Ohio · Hiking

Wildcat Hollow

Wildcat HollowPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)
29.5 mi
loop
1,478 ft
climb
1,068 ft
high point
Loop
route
Jun–Oct
best months

Is Wildcat Hollow open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Athens Ranger District. It doesn't name Wildcat Hollow, 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.

Wildcat Hollow is a 29.5-mile hike in Ohio's Wayne National Forest, within the Athens Ranger District and Burr Oak State Park. The State Department of Natural Resources manages the land, and the trail is a natural-surface route with no horses or bikes allowed. It is not an accessible trail. The climb is a hard one, with a total elevation gain of 1,478 feet and a high point of 1,068 feet. The steepest stretch comes at about 9.7 miles in, where the grade reaches 14 percent. The trail starts at 777 feet and ends at a similar elevation, so the total gain and loss are nearly equal. For timing, late spring and early fall are the most comfortable. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show May highs around 73°F and September highs around 78°F, with September also seeing the fewest wet days of the year. The Wildcat Hollow Trailhead is the starting point, and the hike is open year-round. Plan for about 10.5 hours on the trail. Nearby, Burr Oak Campground is about 2 miles away, and the Nct Athens East and Lakeview hikes are each within about 2 miles. Paddlers can find West Branch Sunday Creek about 4.4 miles off.

  • Best time to go · Jun–Oct

    Best time to visit Wildcat Hollow

    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

      39° / 20°

      13 wet

    2. Feb

      42° / 22°

      11 wet

    3. Mar

      52° / 29°

      12 wet

    4. Apr

      65° / 38°

      13 wet

    5. May

      73° / 49°

      13 wet

    6. Jun

      80° / 58°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      84° / 63°

      11 wet

    8. Aug

      83° / 61°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      78° / 53°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      66° / 41°

      10 wet

    11. Nov

      54° / 32°

      11 wet

    12. Dec

      43° / 25°

      13 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Mc Connellsville Lk 7, OH, 10.9 mi away at 760 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Wildcat HollowPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Wildcat Hollow

~3 min drive

0.39-mile out-and-back trail in Ohio with 54 ft elevation gain.

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

Bloodroot

~18 min drive

17.12-mile out-and-back trail in Ohio with 1,188 ft elevation gain.

Starin' HeronPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Starin' Heron

~18 min drive

3.53-mile out-and-back trail in Ohio with 558 ft elevation gain.

Wood ThrushPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Wood Thrush

~16 min drive

2.78-mile out-and-back trail in Ohio with 285 ft elevation gain.

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

Nebo Spirit

~19 min drive

10.45-mile out-and-back trail in Ohio with 1,070 ft elevation gain.

HIKE

May Apple Mayhem

~18 min drive

4.97-mile out-and-back trail in Ohio with 670 ft elevation gain.

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

Tecumseh Trail

~16 min drive

0.42-mile out-and-back trail in Ohio with 12 ft of elevation gain.

HIKE

Nct Athens Central

~11 min drive

26.60-mile point-to-point trail in Ohio with 2,219 ft elevation gain.

HIKE

Main Corridor Trail

~19 min drive

6.76-mile out-and-back trail in Ohio with 1,645 ft elevation gain

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

Monday Trail

~17 min drive

1.54-mile out-and-back trail in Ohio with 188 ft elevation gain