Best for:
solitude seekers, amateur geologists, rockhounds, and hikers looking for primitive trails away from the main Hocking Hills tourist hubs.
Discovering the Quiet Side of Hocking
While the nearby state park draws the masses, the Hocking State Forest Rappelling Area offers a rich chance to view, the unfiltered Appalachian plateau. Located off Big Pine Road, this 99-acre designated zone is the only state land in the county where climbing and rappelling are permitted.
For hikers, this means a trail system that hugs the base of massive vertical walls, winding through recess caves and past some of the tallest and quietest waterfalls in the region.
On March 27th a great mid 50-degree day, Kylie and I set out to explore the hollows and cliffs that define this rugged landscape. The air was crisp, and the silence of the forest was a sharp, welcome contrast to the bustling trails of Old Man’s Cave.
Navigating the Cliffs and Big Spring Trail:
Our trek began at the parking area in-front of the iconic hemlock trail in the Hocking Hills region. Crossing the road and the bridge from the lot act as gateways to two distinct experiences. To the left, the trail follows the stream to the base of the climbing cliffs, a waterfall, and the fat man-squeeze ; to the right lies the path to one of Ohio’s hidden giants and many smaller falls.
The Rappelling Walls and Fat Man Squeeze
We went to the left after the bridge first which leads you directly under the shadow of nearly a mile of sandstone cliffs. This area is a geological playground featuring:
- Fat Man Squeeze: A narrow natural passage formed by “slump blocks” massive chunks of sandstone that have pulled away from the main cliff face due to gravity and erosion.
- Table Top Rock: A unique flat-topped formation located about a half-mile along the Buckeye Trail section, offering a clear example of the area’s resistant upper layers.
The vibe here is cathedral-like. The massive overhangs create recess caves that trap sound and cool air, making even a three-mile hike feel like a journey into a different era.
Big Spring Hollow Waterfalls:
After exploring the cliff line, the fat man squeeze, and the waterfall at the end of the rappelling area, we doubled back to the bridge. Upon reaching the bridge we headed right toward the Big Spring Trail. This path culminates at Big Spring Hollow Falls, which stands at an impressive 120 feet, making it one of the tallest waterfalls in the state.
- The Climb: At the end of the trail, a scramble up the rocks gets you close to the main cascade.
- The Recess Cave: another waterfall drops over a smaller horseshoe-shaped overhang. Standing inside the cave, you can watch the secondary fall trickle down the mossy face of the Black Hand Sandstone. This is actually the first fall on the trail though you need to cross a shallow stream together to it.
The Geology of the Hollows:
The towering features of the Hocking State Forest are carved from Black Hand Sandstone. This was formed over 350 million years ago during the Mississippian Period, this rock was deposited as river delta sediment.
The squeezes and caves you encounter are the result of differential weathering. The sandstone has three distinct layers: the top and bottom are hard and cemented, while the middle layer is soft and easily eroded by wind and water. When that middle layer wears away, it creates the deep recess caves we explore. When the weight of the heavy top layer becomes too much, vertical joints (cracks) cause massive blocks to shift, creating the narrow “Fat Man Squeeze” passages that hikers love to navigate.
Final Thoughts from the Trail:
We clocked a little over 3 miles total, leaving the Amazing Grace trail for a future venture. Before heading out, Kylie and I found a spot on some downed logs near the waterfall and cave on Big Spring trail to just sit and take it all in with a cigar.
There’s a specific kind of peace found in the Hocking State Forest that you just can’t find anywhere else. I feel it is found in a mix of ancient stone history and the simple quiet of the Ohio woods.
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