Top 7 Hiking And Trekking Spots In Hocking Hills, Ohio

hiking in hocking hills
Celeste
Celeste 
Published
| 4 min read

Nature lovers will be in all their glory on a visit to Hocking Hills State Park where they can enjoy the outdoors to the fullest. Whether camping overnight in the park or visiting for the day, visitors will have the chance to behold the naturally amazing picturesque vistas, cliffs, gorges, caves, and waterfalls throughout the park. Many of the trails are half a mile (0.8 kilometre) to 2 miles (3.2 kilometres) in length spanning from under one hour to two hours over dirt or asphalt paths, making it so all interested in visiting the park can enjoy the beautiful scenery with ease. To behold the amazing natural beauty of Cedar Falls, Old Man’s Cave, and more, please refer to the following list of the top hiking and trekking spots in Hocking Hills, Ohio.

1. Cantwell Cliffs

Fall near Cantwell Cliffs - panoramio
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Aaron Zhu used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Those visiting to hike inside Hocking Hills State Park will not be disappointed by the stunning natural beauty found within its borders. Cantwell Cliffs is a more remote area to reach, however, for those willing to go the extra mile, the half-mile (0.8 kilometre) 40-minute journey via the rim trail or the narrow passageway along the valley floor makes it well worth it. After descending the steep rock staircase to the cave’s entrance, hikers will see a picturesque valley bordered by steep rock cliffs. The stunning reddish-brown colour of the stone formations has resulted due to the iron oxide of the sandstone.

Cantwell Cliffs

Address: Ohio 74, Rockbridge, OH 43149

Website: Cantwell Cliffs

Opening hours: 8am - 8pm (daily)

Price: Free

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2. Ash Cave

Ash cave, Hocking Hills
Source: Photo by user Always Shooting used under CC BY 2.0

Those visiting Hocking Hills State Park will be exposed to breathtaking natural surroundings including Ash Cave with its avenue of hemlock and beech trees lining the entrance to the cave. The trail which is approximately half a mile (0.8 km) long, taking 30 minutes, has a paved sidewalk for those with wheelchairs and strollers making it accessible to view the cascading waterfall, sandy floor at the cave’s entrance, and massive overhanging ledge. Hikers can walk through the massive cave where Native Americans lived for hundreds of years in the Ohio wilderness. If you happen to be camping in Hocking Hills State Park, make certain to spend an adequate amount of time to visit Ash Cave and the numerous points of interest within nature’s wonderland.

Ash Cave

Address: 27291 Ohio 56, South Bloomingville, OH 43152

Website: Ash Cave

Opening hours: 8am - 8pm (daily)

Price: Free

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3. Cedar Falls Trail

Cedar Falls @ Hocking Hills State Park, Ohio - panoramio
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Aaron Zhu used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Grab your backpack and get ready for a half-mile (0.8 kilometre) 40-minute adventure through the Lower Gorge of Old Man’s Cave where you will encounter moss-covered cliffs, a rough trail, and the panoramic Queer Creek Valley. After traversing the rugged trail lined with hemlock trees and steep rock walls, visitors will have to descend a rock stairwell of 100 steps. Upon arrival at the bottom of the rocky staircase, hikers will be treated to stunning views of Cedar Falls which is one of the largest waterfalls in the Hocking Hills region. Remains of a grist mill from the mid-1800s along with parking and restroom facilities are located above the waterfall.

Cedar Falls Trail

Address: 21724 Ohio 374 Scenic, Logan, OH 43138

Website: Cedar Falls Trail

Opening hours: 8am - 8pm (daily)

Price: Free

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4. Old Man's Cave

Old Man's Cave, Upper Falls
Source: Photo by user See1,Do1,Teach1 used under CC BY 2.0

Hikers can reach this stunning phenomenon by traversing a one-way 6-mile (9.6 kilometres) trail to Ash Cave. Those travelling by stroller or wheelchair will have to access the trail past the visitor centre via Lodge Road for a half-mile (0.8 kilometre) journey to a new ramp and observation deck at Upper Falls. Hikers will cross a narrow stone bridge before descending a broad rock staircase to view the surrounding rock formations and Old Man’s Cave. Upon reaching the cave, visitors will be treated to the amazing beauty of two levels of waterfalls and the swirling waters of Devil’s Bathtub.

Old Man's Cave

Address: 19852 Ohio 664, Logan, OH 43138

Website: Old Man’s Cave

Opening hours: 8am - 8pm (daily)

Price: Free

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5. Rock House Trail

Rock house, Hocking Hills, Ohio
Source: Photo by user See1,Do1,Teach1 used under CC BY 2.0

Hikers must cover a half-mile (0.8 kilometre) or 30- to 45-minute meandering forest trail bordered by moss-covered rock formations and descend stone steps. Once through the corridor, visitors will behold seven archways and sandstone columns holding up the massive roof. They will be able to wander through the massive cave where in the early 1900s a hotel operated near the shelter house which was located at the entrance of Rock House. Throughout the centuries, the cave provided shelter to robbers, horse thieves, murderers, bootleggers, and Native Americans as shown by the carvings on the cave’s walls.

Rock House Trail

Address: 16526 Ohio 374, Laurelville, OH 43135

Website: Rock House Trail

Opening hours: 7am - 8pm (daily)

Price: Free

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6. Lower Falls Trail


Those visiting Hocking Hills State Park to admire its numerous natural attractions can access the trail to check out Lower Falls by a trail starting at Lodge Road near the visitor centre. Hikers without mobility issues can take the 6-mile (9.6 kilometres) trail to Ash Cave en route to Old Man’s Cave. Those with mobility issues can view the cascading lower falls from an observation area overlooking Old Man’s Cave whereas hikers without such challenges will be able to descend rock stairs to the cave to get a closer look. Upon reaching the cave, visitors can enjoy wondrous views of the lower falls, sandstone rock formations covered in moss, and the surrounding hemlock forest.

Lower Falls Trail

Address: 19852 OH-664, Logan, OH 43138

Website: Lower Falls Trail

Opening hours: 8am - 6pm (daily)

Price: Free

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7. Conkle's Hollow Gorge Trail

Conkle's Hollow Rim Trail (28419406442)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user See1,Do1,Teach1 used under CC BY 2.0

For those looking to explore Hocking Hills State Park to see Conkle’s Hollow Gorge, the upper trail is 2.5 miles (4 kilometres) long (taking 1.5 to 2 hours) and can be quite hazardous so it’s not recommended for those with mobility issues or for children. The paved lower trail is about a mile (1.6 kilometres), taking one hour, and is a better choice for children and those with mobility issues, but can be slippery if the wooden planks on the bridges get wet. Hikers who can handle the upper trail are in for panoramic views of the valley with its thick forest below. Those who are able to take advantage of the lower trail will enjoy coursing through the thick greenery of ferns and wildflowers while hardwoods such as hemlock and birch provide a canopy from the sunlight.

Conkle's Hollow Gorge Trail

Address: 24132 Big Pine Road, Logan, OH 43138

Website: Conkle’s Hollow Gorge Trail

Opening hours: 8am - 8pm (daily)

Price: Free

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Exploring naturally amazing Hocking Hills State Park

Old Mans Cave 03
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Niagara66 used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Those venturing into the great outdoors of Hocking Hills State Park will be blessed with panoramic views of hardwood forests filled with waterfalls, steep gorges, and sandstone cliffs. Needless to say, the park is a nature lover’s paradise with its lakes to fish and canoe on, its many trails to hike through to explore hidden caves, and to come up close and personal with wildlife at times. After venturing into the great outdoors to admire nature’s beauty where numerous peoples lived throughout the centuries, visitors will come away with much appreciation for these protected parks hoping to preserve them for future generations to enjoy as well.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Celeste is a writer based in British Columbia with a profound passion for travel and the exploration of new destinations. Her adventurous spirit leads her to engage in exciting activities during...Read more

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