Ash Cave, Cedar Falls and Old Mans Cave is a 12.3 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Logan, Ohio that features a waterfall and is rated as difficult. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, and nature trips. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Just went yesterday and it was beautiful! Probably not as crowded as in the summer time. If you want to make your life easier, definitely make sure to wear the right footwear and some degree of crampon, ie. yaktraks or kahtoola (examples, not product placement). This will save you the trouble of going down icy steps on your bum and you'll feel powerful traversing the ice-scape while those around you look on in wonder.
One of my favorite hikes in Ohio. I actually started on the north side in the Old Man's Cave parking lot. Here are some tips if you never done this or havent yet this year with the changes. 1) They have implemented a 1 way system at the Old Man's Cave entrance which have footprints marked in the sidewalk that shows the direction and will start you at the Upper Falls. This 1 way system will only last about 1 mile in this area. 2) Once you get to Cedar Falls, another 1 way system starts. You can avoid it though after you get off the first foot bridge (before the 2nd foot bridge) and walk up the stairs, you will see the signs stating the 1 way system begins but if you go right up the gravel path/hill it will take you to the picnic area and then you just follow the blue blazes. 3) This trail is completely connected to the Buckeye Trail the entire time, so just follow the many blue blazes you will see. 4) Another 1 way system starts at Ash Cave. 5) Be mindful that it will be crowded with non-hiking tourists at Upper & Lower Falls, Old Man's Cave, Cedar Falls and Ash Cave. 6) Recommend hiking the extra 1/2 mile or so to Whispering Cave at the Hemlock Bridge sign between Old Man's Cave and Cedar Falls. 7) Upper Falls had no water flowing down and Lower Falls only had a trickle of water coming down. Recommend going there in the spring if you want to see them flowing 8) You will do a lot of ups and downs, have to maneuver over/around/through rocks, be mindful or tree roots you'll have to step on/around. This place can get muddy in places but pretty easy to get around it.
Phew!!! almost saw the whole park. Worth it. The views, vibe and the deadass workout. Do it, if you are fit enough.
Definitely a challenging hike and I am an experienced hiker. A previous post warned that the southeast trail is NOT a trail..I agree. Also, the loop showing Bridal Trail is not a trail either and you can easily get lost. I'd recommend starting out at Old Man's Cave early and simply doing an out-and-back loop rather than attempt to go the southeast trail. It looked to be an old trail for a pipeline, but was far too overgrown to hike. I started at 7:30am on 10/5/19 from Ash Cave trailhead and finished by 12:30. The falls were dry due to the drought, but it was a cool 45 degrees when I started and a beautiful day at Hocking Hills. The crowds were too heavy by the time I reached Old Man's Cave and an unusually large number of dogs on the trail today took away from some of the peacefulness. It says 11.9 miles, but my recorded trail and my fitbit were both at 14 miles after getting lost on the southeast "not trail" :-)
Rated hard for a reason, challenging hike at points. Be prepared. I started at 9:30, got to the fire tower by 10 and the cedar falls spilt by 11:00 and went to whispering cave. Lot of cool rock formations on the way. Hung a hammock and rested until 11:45. Took off too Old Man’s cave and rested at the visitor center. Took the red gorge overlook trail pass rose lake back to Ash cave parking lot by 3:00. I am a moderately experienced and in shape hiker, I drank at least 2L of fluids and ate along way. I was looking to set a pace. It was tiring and required scrambling over rock formations while navigating rooty trails. Muddy at points, Wear proper footwear That being said it was an excellent hike and plenty of cool sites to see inside the park If you’re willing and prepared to walk a bit.