Heading to Hocking Hills This Summer? This Ohio Trail was Voted Best for Hiking in the U.S.

With its waterfalls, rugged landscapes, verdant forests and endless miles of trails, Hocking Hills State Park draws millions of visitors from Cincinnati and beyond each year. And with the summer approaching and travel plans in play, many might already be planning to visit this rural and wild patch of paradise in southern Ohio soon.

But out of the Ohio state park’s seven major hiking areas, the Whispering Cave trail may see even more visitors after landing at the No. 1 spot on USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Award contest for the best hiking trails in the United States.

The 10Best Readers’ Choice Award contest nominees are all chosen by a panel of experts, including editors from USA Today, editors from 10Best.com and relevant expert contributors. New categories launch every other Monday at noon with 20 nominees and voting stays open for four weeks to reveal the top 10.

“The United States, with its diverse landscapes, boasts a plethora of easy to moderate hiking trails that are fun for nature enthusiasts of all skill levels. An expert panel selected their top picks for scenic trails that are perfect for leisurely day hikes, then readers voted for their favorites,” 10Best writes. “These 10 hiking trails not only promote physical well-being but also provide a mental respite from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.”

As for what landed it in the No. 1 spot, the Whispering Cave trail is a 5-mile loop trail that features the second-largest recess caves in the trail system, as well as a swinging bridge and seasonal waterfall. It’s considered moderately strenuous, with a moderate to steep incline, uneven steps, cliff edges and steeper terrain, according to thehockinghills.com.

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Photo: thehockinghills.org

Whispering Cave trail route

The trail is open year-round from dawn to dusk. It can be accessed via the Visitor Center at Old Man’s Cave (19988 OH-664 Scenic, Logan); just hop on the trail going toward Cedar Falls and you’ll see purple trail markers pointing you toward Whispering Cave about halfway through. You can also start at the Upper Falls kiosk (also at Old Man’s Cave); follow the blue trail markers and signs one-and-a-half miles to Whispering Cave (purple trail and marked with a sign). It loops back around one-way to Whispering Cave and back to the Visitor Center. Remember, the Whispering Cave Trail is one-way, so you will need to be prepared to hike the full 5-mile loop.

Learn more about Hocking Hills State Park here.