She is likely the most famous Ohio hiker, lived in Southeast Ohio, and is most notable for being the first woman to thru hike the Appalachian Trail. Check out the. (I saw the same guy/dog at Cedar Falls on my way back causing the same problems.) Located in Southeastern Ohio, Hocking Hills State Park is a national and internationally acclaimed State Park. Start your Hocking Hills adventure on State Route 374, the Hocking Hills Scenic Byway. not really ash cave. I simply ask that The trail continues through a rock tunnel to the namesake Old Mans Cave a Hocking Hills must-see sight. Comfortable walking shoes are a necessity! One owner had a large German Shepherd that was barking almost the entire time and he could not control very well. All Rights Reserved. After the hemlock forest, the trail flattens out through a mixed forest as it follows the creek that feeds the waterfall at Ash Cave. The last section to the waterfall is not to be missed! Hiking Hocking Hills is the absolute best way to explore the astounding natural beauty of the region and we are highlighting the top Hocking Hills State Park trails so that you can easily plan your visit. If you are bringing your dog on the hikes, remember to take extra water and a bowl. On the other hand, crowds tend to be thick so it can be difficult to find solitude on the treks. Wintertime is an unexpectedly wonderful time to go to HHSP. real or spam, TrekOhios Regional Guide to Parks lists over 900 parks, nature preserves and trails in Ohio. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 26 min to complete. A great addition to the park, and definitely worth the side trip off of the Grandma Gatewood Trail. Directions Print/PDF map Length 10.0 miElevation gain 980 ftRoute type Out & back Discover this 10.0-mile out-and-back trail near South Bloomingville, Ohio. Top Tip: Use our advice for the Best Things To Do in Hocking Hills! Trekkers taking longer hikes or battling wet trails may need a better hiking shoe, like this Columbia Hiking Boot for women. The narrow gorge boasts 200-foot-tall cliff walls and thick vegetation. Followed the buckeye trail to cedar falls which was flowing beautifully. They are not impossible, but those that are unsure of their footing will take pause, and it could be a bit slippery when it is more wet. I visited this part of the trail yesterday for the first time since this post, and took the bridge over to Whispering Cave. Stunning in every season, Hocking Hills features beautiful towering cliffs, thrilling waterfalls, and deep, hemlock-shaded gorges. Make your escape and visit us in the Hocking Hills. We like to wear lightweight backpacks, where we can carry our water bottles, camera, binoculars, car keys, Hocking Hills hiking map and other everyday travel items. Regarded as one of the best hikes in Hocking Hills, the trail to Old Mans Cave is a must-do! The trail is also used by horses and the area is frequently used by rock climbers. Hocking Hills State Park is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Ohioand if you are anything like us, you will be snapping tons of photos during your hikes! An easy walk leads to the 700-feet-wide and 100-feet-deep Ash Cave Gorge. At Cedar Falls, jump onto the Hocking Hills Gorge Overlook Trail. nice hike in the woods, but only a trickle of water in the falls. Trip Planner ; Tourism Community Forum ; . Additionally, we have provided a link to a Hocking Hills Trail Map for each hiking area. No one knows exactly where the ashes came from, but many believe that Native Americans used Ash Cave for their shelter hundreds of years ago. This is the perfect time to enjoy the endless greenery! Did some fishing on it, no dice, but the history of that lake is really cool. Parts of the trail are strenuous and requires climbing over rocks. Pin it! Follow the trail to the left and around a bend to the Whispering Cave. We prefer the trail that begins at the second parking lot and offers an easy, downward sloping trail. refi payment: $2,595/mo Refinance your loan Home value Owner tools Home details Neighborhood details ZILLOW HOME LOANS Get pre-qualified for a loan Supporter* There are just a few paths that lead up into the cave through narrow openings. I circled back down the creek to the steps that lead up to the Cedar Falls parking lot and continues the Grandma Gatewood Trail to Ash Cave. 1 mile, 1 1/2 hours: Conkle's Hollow Trail Map. Return the same way you came in., Natural Ohio AdventuresALL RIGHTS RESERVED. I returned to the Old Mans Cave area shortly before 2pm to many people exploring the area. In order to make the most of your time, we recommend planning ahead which hikes you intend to take. Under repair. Trekkers follow the Blue trail (also called the Gorge Trail or Grandma Gateway Trail) past the Old Mans Cave and the Lower Falls. While the strenuous hike puts off some hikers, trekkers who hike Cantwell Cliffs are rewarded with some of the best nature in the region. WEAR THE PROPER FOOTGEAR & CLOTHING AND TAKE ALONG PLENTY OF WATER. I mentioned the need to hike this area in the winter. when planning your next adventure that you Cedar Falls and Whispering Falls to Rose Lake Dam, https://www.explorehockinghills.com/media/gdpl5ode/hockinghillstrailmap.pdf. How to get there, things to do, interesting local merchants, and places to stay. Then go to Conkles Hollow and complete both the gorge hike and the rim trail. Fewer people and cheaper accommodations are other top reasons for a Hocking Hills State Park winter visit. Well-behaved, non-aggressive pets are permitted on leash. Did the gouge overlook trail and there were some great views. After climbing several flights of stairs, the trail follows the top of the gorge, hugging the rim of the towering cliffs with natural rocky outcrops providing fantastic vistas. From the parking lot, visitors descend into the forest and cross over a bridge. Complete the following sentence by typing either real or spam: I will document a few on this blog as I experience them, again. The name Cedar Falls is a misnomer, the result of mistaken identity. Either way, its a little over 3 miles to Old Mans Cave. Located on Queer Creek in Hocking Hills State Park, the popular 50 ft-Cedar Falls still tends to be less crowded than Old Man's Cave. Website Accessibility Policy | Privacy Policy. 8+. Visiting the area is easier than you think! After the Fire Tower, the trail is back on a Forest Service Road of awhile. I have been fortunate to have visited in all seasons and there are pros and cons to each. Moderate 4.6 (903) Hocking Hills State Park. Yes, I want to receive access info for the Hocking Hills area. We recommend collapsible hiking poles that you can stow in your backpack when you are not using them on the trail. amzn_assoc_region = "US"; Hocking Hills is a very well marked area so finding the Trailhead shouldn't be too difficult. It reflects mathematical principles of the Fibonacci sequence and the one-dimensional Penrose lattice. The trail is approximately 6 miles between the parking lots of Old Mans Cave and Ash Cave, so it can be a nice, 12-mile out-and-back trip. Take 270 East toward Wheeling, WV to U.S. 33 East (Lancaster Exit)Travel East to Logan, Exit on 664 South. . Following this route you go up to the parking lots associated with the falls. There are ample options for overnight accommodations and we offer a few suggestions at the end of this article. This has always been one of my favorite spots. Thank you for this detailed writeup of the trail. Hike a short 0.2-miles down to Cedar Falls and another 0.3-miles up to the adjacent parking lot to make this a 1 mile out-and . Visit and explore any locations on the website at your own risk. How much water is flowing will depend on the season and recent rainfall. When hiking, we like to bring our water in refillable Kleen Kanteens. I wanted to see whispering falls but this trail takes you to the top, not the bottom. Inn and Spa at Cedar Falls 2022. and spend an afternoon exploring the forest full of breathtaking beauty. Thebest time to visitis during the fall and winter. You can also use this link to Google Maps for an online, interactive map of Hocking Hills trailheads and hiking areas. Our area also hosts many local events and landmarks to visit. A trickling waterfall streams down over the top ledge of the cave. This trail is great for hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. Head over to our Travel Planning page for more information and tips on traveling and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides page! During the fall, the forest has an incredible display of foliage, and in the winter, the park turns into a winter wonderland! road walking sucks, Perfect 60 degrees and the leaves were in full color, Easy to Moderate trail. The hiking trails in Hocking Hills State Park lead to incredible vistas, tumbling waterfalls and gigantic caves. These articles describe what our experience was like when we visited the park. Nestled in the rolling hills near top attractions, Pine Creek Horsemans Camp offers luxury cabins and camping sites, too. Once at the top, it is a gently sloping downhill trail back to the parking area. amzn_assoc_search_bar = "true"; At the end of the paved trail, hikers can continue on a dirt trail through pristine forest to a streaming waterfall. In addition to the natural bridge, after rain and in the spring, there is a waterfall, too. OurHome page lists our latest park reviews, nature articles, and other related information. Im a fairly avid hiker, but hard to know what moderate difficulty actually means Thanks! These three hikes should take about 4 to 5 hours (including drive time between them). There is no running water at the vault toilets and there are several high-touch areas (like railings) along the hikes. Being only 90 minutes from our home in Columbus, I have probably spent over 100 days in the area over the last 24 years and know the highlights well. While plans are underway for a new lodge to be built, it means parking for this particular trail is plentiful for the moment, since the massive parking lot is only being used for the trail. Be sure to bring along some trail fuel for the best hiking trails in Hocking Hill Ohio! Read all of our Top Reasons to Buy a Travel Camera. The trail will take you down to creek-level and then follow the creek up to the falls. It's easily the most photographed of waterfalls in Ohio. Starting at the main parking lot for Old Man's Cave and the Hocking Hills, follow the Gorge Overlook Trail from the Visitor'sCenter, staying on top of the rim. With steep inclines and root- and rock-laden paths, having a pair of hiking poles can help steady you on your trek. For Someone Special Hocking Hills Gift Certificates. Spring and summer are also great options for visitors looking for warmer temperatures and plenty of greenery! Ash Cave is a very popular area, not only due to how amazing it is, but also that it is a short, paved walk to the cave from the parking area. Located on Queer Creek in Hocking Hills State Park, the popular 50 ft-Cedar Falls still tends to be less crowded than Old Man's Cave. The best time to visit Hocking Hills is now! The waterfall was mistakenly named "Cedar Falls" by early settlers, who believed the hemlock trees that covered the stream's gorge were Cedar Trees. By using our content to find trails / hikes / treks, you agree to hike at your own risk Then its on to Ash Cave. Beware the crowds on the weekend and in the summertime - we started out in the early morning and by the time we left there were hundreds of people. Choose between cabins, cottages, yurts, and even geodomes! Best time to go is usually a day or so after a good rain. Want more travel planning tips? There are numerous Hocking Hills State Park waterfalls and many trails lead to them. I love hiking here. Make your escape and visit us in the Hocking Hills. 37Logan 4 Rt.180St. It is sometimes unclear where the path is, so be sure to look for the blue marks on trees. Next, take the hike to Rock House and stick around for a picnic lunch (either in the cave or at the picnic tables at the top). Mohican State Park offers a few excellent trails, along with fun water activities and several important points of interest. Help support TrekOhio by making purchases through Amazon links on this site. It takes approximately 40 minutes to hike the trail. Once across, follow the signs that direct towards Cedar Falls. Directions Please note: Google Maps, MapQuest and other GPS devices do not always work in our area. Still, it is a very nice gorge with the cliffs and forest surrounding it. I hiked the blue trail on the picture below (the Grandma Gatewood Trail, which also is a section of the Buckeye Trail, North Country Trail and American Discovery Trail) to Ash Cave and back to Cedar Falls, and then took the red Gorge Overlook Trail from Cedar Falls back to Old Mans Cave since I havent hiked that leg before. During the fall, the forest has an incredible display of foliage, and in the winter, the park turns into a winter wonderland! FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY AND THE PROTECTION OF THE MANY RARE AND UNUSUAL SPECIES THAT CALL THE PARK HOME. adventures and follow local regulations. Do you have any tips for hiking Hocking Hills trails? Few steep spots, and several dozen stairs at Cedar Falls. From the trail at Cedar Falls, hikers can connect to the Grandma Gatewood Trail and the Gorge Overlook Trail (both of which we describe in detail later). At about the halfway point in the hike, trekkers reach Cedar Falls. The steps were designed by artist and architect Akio Hizume, based on the Fibonacci Sequence. -Hikers can also take a spur trail to Broken Rock Falls, which for about in and out is a two-way trail (less crowded). I returned to Cedar Falls along the same trail, climbing the Fire Tower and returning to Cedar Fallsjust before 1pm, startled to see it at a crowd level you would experience in the summer: I climbed up the stairs to the Gorge Overlook Trail to return to Old Mans Cave. On our recent hiking trip, I wore my lightweight sneakers and Kris wore his Merrell Trail Glove shoes, both of which worked great for the best places to hike in Hocking Hills (and are great travel shoes in general!). Heres what the falls looks like during different times of the year. amzn_assoc_title = "TrekOhio's Amazon Picks"; The 9 State Parks and State Forests. The Hocking Hills hiking trails range in difficulty level from easy to strenuous. The Cedar Falls Trail at Hocking Hills State Park in Logan, Ohio is an easy 1-mile out-and-back trail that features a large waterfall - Cedar Falls. The Ohios only national park, Cuyahoga Valley National Park near Cleveland, offers more than 100 miles of trails (but we prefer the hikes at Hocking Hills SP). great hike.. Summertime is the most popular season for visiting the park. Imagine an enchanted forest filled with towering trees, soft moss, and rushing waterfalls. P.S. As the main contributor and doer-of-all-things for MyHikes, I share my experiences from hikes and backpacking trips on MyHikes for fun on a volunteer basis and I believe that public trail information should be available to everyone. The Ohio-to-Erie Trail, which extends from Cincinnati to Cleveland, is a 320 mile multi use trail. This trail is named after her, in part because of her frequent hikes on it and listing it as one of her favorite trails. I climbed up it on the way back, but found the views to be unspectacular, probably best viewed in the fall. There are limited places to refill water bottles, so we recommend bringing enough drinking water for all of the hikes you plan on taking in one day. I did not see another hiker for the next couple miles, so this was my favorite portion of the hike this day. Im planning a road trip and would love to do the 6 mile Grandma Gatewood Hike. (LogOut/ For quicker access to the falls, start at the upper parking lot, nearby. Although hikers will need to be properly equipped, trekking to frozen waterfalls are a highlight of taking a Hocking Hills winter hike. Get there early and there won't be as many people. This trail is yet another must-see trail at Hocking Hills State Park. As a bonus I now have multi-season photos of some of my favorite places. For all our travels, we use a budget DSLR travel camera the Canon Rebel with an everyday 18-135mm lens. Just note that the actual hiking trails in Hocking Hills are not marked on Google Maps. The settlers misidentified the native hemlock trees as cedars. go early because the crowd is very dense in the popular season. Hikers cross a stone bridge over Devils Bathtub a swirling waterfall that churns into a rock basin. The main trail for the Old Mans Cave area is not done, as you continue down the gorge, actually rising up a bit and then dropping down the area of the Lower Falls, another picturesque waterfall with a beautiful surrounding. Rim Trail can be linked to Cedar Falls, as well, or from the Upper Falls you can take Grandma Gatewood Trail for a 6 miles trail through the park. For alternative driving directions from your location: Address: 20020 State Route 664 South P.O. My comment is " Mar 2023 Also, all hiking trails in Hocking Hills are one way in, one way out, except a few areas where the trails come togeth. The Hocking Hills is the perfect place to unplug and unwind. Just be sure to pack out whatever you pack in and that includes apple cores and orange peels. This trail is dog friendly on-leash. I love how you showed the seasonal changes to the waterfall, all beautiful in each there own way. TrekOhio is an Amazon affiliate. Parents hiking with kids at Hocking Hills (or anyone for that matter) should always be aware of their surroundings and use their best judgement for which trails are appropriate for their kids. Some trails are short, paved paths, while others require steep climbs and scrambling over boulders. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your Logan, Ohio 43138 At the Lower Falls, energetic hikers can complete the spur trail to Broken Rock Falls, a moderately strenuous hike (due to the 90-plus stairs required to reach it!). There were several small waterfalls on the trail side of the gorge coming over the cliffs which provided really nice scenes. Rose lake, at the end, was a little anticlimactic, but it was a really nice hike. This is a very popular area for hiking and walking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. We personally like the looping rim hike at Cantwell Cliffs, which partially enters the gorge and then features a steep incline out to the rim. You can follow a stairway up and take the Gorge Rim Trail which is marked with red marked posts. June 22, 2022 by Cindy Leave a Comment Cedar Falls Hocking Hills is situated in the stunning Hocking County, Ohio. However, before crossing over to explore the cave, continue on the trail to the Lower Falls. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 9 min to complete. A beautiful, short fall hike and the kids enjoyed playing by the water at the falls (not allowed in the water). Anytime I have friends visiting this is where I usually take them. When those glaciers melted, the top ground was barren and over time has weathered leaving only the sand. Yes! At the point where Old Man's Creek merges with Queer Creek, the trail takes an abrupt turn east and enters this new valley. We have featured the top hikes in Hocking Hills but there are two more trails that we want to mention for visitors who have time to add more hikes to their trip plan. For all-day treks like when we were hiking in Glacier National Park I also wore a fanny pack, which kept everything at my fingertips (with no need to take off my entire backpack every time I needed something). This gorge experienced a destructive flood in the mid-90s the swept away many of the original bridges and trail works, and the state did a really nice job rebuilding the trail and water crossings to incorporate more sturdy foundations that actually fit into the surroundings quite well. With only a short hike down you can lounge and swim either by the falls, or a little down the creek. There's a waterfall from the rim of the cave that typically has good Old Man's Cave and Ash Cave via Buckeye Trail. All in all beautiful hike and decent inclines and declines to get the heart pumping. Although Ash Cave Falls and several other nearby waterfallsarenearly twice as tall as this waterfall, no Hocking Hillswaterfall is consistently as impressive as Cedar Falls. Ohio, For hikers, Cedar Falls is at the intersection of several popular hiking paths. All Rights Reserved. Background art of Great Falls of Tinkers Creek. the falls were roaring when we went. From the parking lot, the paved trail (which is wheelchair accessible) leads deep into the ravine, passing small caves and slump rocks. Trip Report Once I reached the top of the waterfall (and more people), I bypassed the rope blocking off the rim trail to the right and took that leg down to the parking area. Want company for your trek? The trail was well-marked and well-maintained, but I would highly recommend that you wear proper shoes with a good grip as parts of the trail may be slippery. Take a much-needed family vacation! There are some neat points where you can explore out to the edge of the cliff above the trail I walked in the morning, but otherwise it is a fairly boring trail. PLEASE PLAN AHEAD AND BE OFF THE TRAIL WELL BEFORE DARK. Website Accessibility Policy | Privacy Policy, The Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls is a hidden oasis for guests to explore. You can become a Directions Print/PDF map Length 0.8 miElevation gain 203 ftRoute type Loop Enjoy this 0.8-mile loop trail near Rockbridge, Ohio. with high-quality content along with building new features, moderating, and site maintainance Visitors are free to explore the interior of the cave, which is illuminated by sunlight that filters through the windows. (But we still recommend bringing a flashlight, as the floors are uneven in places.). There are two choices of trail going towards Old Mans Cave. Muddy but to be expected with all the rain we had this weekend. Although there are several hiking trails that leave from this point, many visitors just go directly to the falls from the parking lot without hiking elsewhere. Hikers looking for a shorter, loop trail can connect the Grandma Gatewood Trail to the Gorge Overlook Trail for a looping 6-mile hike. There is a large area where you can walk up to the pool and fairly close to the falls, so getting a good picture can be difficult without people being in the frame. We suggest you use the directions below to arrive in the most efficient way. The waters of Queer Creek have beautifully carved the black hand sandstone rock at the falls, creating a split waterfall where the water slides down the rockface in two streams. Planning Your Trip . Print/PDF map. The combination of rock, water, and hemlocks growing on ledges is quite a setting. However, after a long summer, many of the waterfalls are merely a trickleor dry altogether. And gorgeous shot of the fern in the snow! It has everything you need to plan your next expedition! There is no fee to enter Hocking Hills State Park Ohio it is absolutely free! Deborah Platt, Robert Platt and TrekOhio.com 2012 to 2021. Many hikers opt to take the Gorge Trail at Cantwell Cliffs that descends deeper by taking a left at the trail split after Fat Womans Squeeze. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 11 min to complete. 19852 Ohio 664 The Hocking Hills is the perfect place to unplug and unwind. Very muddy. Check rates and availability for your stay! Some spots of the creek are deep enough to wade and swim through as well.Pets: Dogs are allowed on leash and their waste must be carried out.Popularity: This is a very popular and busy trail. You can tell by the size of the parking at Old Mans Cave, and especially with the pre- and post-hike pictures below. On our list of the best Hocking Hills trails, we note the level of difficulty for each trek. A few steep climbs. For a longer day of hiking, its a good idea to pack a picnic lunch as there are very few restaurants near the trails. We highly recommend this route as one of the Best of Hocking Hills hikes! While many of the best hikes at Hocking Hills pass by cool streams, tumbling waterfalls and tempting pools, stay on dry land. (740)270-6100 - Lodge and Cabin Reservationsgreatohiolodges.com LEGEND Park Oce/Camp Rose Lake TrailCheck-inWheelchair AccessibleVisitor CenterLodgeTrailheadsCabinsDisc GolfJohn Glen Astronomy ParkCamping AreaPoints of InterestFishermen's Parking GIBISONVILLE Route to US 33 has been generalized.Distance may not be accurate. cedar falls stretch was busy even on a Monday. Logan, Ohio 43138 After this area, the trail just keeps getting better and better. Author, Aloha! If you are not familiar with Grandma Gatewood, you should. What a beautiful place! , writing Interestingly, I encountered many hikers on the section between Cedar Falls and Ash Cave, but none prior to Cedar Falls. However, it is always a good idea to have a Hocking Hills hiking trails map for your walk through the woods. The trailhead begins at the base of the parking lot of the old Hocking Hills Lodge that sadly burnt down in 2016. There were a few workers at this area completing a swinging bridge over the creek, telling me they are completing a trail to a new cave below the Lodge that they are opening in May. The route can still be completed in a loop by connecting with the Rim Trail. Begin the Old Mans Cave Loop Trail hike at Hocking Hills Upper Falls one of the most photographed waterfalls in Hocking Hills. The tumbling waterfalls flows through a crevice of broken rocks. The cave is very difficult to capture in a photo for an amateur like me, but the best spot seems to be from the bridge that takes you to the cave. 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Cost: Free Interest Tags: Outdoor Activity, Family Oriented, Special Interest, Wildlife, Another half mile and there is another clearing around where Rose Creek, coming from Rose Lake Dam, enters the gorge. Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to dothen start packing! #4 of 26 things to do in Logan Hiking Trails Visit website Call Write a review What people are saying By Jen Travels " A must do!! Cedar Falls Cedar Falls is the largest in terms of water volume. There are steps and bridges. Hike through the forest and up a gradual incline (taking note of the honeycomb rock formations) to a sheer cliff rock wall. Here is a picture from a previous hike: The trail at this point is across from Old Mans Cave and you can get an excellent overview of the cave (it is actually just a recess in the sandstone), especially if there are other people inside the cave dwarfed by it. Mark's adventures in hiking and backpacking. Here at the Upper Falls, the Grandma Gatewood Trail begins its six-mile course connecting three of the park's areas: Old Man's Cave to Cedar Falls to Ash Cave.