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Columbus, Ohio

Top Spots in and near Columbus

  • Logan, Ohio

    Old Man's Cave Loop

    4.5
    0.63 mi / 102 ft gain
    Take the Rim Trail in Hocking Hills State Park, which descends into the deep gorge and takes you alongside a stream as you head towards a number of cascades and interesting rock faces. Rim Trail can be linked to Cedar Falls, as well, or from the Upper Falls you can take Grandma Gatewood Trail fo...
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  • Logan, Ohio

    Hike to Whispering Cave

    1.7 mi / 480 ft gain
    The trailhead begins at the base of the parking lot of the old Hocking Hills Lodge that sadly burnt down in 2016. While plans are underway for a new lodge to be built, it means parking for this particular trail is plentiful for the moment, since the massive parking lot is only being used for the ...
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  • Springfield, Ohio

    Disc Golf at Snyder Park

    4.0
    This course, sponsored by Hazy Shade, is not for beginners! It is for disc golfers who have some experience and are willing to challenge themselves and live on the edge. Almost every hole has a water hazard, with several of them being in spots that may cause you to need to stop and switch your ga...
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  • Logan, Ohio

    Cedar Falls

    4.3
    0.38 mi / 56 ft gain
    Located on Queer Creek in Hocking Hills State Park, the popular 50 ft-Cedar Falls still tends to be less crowded than Old Man's Cave. There are scenic views to be had year-round off of the stream-lined path, starting from the lower parking lot off of SR 374. For quicker access to the falls, star...
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  • Yellow Springs, Ohio

    Clifton Gorge

    4.0
    2.5 mi / 118 ft gain
    The entirety of this hike is within the Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve, a protected park with strict restrictions on off-trail travel with pets prohibited. Starting at the parking lot off of Jackson St, follow the trail northwest along the narrows of Clifton Gorge. Here, the river has carve...
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  • Springfield, Ohio

    Climb at Mad River Gorge

    1 mi
    Just a short hike down from the parking lot lies a half mile of cliffside full of climbing opportunities! Plenty of variety for different skill levels, although someone in your group will need to lead climb to set up the route first. There are hooks already in place on each route, and you are not...
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  • South Bloomingville, Ohio

    Explore Ash Cave

    5.0
    0.5 mi
    Getting to Ash Cave is extremely easy with a short quarter-mile hike from the parking area; there's also a rim trail above the cave that adds 90 feet of elevation and some extra distance. The cave is great for relaxing in the shade during a hot day, enjoying a spring picnic, or grabbing some imag...
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  • Bellefontaine, Ohio

    Visit Campbell Hill

    0.1 mi / 10 ft gain
    One of the easiest of the 50 State Highpoints in the United States to visit, Campbell Hill sits just outside Bellefountaine (pronounced Bell-fountain), Ohio. Sitting on the grounds of the Hi-Point Career Center, Campbell Hill is open to visitors virtually everyday of the year during daylight hour...
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  • Howard, Ohio

    Photograph Honey Run Waterfall

    4.0
    Getting to Honey Run Falls is incredibly easy! There are two parking lots for the park, one on the west side of the road for the Honey Run Highlands, and one on the east side of the road in the forest for the falls. From the forest parking lot, follow the trail south for roughly 500 ft until you ...
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  • Cedarville, Ohio

    Hike to Cedar Cliff Falls

    4.4
    2.6 mi / 250 ft gain
    Starting from the Indian Mound Reserve parking lot, follow the private drive back until the signs indicate to follow the trail through the woods to the right, about 1/4 mile. Make sure you stay right of the painted yellow line on the road, trespassers on the private land surrounding the park are ...
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  • Cedarville, Ohio

    Hike the Gorge Trail at Indian Mounds

    5.0
    Cedarville, Ohio is known for its expansive farmland, but in the Indian Mounds Park you'll find several unique features, such as the cavern located on the Gorge Trail!  This cave is formed out of the side of a cliff and is perfect for easy exploration and climbing. When the water is low enough yo...
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  • Yellow Springs, Ohio

    Rock Climb at John Bryan SP

    If you are new to climbing, someone who really enjoys toprope climbing or if you live in west central Ohio and are looking to climb somewhere within a reasonable driving distance, John Bryan State Park is a great option. Equipment is not provided and all climbers are encouraged to use safe climbi...
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  • Yellow Springs, Ohio

    Hike the North Rim of the Little Miami River

    4.5
    2.7 mi / 250 ft gain
    Starting at the lower parking lot, follow the signs that direct you to the trails near the shelterhouse. Within 0.2 of a mile the trail forks; follow the left fork heading east along the Little Miami River. This is the Pittsburgh-Cincinnati Stagecoach Trail, which for 1.3 miles winds its way alon...
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  • Yellow Springs, Ohio

    Visit the Tecumseh Sunflower Field

    4.0
    If you're driving along US 68 towards Yellow Springs, Ohio in early September, you just may be lucky enough to come upon the Tecumseh Sunflower Field in full bloom!  You only have about two-three weeks where the flowers will be bright, happy and alive, so make plans to hit it in time.  There is f...
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  • Springfield, Ohio

    Explore the History of George Rogers Clark Park

    5.0
    The George Rogers Clark Park has over 6 miles of nature hiking trails as well as a fishing pond. There are large A-frames at several points in the park to set up for the afternoon and grill some hotdogs, and plenty of field space to lay out some blankets and break out the picnic basket. The bigge...
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  • Yellow Springs, Ohio

    Glen Helen Nature Preserve Loop

    2.77 mi / 367 ft gain
    Glen Helen is located just next to downtown Yellow Springs, a small but well-known town popular for its eclectic and artistic community. This preserve was set to close permanently in 2020 due to lack of funding, but the former owner Antioch College sold the preserve to the Glen Helen Association ...
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