Cantwell Cliffs
The most remote and most challenging trail in Hocking Hills — and the most rewarding for hikers who want solitude, dramatic geology, and a real workout.
🐕 Dog Friendly: Dogs allowed on leash (6 ft max). Bring water, a collapsible bowl, and waste bags. Dispose of waste at parking lot receptacles.
Highlights
Fat Woman's Squeeze, 150-foot cliffs, most remote/least crowded trail, panoramic forest views, massive slump blocks
The Trail
Cantwell Cliffs sits on a high outcropping of Black Hand sandstone roughly 17 miles from Old Man's Cave, making it the furthest major trail from the main visitor hub. This remoteness is the point — while Old Man's Cave draws thousands on a busy Saturday, Cantwell Cliffs often feels like a private park.
The two-loop trail system covers about 2 miles with 223 feet of elevation change. The signature feature is Fat Woman's Squeeze — a narrow stone corridor requiring hikers to turn sideways and descend between massive slump blocks that broke away from the cliff face thousands of years ago. The gorge walls rise over 150 feet from Buck Run Creek, and the forest below is filled with tall hardwoods, pines, ferns, and wildflowers.
The trail requires completing both the in-loop (descending to the gorge floor) and out-loop (climbing back via a different route). Expect sharp climbs, steep descents, uneven terrain, and exposed cliff edges. This is the most physically demanding trail in the park system by a significant margin.
Fall foliage at Cantwell Cliffs is exceptional — the panoramic views from the cliff tops sweep across unbroken forest, and the remote location means you'll likely have the viewpoints to yourself. It's also one of the best trails for photography: the combination of dramatic geology, dense forest, and filtered light creates conditions that are difficult to find at the busier trailheads.
Tips & What to Know
Only for confident hikers — the terrain is genuinely difficult with cliff edges, narrow passages, and sustained elevation change. Dogs are technically allowed but only recommended for experienced trail dogs with sure footing. Bring paw balm for rough rock surfaces. The tradeoff for the difficulty is solitude: this trail rarely feels crowded even on peak weekends. Allow 90 minutes minimum.
Getting There
Address: SR-374, western edge of the park
GPS: 39.539, −82.579
Parking: Small lot with pit toilets — rarely fills
Stay Near Cantwell Cliffs
Find cabins with hot tubs and fire pits minutes from this trailhead.
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