Hocking HillsWhere all the best roads lead . . .HIKE. STAY. PLAY. YOUR HOCKING HILLS ADVENTURE BEGINS HERE!
Hocking HillsWhere all the best roads lead . . .HIKE. STAY. PLAY. YOUR HOCKING HILLS ADVENTURE BEGINS HERE!
Ash Cave 27291 State Route 56, South Bloomingville, OH 43152 | GPS Tracking: (39.395993,-82.545927)
Ash Cave is one of the 7 major hiking trails of Hocking Hills State Park in southern Ohio. The trail is approximately a 1/2 mile long and takes about 40 minutes to hike.
It is a one-way trail system but wheelchair accessible (to a series of steps that are a strenuous climb). Hikers trek a wheelchair-accessible, asphalt trail through a beautiful gorge lined with stately hemlocks and cliff walls. Halfway, there is a recess cave and a seasonal waterfall. After reaching the cave/waterfall area, hikers (barring wheelchair-users) must continue on the one-way trail system and up a series of steps to the rim trail, which leads (if turning right) back along the rim to the parking lot (or 2.3 miles to Cedar Falls if turning left).
The path is marked with signs.
It takes approximately 40 minutes to hike the trail. HIKERS MUST REMAIN ON THE MARKED TRAIL. Well-behaved, non-aggressive pets are permitted on leash.
There is NO wading or swimming allowed in the waterfalls or creeks.
Ash Cave has a seasonal waterfall, most likely to run in spring, winter, and autumn. The trail is a one-way loop that starts and ends at the parking lot. The path is approximately a 1/2 mile long.
The lower section of the trail is asphalt - stroller and wheelchair accessible. Those in wheelchairs may turn around and go back along the asphalt walkway.
All others will continue on the trail up wooden steps and on a dirt path leading to the parking area. Going right at the top of the steps will take hikers back to the parking area. If hikers turn left, it is 2.3 miles to Cedar Falls.
7 different hiking areas of Hocking Hills State Park- Ash Cave, Old Man's Cave, Rock House, Conkle's Hollow, Cedar Falls, Cantwell Cliffs, and Whispering Cave
Start at Parking Area. End at Parking Area.
Yellow: Bottom of Gorge (Yellow Blazes on Trees)
Red: Top of Gorge Rim Trail (Red Blazes on Trees)
Blue: Grandma Gatewood Trail (Blue Blazes on Trees)
Ash Cave - Hocking Hills State Park
27291 OH-56 South Bloomingville, OH 43152
Although early settlers named the cave for the huge pile of ashes found in the cave shelter, the ashes' source is still a mystery.
There are seven major hiking areas in Hocking Hills State Park - All are one-way trail systems.
Ash Cave, Old Man's Cave, Rock House, Conkle's Hollow, Cedar Falls, Cantwell Cliffs, and Whispering Cave Trail. These park areas offer a unique experience for those who walk its paths no matter what season (the park is open year-round from dawn to dusk)—located on the southern edge of Hocking County. But those are just a handful. There are many hiking trails in the Hocking Hills include those at Wayne National Forest, Clear Creek Metro Parks, Lake Hope State Park, Vinton County Park District's Moonville Tunnel, and Hocking College's Robbins Crossing (with park programs) and the Athens Hock-Hocking Adena Rail Trail bikeway.