By Andy Avram, Interpretive Manager

While our lives may not have returned to normal, nature continues to carry on as it has done for eons. This October will again see our trees changing from their summer greens to their autumn yellows, reds and oranges. Fortunately, Lake Metroparks offers many parks for you to get out and view fall colors. Some of our favorite hikes for leaf peeping are:

Indian Point Park

• Enter from the upper parking lot on Seeley Road and hike along Point Overlook Loop Trail. Lookout Ridge Scenic Trail will provide a spectacular view over the Grand River valley and the hillsides will be alive with colorful leaves.

Girdled Road Reservation

• Enter from State Route 608 (Concord Hambden Road). Stroll Skok Meadow Loop Trail to the scenic overlook and deck. A meadow of 30 acres of native wildflowers unfolds before you with many flowers blooming through late summer and into the fall. Enjoy this peaceful view with the backdrop of trees lining the Big Creek valley.

Hell Hollow Wilderness Area

• Enter from Leroy Center Road and walk Beech Ridge Loop Trail to a stunningly unique overlook of the Paine Creek valley, more than 200 feet below. 

Pete’s Pond Preserve

• Enter Pete’s Pond Preserve off of Rockefeller Road and drive to the back of Wickliffe High School parking lot. As you stroll Carriage Lane Trail, you will slowly become engulfed in beautiful yellow fall colors. This two-mile round-trip trail takes you into the heart of a beautiful Northeast Ohio woods.

Chapin Forest Reservation
With a panoramic view of everything from Lake Erie to the Cleveland skyline, the view of fall colors at this park is one of the best overlooks anywhere.

• Enter from State Route 306 (Chillicothe Road) and drive to the end of the parkway. Lucky Stone Loop Trail begins at the Ledges picnic area and takes you to the highest elevations in the park.
• Enter from Hobart Road and access Arbor Lane Loop Trail from the parking lot. Hike this gravel trail until it intersects with Lucky Stone Loop and hike to the overlook.

Hidden Lake

• Taking the Hidden Lake Loop Trail will provide the perfect autumn scene with a peaceful lake backed by fall colors.

Hidden Valley Park

• Looking across the Grand River along the River Breeze Trail will offer wonderful views of the tree-colored hillside.

Veterans Park

• A wall of color reflecting off the waters of Granger Pond can be seen during peak fall colors when taking the Mallard Point Trail.