Hiking Highlights of 2024: My Favorite Adventures

For me, my year in hiking has had a lot of ups and downs! At the beginning of the year, I was hiking and traveling a lot. Then, I was training for an ultramarathon so hiking took a backseat. I also tackled a lot of house projects and finished a major writing project (more details soon!) so was out on the trails a bit less. Despite all of that, I’m still pleased that I hiked over 200 miles this year! With all of that time on trails, here is my round-up of my favorite trails I hiked in 2024 (preference to new-to-me hikes).

Looking for more adventures in Pennsylvania and beyond? Check out my new book: Beer Hiking Pennsylvania and New Jersey

  1. Minister Creek Loop – Allegheny National Forest (PA)

This stunning loop in Allegheny National Forest was by far a highlight of my year. Although it was cold and the creek waters were very high, I could not have asked for a better introduction to ANF. This 7-mile loop includes deep woods, clambering through rocky crevices, and stunning overlooks. Not exactly a trail for the faint of heart, this hike was a true challenge with a huge payoff at the end.

  1. Hector Falls – Allegheny National Forest (PA)

When the locals give you a hiking tip, you better take it! That’s exactly what happened on a weekend trip to Allegheny National Forest region. The owners of a brewery we were visited highly recommended this lesser known waterfall and I’m so glad we checked it out. Although the hike to the trail itself isn’t very interesting, the stunning double-sided waterfall at the end made it so worth it! The unique water feature flows over a rectangular rock jutting off a cliffside so when water flow is high enough, it creates two separate streams plunging off the rock. This was one of the coolest waterfalls I’ve had the pleasure of seeing, although I would recommend visiting in the spring when the water runoff is highest. Although the falls have low foot traffic, the parking area is quite small, so try to plan to visit outside of peak times.

  1. Hearts Content Natural Area – Allegheny National Forest (PA)

If you’ve been following our hikes for a while, you know that Justin loves a big tree. So we always make a point to visit old growth forest areas when we can. Hearts Content is a relatively small hemlock and white pine old growth forest nestled in Allegheny National Forest. The trails are easy and it is a great hike for all ages. We were lucky to visit at golden hour and had the trails completely to ourselves. Prepare to be amazed by towering trees that are between 300-400 years old along the 1-mile scenic interpretive trail.

  1. Ledges Trail – Cuyahoga Valley National Park (OH)

On our very first trip to Cuyahoga Valley National Park we tackled the much-anticipated Ledges Trail and it did not disappoint. We loved meandering through the impressive cliffsides and peering through narrow crevices. We did a big loop from Kendall Lake to Ledges, which combined the geological beauty of Ledges with the scenic Kendall Lake. This loop can easily be shorten to accommodate little legs and would be a great trail for all ages.

Make it a Hike & Hop – Check out Ledges Trail & HiHo Brewing!

  1. Rock City & Rattlesnake to Overlook – Coopers Rock State Forest (WV)

Despite being just over an hour away from Pittsburgh, it took me until 2024 to finally visit Coopers Rock State Forest in West Virginia. There’s so much to see at this park, but if you only have time for one hike, definitely make it the Rock City & Rattlesnake trails. This incredible path leads from dense woods into sudden corridors surrounded by rock face. Finally the Rattlesnake Trail ends at the impressive Coopers Rock overlook, the crown jewel of the park.

Make it a Hike & Hop! Check out Coopers Rock & Screech Owl!

  1. Endless Wall Trail – New River Gorge National Park (WV)

Okay, I’ll admit, this wasn’t a new hike for me in 2024. But its so great that I had to include it as one of my favorites of the year and is one of the few repeat trails on this list. We visited New River Gorge NP at the beginning of October right as the leaves began to change. We did a LOT of hiking but the Endless Wall Trail remains my favorite of the park. The stunning views throughout the short loop just get more beautiful each time I visit. However, this is a very popular spot, so try to visit at off-times or during the week. Parking is a challenge here so please leave no trace and only park in designated areas!

Make it a Hike & Hop! Check out Endless Wall & FreeFolk Brewery

  1. Conkles Hollow Gorge Trail – Conkles Hollow State Nature Preserve (OH)

Another easy hike to take my end of the year round up! I’ve done the Conkles Hollow Rim hike a few times now (also highly recommend) but this time around, we wanted to do the Gorge trail. This 1-mile out and back flat trail leads you deep into the gorge with towering trees and cliff wall climbing up on either side. During wet seasons and after rain, there are various waterfalls spilling down the sides of the gorge. On a hot, sunny September day, it was amazing the temperature difference in the deepest reaches of the gorge. This is a must-hike during a visit to the Hocking Hills Area!

Make it a Hike & Hop! Check out Conkles Hollow & Double Edge Brewing

Want to explore more of Hocking Hills, OH? See my guide to visiting the state park and more.

  1. Red, Yellow, and Blue Loop – Hawk Mountain Sanctuary (PA)

This was by far my hardest hike of the year, but the challenge made it that much more fun! Hawk Mountain Sanctuary is a non-profit wild raptor preserve with an educational facility and miles of hiking trails. It’s the only hike on this list with a fee to visit (Adults $10, Seniors $7, Children between 6-12 $5, Under 5 FREE), but its supporting a fantastic cause so don’t let that hold you back. There’s a number of trails with varying difficulty, but we did a heart-pumping loop that began on the River of Rocks Trail (red) then climbs the steep Golden Eagle Trail (yellow). At the top, take the Skyline Trail (blue) along the ridge, ending with some of the most difficult and exhilarating rock climbs I’ve encountered on a trail. You’ll hoist yourself up onto the North Lookout and follow around the Lookout Trail (orange) for multiple vistas of the surrounding valley and soaring raptors. Be sure to check migration times for peak birdwatching months!

  1. Maurice River Bluffs – (NJ)

A writing project took me to New Jersey this year and I’ll admit that I didn’t go in with high expectations. But I was quickly proven wrong with this incredible hike along the Maurice River in Millville, NJ. This 500-acre preserve is managed by the Nature Conservancy and provides a key stopover for migrating birds and presents a uniquely hilly landscape in the lowlands of NJ. We completed a 5-6 mile loop of the entire preserve which included boardwalks along the water with spots to observe wildlife and sandy walks out along the bluffs for vistas of the surrounding wetlands. This hike was incredible but what made it one of my most memorable hikes this year was finally seeing a stunning lady slipper orchid in the wild. I cried.

  1. Pochuck Valley & Stairway to Heaven – Appalachian Trail (NJ)

Another of my Jersey adventures took us along the Appalachian Trail in northern NJ. 72 miles of the famed trail run through the rugged northern region of New Jersey which boasts a markedly different landscape than the rest of the state. This 7-mile out-and-back trail includes boardwalks over wets and ends with a rocky climb to a stunning overlook. Along the way, you’ll encounter day- and thru-hikers all enjoying this unique path. Don’t let the easy path at the beginning fool you; the trek up the “stairway to heaven” is challenging but highly rewarding. From the soaring overlook on a clear day you can see all the way to the Catskill Mountains in New York!

Thanks for joining me on another year of hiking adventures! I can’t wait to see where 2025 takes me.

Guide to Hocking Hills State Park

Hocking Hills is a beautiful state-run park and forest in Ohio, just south of Columbus. The stunning region is known for its waterfalls, caves, and cliffs. There are so many incredible places to explore that it can be hard to know where to start! Use this guide to plan your ultimate visit to Hocking Hills and beyond.

Know Before You Go

  • No Entry Fee
  • Open Year-Round – but be sure to check conditions before heading out, especially in the winter
  • Navigation – Some areas in and around the park have poor service so download maps beforehand
  • Getting around – The area is split up into small individual parks so driving between trailheads is a must
  • Pet-Friendly – leashed pets are welcome on all trails except the State Nature Preserves (Conkles Hollow and Rockbridge)
  • Accessibility – Both Ash Cave and Conkles Hollow have wheelchair-accessible trails

How to Get to Hocking Hills

Hocking Hills is located about an hour south of Columbus. Take US 33 East to Logan, then follow OH-664 to the state park. The park is only three hours from Cleveland and 2.5 hours away from Cincinnati. It’s a great weekend trip from Pittsburgh at only 3.5 hours away.

Where to Stay

There are tons of places to stay near Hocking Hills from primitive camping to high-end lodges and everything in between! We’ve stayed in a variety of places including campsites and Airbnb cabins. There are many options, but its best to book as early as possible as places fill up, especially in peak season!

Airbnb/VRBO: We loved this pondside cabin for a visit with our parents. It was the perfect size for 4 people and we really enjoyed drinking our morning coffee on the front porch. I also stayed at this cabin for a girl’s trip and it was a fantastic stay with a hot tub and firepit!

Hipcamp: If you’re looking for camping outside of traditional campsite, try Hipcamp! We stayed at a lovely secluded campsite on private property and it was one of the best camping experiences I’ve ever had.

State Park Lodge: Hocking Hills State Park has a beautiful, newly renovated lodge, as well as cabins onsite. The facilities are open year-round, and although we’ve not had the pleasure of staying, we’ve only heard wonderful things about the upscale facility.

Camping: There’s no shortage of campgrounds in the area for those who prefer sleeping in the great outdoors!

Best Time to Visit Hocking Hills

  • Summer: This is definitely peak season so expect to share the trails with many families and visitors. The upside is that the longer days mean more time on the trails! A drier summer will also lead to less water flowing.
  • Fall: The park is magical during peak fall foliage. Expect crowds but also an escape from the heat of the summer and the bugs that frequent the streams and rivers.
  • Winter: Winter is the slowest time at the park so it’s the best time for avoiding crowds. Be aware that trails can get icy and that some campgrounds might not be in full service.
  • Spring: This is the best time for waterfalls as the spring showers lead to roaring waters throughout the park. Expect crowds to pick up in mid to late Spring.

Best spots to visit in Hocking Hills

Old Man’s Cave

Old Man’s Cave is probably the most famous spot in the state park but funnily enough, it’s not a true cave! It’s actually considered a rock shelter which erosion carved out of the cliffside. A one-mile loop from the Visitor Center loops past Upper Falls, Devil’s Bathtub, then down through the gorge before heading up through Old Man’s Cave. It’s a moderate hike that is short but will take between 45-60 mins. There are opportunities to length the trek and see more of the parking including Lower Falls (1.5 miles), Whispering Cave (3 miles), and Cedar Falls (6 miles).

Ash Cave

Access Ash Cave from a short 1/4 mile hike from the ample parking lot. The Ash Gorge Trail is handicap-accessible and leads right into the rock shelter. From there, you can take the stairs up through the overhang to the Ash Rim trail for another 1/4 mile back to the parking lot. Extend your hike to Cedar Falls for a roughly 5-mile round trip.

Cedar Falls

Cedar Falls is a 1/2-mile one-way trail that leads to a seasonal waterfall. The steep trail travels down a staircase to a beautiful waterfall that flows mostly in the spring, summer, and winter. You can connect to a longer loop to Whispering Cave (3 miles) or Old Man’s Cave (6 miles).

Cantwell Cliffs

Cantwell Cliffs might only be one mile but don’t let that deceive you! This hike is full of steep steps, narrow rock squeezes, and soaring cliffsides. Because of the narrow paths, the trail is one-way only! This is also one of the more remote areas in Hocking Hills so you likely won’t be sharing the trail with too many.

Rock House

Rock House is another unique area of Hocking Hills, well known for being a recess cave. This 0.8 miles, one-way loops descends down aside steep steps to a beautiful cave system. Although the large openings keep it from getting too dark, be prepared for careful footing and lots of roosting birds!

Conkles Hollow Preserve

Conkles Hollow is technically not part of Hocking Hills State Park. It’s a separate nature preserve with two trails. The Gorge Trail is an accessible path that leads to a small waterfall at the end. You can also do the 2.5-mile rim trail which is more challenging, but worth it for the stunning views across the woods and for the unique cliffs. In the spring, the area is flush with wildflowers.

Airplane Rock & Chapel Cave

These two features are just outside of the state park in Hocking Hills State Forest. To see both of them, you’ll follow along the orange-blazed horse trail from a parking lot just down the road from Conkle’s Hollow. The trail might not be the most interesting, but the views are totally worth it!

Rockbridge Nature Preserve

Like Conkles Hollow, Rockbridge is a separate Nature Preserve, meaning that no pets are allowed. The main feature is a 100-foot natural bridge. There are about 3 miles of trail at this park and is located roughly 15 miles from the main Hocking Hills visitor center. This is the only section of Hocking Hills that I haven’t visited yet!

Other things to do:

Looking for Hikes & Hops in Hocking Hills? Check out Hocking Hills Gorge Loop & Brewery 33 or Conkle’s Hollow & Double Edge Brewing Co.

Conkle’s Hollow & Double Edge Brewing Company

Hocking Hills, OH

Happy Belated Mother’s Day! Today I’m happy to share a lovely hike that I got to do with my Mom in Hocking Hills! One of the best things about this area is that you can see some amazing sights on a relatively short hike! My family tackled the roughly 2.5 miles Rim Trail at Conkles Hollow Nature Preserve on a beautiful sunny morning. This is a great hike for the whole family and is a really good loop for non-hikers. There’s also a shorter gorge trail that’s wheelchair and stroller friendly so this really is a place for everyone. Let’s check it out!

THE HIKE: East and West Rim Loop – Conkles Hollow Nature Preserve

Length: 2.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 427ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 1.5-2 hours
Trail use: Hiking Only, NO PETS
Parking: Large parking lots. Vault Toilets
H&H: 5/5

Conkle’s Hollow is a small Nature Preserve located within Hocking Hills State Park. It is a rocky gorge that’s considered to be one of the deepest in Ohio! As you travel along the rim trail, you’ll be walking along cliff edges that raise 200ft up! The gorge itself is fairly narrow so you can even see hikers on the other side of the rim! This area is very unique because the towering cliffs mean that little to no sunlight reaches the bottom of the gorge. 

Family Hike!

A local legend of Conkle’s Hollow insists that robbers had hid their loot somewhere in the hollow but were never able to retrieve it due to a felled tree. Who knows if the tale is true, but if I needed a place to hide out, one of the caves in this area would definitely work for me!

When hiking at Conkle’s Hollow, try to arrive early if going on the weekend. Although there is a large parking lot (with vault toilets), it’s extremely popular so it will fill up! We arrived around 10am on a beautiful Saturday and easily found parking. However, we finished up, the lot was completely packed and people were parking along the street. 

Now I said that Conkle’s Hollow is great for non-hikers. However, I want to clarify that you need to be reasonably steady on your feet and able to climb steps to do this hike. The first bit of the trail follows some steep steps and then continues uphill for a bit so be prepared to get your heart pumping! Most of this trail does follow along a cliff edge so you’ll see plenty of warning signs. Make sure to stay away from the edge and be smart about your hiking! It’s only dangerous if you’re not respecting the trail. Plus, the trail is one-way so you don’t have to worry about stepping to the side to let other hikers pass. 

I honestly can’t say enough good things about this trail! Although it was only 2.5 miles, we spent hours here because we constantly had to stop and take in the beauty! There were so many incredible rock formations and small waterfalls. Plus we were nearing peak wildflower season so I always wanted to stop and look at every plant. Most of the crowds seem to only do the shorter gorge trail so we thankfully had a lot of the rim trail to ourselves. You can always add in the Gorge trail before or after your hike to get the full experience! 

My family had an awesome time on this hike! I would definitely do this again and I thought it was a perfect hike for people who want to experience Hocking Hills without doing a long, strenuous hike. If you’re looking for other short hikes in the area, check out Cantwell Cliffs (1 mile) or Rock House (0.8 mile).

THE BEER: Double Edge Brewing Company

Address: 158 W Chestnut St, Lancaster, OH 43130
Distance from Trail Head: 24 miles, 31 mins
Website: http://www.double-edge.beer/
Food?: BYOF/ Food Trucks
Details: Outdoor seating & dog friendly

Double Edge Brewing Company is located about 15 miles outside of the Hocking Hills area in the super cute town of Lancaster. It’s a bit of a drive from the trailhead but definitely worth it! The first thing that struck me about this little brewery was the community! People were all talking to each other, clearly making friends with neighbors at the next table. How lovely! 

Double Edge has been a staple of downtown Lancaster since 2017. Their taproom is pretty big with a nice relaxed vibe. There’s also plenty of outdoor seating if you’d rather soak up the sun! Their taproom offers a wide variety of house made beers as well as local wine and cider. Check their events for food trucks on the weekend and live music! 

My favorite beer of the day might surprise you. It was actually the Aunt Sally Key Lime Sour! I really love a good sour, especially after being outside all day. This one really hit the spot and I liked that it kept the ABV low. This is definitely a great beer for some afternoon drinking! Good beer and a good spot; we’ll definitely be back someday!

Our Beer:

  • Seven Seas – West Coast IPA – 6.1%
  • Moondog – Porter – 5.7%
  • Comet Session – Session IPA – 5.2%
  • Aunt Sally – Key Lime Pie Sour – 3.6%

SUM UP: Conkles Hollow is a beautiful nature preserve near Hocking Hills, Ohio. The 2.5 miles Rim trail is a great trek for all ages but has some elevation and steps that wouldn’t be good for very young or unsteady folks. It’s just challenging enough to feel proud of yourself at the end and rewards you with gorgeous views along the way. After your hike explore more of the Hocking Hills Region, like Rock House or Cantwell Cliffs. Finally, round out your day with a cold brew at Double Edge Brewing in Lancaster. You’ll be sure to make a new friend at this inviting neighborhood brewery!

Hocking Hills Gorge Loop & Brewery 33

Hocking Hills, OH

I think I might be in love with Hocking Hills, OH. We traveled there last weekend for a wedding and added on a day of camping. We got in so much hiking but there was still miles more that I wanted to do! This hiking loop takes you past some of the park’s most famous views including Old Man’s Cave and Cedar Falls. This is the most popular part of Hocking Hills so the trails might be a bit busy. Make sure you set aside lots of time for this hike because this is one place you don’t want to rush through! The rocky gorge is absolutely incredible and will make you forget that you’re in Ohio! Afterward, head over to Lake Logan and grab a refreshing brew at Brewery 33 Hocking Hills. The perfect getaway weekend!

THE HIKE: Old Man’s Cave and Gorge Loop

Length: 6.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 425 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 2.5-3.5 hours
Trail use: Hiking, leashed pets
Parking: large lot by visitor center
H&H: 5/5

First of all, the biggest congrats to my wonderful cousin and her new wife! They’re the whole reason that we made it out to Hocking Hills and I couldn’t be happier for these two wonderful ladies. During the wedding weekend, J and I split the cutest AirBnb with my parents. It was a three bedroom cabin on a little pond and was pretty much everything I could want from a cabin. We were treated to a chorus of frogs at night and an ensemble of birds in the morning. I will definitely be staying here again! 

Although the wedding weekend was pretty packed with activities and setting up for the party, we still managed to fit in a few hikes. Since we knew we’d be busy, J and I decided to take Monday off and try our hands at camping! Now we’ve been camping before, but only ever with other people. It was all on us this time and I think we did pretty well! Plus staying the extra day meant that we could check out some of the popular parts of the park without the weekend crowds. 

Devil’s Bathtub

For our “big” hike of the weekend, we did a 6.5 mile loop starting at the Hocking Hills Visitor Center. First of all, this is a super nice center with bathrooms, water fountains, and lots of interpretive displays. We chatted with a ranger that gave us the lowdown on the best loop to see everything in this area of the park. Armed with a map and plenty of water, we were ready to set out! 

One of the things I liked best about the Hocking Hills area is that most of the trails are one way. Since a lot of the trails travel along narrow cliff faces, this is a must for safety! So keep on trail and follow the arrows. This loop starts on the blue blaze, immediately taking you down in the gorge following along the Old Man’s Creek. The first natural feature you’ll see is the Devil’s Bathtub, a unique stone feature that the creek has carved out over millennia to look like a pool for bathing. Keep following along the path until you see the signs for Old Man’s Cave. Okay, I’ll be honest that this is the only point where I didn’t obey the one way signs. The path into and through the cave is one way and you can’t get back to the blue blaze with going halfway back to the visitor’s center. So we snuck back after exploring the cave area. Don’t tell on us!

Old Man’s Cave

Back on the blue trail, we continued past features like the stone cliff that looks like a Sphinx head and the Lower Falls. I cannot even express how beautiful the gorge in this area is. Pictures don’t do it justice, you’ll just have to come and see for yourself! As you leave the Old Man’s Cave area, trail traffic will decrease significantly and there will be less sculpted trails. At one point you will hit a crossroads in the trail and you’ll have to decide if you’d like to add on the Whispering Cave loop (an extra 1.5 miles). We opted not to because the weather was calling for afternoon storms and I already couldn’t believe how long we had taken to do 2 miles! As you continued along towards Cedar Falls,  be prepared for some rock scrambles and more difficult trails. Despite the glory of the caves, this was actually my favorite section of the trail. We kept coming across beautiful waterfalls and it felt like we had the entire woods to ourselves. The last major feature before getting off the blue blaze is the massive Cedar Falls. It’s the largest falls (in terms of volume) in the park. At this point, you’ll switch to the red blaze and start making your way up the stairs to the rim trail. 

Now, don’t panic when you realize that you’re only halfway through the hike. I think it took us about 2.5 hours to get through the first part. We took tons of pictures and spent a lot of time just enjoying the views. Plus the rocky trails make it difficult to go too fast. But once you hit the rim trail, it’s quite flat and more like a normal forest hike. We got through this section and were back at the visitor center in just over an hour! Now if you’re looking to beef up this hike a bit, try tacking on Whispering Cave like I mentioned earlier. You can also do a loop around Rose Lake! Really the possibilities are endless. Just make sure to check the weather before heading out and pack enough water and snacks if you’re doing a long day hike. 

Well folks, I’m gonna be talking about this hike for a LONG time. It’s only April but I have a feeling this is going to be in my top 5 hikes of the year. And after such a cool hike, you need to rest up and Brewery 33 Hocking Hills is the perfect place to do it!

THE BEER: Brewery 33 Hocking Hills

Address: 12684 College Prospect Dr, Logan, OH 43138
Distance from Trail Head: 11 miles, 17 mins 
Website: http://www.brewery33.com/
Food?: BYOF or Food Trucks
Details: Outdoor seating & dog friendly
H&H Rating: 4/5

Brewery 33 sits right next to Lake Logan and about 15 minutes away from the Hocking Hills Visitor Center. They offer both indoor and outdoor seating and are very pet and kiddo friendly! Although there’s no kitchen, check to see if a food truck is on the schedule or get takeout from one of the restaurants nearby. We lucked out and had amazingly beautiful weather the day we visited. It was so nice to sit in the sun with a couple of beer and just relax. And the nice thing about traveling with company is you get to sample more! Any time we go to a brewery with my parents, we all taste each other’s beers. Brewery 33 had a lot of good stuff to offer, but my favorite by far was the Mingo Mango Sour. It’s their basic german sour brewed with fresh mango juice. I love a good fruity beer and this was the most refreshing brew I’ve had in a long time. The only thing that could have been better was if it was a slushie! My second favorite was the Pottery Pale Ale which was a perfect porch beer. We had a great time at Brewery 33 and we’ll definitely be back the next time we visit Hocking Hills!

Our Beer:

  • Hooker Honey Lager- Honey Beer – 5.5%
  • Gateway Gose – Sour – 4%
  • Falls Mill – Milk Stout – 4.6%
  • Westenhaver – West Coast IPA – 6.2%
  • Pottery Pale Ale – Pale Ale – 5%
  • John McBride – Brown Ale – 5.8%
  • Mingo Mango Gose – Mango Sour – 3.3%

SUM UP: Hocking Hills is a very popular state park in Ohio. The Gorge Overlook Loop takes you past some of the park’s best features. The first section can get busy, so plan accordingly. Due to the elevation changes and some rock scrambles, this hike is rated moderately difficult. There’s plenty of parking at the trailhead, which is also the parking lot for the visitor’s center. Along this trail look out for incredible features like Old Man’s Cave, the Sphinx Head, Devil’s Bathtub, and Cedar Falls. After doing this loop, you definitely deserve a beer! And what better place than Brewery 33, Hocking Hill’s first and only brewery! Sit outside and relax, knowing you saw some of the best views in Ohio!