What Do Our Hike Descriptions Mean?
APT (All Purpose Trail)/Towpath/ Bike and Hike Trail: Wide, usually paved; used by hikers, bikers, and skaters.
Brisk: Faster than usual, a 15-17 minute mile.
CVNP: Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
Energetic: Hikes can include hills, stream crossings, difficult terrain and a quicker pace than moderate.
Hills: Ascents requiring noticeable exertion.
Leisure Hike: A casual, slower than a moderate hike, usually around 22-25 minute mile pace.
Moderate: 18-20 minute mile. All hikes are moderate unless otherwise indicated. A moderate hike may include hills, stream crossings, and rough trails.
On and Off Trail: A substantial part of the hike will not follow trails of any kind and take advantage of the natural landscape.
PA: Picnic area.
Res.: Reservation, as in Brecksville Reservation.
Scouting: A leader will use this time to scout an upcoming hike. The starting point and area to be hiked are known in advance; expect difficult elements from other hike categories such as On & Off Trails.
Strenuous: Demanding hikes; fast pace and or grueling terrain, hikers need to be in excellent condition.
Themed Hikes: Sunrise Hike, Ice Cream Hike etc. Theme hikes described by a short phrase in caps; usually a special destination or an optional social gathering afterward.
Trails: Dirt trails usually established park trails or bridle paths. They may include popular footpaths, game trails, abandoned roadways, and railroad tracks, but not APT, Towpath or Bike and Hike Trails.
15-18 minute miles: (specify the pace): Targeted pace that is faster than the usual moderate hike.
How is Our Mileage Tracked?
At the end of a hike, turn in to the hike leader a completed hike attendance card. If you are a member, this card is used to help track your mileage. If you are a visitor, this card tracks how many hikes you complete (you need 6 before you can apply for membership). Hike leaders send in this data to the Recording Pathfinder committee.
Additional helpful information is located at New Hiker Information.
Responsible Hiking Guidelines
Many members have indicated certain practices adopted by the CHC during the pandemic have been helpful for hikers and wish them to continue; the board has adopted updated Responsible Hiking Guidelines. (Updated 6/2/2021) See link.
Finding A Starting Point
Maps To and For Local Parks
Here are links to some maps:
Cleveland Metroparks Interactive Map
Individual Cleveland Metroparks Reservations
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Geauga County Parks
Lake County Metroparks
Lorain County Parks
Medina County Park District
Summit County Metro Parks
GPS Coordinates For Hike Meeting Locations
We have prepared a list of the latitude and longitude for many of the places where our hikes start. Use these values with your GPS, a smart phone, or an app like Google Maps or MapQuest to find directions to a hike meet point. The coordinates are listed by park districts or communities. Find the latitude and longitude for places where some of our hikes start here.
Hiking Health and Safety News
Getting reacquainted with your hiking boots! - Thoughts about boots and blisters.
The Savvy Hiker’s Quiz – A potentially life-saving piece of equipment
Falling for Fall - Preventing and minimizing injuries from falling
Hike Downhill Safely – Take care when hiking downhill
A Refresher on Winter Hiking – Preventing hypothermia
Ice – Converting old boots into ice boots
Winter’s Over – But My Nose Still Runs! - Avoiding some pitfalls of spring allergies
Hello Mud – Safety tips for spring hiking
Preventing Tick Bites – Take preventive measures against ticks
Summer Concerns - Recognizing heat exhaustion
The Buzz about Bee Stings
Abrasions Lacerations and Punctures - Safe summer hiking reminders
Club members are able to view additional Health and Safety articles in the past newsletters.