region 1  Agility B Aerobics B
three Appalachian Forest Museum Trails:
  Etawah Woods, Valley of the Ancients,
  & Big Beech Woods Trails
Highlands Nature Sanctuary, The Arc of Appalachia Preserve System


Driving Distance from Region 1, one-way: Both Cave Canyon and Etawah Woods begin at the the Appalachian Forest Museum. No driving required between trips.

Difficulty: Each trail is approximately one quarter mile long. Two of the trails have several stairways. Trails are relatively wide, compared to our other trails. Several places have the assistance of hand rails. Restrooms available. Picnic Shelter in the Upper Parking Lot.v
 
The Valley of the Ancients Trail threads its way into the deepest section of the Rocky Fork Gorge through a landscape abounding in springs, waterfalls, and grottos. The trail features the Pyramid of Trilliums -- truly a wonder to behold -- and large quantities of Walter's Violet -- a state-listed miniature violet growing in shallow niches of soil harbored on the exposed rock of the bluffs. Ancient white cedars, another rare botanical in Ohio, cling from the canyon rim. Also look for Barren Strawberry, squirrel corn, and broadleaved toothwort. Trillium photo by Tim Pohlar, Other Photos by Larry Henry

The Etawah Woods Trail takes hikers into an equally stunning section of the gorge. Etawah Woods is truly Eden in the spring with a proliferation of columbine, trillium, wood anemone, green violets, goldenseal, and celandine wood poppies -- set against imposing rock walls and the shadows of giant hemlock trees. Etawah Woods is one of the few Ohio sites where the state-listed gray polypody or resurrection fern grows.  If you have sharp eyes you will also see Smooth Cliff brake and walking ferns.

 The Big Beech Trail takes hikers into an old-growth grove of giant beech trees, towering above younger maples. This classic forest boasts carpets of mayapples and occasional specimens of dwarf larkspur.

 region 1  Agility D Aerobics C

The Listening Trail at Ravenwood
             
Highlands Nature Sanctuary,
The Arc of Appalachia Preserve System

Driving Distance from Region 1, one-way: The trailhead is located at a five minute drive from the Appalachia Forest Museum.

Difficulty: Ravenwood is a one mile loop trail. It has occasional steep but moderately-long ascents and descents. It's main difficulty lies in its uneven footing over rocks, with sections of trails that can be quite slippery if it has recently rained.

Description.  The Listening Trail was designed as a contemplation trail -- with lots of natural niches to occupy and listen ... to the bird calls without, or the quiet voice within.  The trail offers a cave grotto to curl up in, slanted rocks in the creek to repose upon, and a deck jutting out over the gorge. Packed in a short distance, there are few trails as spectacular for both wildflowers and scenery than the Listening Trail. This section of the Rocky Fork Canyon has its own unique character and essence. It's steep v-shaped valley offers loamier habitats for wildflowers than the vertical cliffs farther down stream, and the flowers respond to the fertility with heady abundance. Moss, lichens, ferns and liverworts seem to cover every rock and fallen tree. This is one of the greenest, lushest habitats in the Highlands Nature Sanctuary, indeed, in the whole Arc! Hikers will see carpets of trilliums, ginger, and Solomon's seal, as well as dozens of other species. Even without flowers, the Listening Trail is a stunning trail for breath-taking scenery. Click here for more information on the Listening Trail.  Photos by Larry Henry.

  region 1  Agility C Aerobics C
 
  
Cedar Run
             
Highlands Nature Sanctuary
The Arc of Appalachia Preserve System

Driving Distance from Region 1, one-way: Located at a five minute drive from the Appalachia Forest Museum at Elder's Landing Trailhead.

Difficulty: Cedar Run has a moderate gradual slope to the top of the bluffs and back down, with two creek crossing requiring balance and willingness to walk in water 1-2 inches deep if you fall off the stepping stones! Trail length is approximately one mile, including a one-way spur to a small waterfalls.

Preserve Description. Cedar Run is a side tributary of the Rocky Fork Gorge, and this one mile loop takes you to both waterways. This trail is enchantingly beautiful with lots of rock formations, extremely lush flower displays and valley vistas. The trail crosses Cedar Run proper and then follows the stream into its mossy rock-strewn valley, taking a spur to a hidden falls, its view partially blocked by a fallen boulder. From there the trail works itself to the top of the Rocky Fork bluffs with stunning views of the floodplain below. On the thin soil of these bluffs grow hundreds of snow trilliums that bloom each spring at the end of March. Then the trail goes close to the Rocky Fork creek, hugging the base of the vertical canyon walls where drifts of Shooting Stars grow, preparing for their bloom the last week of April. Photos by Larry Henry.

  region 1   Agility C Aerobics C

Kamelands Trail
Highlands Nature Sanctuary
Arc of Appalachia Preserve System

Driving Distance from Region 1, one-way: ten minutes from the Appalachian Forest Museum to the TES Farm Trailhead

Difficulty: Length of trail is approximately 1.5 miles long over lightly rolling terrain. Narrow unimproved trail but fairly even footing. Only one gradual descent and ascent on the spur down to the creek. Trail crosses a small stream in one section with 1" deep water requiring some balance -- rock bottom can be a bit slippery. A few fallen logs to walk over.

Description: The Kamelands trail leads through what was once old rolling  pasturelands on an old farm, now dotted with healthy young junipers. The scenery is compelling, with beautiful vistas of the Sanctuary's ridgeline of blue hills. The path winds slowly into the heart of the Rocky Fork Gorge, accessing the north side of the deepest part of the gorge opposite the Appalachian Forest Museum, which you can see across the creek. The Kamelands Trail threads through a narrow cliff-edge forest bearing immense specimens of oaks, and past a small stone arch covered with herbs and flowers. The wildflowers here have a definite prairie influence, and offer a different assemblage from what is found elsewhere in the Sanctuary--reaching their peak bloom a week or two later than the Pilgrimage dates. Nevertheless, this is a good opportunity to see the rare Walter's Violet, the hallmark flower of the Rocky Fork cliffs, as well as moss phlox, wood betony, and American columbo rosettes. This is an extremely scenic trail and a favorite throughout the year. A spur takes you from the bluffs right down to the Rocky Fork's canyon floor. Stunning geological scenery throughout this trail. i