Forbes Crossing is a beautiful one mile trail winding through nearly 53 acres of wooded hills. Uniquely designed boardwalks and bridges take you over streams and across wetlands. Recently restored to its original natural state this area was once a sprawling dairy farm in the 19th century.
Forbes Crossing
Location: Bedford Heights
Length: Natural surface = 1 mile. Paved all-purpose trail = ¼ mile
Type & uses: Hiking, picnicking
Challenge level: Easy (paved) to moderate (natural surface)
Hours of operation: 6 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Level of Traffic Stress rating: 1
Accessibility, Parking & Operations
Location: Bedford Reservation
Parking: Small trailhead parking lot at 24820 Forbes Rd, Bedford Heights, OH 44146
Managed & maintained by: Cleveland Metroparks
Description
The paved all-purpose loop trail leaves the parking lot and leads you to an overlook bench. The Forbes Crossing trail is a narrow, natural surface trail that winds up and down through the woods leading to beautiful forest and stream views. Reach it by turning left (west) on the All-Purpose Trail (APT) when leaving the parking lot. A boardwalk through wetlands and several footbridges add interest to this trail. It ends at Hawthorne Parkway where you continue on the APT if you wish.
Points of Interest & Amenities
History
Timeline: Opened 2008
Partners: Cleveland Metroparks, City of Bedford Heights, Bedford Historical Society
Cost: Funds dedicated to the development of the new picnic area totaled $201,200 (Bedford Heights: $125,000; Cleveland Metroparks $76,200).
Forbes Woods was a collaborative park area development project between the park district and the City of Bedford Heights protecting 52.8 acres of green space. The Forbes farmstead, a former dairy farm circa 1852, used to occupy the land.
Maps
Contact: Cleveland Metroparks 216-635-3200 or info@clevelandmetroparks.com
Content provided by the Cleveland Metroparks