There’s no better way to embrace a new year than by getting outside and spending some time in nature. Fortunately, Ohio has a wide variety of hiking trails to explore. From trekking through ghost town remains to chasing waterfalls, the following are 12 of our favorite hikes to take in Ohio. Dedicate each trail to one month out of the year and you’ll find that it’s more than doable to tackle this outdoor bucket list.

  1. January: Worden’s Ledges Loop Trail (Hinckley Reservation)

Amy Laurel/AllTrails Tucked away in northeast Ohio, these unusual ledges are hiding in Cleveland Metroparks in Hinckley Reservation. The ledges themselves are captivating to walk through, but the faces carved into them make you feel as if you’ve temporarily entered another world. Learn more about this hike at AllTrails. Wordens Ledges Loop Trail, Hinckley, OH, USA

  1. February: Old Man’s Cave Loop (Hocking Hills State Park)

Mike King/Flickr This hiking trail is stunning no matter what season, but during the colder months it transforms into a real life winter wonderland you have to see to believe. As an added bonus, you’ll still get to see some greenery, as many of the trees along the trail are evergreen. We simply adore Hocking Hills State Park and its myriad trails! Old Man’s Cave Campground, 19852 OH-664, Logan, OH 43138, USA

  1. March: Moonville Rail Trail (McArthur)

Moonville Rail Trail Association/Facebook Stretching across Vinton County and ending in Athens County is a historic rail trail that’s rumored to be haunted! Along the Moonville Rail Trail, you’ll find the infamous Moonville Tunnel and what’s left of its surrounding ghost town. Today, little remains of Moonville and its abandoned surroundings. Trains passed through the area until the mid-1980s, even though the last family left the town in the mid-1940s. Moonville Rail Trail, Ohio, USA

  1. April: Jane Coates Wildflower Trail (Put-In-Bay)

Lake Erie Islands Conservancy/Facebook The Jane Coates Wildflower Trail on South Bass Island in Put-In-Bay, Ohio is a hidden gem most people don’t know about. This half-mile loop trail features a gorgeous variety of wildflowers and even some migratory songbirds. It’s one of the loveliest spring hikes in Ohio! Jane Coates Wildflower Trail, 1962 Put-In-Bay Rd, Put-In-Bay, OH 43456, USA

  1. May: The Stanford Trail (Cuyahoga Valley National Park)

Megg/Flickr The Stanford Trail is a Buckeye State bucket-list-worthy hike that will lead you to the boardwalks at the base of Brandywine Falls. It’s a moderate 1.75-mile hike that takes a little more than an hour to complete. It’s best to visit the falls after a heavy rainfall, but all throughout the year this waterfall flows pretty powerfully. Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio, USA

  1. June: Orange Trail (Sugarcreek Metro Park)

Lori Summers/AllTrails Along the 1.3-mile Orange Trail, you’ll see the Osage Orange Tunnel. It’s a breathtaking natural wonder you’ll absolutely love. There’s nothing like a walk In the shade of an enchanting tree tunnel on a hot summer’s day in the Buckeye State! Sugarcreek MetroPark, 4178 Conference Rd, Bellbrook, OH 45305, USA

  1. July: Beach Boardwalk (Headlands Beach State Park)

Erik Drost/Flickr The 0.15-mile boardwalk trail along this waterfront park is short, sweet and stunning. Here, you can observe a variety of vegetation that’s typically only found on the Atlantic Coast, which makes this trail extra special. (Of course, you’ll probably want to go for a swim while you’re here too.) Aren’t Ohio beaches the best? Headlands Beach State Park, 9601 Headlands Rd, Mentor, OH 44060, USA

  1. August: The Pittsburgh-Cincinnati Stagecoach Trail (Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve)

Josh Walther/All Trails The Clifton Gorge loop trail, also known as the Pittsburgh-Cincinnati Stagecoach Trail, cuts through limestone gorge and follows interesting pieces of Ohio’s past, which you can read about along the way. (Note: Some spots can be slippery to cross in the gorge, so please proceed with caution.) Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve, 2381 OH-343, Yellow Springs, OH 45387, USA

  1. September: Rock Stalls Loop Trail (Rock Stalls Natural Sanctuary)

Sean Zurbrick/All Trails Although it’s privately owned and operated, Rock Stalls Natural Sanctuary is open to the public daily until 5 p.m., unless otherwise indicted. The 1.1- mile loop trail is lightly trafficked and rated as easy, according to AllTrails. Most visitors can spot a total of seven waterfalls within this nature persevere, depending on the amount of rainfall the area has recently received. Rock Stalls Lodge, 7499 Zwickle Rd, Logan, OH 43138, USA

  1. October: Beech Ridge Loop Trail and Wildcat Trail (Hell Hollow Wilderness Area)

Nicholas A. Tonelli/Flickr The Beech Ridge Loop Trail and Wildcat Trail connect to make a 1.8-mile trail in the Hell Hollow Wilderness Area. In the fall time, the deep green ravine glows gold. Don’t let its name fool you; the views from the 360-million-year-old Chagrin Shale cliff are simply heavenly! Hell Hollow, Leroy Township, OH 44077, USA

  1. November: Knighton Nature Trail (Shawnee State Park)

Helmet von Contour/AllTrails Coming in at around 5.5 miles within Shawnee State Park (Ohio’s very first state park, in fact!), the Knighton Nature Trail features stunning lake views, a good climb and breathtaking fall foliage in the autumn months. Just follow the red triangle blazes and enjoy the journey. Shawnee State Park, 4404 OH-125, West Portsmouth, OH 45663, USA

  1. December: Jacobs Ladder and Christmas Rocks Trail (Christmas Rocks State Nature Preserve)

John Trimble/AllTrails Aside from the preserve’s festive name, the 4.5-mile Jacobs Ladder and Christmas Rocks Trail is a looped hike that leads to a stunning overlook. Along the way, you’ll encounter some unique rock formations, plants and wildlife. Jacobs Ladder, Hocking Township, OH 43130, USA

What do you think? Are you up for tackling this bucket list of trails this year? What are your picks for the best hikes in Ohio?Share your thoughts with us!

Amy Laurel/AllTrails

Tucked away in northeast Ohio, these unusual ledges are hiding in Cleveland Metroparks in Hinckley Reservation. The ledges themselves are captivating to walk through, but the faces carved into them make you feel as if you’ve temporarily entered another world. Learn more about this hike at AllTrails.

Wordens Ledges Loop Trail, Hinckley, OH, USA

Mike King/Flickr

This hiking trail is stunning no matter what season, but during the colder months it transforms into a real life winter wonderland you have to see to believe. As an added bonus, you’ll still get to see some greenery, as many of the trees along the trail are evergreen. We simply adore Hocking Hills State Park and its myriad trails!

Old Man’s Cave Campground, 19852 OH-664, Logan, OH 43138, USA

Moonville Rail Trail Association/Facebook

Stretching across Vinton County and ending in Athens County is a historic rail trail that’s rumored to be haunted! Along the Moonville Rail Trail, you’ll find the infamous Moonville Tunnel and what’s left of its surrounding ghost town. Today, little remains of Moonville and its abandoned surroundings. Trains passed through the area until the mid-1980s, even though the last family left the town in the mid-1940s.

Moonville Rail Trail, Ohio, USA

Lake Erie Islands Conservancy/Facebook

The Jane Coates Wildflower Trail on South Bass Island in Put-In-Bay, Ohio is a hidden gem most people don’t know about. This half-mile loop trail features a gorgeous variety of wildflowers and even some migratory songbirds. It’s one of the loveliest spring hikes in Ohio!

Jane Coates Wildflower Trail, 1962 Put-In-Bay Rd, Put-In-Bay, OH 43456, USA

Megg/Flickr

The Stanford Trail is a Buckeye State bucket-list-worthy hike that will lead you to the boardwalks at the base of Brandywine Falls. It’s a moderate 1.75-mile hike that takes a little more than an hour to complete. It’s best to visit the falls after a heavy rainfall, but all throughout the year this waterfall flows pretty powerfully.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio, USA

Lori Summers/AllTrails

Along the 1.3-mile Orange Trail, you’ll see the Osage Orange Tunnel. It’s a breathtaking natural wonder you’ll absolutely love. There’s nothing like a walk In the shade of an enchanting tree tunnel on a hot summer’s day in the Buckeye State!

Sugarcreek MetroPark, 4178 Conference Rd, Bellbrook, OH 45305, USA

Erik Drost/Flickr

The 0.15-mile boardwalk trail along this waterfront park is short, sweet and stunning. Here, you can observe a variety of vegetation that’s typically only found on the Atlantic Coast, which makes this trail extra special. (Of course, you’ll probably want to go for a swim while you’re here too.) Aren’t Ohio beaches the best?

Headlands Beach State Park, 9601 Headlands Rd, Mentor, OH 44060, USA

Josh Walther/All Trails

The Clifton Gorge loop trail, also known as the Pittsburgh-Cincinnati Stagecoach Trail, cuts through limestone gorge and follows interesting pieces of Ohio’s past, which you can read about along the way. (Note: Some spots can be slippery to cross in the gorge, so please proceed with caution.)

Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve, 2381 OH-343, Yellow Springs, OH 45387, USA

Sean Zurbrick/All Trails

Although it’s privately owned and operated, Rock Stalls Natural Sanctuary is open to the public daily until 5 p.m., unless otherwise indicted. The 1.1- mile loop trail is lightly trafficked and rated as easy, according to AllTrails. Most visitors can spot a total of seven waterfalls within this nature persevere, depending on the amount of rainfall the area has recently received.

Rock Stalls Lodge, 7499 Zwickle Rd, Logan, OH 43138, USA

Nicholas A. Tonelli/Flickr

The Beech Ridge Loop Trail and Wildcat Trail connect to make a 1.8-mile trail in the Hell Hollow Wilderness Area. In the fall time, the deep green ravine glows gold. Don’t let its name fool you; the views from the 360-million-year-old Chagrin Shale cliff are simply heavenly!

Hell Hollow, Leroy Township, OH 44077, USA

Helmet von Contour/AllTrails

Coming in at around 5.5 miles within Shawnee State Park (Ohio’s very first state park, in fact!), the Knighton Nature Trail features stunning lake views, a good climb and breathtaking fall foliage in the autumn months. Just follow the red triangle blazes and enjoy the journey.

Shawnee State Park, 4404 OH-125, West Portsmouth, OH 45663, USA

John Trimble/AllTrails

Aside from the preserve’s festive name, the 4.5-mile Jacobs Ladder and Christmas Rocks Trail is a looped hike that leads to a stunning overlook. Along the way, you’ll encounter some unique rock formations, plants and wildlife.

Jacobs Ladder, Hocking Township, OH 43130, USA

For more wonderful hikes around the Buckeye State, check out these beautiful waterfall trails.

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Best hikes in Ohio April 24, 2022 Sarah M. What are some of the best hikes in Ohio that I can do year-round? With our four glorious and distinct seasons, there’s always a new and wondrous experience to be had out on the trails in Ohio. One perennial favorite that’s simply divine any time of the year is the Brandywine Gorge Trail up in Cuyahoga Valley National Park – Ohio’s one-and-only national park, in fact! Tucked away in this slice of Ohio paradise, you’ll find the tallest waterfall in the state. Cuyahoga Valley National Park in northeast Ohio is home to a breathtaking 65-foot waterfall that flows from Brandywine Creek: the eponymous and extraordinary Brandywine Falls. These easily accessible and beautiful falls are a popular highlight within the park, and the loop trail to get to Brandywine Falls is a fan favorite. Whether you’re visiting during spring wildflower blooms, on a hot and glorious summer day, during the height of fall foliage, or even when winter’s chill has seemingly suspended these falls in time, this is one Ohio hike worth tackling again and again. Another favorite trail for year-round fun and adventure in Ohio is the Sharon Gorge Trail. Located in the eponymous park, this trail is an accessible little adventure that leads past waterfalls and creeks, lush forests and charming bridges. This hike actually offers a glimpse into the past, too, with remnants like trilobites and fossils found in its creek beds and rocky ravines.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Best hikes in Ohio

April 24, 2022

Sarah M.

What are some of the best hikes in Ohio that I can do year-round? With our four glorious and distinct seasons, there’s always a new and wondrous experience to be had out on the trails in Ohio. One perennial favorite that’s simply divine any time of the year is the Brandywine Gorge Trail up in Cuyahoga Valley National Park – Ohio’s one-and-only national park, in fact! Tucked away in this slice of Ohio paradise, you’ll find the tallest waterfall in the state. Cuyahoga Valley National Park in northeast Ohio is home to a breathtaking 65-foot waterfall that flows from Brandywine Creek: the eponymous and extraordinary Brandywine Falls. These easily accessible and beautiful falls are a popular highlight within the park, and the loop trail to get to Brandywine Falls is a fan favorite. Whether you’re visiting during spring wildflower blooms, on a hot and glorious summer day, during the height of fall foliage, or even when winter’s chill has seemingly suspended these falls in time, this is one Ohio hike worth tackling again and again. Another favorite trail for year-round fun and adventure in Ohio is the Sharon Gorge Trail. Located in the eponymous park, this trail is an accessible little adventure that leads past waterfalls and creeks, lush forests and charming bridges. This hike actually offers a glimpse into the past, too, with remnants like trilobites and fossils found in its creek beds and rocky ravines.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

With our four glorious and distinct seasons, there’s always a new and wondrous experience to be had out on the trails in Ohio. One perennial favorite that’s simply divine any time of the year is the Brandywine Gorge Trail up in Cuyahoga Valley National Park – Ohio’s one-and-only national park, in fact! Tucked away in this slice of Ohio paradise, you’ll find the tallest waterfall in the state. Cuyahoga Valley National Park in northeast Ohio is home to a breathtaking 65-foot waterfall that flows from Brandywine Creek: the eponymous and extraordinary Brandywine Falls. These easily accessible and beautiful falls are a popular highlight within the park, and the loop trail to get to Brandywine Falls is a fan favorite. Whether you’re visiting during spring wildflower blooms, on a hot and glorious summer day, during the height of fall foliage, or even when winter’s chill has seemingly suspended these falls in time, this is one Ohio hike worth tackling again and again.

Another favorite trail for year-round fun and adventure in Ohio is the Sharon Gorge Trail. Located in the eponymous park, this trail is an accessible little adventure that leads past waterfalls and creeks, lush forests and charming bridges. This hike actually offers a glimpse into the past, too, with remnants like trilobites and fossils found in its creek beds and rocky ravines.