Some hikes are not about mileage… they are about stepping into a frozen moment.
On a cold winter morning at Hemlock Falls between Malabar Farms and Mohican we found the perfect frozen moment. Luna and I explored a lesser-known waterfall tucked into sandstone ledges and forest. What All trails and trail signs claimed was a quick 0.3-mile trail turned into 1.4 miles (2.25 km). A waterfall stop transformed into a long walk along creekside trails. Quiet winter corridors where snow recorded every footprint before ours.
What to Expect
The terrain follows the familiar Ohio ledges and gorge formations, where layered sandstone cliffs frame narrow streams and waterfalls. Trails are well-marked, with bridges, boardwalk segments, and conservation signage asking hikers to stay on trail to protect native plants.
Today, winter changed everything.
Both waterfalls were frozen into towering sheets of ice. The stream still audibly flowing beneath the surface of the second fall as we stood at its base. The first cascade dropped over the ledge beside a small viewing bridge, forming thick icicles along the rock face. Standing near a frozen waterfall that you can hear moving underneath you is something photographs will never fully capture.
We encountered no other hikers, only the quiet of snow, rock walls, and the steady sound of water moving under ice.
Trail Notes
- Distance explored: ~1.4 miles (2.25 km) plus
- Marked waterfall trail listed at ~0.3 miles (0.48 km)
- Terrain: rocky gorge trails, bridges, short boardwalk sections, creek crossings
- Accessibility: Not ADA accessible
- Difficulty: Easy in dry conditions, moderate in snow or ice
- Facilities: No restrooms, no trash cans
- Parking: Small gravel lot, limited winter maintenance
- Conservation: Stay-on-trail enforcement to protect plant habitats
Ohio’s sandstone gorge regions formed through long-term erosion of sedimentary rock layers, creating the ledges, small caves, and waterfalls. These features are common throughout central and eastern parts of the state.
Why Some Locations Stay Quiet
Certain natural areas remain intentionally low-profile, especially smaller preserves without infrastructure, staffing, or waste services. Keeping traffic manageable helps prevent erosion damage, plant loss, and litter buildup in fragile gorge ecosystems. If you’re looking for the exact location, feel free to ask privately. Always follow Leave No Trace practices when visiting.
This year we’re working toward visiting every Ohio state park and preserve. As well as art sites, and outdoor landmarks, and hidden gems. I’ll be documenting the journey one trail at a time. Some places are well known. Others are small, quiet, and almost secret.
Sometimes those are the ones that stay with you the longest.
This location features multiple waterfalls. The preserve sits along sandstone cliff formations carved by ancient glacial runoff, a landscape that has shaped the Mohican River valley for thousands of years.
The area is quiet and lightly trafficked, making it ideal for those seeking solitude rather than crowded scenic stops.
Bonus Stop on This Route
If you continue the drive back toward Licking County, Honey Run Falls in Knox County makes an easy additional stop. The roadside waterfall drops roughly 25 feet beside a short walking path, making it one of Ohio’s quickest waterfall visits.
Why This Stop Is Worth It
Ohio hides countless micro-adventures, places that do not require a full-day hike but still deliver dramatic scenery. This waterfall stop is one of those locations where towering cliffs, groves, and rushing water converge within a short walking distance from the trailhead.
It is an ideal quick scenic stop when exploring the Mohican and Malabar Farm region, especially for photographers, waterfall collectors, and travelers documenting Ohio’s natural hidden gems.
Accessibility Notes
This trail is not ADA accessible due to uneven terrain, rock crossings, and elevation changes near the gorge. Winter ice can significantly increase difficulty.
