Brandywine Falls Gorge Loop Trail

Cuyahoga Valley National Park is located just outside of Cleveland, Ohio, and is a hidden gem that is full of large rock formations, creeks, rivers, history, and waterfalls.  The 65-foot tall waterfall, Brandywine Falls, is one of the most popular destinations in the park because of the stunning scenery and beautiful falls.  

Brandywine Falls was formed over millions of years by the Brandywine Creek. The various rock layers of the falls can be seen below the flowing water. A boardwalk and a wooden staircase lead hikers from the parking lot down to the falls. The view of Brandywine Falls at the bottom of the staircase is beautiful and located directly in front of the falls. The boardwalk also passes along the side of sandstone cliffs that show how erosion and soluble rock layers helped form the waterfall and the cliffs of the Cuyahoga Valley.

The valley surrounding Brandywine Falls also contains a lot of historical and cultural significance as well as natural beauty. Many of the early settlers of the area appreciated the beauty of the falls, but they also undertsood that the powerful falls could be used as a source of hydroelectric power. In 1814, an early settler named George Wallace utilized the power of the falls to make a saw mill at the top of the falls. Other settlers followed this innovative idea and created grist and wool mills as well. The mills created a lot of job opportunities for the settlers, and eventually a thriving village surrounded the area. The remains of the village are mostly gone, but there is still some evidence of the civilization that once lived there.  

In seasons of heavy flow, the water of Brandywine Creek explodes over the waterfall. In dryer seasons, the water flow is less torrential and the bridalveil flow of the falls becomes more evident. The area is particularly beautiful in fall when the trees and vegetation surrounding the falls turn golden colors. In winter, icicles form all along the limestone cliffs, and the area takes on the image of a winter wonderland. Brandywine Falls is a great destination for any season.