Cedar Falls

Cedar Falls is a waterfall on Queer Creek, where water drops across a sculpted Black Hand Sandstone face into a pool in a narrow gorge. The overhangs, grottos and hemlocks make the place worth seeing even when the flow is low. Set aside about 40 minutes for the short loop; expect plenty of steps and uneven ground. If the waterfall itself is your priority, go after rain, when the creek usually runs stronger.

The trail begins at Marker H, across the parking area from the restrooms. The Democracy Steps descend toward the creek and falls. Stone and wooden steps lead down, and the section beyond the waterfall has more steps and rougher footing before the route returns to the lot. This is not a wheelchair or stroller route.

The nearly 100 serpentine Democracy Steps were designed by Akio Hizume in 1997. Their changing lengths prompt hikers to alternate their leading foot, and the pattern draws on the Fibonacci sequence and a one-dimensional Penrose lattice. Recycled material and built-in drainage helped the steps hold up. Take a look at the staircase on the way down and back; it is one of the most distinctive parts of the visit.

The seven landmark areas of Hocking Hills are cut into Black Hand Sandstone deposited more than 350 million years ago. Uplift and stream erosion carved the gorge, while layers of harder and softer rock weathered at different rates to leave its overhangs and grottos. Glaciers never reached the park, but glacial runoff helped northern plants such as eastern hemlock, Canada yew and birches take hold in the gorge.

Water can shrink to a trickle after a dry spell; it is generally strongest after rain and in wetter seasons. The higher view from Gorge Overlook Trail looks across the waterfall. From near the pool, include the surrounding sandstone ledges in a photo so the water stays connected to the gorge rather than filling the whole frame.

Parking, restrooms, picnic tables and grills are at the trailhead, with a day-use shelter that can be reserved and is first-come when unreserved. Longer marked routes continue toward Old Man’s Cave and Ash Cave. No food vendor or potable-water point was listed for the falls, so bring what you need for the walk.