Ohio · Hiking

Pig Iron

Pig IronPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)
14.3 mi
round trip
1,475 ft
climb
993 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Oct
best months

Is Pig Iron open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Athens Ranger District. It doesn't name Pig Iron, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Athens Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Pig Iron is a hard hike in the Athens Ranger District of Wayne National Forest in southeastern Ohio, about 14 miles long with a total climb of roughly 1,475 feet. It starts and ends at roughly 930 feet, peaks at about 990 feet, and the steepest stretch comes around the 2.5-mile mark, where the grade reaches about 13 percent. The trail is a natural-surface out-and-back, and it is rated hard. Bikes are allowed, but horses are not, and the trail is not accessible. For timing, September is the most comfortable month, with typical highs around 76°F and lows near 54°F, and October is similar at about 65°F. These are typical averages from a nearby weather station in Athens, and the station sits several hundred feet lower than the trail, so temperatures on the route run a little cooler. The estimated trip takes about 5.5 hours, and the trail is open year round. Tipple Top and the Salt Works Trail are each about 0.3 miles away, and Lost Marbles is about half a mile off. For fishing, the Hocking River is about 7 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Jun–Oct

    Best time to visit Pig Iron

    Best months: June–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      38° / 22°

      13 wet

    2. Feb

      42° / 23°

      11 wet

    3. Mar

      52° / 30°

      12 wet

    4. Apr

      65° / 40°

      13 wet

    5. May

      72° / 50°

      13 wet

    6. Jun

      80° / 59°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      82° / 63°

      11 wet

    8. Aug

      81° / 61°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      76° / 54°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      65° / 42°

      10 wet

    11. Nov

      53° / 32°

      11 wet

    12. Dec

      43° / 27°

      13 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Athens Ou, OH, 6.9 mi away at 684 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Tipple TopPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Tipple Top

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Salt Works TrailPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Salt Works Trail

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Lost MarblesPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

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Wild TurkeyPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

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Coal Train TrailPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

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Corps TourPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

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The UndergroundPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

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Gob Pile LoopPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

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Blue DevilPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

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Nebo SpiritPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Nebo Spirit

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