Grandma Gatewood Trail

Overview

This is the park’s greatest-hits walk: a roughly 6-mile one-way footpath linking Old Man’s Cave, Cedar Falls, and Ash Cave. It’s the same corridor used by the Buckeye, North Country, and American Discovery trails, so you’ll follow blue blazes on mostly dirt and sandstone underfoot. Expect many stone steps and a few short, punchy climbs—especially between Old Man’s Cave and Cedar Falls—earning this a solid moderate rating for most hikers. You can hike it point-to-point (best with a car shuttle) or turn it into an approximately 6-mile loop by returning from Cedar Falls to Old Man’s Cave on the Gorge Overlook Trail.

Route Highlights (north to south)

Start at Old Man’s Cave Upper Falls and thread past Devil’s Bathtub, the namesake recess cave, and Lower Falls, with an optional spur to Broken Rock Falls. Continue along hemlock-lined Queer Creek toward Cedar Falls, passing seasonal cascades like Rose Lake Falls and Hidden Falls. After Cedar Falls, the path mellows toward Ash Cave—Ohio’s largest recess cave—where the gorge opens dramatically.

Geology and Nature

You’ll walk through deep gorges carved into Hocking’s sandstone, with towering recess caves, narrow rock corridors, and Eastern hemlocks clinging to ledges. Waterfalls are most impressive after rain and during spring melt; in winter, ice formations add a different kind of spectacle. Parts of the gorge were rebuilt after a destructive mid-1990s flood, so crossings feel sturdy and well integrated with the landscape.

Logistics and Tips

Plan 3–5 hours one-way depending on crowds and photo stops. Restrooms and water are at Old Man’s Cave and Ash Cave; there’s nothing mid-route. Major gorge areas operate one-way loop systems—follow arrows/signs. For fewer people, start early on weekdays. Sandstone gets slick when wet or icy; trekking poles and grippy shoes help. Leashed dogs are allowed, but the stairs and narrow ledges can be tough for some pets. If you want extra scenery, a newer spur can detour to Whispering Cave near the main route, and short side trips like Broken Rock Falls are worth the minutes.

Best Times to Hike

Year-round from dawn to dusk. Spring and the days after a good rain bring the best waterfall flow. Summer crowds can be intense—go early. Autumn color is gorgeous but busy. Winter is surprisingly rewarding for ice and quiet, but consider traction.

Should You Do It?

If you want the Hocking Hills classics in one hike, this is the move. The only downsides are the crowds, the steps, and the point-to-point logistics—easily solved by starting early and using the Gorge Overlook return to avoid a shuttle.