Address: 9000 Chippewa Creek Drive, Brecksville Reservation, Brecksville, Ohio

3.9 miles, Moderate to Difficult

Sources:

http://www.clevelandmetroparks.com/Main/Reservations-Partners/Brecksville-Reservation-4.aspx

The next portion of the hike is easily the trail's most difficult section, as it climbs a rugged ridge to the top of a 100-foot deep ravine. Further up the trail you'll get to Deer Lick Cave, the main attraction on this hike. By this point you have hiked around 2 miles, or roughly halfway. After you are done viewing Deer Lick cave, the trail will cross over Meadows Drive and meander past a small creek before crossing back over the road. Between here and the Meadows Picnic area, you will cover a distance of about 3/4 of a mile and cross over 2 larger streams which both have small waterfalls on them. Once at the Meadows Picnic area, continue for just a bit longer to finish at the Nature Center.

Located in the Brecksville Reservation, The Deer Lick Cave Trail is a incredibly scenic loop trail that passes by Deer Lick Cave and Deer Lick Cave Falls. The "cave" is technically just a rock overhang, but is impressive nonetheless. The cave got its rather unusual name because White Tailed Deer frequently lick the cave's sandstone to supply themselves with salt, which is necessary for their survival.

Natural Ohio Adventures

Photo from Waymarking.com

Deer Lick Cave Trail

Brecksville Reservation Map

Directions:

The Brecksville Nature Center/Trailhead is located at 9000 Chippewa Creek Drive, Brecksville, Ohio. There is a large parking lot but the Nature Center isn't visible from the road. If coming from Route 82, the trailhead will be on the right side of the road roughly 1/3 a mile down Chippewa Creek Drive. If coming from Riverview Road, the center will be on the left side of the road at the top of the road's steep hill.

There are two trailheads for the Deer Lick Cave Trail; The Nature Center Trailhead and the Deer Lick Cave Trailhead. If you are pressed for time or are just simply too lazy to go for a 4-mile hike, begin at the Deerlick Creek Trailhead, which is located on Valley Parkway roughly 1 mile past the road's intersection with Chippewa Creek Drive. Once at the trailhead, a trail no longer than 100 yards will take you down to the cave. If you're looking for a real hike, begin at the Nature Center Trailhead, located on Chippewa Creek Drive. The Deer Lick Cave Trail isn't the only trail that leaves the nature center, so make sure you're hiking the right trail before you leave. The trail is marked with an Oak Leaf blaze. If your leaf identification skills aren't too strong, this is what and Oak Leaf like. I will be describing the trail in a clockwise direction, so to follow the trail the same way I describe it turn left at the trail junction (heading downstream). The trail will take you past several scenic stream valleys and reaches the intersection of Chippewa Creek Drive and Valley Parkway. Here, the trail will veer off to the right, following Valley Parkway uphill and joining the Buckeye Trail. The next portion of the hike is easily the trail's most difficult section, as it climbs a rugged ridge to the top of a 100-foot deep ravine. Further up the trail you'll get to Deer Lick Cave, the main attraction on this hike. By this point you have hiked around 2 miles, or roughly halfway. After you are done viewing Deer Lick cave, the trail will cross over Meadows Drive and meander past a small creek before crossing back over the road. Between here and the Meadows Picnic area, you will cover a distance of about 3/4 of a mile and cross over 2 larger streams which both have small waterfalls on them. Once at the Meadows Picnic area, continue for just a bit longer to finish at the Nature Center.