The Hocking Hills region of southeast Ohio is one of the most scenic places in the Midwest. As you explore all of Hocking Hills’ state parks, forests, and preserves, you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped out of Ohio and into some diverse land out west.
With its lofty cliffs, plunging waterfalls, noteworthy rock formations, deep gorges with picturesque teal-colored water, and explorable recessed caves, it’s easy to see why this slice of Ohio is one of the most beloved places in the state.
Having lived three hours from Hocking Hills for about 24 years of my life, I frequently visited the Hocking Hills region and explored just about every inch of it.
To make sure you don’t miss anything on your trip, in this guide I’m going to reveal the best hiking trails in Hocking Hills. All seven of these scenic hikes feature the very best parts of Hocking Hills and shouldn’t be missed on your Ohio road trip!
7 Scenic Hiking Trails in Hocking Hills
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1. Old Man’s Cave
- Distance: 1.5 miles
- Type of Trail: Loop
- Elevation Gain: 102 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Pet-Friendly: Yes
If you only have time for one hike at Hocking Hills, make sure to hike the Old Man’s Cave loop. This is one of the most scenic trails in the entire park.
To get there, park at the Old Man’s Cave Visitor Center and hop on the one-way hiking trail.
Along the Old Man’s Cave scenic loop, you’ll discover all kinds of natural masterpieces that make this park so special. You’ll pass through overhanging caves and tunnels, glimpse cascading waterfalls falling into pools of teal-colored water, and trek around incredible rock formations.
Some waypoints to keep an eye out for on your route:
- Upper Falls – the waterfall with the famous tree stump
- Devil’s Bathtub – a bowl-shaped whirlpool
- Lower Falls – a scenic waterfall that plunges down a rock face
💦 BONUS WATERFALL: If you have extra time, hike to a hidden gem: Broken Rock Falls. To get to the falls, cross the creek downstream from Lower Falls. Climb up the steps and turn left when you reach the top. After climbing over 90 steps, you will be at Broken Rock Falls!
2. Ash Cave
- Distance: 0.5 miles
- Type of Trail: Loop
- Elevation Gain: 111 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Pet-Friendly: Yes
While you can certainly hike from Cedar Falls to Ash Cave, Ash Cave actually has its own parking lot. Navigate to the parking lot here.
From the parking area, you’ll walk on a relatively easy path through a narrow gorge lined with hemlocks.
After a quick quarter-mile stroll, you will approach the spectacular horseshoe-shaped cave. This cave, stretching a staggering 700 feet wide, 100 feet deep, and 90 feet high, is one of the most breathtaking sights in Ohio.
An impressive 100-foot seasonal waterfall plunges from the top of the recessed cave to the rocky floor, adding to its charm.
3. Cedar Falls
- Distance: 0.4 miles
- Type of Trail: Loop
- Elevation Gain: 95 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Pet-Friendly: Yes
If you don’t hike from Ash Cave to Cedar Falls, you can just park at the Cedar Falls parking lot. Get directions here to the lot closest to the falls.
Though the trail to the falls is short, it’s considered moderate due to its concentration of steps.
Once you climb down the steps, you’ll reach a picture-perfect creek with that classic teal water that Hocking Hills is famous for. The canyon feels like an oasis.
The waterfall, Cedar Falls, impressively tumbles down a sandstone rock wall before flowing into Queer Creek.
4. Rock House
- Distance: 0.8 miles
- Type of Trail: Loop
- Elevation Gain: 203 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Pet-Friendly: Yes
Rock House is detached from the main section of Hocking Hills, so the only way to access it is by vehicle. The trail has its own parking lot. Get directions here.
Rock House is another unique natural feature inside the boundaries of Hocking Hills. Technically, Rock House is the only true cave inside Hocking Hills. The others are recessed, meaning they’re not fully enclosed.
From the parking lot, you’ll walk down to the cave on a narrow, semi-steep path.
Once you reach the cave, you’ll need to do some minor rock scrambling. Use caution as you enter and walk around the cave.
While it’s a lot of fun to explore the dark cave, make sure to arrive early as this area can get pretty crowded.
→ Here are some other ways to avoid crowds on hiking trails.
5. Cantwell Cliffs
- Distance: 0.9 miles
- Type of Trail: Loop
- Elevation Gain: 249 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Pet-Friendly: Yes
Located 17 miles from Old Man’s Cave, Cantwell Cliffs is the most remote section of Hocking Hills. Get directions to the trailhead here.
Due to its remote nature, many visitors are discouraged from visiting. The quiet nature of this trail makes it one of the most appealing spots to visit in the park.
There is a rim and a gorge trail. Both trails are about 1 mile each.
You get great views from both trails, but the most notable is the narrow passage that you have to squeeze through to get down into the gorge. This passage is called the “Fat Woman’s Squeeze.”
On the Rim Trail, you’ll wind around the rim of the gorge, providing you with spectacular views of the gorge below.
On the Gorge Trail, you’ll descend through narrow passages, pass by caves and waterfalls, and follow a creek.
6. Conkle’s Hollow
- Distance: 1.2 miles
- Type of Trail: Out & back
- Elevation Gain: 72 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Pet-Friendly: No
This trail is part of Conkle’s Hollow Nature Preserve, just 3 miles from Old Man’s Cave. Get directions to the parking area here.
Conkle’s Hollow is one of the deepest, most craggy gorges in Ohio. This section of the park definitely has a wild, rugged feel to it that increases its appeal to hiking enthusiasts.
There are two trails in the nature preserve:
- Gorge Trail – 1.2 miles
- Rim Trail – 2 miles
The Gorge Trail has waterfalls and a grotto and is considered easy.
The Rim Trail is narrow, steep, and suitable for the more adventurous. There are incredible views of the gorge below.
7. Whispering Cave
- Distance: 5.8 miles
- Type of Trail: Loop
- Elevation Gain: 482 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Pet-Friendly: Yes
To access this trail, park at the Old Man Cave’s parking lot. Trailhead here. Or, you can park at the Hemlock Bridge trail parking lot.
Coming from the Old Man’s Cave gorge trail, turn right to get to Whispering Cave.
This trail’s highlights include a swinging bridge and a waterfall.
Similar to Ash Cave, Whispering Cave is a massive recessed cave with a waterfall.
Dissimilar to Ash Cave, Whispering Cave is not very popular. This could be partially due to the fact that it recently opened in 2017.
Since the trail is one-way, you have two options for entering the trail:
- You can start at the Visitor Center. There are steps at the Visitor Center near the kiosk. Halfway to Cedar Falls, you can catch the Purple Trail marked by a sign.
- You can also start at Upper Falls near that kiosk also. Follow the blue Trail markers and signs 1.5 miles to the Whispering Cave (Purple Trail – it is marked with a sign). It will loop around one-way to Whispering Cave and back to the Visitor Center.
Where to Stay in Hocking Hills
- Hocking Hills State Park Campground – Budget
- Hocking Hills Inn – Mid-range
- The Lily Pad by Creative Cabins – Luxury
What to Bring to Hike in Hocking Hills
Always bring the 10 Essentials!
- Plenty of snacks. What better place to have a snack than a waterfall or a cave?
- Water. Yes, even for the short trails!
- Emergency blanket. For emergencies or night hikes.
- Extra layers. Midwest weather can be unpredictable.
- First aid kit >>> Read my First Aid Basics for Hikers guide here.
- Knife
- Lighter
- Navigation. I use Gaia GPS and bring a Garmin inReach Mini for emergencies.
- Headlamp. For emergencies or night hikes.
- Sun protection like sunscreen, sun hat, and sun shirt.
Discover Your Next Adventure
Where to next? I’ve got some suggestions!
