours
Friday Open 24 hours
Saturday Open 24 hours
Sunday Open 24 hours

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 Red Lock Trailhead

1175 W Highland Rd, Northfield, OH 44067

Get directions

Running trails near Northfield

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

Brandywine Falls Trailhead

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Brandywine Falls

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Scenic waterfall cascading 65 ft. into a lush gorge, with viewpoints from upper & lower boardwalks.

1.5 miles away

Station Road Bridge Trailhead Information

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Scenic

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Sagamore Hills Township Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 123 reviews

Sagamore Hills, OH

Dog-friendly

Park featuring a playground and picnic tables, plus athletic facilities, and walking trails.

3.2 miles away

Peninsula Towpath

4.6 ★★★★★ 14 reviews

Peninsula, OH

Scenic

3.2 miles away

Lock 29 Trailhead

4.7 ★★★★★ 497 reviews

Peninsula, OH

Scenic

Scenic hiking and biking area along a canal with a towpath and train stop.

3.2 miles away

All running trails in Northfield, 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.