Blackhand Gorge Trail

Blackhand Gorge is probably the most surprising hike we've ever done. We were passing through Ohio on a road trip, needed to stretch our legs, and someone told us about this place near Newark. We went in with zero expectations and ended up blown away.

The main trail follows an old railroad bed along the Licking River through a narrow gorge with massive sandstone cliffs on both sides. The cliffs are 100+ feet of Black Hand Sandstone - this dark, dramatic rock face with overhangs, rock shelters, and fern-covered ledges. It looks like something from West Virginia or Kentucky, not central Ohio.

The rail-trail portion is flat and easy - a wide gravel path that's accessible to basically anyone. But the real magic is the side trails. There are a few that branch off and climb up to the clifftops. The Quarry Rim Trail takes you up through the forest to overlooks above the gorge. Short but steep, and the views down into the gorge are worth the climb.

We also took the trail to the rock formations on the south side. There are these massive sandstone overhangs that create natural rock shelters, some big enough to stand in. The stone is layered and textured in ways that photographers would love. We spent way too long taking pictures of rock patterns.

The gorge gets its name from a large hand-shaped petroglyph that Native Americans carved into the Black Hand Sandstone cliff face. Unfortunately, it was destroyed in the 1820s when they blasted the cliff to build a canal. The history is both fascinating and sad. But the name stuck.

Wildlife was another highlight. We saw kingfishers diving into the river, a great blue heron fishing in the shallows, and deer on the far bank. The river section is particularly nice - clear water flowing over rocks with the cliffs towering above.

Total loop with the side trails was about 4.2 miles and took us two hours at a relaxed pace. The main out-and-back on the rail trail alone is about 2.5 miles each way if you want to go further.

This is the definition of a hidden gem. We've hiked all over the Northeast and this gorge holds its own against anything we've seen. If you're ever near Columbus or Newark, Ohio, do yourself a favor and stop here.