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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, and you don’t even have to leave our estate to do it!
The Buckeye Trail is a trail located entirely within the State of Ohio. It covers over 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.
Also located in Hocking County is the Rockbridge State Nature Preserve, which is 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.
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.
Hocking Hills State Park Trails
Hocking Hills features numerous hiking trails and has something different to claim. From waterfalls, deep gorges, the black hand sandstone cliffs, each change with the seasons. Ash Cave, Cantwell Cliffs, Cedar Falls, Conkle’s Hollow State Nature Preserve, Old Man’s Cave, Rock House, and Rockbridge State Nature Preserve combine to form The Hocking Hills State Park. One day is simply not enough to see them all during your Hocking Hills getaway.
One trail not to be missed is Grandma Gatewood’s Trail. The trail connects Old Man’s Cave to Cedar Falls to Ash Cave. Begin walking the five miles from Old Man’s Cave to Ash Cave and it won’t take long to see why this is one of the state’s most popular trails.
Bike Trails & Rentals near Hocking Hills
There are many rider-friendly bike paths in the area. 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 paved path wanders through the Appalachian foothills between Nelsonville and Athens; bike, foot, wheelchair, and rollerblade accessible. “Hockhocking” means “bottleneck” or “twisted” and was the native Shawnee name for the Hocking River. Adena reflects the history of the Adena Indians who lived in the Hocking Valley more than 2,000 years ago. Nelsonville is only about 20 minutes from our Hocking Hills lodging.
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 that are open to mountain bike riding. Please note these are not level or asphalt-surfaced trails.
If you prefer to rent bikes, bicycle rentals are offered at each end of the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway. Bicycles can be picked up in either Athens or Nelsonville. Reservations are required. Rentals can be arranged by calling one of these locations:
Bike rental locations:
- Hocking Hills Bike Rentals, 614-519-2136
- Hocking College Nature Center, 740-753-6080
Birding in Hocking Hills, Ohio
Whether you’re a long-time bird watcher or a beginner, our guests regard Glenlaurel as a premier spot to enjoy birding in Ohio. Not only is it one of the most relaxing things to do in Hocking Hills, but as you sit and watch, you’ll discover an abundance of feathered friends. With over 50 species sighted on-premises, including two bald eagles, you can spend the entire day watching the birds on Glenlaurel’s Estate.
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.
Lake Logan State Park has also been known as a bird watcher’s paradise. From eagles, hawks, and blue herons, it’s different each day. Paddle along in a kayak or canoe for an up-close view. If you enjoy bird watching, Ohio is the place to venture.
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 at Glenlaurel are hard to find elsewhere; one more thing to love about our Hocking Hills hotel!
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. Butterfly Ridge is an organization dedicated to butterfly conservation and protecting the butterfly habitat. Take a stroll through the various walking trails and pollinator habitats. The property has a gift shop and offers guided bird walks.
The Hocking Hills Butterfly Trail consists of 14 locations, each featuring a different set of butterfly wings. The trail is the result of a project spearheaded by Logan in Bloom and funded by the Hocking Hills Tourism Association. While visiting the Hocking Hills Butterfly Trail, you will learn all about the featured butterflies, their habitats, and their food sources.
Find a Hocking Hills Golf Club
Tee off in Hocking Hills. There are only a couple of golf courses in the Hocking Hills region for golf enthusiasts. The 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. Come visit, enjoy, and make a lifelong memory!
Hocking Hills Golf Club, located in Logan, is a public 18-hole regulation golf course that is both challenging and affordable. The rugged, yet scenic hillside golf course in Hocking Hills has a par 71 measuring 5,861 yards. The rolling terrain has been modified into a magnificent layout by designer Jack Kidwell and is only a 15-minute drive from Glenlaurel, A Scottish Inn & Cottages.
Cross-Country Skiing in Ohio
Glenlaurel’s rustic links course captures the topography of the Scottish turf as it was played over a century ago. Since the Scottish Links at Glenlaurel is out of commission during the winter months, we’ve put away the scorecards and the original hickory shaft clubs and turned the links course into a half-mile cross-country ski trail. Hocking Hills skiing is the perfect way to spend a wintery day!
Pack up your warm clothes and your skis for a wee bit of exploring and fun, and partake in the outdoor sport of skiing over the moors. As long as the links are snow-covered and the snow lasts, we will keep the course open. The cross-country trail is reserved for guests of Glenlaurel. Equipment not provided. Come experience the serene beauty of winter in Hocking Hills while enjoying this unique skiing opportunity!
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The Perfect Couple’s Getaway
The Glenlaurel Inn is our getaway place to relax and enjoy time together, no chores waiting, no distractions. The cottages are designed just for that. They now have Roku available, plus lots of DVDs to borrow. The kitchenette is well designed, including a Keurig coffee maker and microwave. This time it was too cold for the hot tub, but we are hoping for better weather in February, when we will return. When it is clear, the stars are spectacular. Technically it is not a dark sky, but very close to it.