10 Great Hiking Mountains In Ohio

The mountains in Ohio are mostly really large hills. Ohio is often thought of as the beginning of the fertile Midwestern states where much of the corn, wheat, and other crops that the entire country relies on are grown. Ohio’s landscape is mostly plains and grasslands suitable for growing crops and keeping cows and farm animals. But the Appalachian Plateau which covers almost the entire eastern portion of the state does have some large hills, deep valleys, and amazing camping and hiking. Because the highest point in Ohio is less than 2,000 feet the hiking in Ohio is great for people who aren’t that experienced at hiking or who don’t like heights.

10 Mountains In Ohio

The mountains in Ohio may be lacking in height but they aren’t lacking in views. If you like to go for a walk in the woods and not have to stress yourself out with swift steep climbs then Ohio is a great place to visit. It’s also a very family friendly vacation spot because these hills and mountains in Ohio are perfect for family hiking even with small children:

Campbell Hill

Located in: Bellefontaine

Height: 1,545 feet

Nearby City:  Bellefontaine

Known For: Campbell Hill is the highest point in Ohio and one of the few locations in the state that have enough elevation to classify as a mountain. Typically anything over 1,000 feet in elevation is considered a mountain and not just a big hill. But even though Campbell Hill is the largest mountain in Ohio it’s most well known for being the former home of the Bellefontaine Air Force Station. Even though the station is long closed the summit now is occupied by the Ohio Hi-Point Career Center.

You can drive almost directly the summit, and the grounds at the top of this mountain are flat and grassy. The views are great, so it’s worth the drive up to see if you’re in Ohio. Campbell Hill is also located just five miles from the only downhill ski resort in Ohio.

Appalachian Mountains

Located in: Indian Point Park

Height: varies

Nearby City:  Painsville

Known For: A portion of the famous Appalachian Mountains run through Ohio and cover nearly 35 counties. Even though there are no specific peaks of note in this stretch of the Appalachian Mountains it’s one of the most bio-diverse forests in the country. Hiking through the Appalachian mountains in Ohio you will go through dense old growth forests that house a huge range of plants and wildlife.

As you are hiking and camping in this Appalachian Mountain region of Ohio you will very likely see animals like white-tailed deer, rabbits, wild turkeys, grouse, squirrels, and small woodland animals. This area is also home to a huge variety of birds including mourning doves. Many bird-watchers frequent this area and are active in the early morning.

Hocking Hills

Located in: Hocking Hill State Park

Height: 961 feet

Nearby City:  Logan

Known For: Hocking Hills is a network of hills, caves, and valleys that sit at the bottom of the Appalachian Mountain stretch in southeastern Ohio. The entire area is within Hocking Hill State Park, which is one of the most popular outdoor destinations in Ohio. Hocking Hill State Park has camping, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and much more.

This park is very family-friendly and it has a wide variety of overnight and day camps for children of all ages to teach them about nature and conservancy while also teaching them hiking and outdoor skills.

There are seven huge hiking areas within Hocking Hill State Park and all hiking trails in the park are one way loop trails that make them easy for kids and families to hike together. Dogs are permitted in many areas as long as they are leashed. Camping options range from basic campsites to luxury cottages with hot tubs and other amenities. However, the cabins and cottages fill up quickly so keep that in mind if you’re planning a camping trip to Hocking Hill State Park.

Sugarloaf Mountain

Located in: Great Seal State Park

Height: 1,213 feet

Nearby City:  Chillicothe

Known For: Sugarloaf Mountain is one of the most popular mountains in Ohio because it offers a wide range of activities. You can hike Sugarloaf Mountain all year long, even though camping in the surrounding state park is not available in the winter. Hiking on Sugarloaf Mountain is popular but you can also run, ride horses, and ride mountain bikes on the mountain.

Great Seal State Park, where Sugarloaf Mountain is located, is also a great place for outdoor activities. There are nearly 2,000 miles of trails in the park that are all open for hiking, trail running, mountain biking, or horseback riding.

The main hiking trial on Sugarloaf Mountain is the Sugarloaf Mountain Loop Trail. It’s a relatively challenging 3 mile loop that will take you to the peak of the mountain and back down again. If you’re camping in Great Seal State Park you can do this hike in an afternoon. If you’re just in the park for the day you can do this hike in a day but you should start early since it is a challenging hike.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park High Point

Located in: Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Height: 1,170 feet

Nearby City:  Cleveland

Known For: The Cuyahoga Valley National Park High Point is technically a mountain because it’s over 1,000 feet in elevation but it’s part of a much larger and more significant area within the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The park is almost 33,000 acres of reclaimed rural land that the state and national government wanted to protect from development. The Cuyahoga Valley is a stunning natural area that showcases the beauty of Ohio.

Originally the Cuyahoga Valley was home to native American tribes like the  Wyandot, Iroquois, Ottawa, Objibwe, Munsee, Potawatomi, Miami, Catawba, Shawnee, and the Delaware Nation. Now the beautiful forests, hills, and rivers in the Cuyahoga Valley are one of the best places in the state to see Ohio’s wildlife, hike, fish, camp, and enjoy the breathtaking beauty of this area. If you’re planning a hiking trip to the Cuyahoga Valley check out the Brandywine Gorge Trail, the Ledges Trail, and the Kendall Lake Loop Trail to see the best views this park can offer.

Mount Jeez

Located in: Mohican Hills

Height: 1,310 feet

Nearby City:  Perrysville

Known For: Mount Jeez isn’t one of the biggest mountains in Ohio, but it’s got one of the prettiest views in the entire state. This large hill is known throughout the state and the country for the stunning views from the top. Mount Jeez, located in the beautiful Mohican Hills region, looks out over the green hills and gorgeous trees of the Pleasant Valley.

Although the greenery is lovely to look at any time of the year Mount Jeez is a must see in the autumn when the trees turn colors. The view from the top of Mount Jeez in the autumn is famous for the gorgeous hues of the trees it overlooks. It’s also stunning in the winter snow.

Another reason why Mount Jeez is so popular with hikers and outdoor enthusiasts is that it looks down on Malabar Farm. Malabar Farm is a beloved institution in the region. It was the primary home of Pulitzer-Prize winning author Louis Bromfield, who used the location in several of his books. You can take a tour of his historical home or participate in a large number of educational programs held on the farm.

Radar Hill

Located in: Ohio University

Height: 863 feet

Nearby City:  Athens

Known For: Radar Hill is more than just another fun hill to hike in Ohio. Although it’s not technically one of the mountains in Ohio it is a very large hill with a very unique past. This hill is right on the campus of Ohio University. It’s the highest point in Athens, OH and you can get a great view of the entire campus and city from the top of the hill.

But what Radar Hill is really famous for is that is was originally built during WWII as a defense radar station, which is where the name comes from. Later on it was used by the Air Force, who turned it into a very small scale defense research site. In the 1960’s it was retrofitted to be use for lunar and space studies. It was also used as a satellite tracking station.

Now Radar Hill is just a fun place for students and the public to get a good hike without leaving town. If you park at the Old Water Tower on campus and walk about a mile to the hill you’ll get a nice walk and some great views once you get to the top.

Mount Miserable

Located in: Logan County

Height: 1,486 feet

Nearby City:  Jefferson

Known For:  There are not that many mountains in Ohio that are over 1,000 feet so if you’re trying to stick to mountains over 1,000 feet on your hikes you should hike up Mount Miserable in Logan County. Mount Miserable is much like the other mountains and large hills in Ohio but it slightly taller than many of the others. It’s relatively easy to access and it’s a simple hike during most of the year. Like most hikes in Ohio it can be tricky in the winter due to bad weather.

If you do hike in the winter in Ohio make sure that you have clothing appropriate for wet and cold weather and make sure that you are used to hiking in snow and have snowshoes. While Ohio doesn’t get a lot of snow if you are hiking in the snow you will appreciate  having snowshoes or other snow gear with you.

Bender Mountain

Located in: Bender Mountain Nature Preserve

Height: 469 feet

Nearby City:  Delhi Township

Known For: Bender Mountain is a mountain in name only because it’s not that tall, but it’s one of the best spots in the Bender Mountain Nature Preserve for hiking and outdoor fun. The Bender Mountain Nature Preserve is right in Delhi Township so it’s easy to get to and access. Delhi Township and a conservancy group maintain all the trails in this large nature park. It’s one of the best places in the state to see native Ohio wild flowers. And you can see them in huge swaths in open green fields as you’re hiking.

There are dozens of trails in the Bender Mountain Nature Preserve. They range from beginner trails that are perfect for kids, families, and those who just want a nice walk to serious trails for serious hikers and trail runners. The Bender Mountain Loop Trail is the most popular hiking trail in the area. It’s an intermediate trail that is about a four mile loop around and up Bender Mountain then back down again.

Cantwell Cliffs

Located in: Hocking Hills State Park

Height: 269 feet

Nearby City:  Rockbridge

Known For: The Cantwell Cliffs are off the beaten trail. They’re hidden gems in Hocking Hills State Park and they are well worth the effort to see. These cliffs tower over the hills and gulches below them and provide some stunning views of the foothills. They also give great views of the Appalachian Mountains in Ohio. Be prepared to climb, scramble, and squeeze through the natural twists, turns, and passages in the rocks though. Some of the spaces are very tight. There are gorgeous mountain waterfalls, unique rock formations, and an ethereal beauty that you won’t find anywhere else.

10 Tallest Mountains In Ohio

• Campbell Hill
• Mount Miserable
• Bristol Ridge
• Round Knob
• Bald Knob
• Hulse Hill
• Ralston Knob
• Short Ridge
• Connecting Ridge
• Galloway Knob

Highest Point In Ohio

Campbell Hill-1,545 feet

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The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/LarryKnupp