Login | July 04, 2025
Hiking the Bedford Gorge
PETE GLADDEN
Pete’s World
Published: July 25, 2022
One of my all-time favorite places to hike here in northeastern Ohio has to be the Bedford Gorge in Bedford Reservation, where once inside you just might find yourself in a place that seems 100 miles removed from civilization.
Indeed, at the bottom of this expansive, 200-foot deep chasm, one’s sense of setting and scope are completely blotted out by the sheer uniqueness of the area.
And what’s created this wonderful little gorge is of course Tinker’s Creek, the largest tributary of the Cuyahoga River.
At nearly 29 miles in length, Tinker’s reach is significant.
Originating as a wetlands in Tinkers Creek State Park in Streetsboro it subsequently winds its way through Twinsburg, Glenwillow, Oakwood, Bedford Heights, Bedford and Walton Hills, until finally confluences with the Cuyahoga River in Valley View.
Near the end of that multi-county journey is Bedford's Viaduct Park, on the northern periphery of Bedford Reservation, where Tinker’s Creek sheds its lazy meandering demeanor and really starts to get rough and tumble with the landscape.
It begins at the Great Falls, a 20-foot tall waterfall which just so happens to be one of Ohio's widest, with a crest of almost 80 feet.
From that point southward the creek slashes through the bedrock, cascading, rumbling and plunging 220 vertical feet down through the panoramic, two-mile wide Bedford Gorge.
That’s exactly why the gorge was declared a National Natural Landmark (designated by the Secretary of the Interior as a site whose condition, illustrative character, rarity, diversity, and value to science and education is significant) back in 1967. And one gaze from atop the Tinker's Creek Gorge Scenic Overlook is proof enough that this local treasure deserves such a notable designation.
Okay, now that I’ve given the gorge its props, let’s get to the meat of the matter here: The hiking.
You can access both sides of the gorge via two different trailheads.
The first trailhead is for the Bridal Trail and that can be accessed on the south side of the Bedford Reservation at the Hemlock Creek picnic area off Button Road.
On the other side of the gorge, on the north side of the reservation, is the Egbert picnic area trailhead. T
he Bridal Trail, a moderately challenging trail, offers a bit of everything: Big hills, long descents, numerous overlooks, rock walls, dense foliage, a ton of backcountry and a pretty cool creek crossing (that’s right, so take a pair of sandals or junkie shoes if you plan to do the whole hike).
The complete 14-plus-mile Bridal Trail can be done as a full blown loop, taking you all the way around the gorge.
Now you can cut it up into shorter out-and-back hikes, which if you do, I’d highly recommend a trek on the west side of Tinker’s Creek out of the Hemlock Creek picnic area.
I say this because I think the western portion of the trail traverses the most impressive swath of the gorge.
This is where photographers are rewarded with a plethora of great scenic photo opportunities. It’s also the best section of the Bridal Trail to hike if you’re in search of quiet, secluded picnic stops and/or better chances to stumble across wildlife.
The west side is almost always lightly traveled and therefore makes for the perfect track for those who crave peace and solitude.
Now that’s not to say the east side of Tinker’s Creek Gorge isn’t beautiful, it truly is.
The difference here is that you’ll spend a good deal of your hiking time up above the gorge instead of down inside it. If you’re a panorama freak, the east side is your ticket for you’ll be hiking out along the rim most of the time where there’s a multitude of wonderful vistas.
Access this portion of the Bridal Trail––which shares the track with the Buckeye Trail and sometimes the All Purpose Trail––at the Egbert picnic area.
Notable sights on this stretch of the trail(s) include the Great Falls at Viaduct Park, Deerlick Creek Falls, a 12-foot waterfall; Bridal Veil Falls, a nice little cascade that drops 20 feet over a 100-foot long slide and of course the Tinker’s Creek Gorge Overlook, which offers the absolute best view of the gorge.
Yup, Tinker’s Creek Gorge is a pretty amazing place and the good news is that it’s just around the corner. Check it out.