Now that Memorial Day has come and gone, we can officially say that it is summer! What an exciting time of the year in Toledo. While there are so many reasons to love Toledo in the summer, one of our favorite activities is going on a hike in the area. This is a great way to absorb the sun, get some exercise, and take in the breathtaking beauty that a natural trail provides. There are so many trails in and around Toledo that are worth exploring this summer. Choose a path, lace up your hiking boots, pick up a trail map, and take a hike!
Boardwalk Trail at Maumee Bay State Park
Distance: 2.4 Miles | Location Boardwalk Trail at
Maumee Bay State Park is an exceptional trail to take in the natural beauty at this state park along Lake Erie’s shore. This easy loop travels through swamp and marsh wetlands, offering easy access to a variety of sights with a raised wooden boardwalk. You’re bound to see lots of wildlife on this trail — from everything to extravagant bird species to graceful deer.
Photo courtesy of Metroparks Toledo
Fallen Timbers Northwest Territory Trail
Distance: 1.5 Miles | Location Get some exercise while you experience history along the
Fallen Timbers Northwest Territory Trail within Maumee’s
Fallen Timbers Battlefield Metropark. This 1.5-mile trail features 17 interpretive signs highlighting various historic events that happened on-site during a 1794 battle between Native Americans and soldiers, leading to the westward expansion of the United States. The metropark includes a state memorial to the battle and is conveniently connected to Side Cut Metropark with the Wabash-Cannonball Trail.
Photo courtesy of Metroparks Toledo
Indian Creek Park Walking Trail
Distance: 1.16 Miles | Location
Cross the Michigan state line to Indian Creek Park, a 9-acre park in Temperance. This park hosts many sports games on the eight baseball diamonds and soccer field, and has a simple 1.16-mile loop for a stroll before or after the game.
Photo Courtesy of Bedford Township
Oak Openings Hiking Trail
Distance: 6.2 Miles | Location The Oak Openings Hiking Trail is a popular hiking trail near Whitehouse offering a variety of terrain and views. You’ll encounter a lake, lots of pine trees, a meadow, and more during this moderate hike. There are several smaller trails you can choose from within the entire Oak Openings area, so you can decide the intensity and longevity of your hike!
Photo courtesy of Metroparks Toledo
Pearson All-Purpose Trail
Distance: 1.5 Miles | Location Take in the beauty of
Pearson Park in Oregon with a stroll along the
Pearson All-Purpose Trail, a 1.5-mile trail on the north side of Starr Avenue. The park is filled with rich forestry and wildlife, and is one of the last remaining strands of the Great Black Swamp, a notorious forest that once blanketed much of northwest Ohio.
Photo courtesy of Metroparks Toledo
Side Cut Riverview Trail
Distance: 1.3 Miles | Location The
Side Cut Riverview Trail is the perfect trail for birdwatchers, as it is frequently visited by migrating birds. The trail loops from the Riverview Area along the Maumee River, circling a lagoon before returning to the starting point. This is a leisurely hike offering refreshing scenery!
Photo courtesy of Metroparks Toledo
Swan Creek Big Woods Trail
Distance: 1.72 Miles | Location Go on a nature walk through
Swan Creek Big Woods Trail, situated in Swan Creek Metropark — a natural oasis in the heart of South Toledo. The trail takes you past a meadow and into a forest of giant tulip trees, red oaks, basswoods, and sugar maples. You’ll most likely encounter some incredible wildlife during your hike, such as spicebush swallowtail, mourning cloak, and red admiral butterflies!
Photo courtesy of Metroparks Toledo
Towpath Trail
Distance: 19.3 Miles | Location Towpath Trail in Grand Rapids provides exceptional views as you travel along the Maumee River through a tunnel of trees. Start your adventure at
Providence Metropark, and travel along this paved trail for as long as you’d like!
Photo courtesy of Metroparks Toledo
University/Parks Trail
Distance: 6.3 Miles | Location The
University/Parks Trail is a common commuter trail for University of Toledo students and faculty, as it stretches all the way from campus to King Road in Sylvania. But this 6-mile trail makes for a suitable path for an afternoon stroll, a jog, or a bike ride. Step foot on this popular path if you haven’t already — whether you’re a commuter or not!
Photo courtesy of Metroparks Toledo
Wabash Cannonball North Fork
Distance: 18.3 Miles | Location The
Wabash Cannonball Trail is a 63-mile multi-use trail spanning four counties in Northwestern Ohio. The trail runs along two former rail lines that converge at Jerome Road in Maumee, consisting of a North Fork and South Fork of the trail. Confused yet?
This map might help. The Wabash Cannonball Trail is a project of the nationwide
Rails to Trails Conservancy. Hop on board the
North Fork near the Shops at Fallen Timbers and follow it heading west to experience this historic project firsthand!
Photo courtesy of Wabash Cannonball Trail
Wildwood Floodplain Trail
Distance: 2.9 Miles | Location Wildwood Metropark is the most-visited park in the Toledo Metroparks system, because of its spacious land and scenic views. Take it all in with a walk along the
Wildwood Floodplain Trail, featuring a boardwalk trail along the Ottawa River. Hikers are surrounded by beautiful floodplain trees and the terrain changes with each visit, as the floodwaters constantly reshape the landscape.
Photo courtesy of Metroparks Toledo
Happy Hiking, Toledo!
Let us know which of these hikes you’ve already tried out or plan to explore. Or fill us in on your favorite trails in the area!