3037 SOM Center Rd Willoughby Hills, OH 44094 Cross Street: Chagrin River Road and Strawberry Lane Phone: (216) 351-6300 Price: Free The trails covered in the pictures are Buttermilk Falls Scenic Loop, Wildlife management loop, Squire's Lane Trail and Hickery Fox Loop Trail. Since the 1920s, North Chagrin Reservation has been a special combination of outdoor recreation areas and wildlife sanctuaries. An interesting feature of the reservation is Squire's Castle. Built at the turn of the century by F.B. Squire, it was to serve as the gatehouse of his country estate, but plans for the remainder of the estate never materialized. Located in Mayfield Village, Willoughby Hills, and Gates Mills, the reservation includes a nature center and nature education building, a number of trails and picnic areas. Sanctuary Marsh and Sunset Pond are both popular areas to observe waterfowl. The reservation is also home to Manakiki Golf Course, located off SOM Center and Eddy roads in Willoughby Hills. Citysearch Editorial Review By Angela Fasick A two-county rite of hike for naturalists and trail-hungry pathfinders. Overview The reservation runs through eastern Cuyahoga and western Lake counties, and is home to Squire's Castle, numerous picnic areas, a large marsh, an all-purpose trail (perfect for biking and in-line skating) and several winter sports facilities. Many visitors head directly to the Nature Center, located off of Buttermilk Falls Parkway, in order to get their bearings and plan their routes with the help of posted maps and staff naturalists. The Experience The North Chagrin Reservation offers over a dozen different trails that can either be completed on their own or combined with others. If you've got an entire afternoon, check out the Castle Valley Trail, one of the park's most beautiful, and a moderate 2.25-mile hike with just one big hill. For an easier walk, try the .75-mile Overlook Trail, near the Forest Picnic Area, or the Hemlock, which skirts a ravine and includes views of small waterfalls. A naturalist's favorite is the Hickory Fox, a 1.6-mile loop trail that begins from the same trailhead as the Hemlock and winds along a deep ravine, then turns into the forest, passing great vine tangles of fox grapes and groves of shag bark hickory. Hours Daily 6am-11pm; Nature Center 9:30am-5pm Parking Nature Center lot; picnic-area lots Insider Tips The Extras The reservation also includes the North Chagrin Nature Center and Manakiki Golf Course. Recognition for North Chagrin Reservation 2001 2001 Editorial Winner Best Place to Hike Nominated for Best Place to Hike Nominated for Best Place to Bike You can visit the Cleveland Metroparks website at http://www.clemetparks.com/visit/index.asp?action=rdetails&reservations_id=1002 for North Chagrin Metropark. TRAIL: Buttermilk Falls Parkway Trail: The Buttermilk Falls Parkway Trail is a 4-mile trail from Chardon Road in Willoughby Hills, south along Buttermilk Falls Parkway to Mayfield Village's trails and two spurs west to SOM Center Rd. Entrances are off SOM Center/Route 91, Chagrin River and Chardon roads. North Chagrin: Directions I-90..... EAST OR WEST exit at Rt. 91 ( SOM Center Rd.)* turn left (south) on Rt. 91 NOTE: Manakiki Golf Course entrance is on Eddy Rd. which is on the left .5 mile from I-90.* NOTE: If going to Squires Castle Picnic Area, River Grove or Old River Farm picnic areas, Rogers Rd. or Rugby Field areas, then: go to Charden Rd. (Rt. 6)* turn left (east) on Rt. 6 to Chagrin River Rd. (Rt. 174) turn right (south) on River Rd. areas noted above are along River Rd. NOTE: If going to Strawberry Pond/ Picnic Area, continue south on Rt. 91 (past Chardon Rd.) to Strawberry Lane, turn left (east) on Strawberry Lane. The pond and picnic area will be on the left. NOTE: If going to North Chagrin Nature Center, Forest Picnic Area, maintenance center or ranger office, continue south on Rt. 91 (past Chardon Rd. and Strawberry Lane). North Chagrin Reservation (Sunset Lane) entrance is 1 mile on the left. I-271..... FROM THE SOUTH exit at Wilson Mills Rd.* turn right (east) on Wilson Mills Rd. If going to North Chagrin Nature Center, Manakiki Golf Course, Forest Picnic Area, or Strawberry Picnic Areas: go to Rt. 91 (SOM Center Rd.)* turn left (north) on Rt. 91 North Chagrin Reservation entrance is 3.5 miles on the right. NOTE: For Manakiki Golf Course, continue north on Rt. 91 to Eddy Rd. and turn right. If going to Squires Castle, River Grove, or Old River Farm picnic areas, Rogers Rd., or Rugby Field areas, continue east on Wilson Mills Rd. (past Rt 91) to Chagrin River Rd. Turn left (north) on River Rd. areas noted are along River Rd. I-480..... EAST OR WEST to I-271 North (see I-271 directions) TURNPIKE ..... EXIT 12 take Rt 8 North to I-271 North (see I-271 directions)