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DAF Day is coming up on October 8th, 2026! Make sure you are all caught up on how Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) work so you can maximize your charitable giving. Consider supporting the Buckeye Trail this DAF Day to help protect, maintain, and preserve our trail for generations to come.

Bedford

Miles
66.1total miles / 45.2 off-road miles (68%)
Section supervisor
Bill Hines
Contact
bedford@buckeyetrail.org
Paper map publication date
April 2022
Chapter
Crooked River Chapter
Counties
Cuyahoga, Lake
Abutting Sections
Akron, Medina, Burton
Trail Towns
Mentor
Trail alerts and map updates
See all
Page last updated
Sep 4, 2026

What to expect

The Bedford Section begins in Brecksville Reservation, where the Buckeye Trail was officially completed as a continuous loop in 1981. From there, it travels northeast to Headlands Beach State Park on Lake Erie, the northernmost point of the trail. The route blends park trails, rail trails, and road walking, offering a mix of natural scenery and suburban landscapes.

Section news

Towns and villages on the trail

Brecksville, Walton Hills, Bedford, Bedford Heights, Oakwood, Glenwillow, Solon, Bentleyville, Moreland Hills, Hunting Valley, Gates Mills, Mayfield, Willoughby Hills, Kirtland, Kirtland Hills, Mentor, Grand River

Points of interest

Open Trail Adopter segments

  • The Bedford Section is fully adopted, but more Trail Adopters are welcome.

Become a Trail Adopter →

Natural features and geography

  • Glaciated Allegheny Plateau transitioning to the Lake Erie coastal plain
  • Cuyahoga River valley
  • Chagrin River valley
  • Lake Erie shoreline and coastal wetlands
  • Forested parklands and bluffs with lake views
  • View of Cleveland skyline

Nearby emergency services

In life-threatening situations, call 911 throughout the Section. For other problems, call:

County State Highway Patrol Sheriff
Cuyahoga 216.234.2096 216.443.6000
Geauga 440.286.6612 440.279.2064
Lake 440.286.6612 440.350.5517
Summit 330.535.2783 330.643.2122

Trail Alerts

Map Updates

Parking locations

  • Point 1: Buckeye Trail Entrance Trailhead offers a day use parking area with four spaces.

  • Point 5: Overlook Lane Trailhead has a parking area 10 spaces.

  • Point 6: Tinker Creek Gorge Scenic Overlook Parking Area. Just down the road from the overlook is a trailhead parking area that is available for day use, with 19 spaces.

  • Point 7: Bridal Veil Falls Parking Area is a day use parking area with 11 spaces.

  • Point 8: The Egbert Picnic Area includes a picnic shelter, swing set, hiking trails, mountain bike trails, and more. The day use parking area has 84 spaces.

  • Point 9: Broadway Trailhead has a day use parking area with nine spaces, plus a portable toilet.

  • Point 9: Hawthorn Parkway Parking Area has a day use parking area with four spaces.

  • Point 10: The Shadow Lake Picnic Area offers a spectacular view of Shadow Lake, making it the perfect place to stop for a break in the day. There is also a day use parking area with 44 spaces.

  • Point 10: Hawthorn Parkway Pull Off-A offers a day use parking area with three spaces.

  • Point 11: Harper Ridge Picnic Area is a reservable picnic area with a day use parking area with 20 spaces.

  • Point 11: Hawthorn Parkway Pull Off-C offers a day use parking area with five spaces.

  • Point 11: Hawthorn Parkway Pull Off-B offers a day use parking area with three spaces.

  • Point 12: Henry Church Rock Picnic Area offers a day use parking area with 61 spaces, plus restrooms.

  • Point 12: The Shelterhouse Picnic Area offers restrooms, a playground, and a day use parking area with over 100 spaces.

  • Point 13: Sulphur Springs Picnic Area has a day use parking area with 32 spaces and a portable toilet.

  • Point 14: Look About Lodge has restrooms and a day use parking area with 20 spaces.

  • Point 14+: Jackson Field has 8 parking spaces.

  • Point 15: Polo Field has a day use parking area.

  • Point 17: Gates Mills Library has a day use parking area.

  • Point 18: Wilson Mills has a day use parking area.

  • Point 19: Forest Grove Picnic Area has a day use parking area and restrooms.

  • Point 19+: Parking is available at horse trailer area at intersection of Rogers and River roads.

  • Point 20: Rogers Road has a day use parking area.

  • Point 21: Orchard Hills Park is 2.4 miles past Point 21 and has a day use parking area with 57 spaces.

  • Point 22+: Hobart Rd entrance to Chapin Forest has a day use parking area.

  • Point 23: Quarry Picnic Area has a day use parking area.

  • Point 25: Penitentiary Glen Parking Area has a day use parking area.

  • Point 27: Wildwood Cultural Center has a day use parking area with 50 spaces.

  • Point 27+: Dog Park at Hopkins Road has a day use parking area.

  • Point 28: Civic Center offers a day use parking area with 100 spaces.

  • Point 29: Veterans’ Park has a day use parking area.

  • Point 30: Mentor Lagoons has a day use parking area.

  • Point 32: Morton Park has a day use parking area.

  • Point 33: Zimmerman Trail trailhead has a day use parking area.

  • Point 34: Mentor Headlands has a day use parking area.

Camping locations

  • Point 19: Williams Woods Backcountry Camping Sites in North Chagrin Metropark. Reservation required through Cleveland Metroparks.

  • Point 22: Chapin Forest Campsite, 9938 Chillicothe Road, Kirtland, Ohio, 44094. Lake Metroparks offers free overnight camping to Buckeye Trail backpackers in Chapin Forest with required permit. Call 440.358.7275 Monday through Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, 48 hours in advance of your visit.

  • Point 25: Penitentiary Glen Reservation Campsite, 8668 Kirtland Chardon Road, Kirtland, Ohio, 44094. Lake Metroparks offers free overnight camping to Buckeye Trail backpackers in Penitentiary Glen reservations with required permit. Call 440.358.7275 Monday through Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, 48 hours in advance of your visit.

Resupply locations

  • Details coming soon

Section resources

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