This month I want to talk about some of the amazing places here in Ohio to see some beautiful natural waterfalls. By far, one of my favorite local places to hike is the trails around Honey Run Falls. The Highlands have several trails of various difficulty, and these are a great place to explore and get in a good hike right here in Knox County. Honey Run Falls has a special place in my heart, personally, as it is where I began my original 52 Hike Challenge last year, and it is still one of the places I personally go just to decompress.
Venturing out of Knox County, Mohican State Park offers the Big Lyon and Little Lyon Falls, another of my favorite places to go. After one of our sizable snowfalls last year, I took a day to enjoy the winter backdrop of one of the area’s premier hiking and recreational areas. The views were amazing, and by visiting early in the day, the trails had not really had a chance to get packed down with ice and snow, so traversing even some of the more challenging trails in the area was still achievable.
Hocking Hills has some amazing hiking opportunities as well, with Ash Cave, Chapel Falls near 21 Horse Cave, and Big Spring at the Climbing and Rappelling area featuring some great falls when the water is flowing. The hiking around these areas features trails of varying length and difficulty, with many having parking areas close to the falls.
A trip into the Northeastern corner of Ohio will take you to Dundee Falls, with several miles of hiking trails and other beautiful vistas. A little farther north takes you to Ohio’s National Park, Cuyahoga Valley National Park. With a multitude of hiking trails and local historical sites, a good weekend of adventuring could surely be had in and around the park alone, but a day trip is also a fun chance to see some of the best Ohio has to offer. Blue Hen Falls is a good hike with some impressive elevation gain, and the park’s signature falls, Brandywine Falls, is accessible by a boardwalk with a parking area close by or can also be accessed through the extensive trail network within the park.
Parts of many of these trails that access the amazing waterfalls in Ohio are also parts of both the Buckeye Trail and the North Country Trail. Both conservation efforts are supported by organizations that offer hiking clubs, trail maintenance opportunities and other information about the hiking opportunities in and around Ohio. The North County Trail also offers persons who hike 100 miles or more a patch and certificate for completing the challenge. More information on the Buckeye Trail and the North Country Trail can be found at Buckeyetrail.org and Northcountrytrail.org
While many of these waterfalls are surely a sight to behold, there are some safety considerations when accessing and enjoying these natural wonders. Be mindful of the waterways themselves. Having a minimal impact on the environment while enjoying its beauty is part of being a good steward of the environment. Disturbing rocks and the wildlife that inhabit the areas for a “photo op” can be detrimental to the natural flora and fauna of the areas, as well as possibly dangerous for you as a hiker.
Many of these moving waterways can be slippery due to algae, mosses and other lichenous growth, so always exercise caution when accessing these areas. Often the movement of the water itself can make rocks smooth and slippery and can create mud in and around the areas as well. While some of the trails run very close to, and even through and behind some of the falls, it is important to stay on the marked trails for your safety as well as the safety of the nature surrounding them. As our days get longer, and temperatures reach the 80s frequently during the heat of the day, Ohio’s waterfalls and caves can be a welcome relief from the increasing temperatures as spring transitions into summer. Take the time this summer to enjoy some of these amazing features of our beautiful state for yourself, and as always, be safe, have fun and get outside!
