Cleveland’s Take A Hike program is an ideal way to experience an urban hike as you discover the city’s history and amenities
By Mitch Allen
Hiking is the most popular outdoor activity in the U.S., and with Northeast Ohio’s beautiful and expansive parks systems, we enjoy many diverse walking and hiking trails.
But also growing in popularity are “urban hikes,” which are fun, educational, and good for your health.
One of the best ways to enjoy an urban hike is Take A Hike, an award-winning heritage tourism program of Historic Gateway Neighborhood Corporation with support from the Ohio and Erie Canal and Cuyahoga Arts & Culture. Since 2009, Take A Hike has entertained and educated more than 50,000 guests.
There are two ways to enjoy the experience: in-person with an entertaining guide or self-guided with help from GPS on your smartphone, including various audio and video clips associated with each stop on the tour.
Plus, Downtown Cleveland Ambassadors keep the core clean, safe, and welcoming for people who work, live, and visit the city. The 68 Ambassadors provide a visible unarmed uniformed presence, working seven days a week year-round. Services include providing safety escorts, public maintenance, trash and graffiti removal, and more.
Let’s look at the tours for the 2024 Take A Hike season:
In-Person Tours
These hikes run from June through September at scheduled times (registration is highly recommended). In addition to your guide, these tours often feature costumed characters you may meet along the way.
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Here are this year’s scheduled in-person tours:
June and July 2024
Playhouse Square District
Sundays 10 a.m.
Bulkley Building | 1501 Euclid Ave.
Little Italy
Mondays 6 p.m.
Tony Brush Park / 12002 Mayfield Rd.
Cleveland’s North Coast
Tuesdays 6 p.m.
Otto Graham Statue @ Cleveland Browns Stadium
Ohio City
Wednesdays 6 p.m.
Lekko Coffee | 2529 Detroit Ave.
Public Square + Malls
Thursdays 6 p.m.
Rebol | In Public Square
Monumental Tour - Part 1
Fridays Noon
Cannon at Ft. Huntington Park | W. 3rd & Lakeside Ave.
Canal Basin+ Towpath
Saturdays 10 a.m.
Flat Iron Cafe | 1114 Center St.
August and September 2024
Erie Street Cemetery
Sundays 10 a.m.
Erie Street Cemetery | 2301 E. 9th St.
AsiaTown
Mondays 6 p.m.
TBD
Tremont
Tuesdays 6 p.m.
Sideyard Park | 1370 Abbey Ave.
Warehouse District
Wednesdays 6 p.m.
Constantino’s Market | 1278 W. 9th St.
Historic Euclid Avenue
Thursdays 6 p.m.
The Arcade | 401 Euclid Ave.
Monumental Tour - Part 2
Fridays Noon
Meet Me Here Park | Corner Ontario & Huron
University Circle
Saturdays 10 a.m.
Wade Oval Visitor Center | 10820 East Blvd.
Self-Guided Tours
Taking a self-guided hike is ideal for those who want to experience tours independently and at a time that works best for them. A selection of self-guided tours is available 365 days a year, 24/7. Using GPS on your mobile device, you can navigate the route, and pausing at designated stops to listen to online tour guides and historical Clevelanders’ share their stories. Allow 45-60 minutes to enjoy a self-guided tour.
Here are the 2024 self-guided tours:
April - June
- Civic Center
- North Coast Harbor
- Tremont
July - September
- Early Cleveland
- Historic Euclid Avenue
- Public Square
October - December
- Historic Hotels
- Playhouse Square
- University Circle
For more information or to schedule a tour, visit TakeAHikeCLE.com.