Columbus, OH: Old Mans Cave Loop
This beautiful 5.1-mile loop in Hocking Hills State Park runs along a tight sandstone gorge to waterfalls, caves, and funky rock formations.
Trail Facts
- Distance: 8.2
Waypoints
OMC001
Location: 39.4363823, -82.5391388
Veer SW following blue blazes into the sandstone gorge; turn L to a 30-foot waterfall; backtrack and continue downstream
OMC009
Location: 39.4242096, -82.5385437
Rose Hollow: Take a short detour N to Rose Lake
OMC004
Location: 39.4233284, -82.5451279
Path joins Queer Creek, heading E
OMC002
Location: 39.4329987, -82.54422
Trail threads through a series of tunnels and stairs to Old Man’s Cave where a local hermit lived for years
OMC007
Location: 39.4191208, -82.5254211
Hemlocks line the top spout of Cedar Falls; ironically there are no cedars here
OMC006
Location: 39.4193764, -82.5277557
Gorge widens
OMC010
Location: 39.4256439, -82.5444336
Peer down into the gorge to the segment of Old Man’s Creek called The Gulf
OMC008
Location: 39.4206772, -82.5301971
Leave the creek and climb to the canyon rim, then head W to create a thin string bean loop
OMC003
Location: 39.4294128, -82.545723
Continue downstream to a second 40-foot waterfall; photo op
OMC005
Location: 39.4221458, -82.5390549
Path moves along tall rock faces
OMC011
Location: 39.4319153, -82.5444336
Head SE; .5 miles back to trailhead