Boston Run Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Park at the Happy Days Lodge and take in the forested (namely birches, beeches, oaks) Boston Run Trail. It crisscrosses the Cuyahoga River watershed for those with a moderate hiking skill level. Then make sure you find its easier sister trail, the Haskell Run Trail, which offers a pair of bridges, the Mater Dolorosa Cemetery, a wildly diverse array of wildflowers, and ramps. Please note that picking wildflowers and ramps is prohibited.

Boston Run offers a 3-plus mile outing of moderate effort. The trail is layered with beech, dogwood, low-lying meadows and creekbeds. There is plenty of wildlife to take in here, including smaller woodland creatures like squirrels, chipmunks, and all varieties of birds including woodpeckers. They're all a big reason why these trails tend to get busy. To that end, nothing is better than tackling these trails on a fair-weathered, early-weekend morning.

There's broad appeal to all levels of visitor here. Most of the trail is sure-footed; if you have good footwear and good weather, you're likely to linger on the trails to take in all the sights. Having Happy Days Lodge nearby means that trails and special events of all variety can be linked together.

Sightseers will love it too, though some portions of Boston Run might not be for folks with knee/hip or mobility issues. It's worth some reconnaissance before you bring non-hikers along with you on this trail, just as a heads-up.

Woodpeckers, squirrels, chipmunks, birds.