47th Annual Hocking Hills Trail Run

September 20, 2025

All New Courses for 2025!

2025 Trail Run Beginning at the Naturalist Cabin in Hocking Hills State Park, the Hocking Hills Trail Run winds through vast woodlands of both Hocking Hills State Park and Hocking State Forest. Runners will navigate stream crossings, deep gorges, and lush forested paths, with challenging elevation changes throughout. The updated courses now feature nearly all trail running with minimal road running sections and is the ultimate challenge to the runner’s power of concentration.

All of the trail race routes are now available in the OuterSpatial app. You can access them through the following links:

5k Route: https://outerspatial.link/srRQOrOMZMb

10k Route: https://outerspatial.link/T6dNczRMZMb

20-40-60k Route: https://outerspatial.link/wllISbTMZMb

Runners can also access the routes by searching in the OuterSpatial app: “Hocking 5K”, “Hocking 10K”, “Hocking 20K”, “Hocking 40K”, or “Hocking 60K”. Runners can follow their location along the route without a cell signal. As long as they have the app open before they leave, they can access the entire app offline.

Hocking Hills Trail Run Race Times

The 60k run (37.5 miles) steps off at 7 a.m.

The 40k race (25 miles) will begin at 8 a.m.

The other races (5k, 10k and 20k) are individual starts between 9 and 11 a.m. Each runner in these races has an individual start and finish time recorded for them; therefore, runners can choose to start their race any time within those two hours. 5k and 10k runners plan to check-in at registration 1/2 hour before beginning your races. To get to your starting location, catch a bus located in the parking lot in front of the Visitor Center.

All runners must check-in with a (human) timer before beginning their race. All runners will be equipped with chip timing devices. Start times for some races are recorded manually and not with the chip timing. Chip timing is used to record all runners' finish times. More information on chip timing below.

Same-day registration and check-in for pre-registered runners for the Trail Run both begin at 6:30 a.m. All races meet and finish at the Hocking Hills State Park Naturalist Cabin, 19852 S.R. 664 S in Hocking County. Refreshments will be available for runners after their races.

Pets are welcome to run the course with you (on a leash of course!). Walkers are also welcome at the Hocking Hills Trail Run.

All races must start before 11 and end by 3:00 to be considered for timing and awards.

Gear Check and Showers

Gear Check and Showers will not be available.

Chip Timing!

Chip timing provides Hocking Hills Trail Run racers with accurate and timely race results.

Hocking Hills Trail Run Race Map & Elevations

Orientation Race Map (.pdf)

Trail Elevations (.pdf)

All races meet and end at the Naturalist Cabin at Old Man's Cave, 19852 St. Rt. 664 S in Logan, Ohio.

Directions (.pdf)

The new 20k (12.5 miles), 40k (25 miles) and 60k (37.5 miles) runners start/finish at the Naturalist Cabin. (The 60k trail follows the 20k trail three times; the 40k follows it twice.) The course runs up the paved service road towards the road to the Lodge, then down steps into the woods following the Purple (Whispering Cave) Trail back past the Naturalist Cabin, over the A-Frame Bridge, then left onto the Red (Gorge Overlook) Trail until crossing the Campground Road onto established single-track consisting of mostly Bridal Trail, until dropping back onto the Red (Gorge Overlook) Trail. Proceed to, and cross, State Route 374 running short distance until turning left onto the Utility Service Road leading to more single-track trail. At the Fairview Road crossing the course enters the Hocking Hills Organized Youth Camp and follows the gravel road until re-entering the forest at the end of the gravel road onto more single-track trail which empties onto a short road run starting at the intersection of State Route 374 and State Route 56 until entering the Ash Cave Rim Trail. From the uphill Rim Trail (opposite direction than the hikers) the course proceeds on the Buckeye Trail until joining the 10k Fire Tower trail out to the turn around and then continuing to the finish on the same trails as the 10k course. Water stops are located at the Utility Service Rd. (off State Route 374), Ash Cave Entrance, Cedar Falls parking lot, Campground Playground, and the Registration Table/Aid Station. The new course is almost entirely trail with some more technical trails than the old one, and a few shallow water crossings, so be prepared for a little more challenging and much more exciting trail run event!

10k (6.2 mile) runners meet at the Hocking Hills Naturalist Cabin to register for the race. They are transported by bus to the start location which is the Ash Cave Fire Tower parking lot on State Route 374. From here the course does a short out and back towards Ash Cave then back through the Fire Tower parking lot continuing towards Cedar Falls on the Buckeye Trail, passes through the Cedar Falls area, through the forest to Rose Lake, through the Old Mans's Cave Campground, over the A-Frame bridge at Old Man's Cave, past the Naturalist Cabin and to the finish line. Water stops are located at the Cedar Falls parking lot, and as you enter the Old Man's Cave Campgrounds.

5k (3.1 miles) runners meet at the Hocking Hills Naturalist Cabin to register for the race. They are transported by bus to the start location, which is the Hocking Hills Primitive Campground/Mountain Bike Trail parking lot on State Route 374. The course starts at the Mountain Bike Trailhead, proceeds through portions of the bike trail and primitive campground, crosses the road into the forest to Rose Lake, through Old Man's Cave Campground, over the A-Frame bridge at Old Man's Cave, past the Naturalist Cabin to the finish line. A water stop is located as you enter the Old Man's Cave Campground.

Awards

Age Categories: 14 or younger, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80 and older

Top 3 Males/Females in each age category receive place ribbons. Prizes to the Top M/F overall in each race. All pre-registered runners receive a T-shirt. (Same day registrations include T-shirts as available.) Races must start before 11 and end before 3:00 to be considered for timing and awards.

The Top Overall M/F in the 60k, 40k, 20k, 10k and 5k will be awarded special prizes, sponsors to be determined.

Awards are at the finish line. Be sure to pick up your medallion. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place ribbons will be mailed.

Registration and Contact Information

Registration options:

Online Registration
Mail in Registration, Must be received by 8:00 am September 13, 2025.
- 5k $25(includes t-shirt & size preference)
- 10k $35 (includes t-shirt & size preference)
- 20k, 40k, & 60k $45 (includes t-shirt & size preference)
Same day registration is available at the Naturalist Cabin (cash, check or credit cards).
- 5k $35 (includes t-shirt & size preference not guaranteed).
- 10k $45 (includes t-shirt & size preference not guaranteed).
- 20k, 40k, & 60k $55 (includes t-shirt, size preference not guaranteed)