Pros & cons
PROS
- Quick access to Whispering Cave from the Hocking Hills Lodge parking area
- Photogenic suspension bridge and shaded sandstone gorge
CONS
- Substantial stairs and uneven footing make the return strenuous
- Waterfall flow is seasonal and can be low after dry weather
- The longer continuation toward Cedar Falls and Old Man’s Cave is a separate, more demanding outing
PARKING
Park at Hocking Hills Lodge and follow the signed walking access to the Lodge Connector.
CAUTION
Rocky, rooty footing with many stairs; surfaces can be muddy and slick after rain. Take care on steep descents/ascent and the bridge approach. Stay on marked trails and keep dogs leashed.
A short lodge-to-cave walk through wooded sandstone terrain; return along the same path.
Where it starts
39.4244, -82.5504Whispering Cave from the Lodge
Near Whispering Cave from the Lodge
All places →All trails →
0 mi awayRock House RestaurantLodge dining with forest views and a full barFood · Restaurant
0 mi awayCafé ‘22Grab-and-go coffee, pizza, and ice cream inside the lodgeFood · Restroom
0 mi awayHocking Hills LodgeModern lodge with pools, dining, and doorstep access to top trailsLodging · Restaurant
0.1 mi awayWhispering Cave TrailA short, rugged spur from the purple route to Whispering Cave.Moderate · 0.3 mi · 30 min
0.1 mi awayWhispering CaveA massive recess cave with a seasonal waterfall and echoing acousticsTrailhead · Parking
0.7 mi awayBroken Rock Falls TrailShort, difficult out-and-back to a secluded waterfall through sandstone boulders and stepsModerate · 0.3 mi · 30 min
0.8 mi awayGrandma Gatewood TrailDifficult 5.3-mile point-to-point hike linking Old Man's Cave, Cedar Falls, and Ash CaveChallenging · 5.3 mi · 4 hr
1 mi awayOld Man's Cave Loop TrailA one-way gorge loop past Upper Falls, Devil’s Bathtub, and Old Man’s CaveModerate · 1 mi · 1 hr
