The one and a half-mile Beaver Creek Trail shows a surprising amount of diversity. The asphalt trail loops past a small cattail marsh, into the Beaver Creek Valley, and through a pine forest. The trail can be accessed from the main parking lot or from the neighborhood trailhead on North Main Street.

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The Focus of this Black River Reservation is a 3.5 mile hike/bike trail which runs along the Black River. This fully accessible, 12 foot wide asphalt trail is suitable for use by hikers, bicyclists, and other modes of non-motorized transportation. An electric tram is available to visitors who are unable to get into the beautiful park valley on their own.The Bridgeway Trail is highlighted by a 1,000 foot bridge which crosses the Black River twice and takes visitors 25 feet into the treetops.

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Crushed Stone, Unimproved Trail,
Grass

The 1500 acres of the Carlisle Reservation provide for an adventurous amount of hiking. The flood plain, upland meadows, mature forests, and a new (2001) 65 acre wetland area provide for scenery changes during hikes. There are gravel, dirt, and grass trails to pick from.

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1 Mile

2 Miles

Asphalt

Crushed Limestone

This 425 acre primarily wetland reservation offers both paved asphalt and crushed limestone trails that run through both wooded and open areas. All trails are open to biking. Dogs are allowed year round on the asphalt trail and limited in other areas as posted, some seasonally.

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1.5 Miles

1.5 Miles

Crushed Stone

Unimproved Trail

The French Creek Reservation features over four and a half miles of trails to guide you through the rich woodlands and along picturesque streams and cliffs. The Big Woods Stone trail is accessible from the French Creek Nature Center or from the Pine Tree Picnic Area.

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This newer trail connects the well-established Sheldon Woods Picnic Area with the larger, and wilder, section of this portion of the Indian Hollow Reservation.  It also features a connector trail at both ends.  The eastern connector joins a section facilitated by the Village of Grafton. A spectacular, humpback bridge crosses the East Branch of the Black River.  A portion of the trail follows a railroad bed that once held the tracks that served the sandstone quarry that once thrived here. Scenic views of the Black River, sandstone outcrops and quarrying debris, and wildlife are plentiful. Mountain bicycles are permitted on designated sections of non-improved trails.

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The North Coast inland Trail encompasses 65 miles, from Elyria to Toledo. The city of Oberlin owns the 3.1 miles within its city borders and The Lorain County Metro Parks own and manages the remaining ten miles. This 12 foot wide asphalt path is available to all non-motorized vehicles.

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The two miles long trip on the Sandy Ridge Trail will take you through the pristine wetland areas of the Sandy Ridge Reservation. This graveled looping trail tops the dikes that surround this preserve. About halfway through your trip you will come across a boardwalk that will allow you to walk through the middle of the marsh. An observation mound allows you to view the marsh from above and benches on the top allow you a scenic place to rest.

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The Schoepfle Garden Nature Trail starts near the back pond at the rear of Schoepfle Garden. The trail goes through the woods to the Birmingham Community Center. The trail is rich in nature and gives an idea of the type of plants and animals native to the Vermilion River Valley. The park also features a formal garden loop through the beautiful gardens and a river valley trail.

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The river valley at the Vermilion River Reservation provides for diverse communities of animal and plant life. The reservation has a walking center to assist you in finding the best trail for you. Once you find a trail you can begin your tour of one of the most historic sites in Lorain County.

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