Annual Hocking Hills Winter Hike: Old Mans Cave to Ash Cave

January seems to be the time of year everyone commits to fitness. Start it off right and brave the cold this winter by taking part in Hocking Hills Annual Winter Hike on Saturday, January 20, 2024.

photo credit – Ash Cave

Annual Hocking Hills Winter Hike

Join the Annual Hocking Hills Winter Hike to view the beauty of the hills and caves and waterfalls in winter. Start at Old Mans Cave on a hike to Ash Cave.

Hikers meet at Hocking Hills State Park Campground at any time from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 20, 2024.

The Winter Hike follows a trail that winds through Hocking Hills State Park for about 6 miles. The trail starts at the park campground, and continues to the Upper Falls of Old Man’s Cave. Hikers are led in small groups to this point, and then left to finish the hike at their own pace.

The Trail continues to Cedar Falls, past Rose Lake. Hikers can descend a staircase and view the tallest tree in Ohio, a towering hemlock that extends upward 149 feet from the valley below.

Cedar Falls is also the the mid-way point of the hike. Hungry hikers will enjoy a hearty lunch–steaming bean soup made the old-fashioned way in huge iron kettles, corn bread, and plenty of hot beverages.

After lunch, the trail takes you to Ash Cave, where the east fork of Queer Creek cascades in spectacular fashion over the rim to a pool below. It will take about 5 hours to reach Ash Cave. 

Park officials can give hikers rides back to Old Man’s Cave from here. Hikers can continue on their own, on which will be a 12-mile trek (6 miles to ash cave, 6 miles back to your car).

Pre- and Post- hike fun

Pre-hike activities are also offered the evening before. Naturalists’ programs, games, and refreshments begin on Friday, January 20, at 7 p.m. in the Dining Lodge of Hocking Hills State Park.

There are post hike activities and snacks back at Old Man’s Cave.

The Winter Hike and all pre-hike and post-hike activities are free. Donations are encouraged for the refreshments, and for the return ride to Old Man’s Cave.

Commemorative patches and hiking stick medallions are available for purchase.

Wear layers and good footwear; especially in the event of snow and ice. See details here.

Old Man’s Cave Visitor Center
19988 OH-664 Scenic, Logan, OH 43138

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