Conkles Hollow Rim Trail Hiking Guide
The rim loop at Conkles Hollow State Nature Preserve is the high view local guides rank first in the Hocking Hills, and one of its most exposed walks. It climbs from the gorge mouth to cliffs that rise nearly 200 feet above the valley floor, circles the head of the hollow, and comes down the other side. On several stretches the only thing between the path and a long drop is your attention.
The Loop
Steps climb away from the preserve lot at 24858 Big Pine Road near Rockbridge. Hiking Project maps it at 2.1 miles with 446 feet of climbing and a steepest grade of 26 percent. ODNR calls it a 2-mile loop and its map says 1.9; the Hocking Hills Organization's GPS logged 2.5 from step to step. One side of the gorge has many more overlooks than the other. Hiking Project suggests saving those for last, but check the direction signs at the start, because local guides describe this as a one-way loop.
Status and Hazards
On November 4, 2026, ODNR's preserve page listed no closure on this trail, and a news search found none. Field notes describe drops of 70 to 100 feet, exposed roots, slippery stone, and open gaps in the rock beside and within the footpath, where a misstep could mean a serious fall. It is no place for young children or for anyone uneasy near edges. Wet leaves and ice make it worse. Flash flooding closed Conkles Hollow on July 1, 2025, so check conditions after heavy rain.
No Dogs Means No Dogs
Conkles Hollow is a state nature preserve, and Ohio's preserves ban pets outright under OAC 1501:17-5-04, with citations and fines possible. Service animals are the exception. Hiking Project's page still tags this route as leash-friendly, and that label is wrong. If your dog is along, Rock House is a short drive away and allows leashes. Staying on the path is required here as well, because the preserve protects some of Ohio's rarest plants.
Entry and Hours
Admission and parking are free, and no reservation is needed for this preserve; it does not require the access permit some Ohio preserves do. Visiting hours run a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset. The Hocking Hills Organization suggests allowing several hours, so don't start late on a short autumn day; these exposed sections would be a poor place to be caught by dusk.
When It Shines
Local guides name October as the peak, with the best color usually falling from the second through the fourth weekend. Spring brings flowers to the slopes and clearer sightlines through bare branches. Summer shade helps on the climb. Hunting is not allowed in Ohio's state nature preserves, according to the Athens Conservancy, though the adjoining state forest does permit it. Rappelling isn't allowed on these cliffs; the legal climbing area is on state forest land a mile east along Big Pine Road.
Hiking tips for Conkles Hollow Rim Trail
- Keep at least a body length back from every cliff edge.
- Leave pets at home or at your lodging; they are prohibited even on a leash.
- Skip this trail on icy days and in steady rain.
- Read the arrow signs at the trailhead before choosing a direction.
- Add the gorge trail afterward for the view from below.
Nearby trails to explore
- Conkles Hollow Gorge Trail
- Rock House Trail (Hocking Hills State Park)
- Cantwell Cliffs Trail (Hocking Hills State Park)
Hike this trail with TrailMates
An exposed rim is better walked with someone keeping an eye out, especially in October. Set a date for Conkles Hollow in TrailMates and agree on a time and pace in the event's group chat. Download TrailMates on the App Store or Google Play.