Hocking Hills
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- Ash Cave to Cedar Falls
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- General Park Information
Ash Cave Hiking Trail
Official Ash Cave hiking guide from TheHockingHills.org.
Ash Cave 27291 State Route 56, South Bloomingville, OH 43152 | GPS Tracking: (39.395993,-82.545927)
Hiked and field-checked for The Hocking Hills Organization by Jannette Quackenbush
Last checked: July 2026
Route checked: Lower gorge trail, cave area, steps, and upper rim return
GPS-recorded loop: 0.6 miles
GPS device: Garmin GPSMAP 64sx
Difficulty: Easy lower trail; moderate climb beyond the cave
Trail notes: Lower trail is paved and accessible. Steps beyond the cave are steep. Upper lot and rim return are more rugged.
Ash Cave is one of the major hiking areas of Hocking Hills State Park in southern Ohio. The paved lower gorge trail is wheelchair and stroller accessible to the cave and waterfall area. Beyond the cave, the one-way loop climbs steep steps to the upper rim and is not wheelchair accessible. At the top, turning right follows the loop back toward the Ash Cave parking area, while turning left continues approximately 2.3 miles toward Cedar Falls.
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 Trail at a Glance
Distance: 0.6-mile loop
Typical hiking time: About 40 minutes
Difficulty: Easy paved lower trail; moderate climb beyond the cave
Trail type: One-way loop beyond the accessible section
Wheelchair and stroller access: Lower gorge trail to the cave area
Pets: Permitted on leash
Restrooms: Available near the parking area
Best waterfall seasons: Winter, spring, and after substantial rainfall
Trail connection: Turn left at the upper rim for the 2.3-mile route toward Cedar Falls
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 0.6 miles 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.
Hocking Hills Hiking Areas
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
Ash Cave Trail Map
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)
Take the complete route with you. The Hocking Hills Hiking Trail Guidebook includes field-checked directions, GPS coordinates, trail junctions, elevation information, parking details, and route combinations for Ash Cave and many additional Hocking Hills trails.
Hocking Hills State Park Trails - Ash Cave
Ash Cave - Hocking Hills State Park
27291 OH-56 South Bloomingville, OH 43152
Common Questions About Ash Cave
How long is the Ash Cave hiking trail?
The complete Ash Cave loop is approximately 0.6 miles and generally takes about 40 minutes to hike.
Is the Ash Cave trail wheelchair accessible?
The paved lower gorge trail is wheelchair and stroller accessible to the cave and waterfall area. The steps and upper-rim return are not accessible.
Is Ash Cave an easy hike?
The paved lower trail is easy. Beyond the cave, the one-way route becomes more difficult because hikers must climb steep steps to the upper rim.
Does Ash Cave always have a waterfall?
No. The Ash Cave waterfall is seasonal and is most dependable during winter, spring, and after substantial rainfall.
Can hikers continue from Ash Cave to Cedar Falls?
Yes. At the upper-rim junction, turning left continues approximately 2.3 miles toward Cedar Falls.
Ash Cave - Hocking Hills State Park
Although early settlers named the cave for the huge pile of ashes found in the cave shelter, the ashes' source is still a mystery.
One of the major hiking areas in Ohio's Hocking Hills
Home to Christmas at Ash Cave
OPEN ALL YEAR-ROUND FROM DAWN TO DUSK
There are seven major hiking areas in Hocking Hills State Park - All are one-way trail systems.
Click here for a Regional Hocking Hills Trail Area Map
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. Other hiking trails in the Hocking Hills region include those at Wayne National Forest, Clear Creek Metro Parks, Lake Hope State Park, the Moonville Rail Trail, and the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway.