Sharon Woods County Park: Gorge Trail (Blog Hike #4)

Trail: Durrell Gorge Trail
Hike Location: Sharon Woods County Park
Geographic Location: Sharonville, OH (39.28224,-84.38843)
Length: 1.4 miles
Difficulty: 4/10 (Moderate)
Dates Hiked: 1997, March 2006, June 2013, June 2020
Overview: A rolling out-and-back through the mature forest of Sharon Woods Gorge passing two large waterfalls.
Park Information: http://www.greatparks.org/parks/sharon-woods
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=716324

Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: 

Directions to the trailhead: On the north side of Cincinnati, take I-275 to US 42 (exit 46).  Exit and go south on US 42.  Drive US 42 0.5 miles to Kemper Road and turn left onto Kemper Road; there is a traffic light at this intersection.  Take Kemper Rd. 0.6 miles to the park entrance, then turn right to enter the park.  Drive the park entrance road 0.2 miles to Buckeye Falls Drive (another park road) and turn left on Buckeye Falls Drive.  Trailhead parking is 0.2 miles ahead on the right immediately after crossing the dam that creates Sharon Lake.

The hike: Sharon Woods is a popular park with two central features: the gorge through which this trail passes and the man-made lake located just upstream.  The natural beauty of this trail makes it one of the most scenic in the county.  Yet, it can get a bit crowded on a nice weekend because it is a short trail near a major population center.  The presence of civilization in the form of a golf course and automobiles cuts into the beauty somewhat.  Still, this trail is well worth the hike for the views and waterfalls that it accesses.
            The trail starts a few feet up the road, to the west of the parking area.  From the trailhead, the trail immediately heads up a small hill with the creek about 50 feet below on the right.  Once on top, you begin the long descent into the gorge.  The descent starts rather steeply but later becomes more gradual.             

Hiking the Gorge Trail

            Near the end of the steep section is an overlook of the gorge and a beautiful cascade in the creek below. The creek hardly ever dries up thanks to the regulated flow of water provided by the dam you crossed on your drive in.  The trail becomes less steep as you continue through rather mature forest, with the creek becoming closer and closer on your right and the golf course that I mentioned in the introduction doing the same on your left.

First waterfall

            At the bottom of the hill, the trail takes a turn to the right and crosses the creek on a relatively new, high bridge.  Make sure to observe the cliff face and the wildflowers in season along this part of the trail.  Shortly after passing an old bridge abutment, a rest area on the left overlooks another waterfall, this one not quite as high but equally breathtaking as the cascades you saw from the overlook earlier.           

Second waterfall

            This last overlook lies near the main park road.  A few years ago, the return route took you along the opposite face of the gorge, but due to erosion, the Gorge Trail is now a linear trail and ends here.  To get back to you car, you can either retrace your steps back along the Gorge Trail (a prettier walk), or continue onward and take the parcourse fitness trail back up the hill.

Lower end of Gorge Trail (near picnic area)