Hikes Old Man's Cave Old Man's Cave https://www.hockinghills.com/old_mans_cave.html The most popular of all the Hocking areas is Old Man's Cave, located on State Route 664. 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. This same trail has been designated as part of Ohio's Buckeye Trail as well as part of two national systems - the North Country Scenic Trail and America's Discovery Trail. Old Man's Cave is a pet friendly trail. πŸ• Old Man's Cave derives its name from the hermit Richard Rowe who lived in the large recess cave of the gorge. His family moved to the Ohio River Valley around 1796 from the Cumberland Mountains of Tennessee to establish a trading post. He and his two dogs traveled through Ohio along the Scioto River in search of game. On one side trip up Salt Creek, he found the Hocking Region. Rowe lived out his life in the area and is buried beneath the ledge of the main recess cave. Earlier residents of the cave were two brothers, Nathaniel and Pat Rayon, who came to the area in 1795. They built a permanent cabin 30 feet north of the cave entrance. Both brothers are buried in or near the cave. Their cabin was later dismantled and relocated on the nearby Iles farm to be used as a tobacco drying house. The Old Man's Cave area can be divided into five principal sections found along the valley of Old Man's Creek. In order, they are: Upper Falls, Upper Gorge, Middle Falls, Lower Falls and Lower Gorge. Along the length of the trail the magnificent gorge cuts through the entire 150-foot thickness of the Blackhand sandstone. Carved by the creek, the gorge serves as an avenue for visitors to peer into the earth's subsurface. The full distance of the gorge is approximately one half mile. Highlights Upper Falls The Upper Falls is a picturesque waterfall that cascades into a clear pool below. Whether in the summer, surrounded by lush greenery and rugged sandstone cliffs, or in the winter, surrounded by snow and frozen in mid-fall, the falls create a tranquil and scenic spot perfect for nature lovers and photographers. The trail can be viewed from above via the Gorge Entrance and Exit Trail. The Grandma Gatewood trail will take you to the pool below. Devil's Bathtub It's a smooth, swirling basin carved out of the Blackhand sandstone by the constant flow of water over thousands of years. The bathtub is fed by a small waterfall, and the water spirals down through the narrow, cylindrical formation before continuing its journey downstream. The name "Devil's Bathtub" comes from the eerie, otherworldly appearance of the swirling water and the deep, mysterious pool it creates. Hike down the Grandma Gatewood Trail to view it. Whale in the Wall This natural sculpture is characterized by its smooth, curving lines that mimic the shape of a whale's body and head. The formation appears as though the whale is partially embedded in the rock face. Hike down the Grandma Gatewood Trail to view it. Eagle Rock Eagle Rock is an outcropping of sandstone rock eroded over time to resemble the head of an eagle poking out into the gorge. Eagle Rock can be reached via Grandma Gatewood Trail. A-Frame Bridge The A-Frame Bridge is a charming and rustic structure that spans a scenic section of the gorge. Its name comes from the distinctive A-frame shape of the supports that hold up the bridge. Made primarily of wood, the bridge blends seamlessly into the natural surroundings, providing a picturesque crossing point over the flowing stream below. The bridge is accessed via the Gorge Entrance/Exit Trails. Old Man's Cave The cave is actually a recess cave, a large overhanging cliff carved out by erosion, creating a sheltered space beneath. This natural shelter is named after Richard Rowe, a hermit who lived in the cave in the 19th century. The cave can be accessed via the Gorge Entrance/Exit Trails. Turtle Rock Turtle Rock is a distinctive rock formation that resembles the shape of a turtle. This natural sculpture is characterized by its rounded, dome-like top and flatter base, mimicking the appearance of a turtle's shell. The formation is composed of the region's characteristic Blackhand sandstone, which has been sculpted by years of erosion. Hike down the Grandma Gatewood Trail to view it. Sphinx Head The Sphinx Head resembles the profile of an Egyptian Sphinx, with distinct features that have been shaped over time by natural erosion. This formation is part of the diverse sandstone landscape in the Hocking Hills, known for its unique and striking rock structures. Take the Grandma Gatewood Trail to view it. Lower Falls The Lower Falls is a beautiful and serene waterfall that cascades into a clear, shallow pool below. This waterfall is smaller and more intimate compared to the Upper Falls, but it is equally picturesque. The water flows over a rocky ledge, creating a gentle curtain of water that splashes into the pool surrounded by smooth sandstone rocks. Can be viewed from above via the Gorge Entrance and Exit Trail. The Grandma Gatewood trail will take you to the pool below. Broken Rock Falls Broken Rock Falls is a hidden gem within the park, known for its secluded and tranquil setting. This waterfall features a graceful cascade of water that flows down a series of rocky steps and ledges, creating a tiered effect as it descends. Access the Falls via the Broken Rock Trail. Cedar Falls Cedar Falls https://www.hockinghills.com/cedar_falls.html If one were to venture down the Lower Gorge of Old Man's Cave, you would eventually enter the picturesque valley of Queer Creek. At the point where Old Man's Creek merges with Queer Creek, the trail takes an abrupt turn east and enters this new valley. The trail leading to Cedar Falls passes through the most austere area in Hocking Hills. This remote, primitive chasm is laden with hemlock and bound by steep rock walls and their accompanying grottos and waterfalls. It is a wild and lonely but spectacularly beautiful place. Cedar Falls is a pet friendly trail. πŸ• Cedar Falls itself is the greatest waterfall in terms of volume in the Hocking region. Queer Creek tumbles over the face of the Blackhand sandstone displaying the awesome force of water power. In the mid 1800's, a grist mill was built above the falls to utilize this water power for grinding grain. Cedar Falls was misnamed by early white settlers who mistook the stately hemlocks for Cedars. A well kept picnic area and restrooms are located in the parking area above the falls. Democracy Steps, leading down to the falls were created by Akio Hizume, artist, architect and mathematician. Drawing from his love of nature and expertise in the relationships among numbers and dimensions, Akio designed a staircase descending gently down the hillside leading from the parking lot to Cedar Falls. Akio set out to create a serpentine walkway that feels as graceful as it looks. His goal was to make the act of ascending or descending the nearly 100 steps pleasant and relaxing; not the tiresome chore of climbing up or down the typical set of uniform, periodic stairs. The lengths of individual steps are varied, so that walkers alternate the leading foot, establishing a comfortable pace and rhythm. Though it seems like second nature, this walking rhythm was planned carefully and deliberately. It reflects mathematical principles of the Fibonacci sequence and the one-dimensional Penrose lattice. Highlights Falls The waterfall is one of the most powerful and impressive in the region, cascading down a steep sandstone cliff into a serene pool below. The water flows year-round, but it is especially robust after periods of rain, creating a thunderous and awe-inspiring display. Gain access via the Cedar Falls Trail. Overlook This elevated vantage point provides a sweeping perspective of the entire waterfall as it cascades down the sandstone cliffs into the pool below. The trail offers a bird's-eye view, showcasing the full height and power of the falls. Gain access to this vantage point via the Gorge Overlook Trail. Ash Cave Ash Cave https://www.hockinghills.com/ash_cave.html In the southernmost reaches of Hocking Hills is Ash Cave - beyond doubt the most spectacular feature of the entire park. Ash Cave is the largest, most impressive recess cave in the state. The approach to Ash Cave is through a narrow gorge lined with stately hemlocks, massive beech trees and various other hardwoods. The valley floor offers brilliant displays of wildflowers in the all seasons including large flowered trillium, Dutchman's breeches, trout lily, Jack-in-the Pulpit and jewelweed. The narrow gorge is approximately one-fourth mile in length and with astonishing suddenness gives way to the tremendous overhanging ledge and cave shelter. Ash Cave is a pet friendly trail. πŸ• The horseshoe-shaped cave is massive; measuring 700 feet from end to end, 100 feet deep from the rear cave wall to its front edge with the rim rising 90 feet high. A small tributary of the East Fork of Queer Creek cascades over the rim into a small plunge pool below. The cave was formed like the others in this region; the middle layer of the Blackhand has been weathered or eroded while the more resistant upper and lower zones have remained intact. Ash Cave is named after the huge pile of ashes found under the shelter by early settlers. The largest pile was recorded as being 100 feet long, 30 feet wide and 3 feet deep. The source of the ashes is unknown but is believed to be from Indian campfires built up over hundreds of years. One other belief is that the Indians were smelting silver or lead from the rocks. Still another theory claims that saltpeter was made in the cave. No matter the source, several thousand bushels of ashes were found. A test excavation of the ashes in 1877 revealed sticks, arrows, stalks of coarse grasses, animal bones in great variety, bits of pottery, flints and corn cobs. It is obvious the cave was used for shelter by early inhabitants. The recess shelter also served as a workshop for Indians where maidens ground corn and prepared meals, and where braves fashioned arrow and spear points and skinned and dressed game. The cave provided a resting place for travelers along the main Indian trail which followed the valleys of Queer and Salt creeks. This trail connected the Shawnee villages and the Kanawha River region of West Virginia with their villages along the Scioto River at Chillicothe. The trail was used after the start of the frontier wars to march prisoners captured along the Ohio River to the Indian towns on the upper Scioto River. The old Indian trail is now State Route 56. More recent uses of Ash Cave were for camp and township meetings. Pulpit Rock, the largest slump block at the cave's entrance served as the pulpit for Sunday worship service until a local church could be built. The cave lends itself well for large gatherings due to its enormous size and incredible acoustic qualities. In fact, two spots under the recess have the qualities of a "whispering gallery." Picnic facilities are offered adjacent to the parking lot. The restrooms and trail leading to Ash Cave are wheelchair accessible. Highlights Waterfall Ash Cave features a stunning seasonal waterfall that cascades over a massive sandstone ledge into one of Ohio's largest recess caves, measuring 700 feet wide, 100 feet deep, and 90 feet high. The combination of the picturesque waterfall and the expansive, sandy-floored cave makes it a breathtaking and accessible destination. Accessed via the Grandma Gatewood Trail. Overlook From this elevated vantage point, visitors can see the impressive sandstone cliffs that form the cave, the seasonal waterfall cascading over the edge, and the lush greenery that blankets the area. The trail provides a stunning bird's-eye view of Ash Cave's natural amphitheater and the serene, wooded landscape beyond. Accessed via the Ash Cave Rim Trail. Β  Β  Rock House Rock House https://www.hockinghills.com/rock_house.html Rock House is unique in the Hocking Hills' region, as it is the only true cave in the park. It is a tunnel-like corridor situated midway up a 150-foot cliff of Blackhand sandstone. Rock House is a pet friendly trail. πŸ• This House of Rock has a ceiling 25 feet high while the main corridor is 200 feet long and 20 to 30 feet wide. The cavern was eroded out of the middle zone of the Blackhand sandstone. The resistant upper zone forms the roof and the lower zone forms the floor. Water leaking through a horizontal joint running parallel to the cliff face caused the hollowing of the corridor. This main joint or crack is very visible in the ceiling of the Rock House. A small series of joints run north to south at right angles to the main joint. Enlargement of this series of joints formed the window-like openings of Rock House. Nature has hewn out of this cliff the Rock House complete with seven Gothic-arched windows and great sandstone columns which bear its massive roof. As one might imagine, Rock house was used for shelter by past visitors. Hominy holes, small recesses in the rear wall of Rock House, served as baking ovens for Native Americans using the cave. By building a fire in the small recesses, the rock became heated on all sides, and food could be bakes in this crude manner. Further evidence of past use is the presence of chiseled out troughs or holding tanks found in the stone floor. When rainfall is abundant, springs of water permeate through the porous sandstone and flow into these troughs fashioned by man and, when full, continue across the floor and out of the windows. In this way, residents were able to maintain a small water supply in Rock House. According to local folklore, other not so welcome visitors frequented Rock House. Robbers, horse thieves, murderers and even bootleggers earned Rock House its reputation as Robbers Roost. Rock House has a colorful past and has long been a popular tourist attraction. In 1835, Colonel F.F. Rempel of Logan erected a 16-room hotel compete with ballroom, livery stable and a U.S. Post Office. The hotel stood where the picnic shelter is today. Numerous dated carvings in the rock bear evidence of this area's long-standing popularity. One such carving in the form of a book bears the letters: ITFBRAR - ITFFAWMTAW which means, In the fall, Buck Run bananas are ripe - in the frost fall, a wise man takes a wife. (Buck Run banana is local slang for the fruit of the pawpaw tree.) Β  Β  Highlights Rock House Often referred to as a "gothic" looking structure, Rock House is a true cave with a dark, tunnel-like interior. It stretches about 200 feet long, 20 to 30 feet wide, and 25 feet high, with a series of natural "windows" along one side. Its multiple arched openings, or windows let in light and offer views of the surrounding forest. These openings create a dramatic play of light and shadow within the cave. Access the cave via the Gorge Trail. Overlook From this elevated vantage point, you can see the impressive structure of the Rock House nestled into the sandstone cliffs, surrounded by the dense forest canopy. The trail offers a bird's-eye perspective, showcasing the cave's arched openings and the rugged terrain that defines the area. Hike the Rim Trail to take in this view. Cantwell Cliffs Cantwell Cliffs https://www.hockinghills.com/cantwell_cliffs.html Cantwell Cliffs is located in the northern reaches of Hocking Hills - 17 miles from Old Man's Cave on S.R. 374. Its remote location discourages visitation, but those who travel the extra distance will not be disappointed. Many visitors proclaim the Cantwell area as the most picturesque in Hocking County. Cantwell Cliffs is a pet friendly trail. πŸ• The erosion caused by Buck Run accounts for the deep valley, steep cliffs and rock shelter under the cliff. Approaching the rock shelter, the trail winds its way through narrow passageways caused by large slump blocks that have fallen away from the main cliff. The most narrow passage has been sarcastically named Fat Woman's Squeeze. Unique to the Cantwell region is the limited amount of cross-bedding in the middle zone of the Blackhand. Usually the middle zone is extremely cross-bedded but only slightly in the Cantwell area. Another feature is the number of concretions that occur on the cliff face. Concretions occur where the cementing agent, iron oxide, has been concentrated to such an extent that the sandstone has been discolored to a dark reddish-brown. One can choose to follow the trails of the valley floor or the rim. A commanding view of the cliff and rock shelter is offered at Lookout Point on the east Rim Trail. Highlights The Squeeze The Squeeze at Cantwell Cliffs is a narrow, tight passageway between two large rock walls. The narrow passage adds an element of adventure to the hiking experience at Cantwell Cliffs, making it a memorable and fun challenge for those exploring the area. Access the Squeeze via the Rim Trail on your way to the Gorge Trail. Whispering Cave/Hemlock Bridge Whispering Cave/Hemlock Bridge https://www.hockinghills.com/whispering_cave_hemlock_bridge.html Hocking Hills newest hiking trail, Whispering Cave, offers visitors a slightly more challenging hike than other parks in the area. If you are up for incline/decline hiking, you will not be disappointed by the gorgeous views at the end of the trail. After a brisk 0.8 miles, you will arrive at Whispering Cave, boasting a 300 foot wide recess cave and a waterfall that is over 100 feet tall. Whispering Cave is a pet friendly trail. πŸ• Whispering Cave is divided into two separate trails. Both trails have a combination of dirt paths, wood and gravel stairs, and board walks overtop of the ground in extra wet locations. Trekkers begin their march on the Hemlock Bridge Trail. After 0.6 miles, the trail forks. To the right is the 0.2 mile Whispering Cave Trail. Venture down this path to experience the 300 foot recess cave and waterfall. To the left, you will continue on Hemlock Bridge Trail. After another 0.4 miles, there is a viewing area offering stunning views of the vast pine forest that calls Hocking Hills home. From this vantage point, hikers can start the 1 mile walk back to the trail head. Or, continue on the trail and turn right to begin a 1.2 mile hike to Cedar Falls. Continue on the trail and turn left, and you will reach Old Man's Cave in 0.7 miles. The Whispering Cave trail head is located in the parking lot of the Hocking Hills Lodge that burned down in 2016. A new and improved lodge with an estimated cost of $31 million has completed construction and is now open to the public as of October, 2022! Upon your arrival at Whispering Cave, you will notice the addition of a new disc golf course. The Disc golf course is temporarily closed due to construction of the lodge. Highlights Hemlock Bridge Nestled among towering hemlock trees, the bridge blends seamlessly with the natural surroundings, creating a charming and rustic atmosphere. It spans a narrow ravine, providing a safe and convenient crossing point for hikers while offering views of the rugged gorge below. Access via the Whispering Cave to Old Man’s Cave Trail. Whispering Cave Whispering Cave in the Hocking Hills is a vast recess cave, much larger than many others in the region, with an overhanging cliff that creates a dramatic, sheltered space beneath, offering a grand and secluded feel. Adding to its beauty is a seasonal waterfall that cascades over the edge of the cliff, creating a serene scene that is especially striking after periods of rain, with the gentle flow of water enhancing the tranquil ambiance of the cave. Hike your way down the Whispering Cave Trail to take in this sight. Honeycomb Weathering Honeycomb Weathering is a fascinating geological feature characterized by a pattern of small, closely spaced cavities or holes that resemble a honeycomb. These cavities vary in size and shape, often forming a network of interconnected pockets that can be quite striking to observe up close. Its location is at the trailhead of the Whispering Cave Trail.