We’re fortunate to live in a state that’s chock-full of unbelievably gorgeous hiking trails. Ohio really is an immensely beautiful place; and, as a result, it can be hard to choose the best of the best when it comes to hikes in the Buckeye State. That’s why we’ve carefully chosen what we believe to be the five best hiking trails in all of Ohio, along with our reasons for why you need to tackle these trails as soon as you can. If there are only five hikes you ever do in Ohio, make them these:
- Old Man’s Cave
April Dray/Only In Your State Old Man’s Cave parking lot, 19852 OH-664, Logan, OH 43138, USA
April Dray/Only In Your State If you’ve yet to hike the Old Man’s Cave trail at Hocking Hills State Park in Logan, you’re truly missing out. It’s arguably the most beautiful hiking trail in Ohio—and it will make you feel like you’re temporarily living in a Lord of the Rings film. At approximately one mile in length, this gorgeous trail takes about an hour to complete, so it’s perfect for a day hike that you can take your time exploring. For more information and directions, be sure to read our full article about this beautiful hike.
- Virginia Kendall Ledges
Benjamin Lehman/Flickr Virginia Kendall Area, Peninsula, OH 44264, USA
Yi-Liang (Lucas) Liu/Flickr Some hiking trails can make you feel a million miles away from it all. The Ledges Trail at Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Peninsula, Ohio is one of those enchanting trails — and it’s a must-do. More than 300 million years ago, this trail’s area of the park was actually covered by an ancient sea. Melting glaciers helped to form what are now captivating ledges you can hike through. It’s a loop trail that’s about two miles long. For more information and directions, definitely read our full article singing the praises of this epic hike.
- Oak Openings
Matt Taylor/Flickr Oak Openings Parkway, Oak Openings Pkwy, Swanton Township, OH, USA
Benny Mazur/Flickr What do sand dunes, wildflowers, and evergreen trees have in common? Oak Openings Metro Park. Close to Toledo you’ll find what’s considered to be Ohio’s rarest ecosystem (and one of the world’s rarest ecosystems) where rare plants and animals, oak forests, sand dunes, savannas, tall-grass prairies and swamp forests all thrive in harmony—and it will truly make you feel like you’re not in Ohio anymore. For more information and directions, be sure to read our full article about this beautiful place.
- Horseshoe Falls
April Dray/Only In Your State Horseshoe Falls, 3286 N Clarksville Rd, Waynesville, OH 45068, USAHorseshoe Falls trailhead, Unnamed Road, Waynesville, OH 45068, USA
April Dray/Only In Your State One of the state’s most underrated hikes is hiding in Caesar Creek State Park in Waynesville, Ohio. Part of a larger trail, the trek to Horseshoe Falls is an easy, eventful journey that’s perfect for a short day hike. Along this 1.2-mile portion of the trail, you’ll encounter gorgeous views, a swinging bridge, and a waterfall. It’s simply divine!
- Cantwell Cliffs
Robert Aberegg/Flickr Cantwell Cliffs, 13540 OH-374, Rockbridge, OH 43149, USA
Robert Aberegg/Flickr If you thought Ohio didn’t have canyons to explore, think again. Cantwell Cliffs in Rockbridge, Ohio features a deep valley, steep cliffs and even a rock shelter that visitors can explore. Although the trail is only a one-mile loop, it isn’t for the faint of heart―but the scenery you’ll encounter along the way makes the journey more than worth while. For more information and directions, read our full article about this wondrous place.
Have you hiked any of these trails before? What else would you add to this list of the best hikes in Ohio? Share your thoughts and Ohio adventures with us!
April Dray/Only In Your State
Old Man’s Cave parking lot, 19852 OH-664, Logan, OH 43138, USA
If you’ve yet to hike the Old Man’s Cave trail at Hocking Hills State Park in Logan, you’re truly missing out. It’s arguably the most beautiful hiking trail in Ohio—and it will make you feel like you’re temporarily living in a Lord of the Rings film. At approximately one mile in length, this gorgeous trail takes about an hour to complete, so it’s perfect for a day hike that you can take your time exploring. For more information and directions, be sure to read our full article about this beautiful hike.
Benjamin Lehman/Flickr
Virginia Kendall Area, Peninsula, OH 44264, USA
Yi-Liang (Lucas) Liu/Flickr
Some hiking trails can make you feel a million miles away from it all. The Ledges Trail at Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Peninsula, Ohio is one of those enchanting trails — and it’s a must-do. More than 300 million years ago, this trail’s area of the park was actually covered by an ancient sea. Melting glaciers helped to form what are now captivating ledges you can hike through. It’s a loop trail that’s about two miles long. For more information and directions, definitely read our full article singing the praises of this epic hike.
Matt Taylor/Flickr
Oak Openings Parkway, Oak Openings Pkwy, Swanton Township, OH, USA
Benny Mazur/Flickr
What do sand dunes, wildflowers, and evergreen trees have in common? Oak Openings Metro Park. Close to Toledo you’ll find what’s considered to be Ohio’s rarest ecosystem (and one of the world’s rarest ecosystems) where rare plants and animals, oak forests, sand dunes, savannas, tall-grass prairies and swamp forests all thrive in harmony—and it will truly make you feel like you’re not in Ohio anymore. For more information and directions, be sure to read our full article about this beautiful place.
Horseshoe Falls, 3286 N Clarksville Rd, Waynesville, OH 45068, USAHorseshoe Falls trailhead, Unnamed Road, Waynesville, OH 45068, USA
One of the state’s most underrated hikes is hiding in Caesar Creek State Park in Waynesville, Ohio. Part of a larger trail, the trek to Horseshoe Falls is an easy, eventful journey that’s perfect for a short day hike. Along this 1.2-mile portion of the trail, you’ll encounter gorgeous views, a swinging bridge, and a waterfall. It’s simply divine!
Robert Aberegg/Flickr
Cantwell Cliffs, 13540 OH-374, Rockbridge, OH 43149, USA
If you thought Ohio didn’t have canyons to explore, think again. Cantwell Cliffs in Rockbridge, Ohio features a deep valley, steep cliffs and even a rock shelter that visitors can explore. Although the trail is only a one-mile loop, it isn’t for the faint of heart―but the scenery you’ll encounter along the way makes the journey more than worth while. For more information and directions, read our full article about this wondrous place.
The Buckeye State really is an outdoor paradise. Don’t believe us? Perhaps a visit to Ohio’s glorious national park will convince you!
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best hikes in Ohio March 01, 2022 Sarah M. What are some beautiful places to go hiking in Ohio? Hands down, one of the best and most beautiful places to go hiking in Ohio is Hocking Hills. A paradise for outdoor enthusiasts – especially waterfall chasers! – this Ohio state park is nothing short of extraordinary. You can literally spend days exploring dozens of caves and waterfalls in Hocking Hills, from Old Man’s Cave and Ash Cave to glorious cascades like the park’s Upper Falls, Devil’s Bathtub, and Lower Falls. Within Hocking Hills, a beginner-level hike with an amazing payoff is the Ash Cave Trail. It’s just a half-mile long, well-paved, and even suitable for kids! This short-and-sweet trail boasts both a cave and a waterfall, making for a particularly epic hiking experience in Ohio. Are there any other scenic hikes in Ohio? In terms of super scenic treks, one of our favorite hikes in Ohio is the Brandywine Gorge Trail, a short-and-sweet hike in Cuyahoga Valley National Park that belongs on your Buckeye State hiking bucket list. Cuyahoga Valley National Park in northeast Ohio is home to a breathtaking 65-foot waterfall that flows from Brandywine Creek: the eponymous and extraordinary Brandywine Falls – and this trail takes you straight to it! Beautiful all year round, in the spring when the waterfall is framed by emerald greens and vibrant wildflowers, it’s a nature scene that will completely mesmerize you. And of course, the fall foliage in this region is second to none… and in the winter, if it’s been cold enough, you might even catch a peek at Ohio’s most glorious frozen waterfall – what a dream!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best hikes in Ohio
March 01, 2022
Sarah M.
What are some beautiful places to go hiking in Ohio? Hands down, one of the best and most beautiful places to go hiking in Ohio is Hocking Hills. A paradise for outdoor enthusiasts – especially waterfall chasers! – this Ohio state park is nothing short of extraordinary. You can literally spend days exploring dozens of caves and waterfalls in Hocking Hills, from Old Man’s Cave and Ash Cave to glorious cascades like the park’s Upper Falls, Devil’s Bathtub, and Lower Falls. Within Hocking Hills, a beginner-level hike with an amazing payoff is the Ash Cave Trail. It’s just a half-mile long, well-paved, and even suitable for kids! This short-and-sweet trail boasts both a cave and a waterfall, making for a particularly epic hiking experience in Ohio. Are there any other scenic hikes in Ohio? In terms of super scenic treks, one of our favorite hikes in Ohio is the Brandywine Gorge Trail, a short-and-sweet hike in Cuyahoga Valley National Park that belongs on your Buckeye State hiking bucket list. Cuyahoga Valley National Park in northeast Ohio is home to a breathtaking 65-foot waterfall that flows from Brandywine Creek: the eponymous and extraordinary Brandywine Falls – and this trail takes you straight to it! Beautiful all year round, in the spring when the waterfall is framed by emerald greens and vibrant wildflowers, it’s a nature scene that will completely mesmerize you. And of course, the fall foliage in this region is second to none… and in the winter, if it’s been cold enough, you might even catch a peek at Ohio’s most glorious frozen waterfall – what a dream!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Hands down, one of the best and most beautiful places to go hiking in Ohio is Hocking Hills. A paradise for outdoor enthusiasts – especially waterfall chasers! – this Ohio state park is nothing short of extraordinary. You can literally spend days exploring dozens of caves and waterfalls in Hocking Hills, from Old Man’s Cave and Ash Cave to glorious cascades like the park’s Upper Falls, Devil’s Bathtub, and Lower Falls. Within Hocking Hills, a beginner-level hike with an amazing payoff is the Ash Cave Trail. It’s just a half-mile long, well-paved, and even suitable for kids! This short-and-sweet trail boasts both a cave and a waterfall, making for a particularly epic hiking experience in Ohio.
Are there any other scenic hikes in Ohio?
In terms of super scenic treks, one of our favorite hikes in Ohio is the Brandywine Gorge Trail, a short-and-sweet hike in Cuyahoga Valley National Park that belongs on your Buckeye State hiking bucket list. Cuyahoga Valley National Park in northeast Ohio is home to a breathtaking 65-foot waterfall that flows from Brandywine Creek: the eponymous and extraordinary Brandywine Falls – and this trail takes you straight to it! Beautiful all year round, in the spring when the waterfall is framed by emerald greens and vibrant wildflowers, it’s a nature scene that will completely mesmerize you. And of course, the fall foliage in this region is second to none… and in the winter, if it’s been cold enough, you might even catch a peek at Ohio’s most glorious frozen waterfall – what a dream!
