Easy Hiking Trail in the Hocking Hills: Ash Cave
Ash Cave is an easy hiking trail in the Hocking Hills that’s perfect for just about anyone! The flat, paved trail is only 1/4th of a mile one-way so it’s easy for children, seniors, strollers, or wheelchairs to navigate. The destination provides breathtaking views of towering rock walls, an enormous recess cave, and a seasonal waterfall.
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Ash Cave: Easiest Hiking Trail in Hocking Hills for Beginners
Ash Cave is a popular destination in the Hocking Hills for a reason! It’s only 1/4th of a mile (1/2 mile total in and back out) on the paved flat path through the gorge. It’s a beautiful walk between towering hills to a seasonal waterfall spilling from atop a large horse-shoe shaped recess cave. Ash Cave is the largest recess cave in Ohio, measuring 700 feet long, 100 feet deep, and 90 feet high.
This trail is ideal for hikers of all ages and abilities due to the easy-to-navigate trail with a paved viewing area at the destination. Hikers can stay on the paved trail and viewing area to take in the beauty of the cave and waterfall. Or they can venture down into the cave’s sand area to further explore. The trail continues on up stairs and loops in a circle back to the parking lot on an unpaved forest trail for those looking for an extra challenge.
Plan Your Visit to Ash Cave
- Ash Cave Address: 26400 OH-56, South Bloomingville, OH 43152
- Ash Cave Parking: Parking for Ash Cave is located across the road from the trail head. There is a large parking lot that also has a shelter house, restrooms, and ADA-compliant parking spaces. There is a paved trail leading over a bridge and a cross-walk on the road leading to the trail head. Parking is free at Ash Cave, as is entrance to all Ohio state parks and forests.
- Ash Cave Public Accommodations: There are public restrooms at Ash Cave, however, there is not running water. The toilets are pit toilets and there are hand sanitizer stations. There is a ramp up to the bathroom for stroller/wagon and wheelchair accessibility.
- Ash Cave Map: Click HERE to view and print a map of the Ash Cave trail.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ash Cave
The trail to Ash Cave is .25 miles (.5 miles in and back) on the paved path.
Yes, the Ash Cave trail is an easy hiking trail in the Hocking Hills and an easy walk for most people. It is accessible by a paved, flat path from the parking lot.
Yes, there are public bathrooms at Ash Cave near the parking lot. They do not have running water at this time and are classified as pit toilets. There are hand sanitizer stations located in and around the restrooms.
Ash Cave is named for the large mounds of ash discovered in the cave by early settlers when exploring the area. These ashes were most likely from local Native American tribes using the cave as a gathering place.
Read more about the history of Ash Cave here.
Ash Cave is a large horse-shoe recess cave that measures 700 feet wide, 100 feet deep, and 90 feet high.
Yes, as in all Ohio State Parks and forests, dogs are allowed but must be on a leash. Read here about the best dog-friendly trails in the Hocking Hills and why Ash Cave made the list!
Best Time to Visit Ash Cave
There’s no bad time to visit Ash Cave as every season has something new to offer! Hiking in different seasons will give you different experiences. It all depends on the experience you want.
- Winter: great views of the towering rock walls of the trails since the leaves are off the trees; fewer people generally; giant icicles and ice formations are a sight to behold!
- Spring: budding trees and foliage all around, usually a stronger waterfall flow from melting snow and spring rains; fewer people generally if the day is chilly or overcast
- Summer: a popular time to visit, usually most crowded on the weekend; waterfall flow can vary depending on the heat and rainfall; green foliage along the trail from all the trees and ground cover
- Fall: usually the busiest time of year as many visitors come to see the changing leaves and vibrant fall colors; waterfall flow can vary depending on rainfall; weather can often be a toss up between blustery overcast days or bright warm days
Tips to Avoid Crowds at Ash Cave
Ash Cave attracts many visitors for its beauty and towering majesty. But what if you want to be there somewhat alone to take it in? Here are some tips to avoid crowds at Ash Cave:
Visit on a weekday. One of the best ways to avoid a crowded trail is to go during a weekday. Weekends and around holidays are usually the busiest time in Hocking Hills.
Early mornings or right before dusk often have fewer people on the trails. The trails and state park all close at dusk so make sure you are not setting out too late and have plenty of time to be back to your car and packed up by dark.
Sunny and warm days with a nice breeze are a given, but opt for a rainy, cold, or snowy day when many people choose to stay indoors. Some of our best hikes have been on cloudy or drizzly days when the waterfalls are flowing and we basically have these beautiful places to ourselves. Dress in layers with the proper gear for the weather and it could be one of your best adventures yet!
Can you Hike From Ash Cave to Cedar Falls?
Yes, you can hike from Ash Cave to Cedar Falls! To extend an easy hike at Ash Cave into a longer, moderate difficulty hike, you can hike about 2.5 miles one-way to Cedar Falls (about 5 miles out and back).
This trail begins at Ash Cave (park in the parking lot) and goes through Ash Cave and up some stairs until a fork in the trail. Going left will take you to Cedar Falls and you will pass the Ash Cave Fire Tower where you can climb to the top for a birds-eye view of Hocking Hills! Going right at the fork in the trail will loop you back to the Ash Cave parking lot.
The trail from Ash Cave to Cedar Falls is MODERATE DIFFICULTY and runs through uneven forest ground on a dirt trail and old forestry service road. You will see a sign for the fire tower on the way. The trail is out and back meaning hikers will hike one-way from Ash Cave to Cedar Falls and turn around at Cedar Falls to return to Ash Cave on the same trail. Dogs are allowed on this hike but must be on-leash.
Check out my post Best Trails for Dogs in the Hocking Hills for more trails to explore with your pup.
Visit Ash Cave: Easy Hiking Trail in the Hocking Hills
Ash Cave is an easy hiking trail in the Hocking Hills that can be enjoyed by all ages and stages. It’s the perfect hike to start with if you’re visiting the Hocking Hills or new to hiking in general. Ash Cave offers something for everyone!
If you’ve visited Ash Cave, share your experience by leaving me a comment telling me what features you enjoyed. Share this post with someone you know would enjoy an easy hiking trail in Hocking Hills.
See you out there!
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