Cedar Falls Trail in Hocking Hills, Ohio

Trail Map | History | FAQs | Places to Stay | Bottom Line

Ancient sandstone, tall hemlocks, and a hidden waterfall: You’ll find all three on the Cedar Falls Trail. The hike is short and it’s one of the most popular spots in Hocking Hills State Park. No matter what time of year you visit, you’ll probably leave the falls in awe.

The trail to Cedar Falls is well-maintained and a great place to bring the family (or pets). Here’s what you should know about his hike:

  • Cedar Falls is the most powerful waterfall in Hocking Hills. The falls alone are worth the short hike. But you’ll pass a multitude of other sights along the way.
  • You can hike the trail in under 30 minutes. At 0.4 miles, this trail is short. Most people spend extra time gazing at the falls or taking a quick detour to Hidden Falls (more on how to get there below).
  • It’s easy to extend your hike. From the Cedar Falls Trail, you can hike a 6-mile loop to Old Man’s Cave. Or, you can do a 6-mile out-and-back to Ash Cave.

Cedar Falls trail map and information

The Cedar Falls Trail is just 0.4 miles, and it’s a one-way loop. While hiking the trail itself is simple, there are a few extra trips you can take if you want to see more.

Here’s a breakdown of what you can do at the Cedar Falls Trail.

Take the 0.4-mile loop past the falls

This is one of the easiest hikes in Hocking Hills. You’ll start in the Cedar Falls parking lot, hike for about 0.3 miles, and arrive at Cedar Falls. When you’re done admiring the scenery, you’re just a 0.1-mile walk from the trail’s exit back at the parking lot. 

You can also discover Hidden Falls on this trail: When you come down the stairs towards Cedar Falls and get to the junction with the Gorge Overlook Trail, head left on the dirt footpath next to the large tree stump. This will take you 50 yards to Hidden Falls.

Hike a loop to Old Man’s Cave and back

The Cedar Falls-Old Man’s Cave loop is a gorgeous hike. And for much of the trail, you won’t encounter as many hikers as you will in the rest of Hocking Hills. Start your hike on the Cedar Falls Trail. When you come to the junction with the Gorge Overlook Trail, take a left onto that trail. 

The Gorge Overlook Trail is where the real hiking begins. You’ll hike for just over 2 miles beneath rock walls and over creeks until you get to the Old Man’s Cave region. Keep going until you reach the parking lot. From here, you can take the Grandma Gatewood Trail all the way back to Cedar Falls. 

The latter half of this hike will pass through all of the major Old Man’s Cave attractions: Devil’s Bathtub, Lower Falls, the Sphinx Head, and more.

Hike an out-and-back to Ash Cave

Want to see the most powerful waterfall in Hocking Hills and the biggest recess cave in Ohio on the same day? Take this hike.

The loop to Cedar Falls isn’t on the way to Ash Cave: Spend 30 minutes hiking the Cedar Falls loop, return to the parking lot, and get on the Grandma Gatewood Trail heading south to Ash Cave.

You’ll hike roughly 2 miles before reaching Ash Cave. Hang out here for a bit, take a break, then head back north on the Grandma Gatewood Trail until you reach the parking lot at Cedar Falls.

History of the Cedar Falls trail

People have been venturing out to Cedar Falls for more than a century. The Shawnee, Delaware, and Wyandot tribes spent some of their time in Hocking Hills, hunting and exploring the region during their travels.

Later, in the 1800s, settlers made their way to Cedar Falls to establish a settlement. In 1842, those settlers built a grist mill near the top of the falls: You can still see its remains today. 

These days, nobody lives at the falls. But it’s a paradise for outdoor-lovers who want to see one of the Midwest’s natural wonders.

FAQs about the Cedar Falls Trail

How long is the Cedar Falls Trail? 

The trail is 0.4 miles in total. It’s a loop: You’ll end in the same parking lot you started in.

Are dogs allowed on the Cedar Falls Trail?

Yes! Dogs are allowed in most areas of Hocking Hills. Conkle’s Hollow is a major exception.

How long is the hike to Cedar Falls?

It’ll take you about 30 minutes to get to Cedar Falls. But you can extend your hike towards Old Man’s Cave for a half or full-day excursion.

Places to stay near the Cedar Falls Trail

There are some fabulous cabins just minutes away from the Cedar Falls Trail. Here are some of the best accommodations if you’re looking to stay in the area.

Browse cabins by style:

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The Bottom Line

It may be short, but packed into the 0.4 miles at the Cedar Falls Trail are some of the most beautiful views in all of Ohio. If you’re visiting Hocking Hills, taking a trek to the falls is a must. And if you want to do a full-day hike, the extensions to Old Man’s Cave and Ash Cave are the two best long hikes in the park.