Explore Hocking Hills
Old Man’s Cave
The most popular of all the Hocking areas is Old Man’s Cave. Starting 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.
Old Man’s Cave is one of the 7 major hiking trails of Hocking Hills State Park in southern Ohio. The one-way loop trail is approximately 1 to 1.5 miles long and begins at the kiosk at Upper Falls.
Ash Cave
Ash Cave is one of the most spectacular features of the Hocking Hills State Park. Ash Cave is the largest, most impressive recess cave in the state.
The horseshoe-shaped cave is massive, measuring 700-feet wide, 90-feet high, and 100 feet deep. A small stream cascades over the rim into a small pool below.
The approach to Ash Cave is through a narrow gorge, approximately one-fourth mile in length. Ash Cave is a must see for all visitors looking to experience Ohio caves.
Rock House
Rock House is one of the 7 major hiking trails of Hocking Hills State Park. Rock House is unique, as it is the only true cave in the park. With a ceiling height of 25 feet, the main corridor is 200 feet long and 20 to 30 feet wide.
Rock House Loop Trail is about 1 mile.
Cedar Falls
If you want to see a big waterfall, this is the place. Cedar Falls is the most powerful waterfall in Hocking Hills State Park.
The waterfall is one of the main attractions in Hocking Hills, and it’s accessible by a short one-way trail.
It’s best viewed from late winter through the early summer, when rainfall and snowmelt are at their peak.
Cedar Falls Trail is a short, 0.9-mile loop.
Cantwell Cliffs
Located in the northern reaches of Hocking Hills, Cantwell Cliffs is in one of the most remote areas of Hocking Hills State Park. Approximately 17 miles from Old Man’s Cave, those who travel the extra distance will not be disappointed. Many visitors proclaim the Cantwell area the most picturesque in Hocking County.
The path is the most rugged in the park system, remote, and a one-way in and one-way out loop. There are over two miles of trail with two loops, each being one mile. It takes approximately 60 to 80 minutes to hike each loop of the trail.
Conkle’s Hollow
Conkle’s Hollow is one of the 7 major hiking trails of Hocking Hills State Park in southern Ohio. Conkle’s Hollow is one of the most spectacular features within the Hocking Hills region. Its sheer cliffs of Black Hand sandstone rise nearly 200 feet above the valley floor. The deep, cool gorge, which is only 100 feet wide in places and is considered by some to be the deepest in Ohio, has numerous waterfalls cascading over its sandstone cliffs. The cliff tops offer magnificent overlooks and the quiet gorge beneath.
There are 2 Trails to hike, Upper Trail and Lower Trail:
- Lower Trail is a ¾ mile long, wheelchair-accessible trail. It takes about 1 hour to hike the trail.
- Upper Trail is a one-way trail that is 2 miles long. This hike may be considered strenuous for those who are not physically fit, do not hike regularly, or have health issues such as knee or heart problems. This trail involves a moderate to steep incline, uneven steps, 70 to 100-foot cliff drops, paths with visible roots, and steep terrain.
Whispering Cave
Whispering Cave/Hemlock Trail is one of the 7 major hiking trails of Hocking Hills State Park.
When it comes to the best hiking trails in the United States, Whispering Cave is getting national attention after it was recently ranked the top spot in the entire country.
The five-mile loop is moderately challenging and offers hikers access to a swinging bridge, the second-largest cave in the region and a picturesque seasonal waterfall that is over 100-feet tall.
There are 3 trails that can take you to the Whispering Cave.
- Whispering Cave Spur Trail – 0.2 Miles
- Hemlock Bridge Trail – 1 Mile
- Loop From Old Man’s Cave Entrance – 5 miles
