Cedar Falls Trail

Cedar Falls is widely considered the most powerful waterfall in Ohio, particularly after significant rainfall when Queer Creek surges over the sandstone lip in a thundering sheet. Despite the name, the trees surrounding the falls are eastern hemlocks — early settlers mistook the graceful hemlock boughs for cedar. The trail descends steeply from the parking area into the gorge, crossing a wooden bridge before arriving at the plunge pool, which churns with white water after heavy rain. The surrounding gorge walls display classic Black Hand sandstone cross-bedding, laid down as ancient river deltas some 350 million years ago. Wildflowers carpet the forest floor in spring, including trout lily, bloodroot, and trillium, while the hemlock canopy provides deep shade in summer. The return climb back out of the gorge accounts for the moderate rating; the descent is straightforward but the path can be slippery on wet sandstone. A connecting trail links Cedar Falls to Old Man's Cave for those seeking a longer adventure through the heart of Hocking Hills. Winter visits reveal ice formations along the cliff faces and a quieter, more contemplative version of the falls.