Parkway Jogging Trail, Sand Run Metro Park

The Parkway Jogging Trail to Dogwood Trail loop offers a dynamic jogging experience, blending the smooth, winding paths alongside the Sand Run stream with the more rugged, hilly sections of the Dogwood Trail. You'll traverse diverse landscapes, from peaceful wooded areas with towering forests to cool, shady ravines where hemlocks and ferns thrive, and even an open field on the Dogwood Trail. In spring, keep an eye out for vibrant wildflowers like large-flowered trilliums and bloodroot, adding splashes of color to your run.

This moderate 7.7-mile (12.3 km) loop, with its 578 feet (176 metres) of elevation gain, typically takes about 1 hour and 21 minutes to complete. The trail is part of Sand Run Metro Park and is accessible year-round, with parts of the Parkway Jogging Trail even plowed in winter. It's a multi-use path that's also dog-friendly, so feel free to bring your leashed companion along for the journey.

Beyond its natural beauty, Sand Run Metro Park holds historical significance, once serving as a campsite for Indigenous peoples, with Portage Path being an important Indigenous trail. The park is also a haven for wildlife, home to various squirrels, owls, and woodpeckers, with red-tailed hawks often soaring overhead. For those seeking accessible options, a one-mile (round trip) section from the Old Portage Area is designed for wheelchairs and strollers.

This Northwest Akron jogging loop offers a delightful escape into nature, guiding you through a mosaic of dense forests, serene wetlands, and charming gardens. You'll encounter a mix of paved and unpaved surfaces, providing varied terrain that keeps your run interesting, especially within the expansive Sand Run Metro Park. It's a fantastic way to experience the region's natural beauty, with plenty of scenic views to enjoy along the way.

For planning your run, you'll find that many of the trails in Northwest Akron are quite accessible, with parking available at key locations like Sand Run Metro Park. The route is considered moderate, covering 4.7 miles (7.5 km) with 223 feet (68 metres) of elevation gain, and typically takes about 48 minutes to complete. Notably, some sections are even plowed in winter, making it a viable option for year-round exercise.

What truly sets these Northwest Akron running loops apart is their diversity and connectivity within the Summit Metro Parks system. You can easily link different parks, like Sand Run and Cascade Valley, to create longer, more varied running experiences. The popularity of these trails, particularly within Sand Run Metro Park and the Towpath Trail, speaks to their quality and the beautiful natural environment they traverse.