Category: Auto Tours

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Back Roads from Lake Logan to Old Mans Cave

The route in this article is a point-to-point drive from the marina of Lake Logan to the parking lot of Old Man’s Cave. With Fall here it is time to find some nice roads to drive. These back roads from Lake Logan to Old Mans Cave have some crazy corners, a large variety of road surfaces, and narrow lanes. It is not meant for a sports cars or pavement princesses. The beautiful variety of scenery is something to behold. Starting at the water’s edge and transforming into scenes of gorgeous hemlock trees, this route won’t disappoint.

Ruby the Wrangler at the Lake Logan Marina
Ruby at the Lake Logan Marina

Lake Logan Road to Wildcat Hollow

We start the route at the Lake Logan Marina on Lake Logan Rd. Lake Logan Marina rents pontoon boats, peddle boats, kayaks, and paddle boards. Once on Lake Logan Road, drivers will get good views of the lake. In the immediate area are the beach and various pullouts and fishing points. Another feature on our route in the vicinity of Lake Logan is Wildcat Hollow Road. Said to be one of the most beautiful roads in Hocking County. HockingHills.com calls Wildcat Hollow Road one of the most beautiful roads in Hocking County.

Rocky Fork Road

Proceeding on our route we find another beautiful and unique road in the area; Rocky Fork Road. This chip ‘n seal one lane township road has some crazy corners and beautiful forested overhangs. It is no doubt one of the prettiest and most interesting roads I’ve driven in the area. For the most part there isn’t a lot of traffic. While most definitely not a faster way to the caves, it is much quieter than the highway or other major county roads. Check out other awesome regional gravel roads in an article about the Zaleski State Forest Roads.

A view form inside Ruby at the beautiful bluffs of Wildcat Hollow Road.
Wildcat Hollow Road

Hard Times for the GPS

This route will place drivers almost directly across State Route 664 from the parking lot of Old Man’s Cave, with a right turn then a left into the lot directly after. Some of these turns and corners can be a bit confusing. The GPS has a hard time at moments, with times when it wants to turn drivers down a road that doesn’t exist, before it then quickly recalculates. The Back Roads from Lake Logan to the Old Mans Cave has been marked on Google Maps and a link is included below. In order to properly track the route, stops were pinned along the way. These locations are not actual places to stop. For the most part, the roads adjoin private property. Just click “continue” when reaching one of these stops in order to proceed along the route.

Have Fun and Get Off the Beaten Path

Overall, this is a fun drive and a great way to get off the beaten path and into the real hills of Hocking County. Remember to enjoy every part of vacationing when in the Hocking Hills. There is more than just caves to see and highways to drive. There is a whole other side of the region that even locals may not know. And some I am sure I have yet to find! Hocking Hills Topless Rental is here to help you have fun and get out and “Enjoy Nature Topless!”

Link to: Back Roads From Lake Logan to Old Man’s Cave

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Big Pine Loop

Over my lifetime I have traveled many roads around my beautiful county. Now that I have the chance to share these roads, I think it is only reasonable to point others to some of the best roads and routes to tour in Hocking County. This specific loop I have thought up, isn’t a very difficult or little-known route. In fact, it uses some very well-traveled state routes and county roads that are smooth sailing but also very beautiful. I call it the Big Pine loop, since the road most traveled its Big Pine Road, which is one of the prettiest roads in Hocking County according to hockinghills.com.

Jeep at Lake Logan Dam

Cruise Through Beautiful Hemlock Groves


The Big Pine loop in total is 40 miles long and will take about 1.5 to 2 hours to complete. Starting out this circuit, I pulled into the Lake Logan Dam and took in the streaming water, though I didn’t stay long, due to quite a cold rain coming down. Turning right out of the lot I traveled down State Route 664 South for about 3.5 miles, then I took another right onto Big Pine Road. Once on the county road I cruised through beautiful hemlock groves, skirted the bottom of sheer cliff faces and dipped in and out of great turns and corners.

There are a few points that might be a bit confusing, be sure to keep left at the intersection of Big Pine and Kreashbaum road (the signs are a little confusing). Also, when the intersection of Big Pine and State Route 374 is reached, continue straight. At mile 17, Big Pine Road dead ends into State Route 56, turning left, I continued to South Bloomingville. Once in town, I kept straight at the intersection, this led me down State Route 664 North, this section of road is also part of the Hocking Hills Scenic Byway, which we have an article on. This highway will stretch past Old Man’s Cave and back into Logan.

Interest Along the Way


Some points of interest that may be worth stopping at is of course Lake Logan Dam, also at mile 10.5 Conkle’s Hallow State Nature Preserve is off to the right, just before the State Route 374 intersection. In South Bloomingville there is a gas station, a Hunts Brother’s Pizza shop and also there is JimBo’s Burgers and Beer. Continuing on down State Route 664 is Grandma Faye’s Grocery off to the left. As mention around mile 28 Old Man’s Cave will be on the right.

Conkles Hollow Sign

Turns and Mileage


Start at Lake Logan Dam
Turn Right out of the parking lot onto SR 664 S.
Continue for 3.5 miles
Turn Right onto Big Pine Road
Keep left at mile 7.9 (away from Kreashbaum Road)
At mile 10.5 Conkle’s Hollow is on the Right
At mile 10.8 Continue Straight on Big Pine Road
Continue for 7 miles
Turn Left at mile 17.7 onto SR 56
Continue for 5 miles on SR 56
Keep straight at mile 22.9 onto SR 664 N (the intersection of South Bloomingville)
At mile 25.9 Keep Right to stay on SR 664/SR 374
At mile 28 Old Man’s Cave will be on the Right
Continue for 12 miles back to Logan

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Black Diamond North Auto Tour

Black Diamond North Route

Black Diamond North Auto Tour route from Logan borrows from Ohio Windy 9 Black Diamond route. The route is about 56 miles in distance, and travels through Wayne National Forest in the southern part, and rolling agricultural areas in the north. Furthermore, it features some notable roller coaster road sections and fun high speed curves especially along State Route 93 from New Straitsville to Webb Summit. There are some interesting stops along the way.

Gazebo at Thomas Worthington Park

Black Diamond North Route from Logan starts in downtown Logan, Ohio at the Worthington Park located at the southwest corner of Main St and Market St. To begin, proceed east on Main St. one block and turn left onto Mulberry St, State Route 93. 93 then turns immediately right on Hunter before veering off the the left on Zanesville Rd. After that follow State Route 93 North out of town to Webb Summit. Just beyond Webb Summit, turn left on State Route 668.

State Route 668 North from SR 93 presents some challenging sections of road with hills and curves not for the faint of heart! All of a sudden this 10.4 mile section to Junction City demands drivers’ full attention. Upon reaching State Route 37 in Junction City, turn left and follow 37 for 0.8 miles, then turn right at 668 and proceed north for about 6 miles to Somerset. This section contains the largest roller coaster road hills section of the entire tour.

Somerset

Upon entering Somerset, turn right at the stop sign on US Route 22. Proceed one block to the town square then turn right on State Route 13 South. There are some interesting businesses and buildings near the center part of Somerset. Perhaps a brief walking tour would be in order? One short block south of the Somerset square is an Ohio Historical Marker for General Philip Henry Sheridan who grew up in Somerset. Several eateries and the Somerset Library are located within a block of the Somerset square in the central business district.

Continuing the Black Diamond North Auto Tour, proceed southeast on State Route 13 through rolling agricultural countryside for 9 miles to New Lexington, Ohio. Upon entering New Lexington, find a Dairy Queen on the left where 13 also turns left and shares the route with State Route 37 East. New Lexington presents many route signs and turns. After several turns, be alert for the State Route 93 right turn just beyond the central business district. Leave 13 and proceed south on 93.

Shawnee

Within 2 miles from leaving New Lexington, re-enter the Wayne National Forest. Travel an additional 7 miles and arrive at Shawnee, Ohio. Shawnee is home to the the Buckeye Trail headquarters, as well as the Black Diamond Tavern. Give consideration to stopping in Shawnee to visit both, as well as paying a visit to the Shawnee town chickens free ranging in and around the public green space next to the Black Diamond Tavern. Just south of the intersection of 93 and State Route 155, find on the left the entrance to Tecumsey Lake. This is a great place to take a hike!

Proceeding south on 93 from Shawnee, arrive in New Straitsville after 2.5 miles. Follow 93 south from New Straitsville back towards Logan. The section of 93 from outside New Straitsville to Webb Summit has the best high speed curves as the highway follows the Monday Creek valley. Arrive back in Logan in 12 miles.

Map of Black Diamond North Auto Tour route
Black Diamond North Tour Map
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The Hocking Hills Nipper

The Hocking Hills Nipper is part of the Ohio Windy 9. This is a collection of self-guided motorcycle circuits centered around Athens, Ohio. Also, these roads are great for auto touring. Hocking Hills Topless Rentals takes interest in all fun driving roads. Even if they are catered to other vehicles. If you are going to have fun, then we want you to know about it! Plus, motorcycles are the ultimate Topless vehicles. We and the Windy 9 are meant to be together.

The Hocking Hills Nipper roads are known best for their scenery, cornering and smooth, open roads; much like the Hocking Hills Scenic Byway discussed last month. As the name suggests, there are 9 drives to choose from. However, we plan to only talk about the Hocking Hills Nipper in this article since it is based around the Hocking Hills region. We will visit other Windy 9 circuits later.

The Hocking Hills Nibbler consists of many roads that are great for driving; State Route 56, a stretch of Highway US 33; and State Route 664, The route also holds State Route 595 and 216, beautiful roads in Wayne National Forest. There are multiple small towns along the way as well, like New Straitsville, Chauncy, and South Bloomingville as well as Logan and Athens might be able to aid in a need for fuel or food, if the need arises. Athens, Ohio, home to Ohio University is also home to some great eateries and micro-breweries like Little Fish and Jackie O’s.

Lunch in Athens, Ohio touring The Hocking Hills Nipper

The Hocking Hills Nibbler is a 92-mile route in full, which should take around 2+ hours to tour at average speeds with no pit stops or sightseeing. However, as stated earlier, it is highly recommended to check out Athens and what the city has to offer. The Windy 9 has great support, with a beautiful website and a way to request maps, or download them as a pdf. Check out their website at https://www.windy9.com/ for directions and maps.

The Hocking Hills Nibbler is a beautiful drive and is likely to be enjoyed by all drivers. Remember to check it out the next time you’re on holiday in the Hocking Hills; and to really get a full experience, ride with the top down in a Corvette rental or Jeep rental at Hocking Hills Topless Rentals. As always, be sure to Enjoy Nature Topless!

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Hocking Hills Scenic Byway

The Hocking Hills Scenic Byway is a great location for driving. However there in no compilation of roads and routes that can be recommended to people who wish to tour the beautiful Hocking Hills Region. Here at Hocking Hills Topless Rentals, we are all about awesome drives and beautiful scenery. Whether it’s a sports car rental or Jeep rental, there is a road for the driver and a car for the road. Look for a compilation of great drives in the Hocking Hills Region here!

Great Drive Just Off US 33

To start off our compilation of roads to experience in the Hocking Hills, we will talk about the well-known, and spoken about Hocking Hills Scenic Byway. This relatively short drive starts in Rockbridge, Ohio. Here, State Route 374 dead ends into US Route 33. OH-374 is a beautiful, well-maintained, two-lane road. It expresses itself with fun turns, great views and Hocking Hills State Park. One of the Parks, about 6 miles into the drive, mentioned is Cantwell Cliffs. It is a relatively small park with some very picturesque locations and steep trails. Don’t wander off trails.

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Shortly after Cantwell Cliffs, OH-374 merges with State Route 180. It turns right and heads down into the valley. Drivers will be required to take a few turns that will bring them close to glorious cliff faces. Continuing down the highway for about another 4 miles, State Route 374 will split away from OH-180 at Mound Crossing. Eventually the road gives way from rolling plains back into State Forests.

Rock House, Old Man’s Cave, Cedar Falls, Ash Cave

Soon the unique, Rock House will be off to the left of the road. This park is the only proper cave in the Hocking Hills, with a corridor halfway down the side of a hill face. Drivers will pass the state park headquarters and at around mile 20, drivers will turn left on to State Route 664 toward Old Man’s Cave. Once past Old Man’s Cave, (about mile 22) S.R. 374 will once again break off and turns right to head through a wonderful over-hill hemlock forest and around to Cedar Falls.

At mile 26 tourists will turn right at the junction of S.R. 374 and Rt. 56, just after the turn will be Ash Cave, another beautiful park in the region. Most information found about the Hocking Hills Scenic Byway says the drive stops at the junction of 374 and 56. However, in further investigation, I noticed that they recently extended the drive further down State Route 56 and through the cool and dark valley. After a few miles of great curves, 56 will again meet with 664 in the small town of South Bloomingville, turning right again send drivers right back towards Old Man’s Cave and eventually Logan.