The crunching of leaves beneath your feet. The chill of a cool, crisp air. Perfect weather for a hike.

Fall is the best time to get out and experience Summit County's trails. The trails are quiet, the ideal place to get away from the stress of everyday life. And the trails are changing every day.

"The weather, it's a little cool, trees are turning into vivid colors, and it's just a lovely time to take a hike," said Nancy Grof, a member of the Akron Metro Parks Hiking Club who has hiked more than 15,000 miles in her lifetime.

There are lots of different hikes locally. Here are my picks for the top five hikes in the Akron area based on fall foliage, panoramic views, uniqueness and seclusion.

Visitors enjoy new exhibits, sustainable updates

The renovation of the popular F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm has been named one of the greenest projects in Ohio.

The independent Green Building Certification Institute awarded the 15-month renovation of the park’s visitors center and grounds, at 1828 Smith Road, Akron, just the fifth platinum-level LEED certificate in the state, but the second for Metro Parks, Serving Summit County.

LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is determined by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). “Platinum” is the highest rating possible for green building projects.

Ice formations ‘something to behold’ in Gorge Metro Park

Winter visitors who venture to Gorge Metro Park, 1160 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls, are treated to breathtaking views like no other in Summit County.

Huge, colorful icicles drip from the rock cliffs – some of which drop 60 feet or more into the Cuyahoga River Gorge – to the delight of hardy folks who hike to see what naturalists have dubbed the Crystal Palace.

Naturalist Mike Greene has been leading winter hikes here for 15 years. In 2011, he led two hikes to the ‘palace’ in early February.