Difficulty: Moderate
Why Hike It? If you can only hike one trail in the park it should either be the East Bluff Trail or West Bluff Trail. Both offer amazing views from atop 500 cliffs. The East Bluff Trail is the main route to the parks well-known rock formations.
Description: The East Bluff Trail is a medium-difficult hike to the top of the East Bluff from the north shore trailhead. The asphalt trail uses stone steps to climb to a variety of overlooks. Depending on when you turn back, the hike can take from 1.5 to 3.5 hours.
Visitors who are looking for a shorter hike, but want to see the view, can begin from the north shore trailhead and hike the East Bluff Trail up to the first overlook, which is just above Elephant Cave by Elephant Rock. This shorter look and return will take about 1 hour.
Continuing from the first overlook, the trail continues its undulating path up and down and around the quartzite outcrops with many spectacular views along the way before intersecting with the Balanced Rock trail on the south end. From here, the East Bluff Trail continues east. This section of the trail connects to Devil’s Doorway and the Potholes Trail. Near the Potholes Trail, the official “Ice Age Trail” will turn north, while the East Bluff Trail will continue east until it becomes the CCC trail. Again, you’ll see amazing overlooks and rock outcrops, and cliffs along the way. Be sure to watch the skies for Turkey Vultures, Bald Eagles, and even Peregrine Falcons!
Note: The trail is not maintained in winter and can be icy and slippery.
Photo Gallery
Elephant Cave 
Elephant Rock 
Devil’s Doorway 
Big Views 
Overlook 
Winter Overlook
Google Map
Video Extra
What’s inside Elephant Cave?