Hiking & Biking
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Where to Find the Best Hocking Hills Hiking Trails
Grab your camera and comfortable shoes to get ready for some spectacular Hocking Hills hiking! Yes, there are plenty more things to do in Hocking Hills besides hiking, but you’ll be missing out if you don’t explore at least one trail.
There are plenty of interesting Hocking Hills hiking trails to explore, but one of the longest is the Buckeye Trail. The Buckeye Trail is a trail located entirely within the State of Ohio. It covers more than 40 of Ohio’s 88 counties, with scenic and historic spots throughout the state. The trail may follow old canal towpaths, abandoned railroads, rivers, lakeshores, rural byways, and footpaths on forested public and private lands, passing through state forests, state and local parks, small towns, and urban areas. It’s perfect for hiking adventures big and small.
One of the many gems of the Hocking Hills State Park system is Rockbridge State Nature Preserve. There, you’ll find hiking trails to Ohio’s largest natural bridge, located 1.5 miles from Rockbridge. This stunning natural formation is a popular destination for hikers and nature enthusiasts, and it’s one of the most unique things to do in Hocking Hills. The preserve features various hiking trails that wind through lush forests and rocky landscapes, providing opportunities for wildlife observation. Visitors can explore the unique geological features and enjoy a peaceful escape into nature, one of the many reasons you’ve planned a Hocking Hills getaway in the first place.
These Hocking Hills hiking trails are amazing, but you don’t even have to leave our estate to do it! We have some amazingly beautiful walking trails, with our own Camusfearna Gorge and Thistle Bluff trail. These trails offer beautiful rock formations, including 50- to 100-foot rock cliffs, caverns, two creeks, and restful waterfalls. These specific areas are reserved for the private use of Glenlaurel guests and are not open to the pubic. That means these trails will be far less crowded than other hiking trails in the area, including those at Hocking Hills State Park.
A Hikers Paradise: A Day at Hocking Hills State Park
Few places in Ohio captivate the imagination quite like Hocking Hills hiking trails. Carved by centuries of wind and water, this remarkable landscape of thundering waterfalls, ancient black hand sandstone cliffs, and cathedral-like gorges transforms with every season. Hocking Hills State Park is actually a collection of seven distinct natural wonders, each with its own personality and charm.
Ash Cave, the largest recess cave in Ohio, stuns visitors with its sweeping horseshoe shape and cascading waterfall. Cantwell Cliffs rewards hikers with dramatic cliff formations and secluded hemlock-lined trails. Cedar Falls, arguably the most picturesque waterfall in the state, is a sight that stops hikers in their tracks. Conkle’s Hollow State Nature Preserve offers one of the deepest gorges in Ohio. Old Man’s Cave, the park’s most iconic destination, winds through a breathtaking gorge. Rock House offers a fascinating tunnel-like passage through solid rock.
Bike Trails & Rentals near Hocking Hills
Biking is one of the best things to do in Hocking Hills besides hiking. Bring your bike or rent one during your stay and then head to one of these locations for a day of outdoor fun.
The Hockhocking Adena Bikeway: This 22-mile accessible, paved path wanders through the Appalachian foothills between Nelsonville and Athens. “Hockhocking” means “bottleneck” or “twisted” and was the native Shawnee name for the Hocking River.
Hocking Hills State Park has a new bike path with less than 5 miles of bike trails. Plan your route using their trail maps, and enjoy an exciting day on the trails.
Lake Hope State Park has over 20 miles of single-track trails open to mountain biking.
Bicycle rentals are offered at each end of the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway. Reservations are required. Recommended rental companies include:
Birding in Hocking Hills, Ohio
The depth of our gorge and the profusion of ferns & wildflowers make this an ideal spot to see all the varieties you don’t normally see elsewhere. Gather your binoculars, camera, and field guide for a day far from ordinary.
The Hocking Valley Birding Trail organization consists of a group of birders, biologists, and naturalists who promote conservation so future generations may enjoy Ohio’s Hocking Valley wildlife. Each year, International Migratory Bird Day is held to celebrate the return of migratory birds with hikes and special programs.
Wildflowers & Butterflies
While at Glenlaurel, stroll the grounds and enjoy all the natural beauty as one of the underrated Hocking Hills attractions. From early spring well into summer and early fall, the wildflowers are sure to be a spectacular sight. Many of the wildflowers here are hard to find elsewhere, too.
Over 261 wildflower species have been identified in the Hocking Hills State Park. Each year around April, Hocking Hills State Park hosts an annual Wildflower & Waterfalls Hike where you can observe nature’s carpet of wildflowers and abundant waterfalls.
Butterfly Ridge is an environmental education facility that is home to over 70 species of birds. For nature and wildlife enthusiasts, this is one of the best Hocking Hills Attractions. Take a stroll through the various walking trails and pollinator habitats. The property has a gift shop and offers guided bird walks.
The Best Hocking Hills Golf Courses
Tee off at local Hocking Hills golf courses. There are only a couple of golf courses in the Hocking Hills: Our Scottish Links at Glenlaurel is one, and Hocking Hills Golf Club (formerly Brass Ring) is the other!
The Scottish Links at Glenlaurel consists of eight links-style holes where the golfer’s experience will replicate that of Scottish golf from over 100 years ago. Glenlaurel guests play on actual sand greens and tees while using original Hickory Shaft Clubs and a special golf ball that travels approximately 60% of the distance of a normal golf ball.
It would be difficult today to find any golfer who has played on such a course and experienced golf as played over 100 years ago, and not say it is one of their best golf memories. Golf back then was not as refined as it is today, in terms of the equipment and the actual tees, greens, and fairways. Our course is designed to be similar to that era.
Cross-Country Skiing in Ohio
