The Grandma Gatewood Fall Colors Hike is one of the longest-running traditions in Hocking Hills — a free, ranger-led 6-mile hike from Old Man's Cave to Cedar Falls and back, timed to catch the early stages of peak fall color. The 2026 hike is Saturday, October 10, from 9 AM to approximately 1 PM.
Event Details
Meet at the Old Man's Cave Visitor Center at 9 AM. The hike covers roughly 6 miles of the Grandma Gatewood Memorial Trail — the trail connecting Old Man's Cave, Cedar Falls, and Ash Cave that was officially named in her honor in 1981. The 2026 event, themed "Celebrate America 250," follows the route from Old Man's Cave to Cedar Falls and back.
The hike is rated difficult. The trail includes several strenuous uphill climbs, sandstone steps, and uneven terrain. Park staff set a fast pace and cover the full distance in about 3 to 4 hours. This is not a leisurely stroll — it's a real hike that requires reasonable fitness and proper footwear.
The event is free and open to the public. No registration is required. The trail is not well-suited for young children. Pets on leash are technically allowed but not recommended given the pace and terrain.
What to Bring
Sturdy hiking boots or trail shoes (not sneakers), water (at least 1 liter), layers for cool October morning temperatures, and a rain jacket in case conditions shift. Trekking poles are helpful on the steeper sections. Bring a phone for photos but don't count on cell service throughout the gorge.
Who Was Grandma Gatewood?
Emma Gatewood was born October 25, 1887, in Gallia County, Ohio — about 90 miles southeast of Hocking Hills. She raised 11 children on a farm, endured decades of documented domestic abuse, and at age 67 became the first woman to solo thru-hike the entire 2,168-mile Appalachian Trail in 1955. She did it in sneakers, with a homemade denim bag, sleeping under picnic tables and in the open. She went on to complete the AT two more times.
Her hike generated national media coverage — Sports Illustrated, the Today Show, newspapers across America — and is credited with saving the Appalachian Trail at a time when large sections were poorly maintained and at risk of being abandoned. The attention her journey brought spurred volunteer groups to restore and maintain the trail.
She died on June 4, 1973, at age 85. The six-mile trail connecting Old Man's Cave, Cedar Falls, and Ash Cave was named the Grandma Gatewood Memorial Trail in 1981. She was posthumously inducted into the Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame in 2012.
Fall Color Timing
October 10 sits at the beginning of the foliage peak window. The ridges above Old Man's Cave should be showing strong color, with the gorge itself beginning to turn. Sugar maples on exposed slopes will be at or near peak crimson. The gorge floor will still have green mixed with the turning colors — a patchwork that has its own beauty and makes for striking photographs from the trail bridges and overlooks.
Parking
The Old Man's Cave parking lots fill early on event days. Arrive by 8:15 AM to secure a spot. Overflow parking is available at the visitor center area, but expect to walk. Carpooling or arriving with your group in a single vehicle is strongly recommended.
