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Print Friendly MapThe South Chagrin Reservation All Purpose Trail offers a paved route just over 7 miles through its namesake park in northeastern Ohio. From its western end on Richmond Road, the trail follows Hawthorn Parkway, passing Sunset Pond as it heads northward. The surrounding landscape is largely residential, buffered by wooded areas, and you will have a few well-marked street crossings.
About midway, the trail turns eastbound and you'll come across the Harper Ridge Picnic Area, where there is a parking lot and restrooms. The trail ends in a loop around the Shelter House Picnic Area. Coming off the loop, you can access the park's bridle trail system and a hiking path that leads down to the Chagrin River and a sandstone carving called Squaw Rock.
Several parking lots are available within the South Chagrin Reservation. On the west end of the trail, parking is available at Sunset Pond. Mid-trail, parking and restrooms are available at the Harper Ridge Picnic Area. On its east end, parking is available at the Shelter House Picnic Area.
Unless you love climbing steep hills for half the ride then this trail isn’t an enjoyable one unless used for training
Road trail with bafang mid drive motor and climbed hills like they were flat ground. Got a good workout by not using too much assist but the ride was pleasant.
I really love doing this trail with my road bike, although it is quite hilly and a bit of work if that's what you're looking for! It is nicely paved and roomy for biking. It's hilly regardless of which end you start at (in other words it's not just one incline). I prefer to start at the Richmond Road end because I find that direction a little more difficult (then loop around and head back). Although if you start at the other end you can get the REALLY big hill out of the way first and enjoy coasting down it when you're done.
Anyway, great exercise trail - not one that I would bike if I were looking for a "stroll" so to speak.
Nice, fun to see horses, shade parts, beautiful park, running water,, but hilly!!! I had to walk often .. so disappointed I myself,,, great for walking
No matter whether you start from the southwest or northeast end of this trail you will find yourself climbing. This is because the trail crosses over the ridge that separates the watersheds of the Chagrin River to the east and Tinkers Creek to the west. Of course, once you pass the Harper Ridge Picnic Area near the trail's midpoint then it is downhill the rest of the ride. The climbs are not necessarily difficult, but their are a few short spots where the gradient in all likelihood exceeds 7%. I mention this as many TrailLink users will find that this trail is definitely not a rail trail with gentle climbs.
Much of this trail runs through a thin park green space that surrounds the Hawthorn Parkway which connects the Cleveland Metroparks South Chagrin Reservation with the Bedford Reservation to the west. This connection between Cleveland Metroparks is part of a longer 75 mile route through the Cleveland Metroparks Reservations that surround downtown Cleveland known as the Emerald Necklace. Because this particular trail runs through this thin green space between the two aforementioned parks the more interesting sights found in the South Chagrin Reservation are found in the larger park on the eastern end of the trail, though many if these attractions require hikes off the trail to see them.
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