Hazard Cave Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Cave · River/Creek · Views

The trail is easily reached and well marked. Although this is a loop trail, both ends of the trail are accessed from the Lake View Trail trailhead which is located just southwest of the parking area for the picnic/camping facilities of the park.

After a short distance on the Lake View Trail, the intersection of the Hazard Cave Trail is reached. It peels off to the left and continues through a hard wood and pine forest that is filled with rhododendrons. The trail is a gradual uphill for the first .5 miles. At that point a set of concrete steps brings the trail to the foot of a limestone bluff. Here, erosion of the bluff wall has created a unique and beautiful geological attraction. Here also, the trail becomes a man-made wooden walkway which is there to protect a growth of delicate and endangered Cumberland sandwort. Please stay on the walkway.

Hazard Cave is reached at the .8 mile mark. This is a great place to have a snack or drink of water while admiring the interesting patterns in the ceiling of the cave. From the cave, the trail goes downhill to a beautiful tight gorge with a stream flowing through on its way to Thompson Creek. The trail then emerges to intersect with the Ridge Trail. A right turn on the Ridge Trail leads to the Lake View Trail where another right leads back to parking area for the picnic/camping facilities.

The Hazard Cave Trail connects to the Natural Bridge Trail, the Lake View Trail, and the Lake Trail. By combining the four trails, a loop of about 5 miles is created. This combined route wanders by a variety of sights, including a natural bridge, beautiful Hazard Cave, many marvelous limestone wall formations, creeks, canyons and finally Arch Lake. If you would like a good 5 mile route with a variety of views, sights and solitude, this trail is recommended.

You'll find rhododendrons, pine tree, various hardwood trees, Cumberland sandwort, mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia), Magnolia Trees, reindeer lichen (Cladonia subtenuis), and british soldier lichen (Cladonia cristatella).