Horseback Riding

Appreciate the beauty that surrounds you while you ride your horse through the nearly 14 miles of designated bridle trails throughout Lake Metroparks. You and your equine partner can explore mature woods, ravines, and meadows. Travel on unimproved and gravel-surface trails.

Enjoying nature by horseback offers a unique perspective of Lake Metroparks. When you’re nine or ten feet off the ground, the views of the parks are enhanced. Deer and other wildlife rarely flee from a horse, but watch instead with curiosity as horses pass.

Many visitors enjoy the aesthetic beauty of seeing horses in the parks and will frequently ask to pet the horse and ask questions giving the rider an opportunity to share their special equine friend.

Designated bridle trails

Chagrin River Park

River Wood Trail

• Access: Rural Dr. parking lot trailhead
• Permitted uses: Hike, bike, horse
• Length: 0.9-mile trail
• Surface: Compacted gravel

Chapin Forest Reservation

Arbor Lane Loop Trail

• Access: Hobart Rd. parking lot trailhead
• Permitted uses: Hike, bike, horse
• Length: 1.25-mile loop trail
• Surface: Compacted gravel

Lucky Stone Loop Trail

• Access: Ledges picnic area trailhead or Arbor Lane Loop Trail
• Permitted uses: Hike, bike, horse
• Length: 1.5-mile loop trail
• Surface: Compacted gravel

Quarry Loop Trail

• Access: Quarry and Forest picnic area trailheads
• Permitted uses: Hike, bike, horse
• Length: 1.0-mile one-way trail
• Surface: Compacted gravel

Turkey Trail

• Access: Ledges and Forest picnic area trailheads
• Permitted uses: Hike, bike, horse
• Length: 0.8-mile one-way trail
• Surface: Compacted gravel

Girdled Road Reservation

Oak Leaf Loop Trail

• Access: Radcliffe Rd. parking lot trailhead
• Permitted uses: Hike, bike, horse
• Length: 4.09-mile loop trail
• Surface: Compacted gravel

Penitentiary Glen Reservation

Rabbit Run Loop Trail

• Access: Penitentiary Glen Reservation parking lot
• Permitted uses: Hike, horse
• Length: 2.63-mile loop trail
• Surface: Natural/compacted gravel

NOTE: Chapin Forest Reservation and Girdled Road Reservation are closed to horses in the winter when there is snow present on the trails.

Bridle trail safety and etiquette:

Please keep in mind that the trails throughout Lake Metroparks are multi-purpose trails. Horseback riders share the trails with hikers, bikers, joggers, and dog walkers. Hikers and bikers should yield to horses if the trail is narrow, and joggers should slow to a walk and advise riders if they are approaching from behind.

• Always practice ‘Leave No Trace’ ethics:
  • Stay on trails
  • Pick up all your trash, including cigarette butts, and pack it out
  • Pick up other people’s trash to keep places as pristine as possible and set a good example
  • Be respectful of those who live there and those who will visit behind you
• WALK your horse on the trail.
• When possible, stay to the right as you approach oncoming visitors on the trail.
• When crossing roadways and parkways, riders should yield to vehicles and pedestrians.
• When passing, announce your intent and pass to the left.
• Stay on designated trails.
• Be sure to cross rivers/streams at designated areas only, both to minimize negative impact on the environment and for the safety of you and your horse.
• Make sure you have a shovel in your trailer to pick up any manure in the parking lot.
• Please follow the rules and posted signs.
• Take only pictures, leave only footprints.