3 Reasons To Visit Hocking Hills In 2019

From Hocking Hills: The new year brings a trio of reasons to visit Ohio’s Hocking Hills. Visitors from around the globe will flock to the region to celebrate its glittering views and experience its famed winter activities. In addition, many cabins and inns are offering lodging specials and discounts in January.

The 54th Annual Hocking Hills Winter Hike takes place Jan. 19, kicking off the day at 9 a.m. with a six-mile trek from Old Man's Cave to Ash Cave. The Winter Hike draws thousands of hikers each year to experience the Midwest's most magnificent winter scenes. The region's gorgeous rock formations, soaring cliffs, deep gorges and stunning waterfalls freeze to icy, crystal sculptures, making the Hocking Hills one of the Buckeye State's most popular winter destinations. The hike features continuous starts from 9-11 a.m. Hot bean soup, served midway at Cedar Falls, is free, though donations are encouraged. A shuttle bus will return hikers from Ash Cave to the Old Man's Cave parking lot.

Layered clothing and good traction footwear are recommended, as snow and ice can make trails slippery. They’re also encouraged to shoot photos and videos of the region’s majestic winter beauty and to post them to Instagram, Facebook and Twitter tagging #MyHockingHills.

"Winter is truly a magical time in the Hills, as visitors immerse themselves in a spectacular winter wonderland,” said Hocking Hills Tourism Association Executive Director Karen Raymore. “Travelers can enjoy even more fun by experiencing the Winter Hike and the Frozen Festival.”

In addition to the Annual Winter Hike, the Frozen Festival is in its fourth year, dazzling visitors with more than two dozen massive glittering ice sculptures, ice carving demonstrations, live music, ice corn hole, Skee-Ball. A giant ice photo frame and an ice throne offer the perfect selfie spots. The Jan. 19 event also features local arts and crafts, food trucks, local dining and even $1 tastings from the Hocking Hills Winery, Brewery 33 and Hocking Hills Moonshine distillery.

For a perfect cozy night out, visitors can relax in the Appalachian Listening Room, a unique venue where singer-songwriters from all over the world perform in a comfy, living room-style environment, sharing the stories of their music before performing to a serious listening audience. Gospel singer Telina Frye's “The Healing Power of Music” will be featured live at the ALR, 7:30-9 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 10. A donation of $10 will be accepted at the door.

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