The Gorge Nature Trail

Sharon Woods Gorge, Ohio

     The Durrel Gorge Nature Trail, located at Sharon Woods Gorge within Hamilton County, Ohio, meanders nearly a mile through the 90-foot limestone glacial cut gorge of Sharon Creek—the forest above the gorge consists of maple, beech, tulip-poplar, ash, hickory, walnut, and oak, all of which set the gorge ablaze with color in the autumn.

     The Richard H. Durrell Gorge Trail, a 0.7-mile one-way crushed gravel path, winds through the mixed wood forest following alongside Sharon Creek for its entirety—numerous waterfalls cascading over tiered shelves of shale provide the hiker with beautiful distractions.

     Wooden viewing platforms, a wide footbridge, and several informative signs are well-placed along the trail, which add to the enjoyment of this state Dedicated Natural Area—despite the presence of the overlooks, the best angles for photography of the cascades require scrambling down to the creek. Take your time exploring and/or photographing the falls as you hike up the gentle grade of the Gorge Trail—eventually, the path ends at the Sharon Lake Dam. At this point you can retrace your steps for a 1.4-mile roundtrip hike, or cross the road for an excursion along the paved trail that encircles Sharon Lake.