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. 🐕

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.

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.

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.