For icy Hocking Hills stairs, a pair of microspikes is the safest all-round choice, light coil cleats are fine for packed snow and thin ice, and nothing at all is only reasonable on a bare, dry day. Ohio DNR says the trails are often icy in winter and suggests ice cleats, and the park has urged visitors to use cleats or ice spikes after freeze-thaw closures. Here is how the options differ and how to use them.
Why gorge trails ice over
Winter ice in the gorges is patchy and sneaky. Seeps along the sandstone walls freeze, meltwater runs onto shaded steps and refreezes, and a trail that is wet in the parking lot can be glazed below the rim. Our freeze-thaw guide explains the pattern, and the winter-safe trails guide covers which trails handle cold best. This article is about the gear.
Ohio DNR's page for the state park states plainly that trails are often icy in winter, and recommends appropriate outerwear and footwear, including ice cleats. The organizers of the annual Winter Hike say the same, adding that icy steps appear in some years.
Your three choices, plus "nothing"
Coil or chain-style cleats
These are rubber harnesses with wrapped coils or short chains, often sold under names like Yaktrax. They are light, comfortable and inexpensive. They suit packed snow, thin ice and mixed pavement and trail. In side-by-side tests by outdoor reviewers, they gripped hard ice less firmly than microspikes, and the harness was less secure in deep snow. For a short, flat walk on a frosty day they are plenty. For stone steps coated in ice, they may not be enough.
Microspikes
Microspikes pair a rubber harness with a chain and short steel spikes, and they bite into hard, glazed ice. This is the type most hikers choose for Hocking Hills stairs. They are heavier and less pleasant on bare rock, and the same reviewers found them a little less stable there. Take them off, or step carefully, when the trail turns to bare stone.
Crampons
Crampons are for steep snow and ice on mountains. They are too aggressive for sandstone stairs, boardwalks and gorge trails, and they are not needed in Hocking Hills.
Nothing
Going without is reasonable on a dry, above-freezing day when you can see bare stone and dirt the whole way. It is not reasonable when the forecast dips below freezing or the day follows a thaw. If you cannot see the surface because of shade, assume ice.
Quick comparison
| Coil cleats | Microspikes | Nothing | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Packed snow, thin ice, light frost | Icy stairs, glazed steps, shaded gorge floors | Dry, bare, above-freezing conditions |
| Weak spot | Less grip on hard ice | Awkward on bare rock and metal | No margin if you hit ice |
| Weight and cost | Lighter, cheaper | Heavier, pricier | Free |
| Hocking Hills verdict | Fine for easy outings | The safer all-rounder | Only when you can see the whole route |
Match the gear to the trail
- Ash Cave gorge trail. About a quarter mile and wheelchair accessible according to Ohio DNR. The easiest winter outing, and light cleats are usually enough for the approach. Check the surface at the trailhead.
- Old Man's Cave, Cedar Falls and Rock House. About a mile each per Ohio DNR, and steps are the story. Microspikes are the sensible choice, along with patience.
- Cantwell Cliffs and the longer routes. Steeper and narrower in places, so wear microspikes, carry poles, and be ready to turn around.
If your knees are a concern, our trekking poles guide explains when poles add stability on ice.
How to wear them well
- Size them to your boot. A traction device that is loose rolls off, and one that is too tight can tear. Try them at home over the boots you will wear.
- Put them on at the car or trailhead, not halfway down a staircase.
- Walk flat-footed on bare stone. Spikes slide on smooth wet rock, and they can scratch surfaces. Keep your steps short.
- Remove them indoors, including at the visitor center or any building with hard floors.
- Dry them after use. Spikes rust, and wet harnesses degrade.
What traction cannot do
No device makes a frozen stairway safe on its own. Do not walk on frozen creeks or ponds, do not climb on ice formations, and do not leave the marked trail for a better view. Ohio DNR requires visitors to stay on marked trails at all times, and falling ice and sheer drops are real hazards below cliffs.
The park itself has closed trails after thaw-freeze cycles. In February 2022, for example, trail ice led to a closure of much of the park, and some areas reopened in stages while others stayed shut. If a trail is closed, do not go. Our guide to checking trail closures shows where to look.
Keep the rest of your kit simple
- Insulated, waterproof boots with a stiff sole. See the footwear guide.
- Layers, gloves that still let you grip railings, and a hat.
- Short daylight: trails close half an hour after sunset, so start early.
- Offline directions, because cell service is poor in the gorges. See the no-cell navigation guide.
Before you buy
Traction devices come in sizes, and the size has to match the boot, not just the shoe size on your label. A thick winter boot needs a larger setting than a trail shoe. Try them on at home with the boots you will actually wear, and check that the harness is snug without being stretched to its limit. Tuck them into an outside pocket of the pack so you can reach them without unpacking, and carry a spare pair of gloves for handling cold, wet straps. If you only visit in winter once or twice, a basic, well-fitting pair is better than an advanced one that you cannot adjust.
Bottom line
If you only buy one device for Hocking Hills in winter, make it a pair of microspikes. Choose light cleats for easy, flat outings and leave the crampons at home. Skip traction only when you can see bare, dry ground all the way, and be willing to turn around when the stairs are glazed.
Winter hikes need a warm finish.
A cabin with a fireplace or hot tub near the trailheads makes a cold-weather trip easier.
Find a cabin near the trails →Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need microspikes for Ash Cave in winter?
Not always. The Ash Cave gorge trail is short and flat, and Ohio DNR calls it wheelchair accessible, so light cleats or none can work when the surface is clear. Check conditions at the trailhead and carry traction anyway.
Are Yaktrax-style cleats good enough for Old Man's Cave?
They can handle light frost and packed snow, but reviewers find they grip hard ice less firmly than microspikes. For icy stone stairs, microspikes are the safer choice.
Can I walk on bare stone or stairs in microspikes?
You can, but steel spikes slide on smooth rock and can scratch surfaces. Shorten your steps, walk flat-footed, and consider removing them on long bare sections.
Are crampons needed in Hocking Hills?
No. Crampons are designed for steep snow and ice in the mountains and are too aggressive for the sandstone steps and boardwalks here.
What if the trail is closed because of ice?
Do not go. The park has closed trails after thaw-freeze cycles and posts notices, and it has used its Facebook page for updates. Check the Ohio DNR park page and posted signs before you drive.
Sources and verification. Winter ice and ice-cleat guidance come from the Ohio DNR Hocking Hills State Park page and the Winter Hike notes at thehockinghills.org. The February 2022 closure and the park's cleat advice are reported by News 5 Cleveland. The cleat-versus-microspike comparison draws on an OutdoorsMagic review. All sources were checked in October 2026. Traction advice is general, and conditions change daily.