Old Man's Cave — Attraction in Logan

Old Man's Cave, aptly named for a hermit who lived among the cliff area, is a beautiful walk from the parking area down stairs and inclines to some lower geologic formations complete with a cobblestone bridge, and multiple waterfalls and cascading waters. I tend to think of it as somewhere between the fantasy realm of an Elven City and a Native American cliff dwelling. It really is quite unique compared to other parks in Ohio, and always worth the drive.There are several areas that provide vistas of the areas below on paved walkways leading through cliffs, fallen boulders, rocks, waterfalls, trees and plants.

Some of the stairs on the route may be devoid of banisters or hand rails which presents a fall risk. And some of the stairs are concrete or locally sourced stone which can lead to injuries if not properly navigated. Elderly, or small children may need supervision and assistance, but anyone could potentially sustain injury. There is one set of stairs that descends into a tunnel, but the distance is such that one can walk it and exit without the need for a light, and see the exit on the other side. If a light is needed, the one that is accessible on a cell phone is more than enough to see in the darkened area. On the opposite side of the bridge is one small entranceway cut through the stone.

There is handicapped parking and access from the lot to some of the area overlooking the Cave and Cliff. There is also a lodge, gift shop, public picnic area, and port-o-let style bathrooms.

Overall the loop through the main trail is under a mile in total, and should be a relatively easy walk for those who can ascend or descend a few stairs. Some areas had low to medium grades or slopes from the parking area and back.

With a bit of planning, one may easily see several points of interest. We traveled from SW OH via 71 followed GPS south of Columbus to Lancaster, and first visited Cantwell Cliffs, followed by; Conkles Hollow, Old Man's Cave, and finally Ash Cave all on the same afternoon. It took a total of about 5 & 1/2 hours. Some of the areas close at Dusk for everyone's personal safety.

When the Co-Vid outbreak occurred, the Hocking Hills Park areas made some changes by installing some plastic coated cables as a fall deterrent, and posting signs indicating that routes may only be walked in a specified direction. While this was no doubt to help with the mentality of unsupervised social distancing, the one way routes serve little to no purpose now, and people pay no attention to the signs.

For more info about the Lodge or Gift Shop, be sure to visit the website or review online info for their hours of operation during Holidays...

Hocking Hills State Park: Waterfall Edition

Location: Approximately 1 hour southeast of Columbus Ohio near Logan.

Hiking Summary:

Explore the depths of this 150-foot Blackhand sandstone gorge cut by years of erosion caused by the Old Man’s Creek. An abundance of waterfalls, moss covered cliff faces, unique water ways and massive recess caves can be easily accessed down extremely well marked trails all within the first ½ mile. Continue down the Buckeye Trail, snaking your way through the gorge all the way down to Cedar Falls. The well mark trails, and signage along with man-made bridges, tunnels and stairs make navigation easy. Heading past Whisper Falls to Cedar Falls, enjoy some light scrambling and narrow paths hugging the edge of the creek for a nice family-friendly feeling of adventure in the wilderness without significant risk. On rainy days, proper hiking footwear is recommended as some areas will become quite muddy and slick.

Hiking Details:

Length: 6.7 miles (lots of side trails & side quests)

Time: 4 hours (lots of wandering)

Elevation gain: 530 feet

Type: Gorge hiking

Condition: Wet & Muddy

What to Expect:

Arrive early to beat the crowds. This area is frequently visited by many, eager to escape the city. Park management has done an amazing job maintaining the trails and natural beauty of the park. Unfortunately, due to the vast number of visitors each year, man made structures (e.g. bridges, walkways, fences and signage) fill the first mile of the one-way trail system designed to flow foot traffic down the gorge then up & out with the return loops along the gorge overlook trails back to the...

The Old Man’s Cave trail in Hocking Hills State Park offers a captivating blend of natural beauty and thoughtfully designed pathways. Starting at the parking lot's far end, away from the visitor center, may seem inconvenient, but the trail's allure quickly compensates. The route features picturesque waterfalls, sandy areas with expansive views, and aesthetically pleasing bridges and stone steps that enhance the hiking experience. A notable aspect of the trail is its one-way designation through Old Man’s Cave, which can be frustrating for those wishing to explore the cave and continue further. On our visit, with low foot traffic, we chose to backtrack through these areas, allowing us to complete our desired hike. While the enforced traffic flow may be necessary during peak times to manage crowds and preserve the environment, it can limit exploration flexibility. The trail is approximately 1 to 1.5 miles long, depending on the chosen exit, and features flights of stairs into and out of the gorge, as well as smaller rock staircases and bridges along the gorge floor. Despite its moderate length, the trail is rich in features, including the Upper Falls, Devil’s Bathtub, Lower Falls, and the namesake Old Man’s Cave, all of which deserve time to observe. Overall, the Old Man’s Cave trail is a must-visit for nature enthusiasts, offering a rewarding experience, especially during less...