It's no secret that Cincinnati is made up of many hills, but it turns out that there are several places near our city that also boast a unique landscape. While a road trip through Ohio often feels like one field after another, there are parks and preserves to explore all over our region that offer diverse scenery and plant life. If you're looking to do some hiking near Cincinnati to get a taste of that natural beauty, head to Yellow Springs and Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve. While beautiful all year long, in the summer this deep green gorge near Cincinnati feels like something straight out of a fairy tale and provides an excellent destination to relax in nature.

Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve is a 268-acre property in Yellow Springs, just east of Dayton.

Cut from a glacier, this gorge is worthy of a day trip from Cincinnati, if only to witness a geological wonder right here in our state. The gorge is a popular hiking spot for this reason, and also because it is downright beautiful all year long.

During the summer, the gorge is covered with a deep green canopy, giving it a fairy tale-like atmosphere.

Not only is this canopy scenic, but it also provides a cool shade - perfect for summer hiking.

Along the hiking trails through the gorge, expect to find unique rock formations, many of which have broken off over the years.

The plant life is abundant and includes unique finds such as hemlock, red baneberry, Canada yew, arbor-vitae, and mountain maple. As a designated preserve, the lands are left untouched so you can witness the evolution of nature on its own.

The river that cuts through the gorge adds another level of beauty and interest to the landscape.

You'll hike along and over it at times, and you will also be treated to waterfalls, especially after rainfall. The sound of the rushing water and the cool forest breeze are enough to relax you in every way possible.

Spring is also a great time to visit Clifton Gorge near Cincinnati.

Trails are lined with budding trees and bushes and it's one of the best places in the region to view wildflowers.

With a green gorge in the summer comes a vibrant and colorful scene in the fall.

Many visitors head to Clifton Gorge in the fall, and it’s not hard to see why.

If you really want quiet and solitude, visit Clifton Gorge in the winter.

Weather permitting, the trails are still open and they are just as magical. With a dusting of fresh snow on the ground, winter just makes for another beautiful season in the gorge.

Visit the trails any time of year, but if you are there on a weekend, check to see if the Nature Center is open.

The center is open April through October on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It provides a great opportunity to learn more about the gorge, how it was formed, and the unique characteristics it offers.

Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve is a gem in Ohio that offers a deep green gorge near Cincinnati in the summer, and equally beautiful scenery all year long. Step into the pages of a fairytale at this wonderful hiking spot near Cincinnati. Have you had a little adventure at Clifton Gorge? Do you enjoy taking a day trip to Yellow Springs? Let us know in the comments!

For more information on Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve, visit its website here.

Address: 2381 State Route 343, Yellow Springs, OH 45387

And for another gorge that's not far from Cincinnati and offers a different type of landscape and hiking, check out our previous article here.