Halle Home Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Waterfall · Wildlife

The Halle Home Trail (recognizable at signposts with a purple "blaze" and white "column made of stones" logo) connects the Glen Meadow Loop Trail and the Red Fox Loop Trail. It's short, but foot-for-foot it stacks up pretty well.

If you are coming from the parking lot via the Glen Meadow Loop Trail, you'll have two options at the start which form a miniature loop. The option to the west (right) includes stairs and more views of the beginning of the gorge and views of the ruins of part of the historic Halle Home. The option to the east (left) is more level and slightly shorter.

After the two trails converge, the trail descends to and crosses a bridge at the scenic Stoney Brook at the head of Penitentiary Glen. The trail continues past the brook to its junction with the Red Fox Loop Trail. It is also possible to veer off to the Rabbit Run Loop Trail on short spurs at the southern side of the brook or just after getting on the Red Fox Loop.

Sam and Blanche Halle; wealthy Clevelanders who owned the Halle Bros. Co department store (which closed in 1982) bought the Penitentiary Glen land in 1912 as their "summer estate" away from the city. In the early 70s, the land was leased to the Cleveland Land Trust and in 1975 Penitentiary Glen was purchased by the Lake County Metroparks. Check out this website for more historical information regarding the Halles and their property.

The trail is also open to bikers. Keep your eyes and ears open for bikers speeding along. The trail is popular, so please be friendly and say "hi" to everyone else out enjoying the Metroparks!