Everything you need to know before you hike:
You are entering a highly protected nature preserve. Regulations exist to protect the natural communities from the impact of public visitors. Please follow these regulations to leave Chalet Nivale as pristine as you found it. Remain on trails at all times and walk in single file to protect bulbs of native wildflowers bordering the trail which are vulnerable to soil compaction. Do not disturb, pick, or collect flowers, plants, rocks, or wildlife. Hunting, caving, fishing, trail biking, rock climbing, wading, campfires, and swimming are prohibited. Dogs are not permitted.
Address: 1272 Bacon Flat Rd, Peebles, OH 45660 38.9736529836, -83.349097942
Directions: Chalet Nivale is north of OH-32 and east of Peebles, OH. From the North: From OH-41 south, turn left on OH-73 in Locust Grove (on the far side of town). In 1.9 miles turn right on Bacon Flat Road. Continue on Bacon Flat Road for .3 mile. The preserve is signed and will be on your right. Park in the gravel parking lot. From the South: From OH-32 (Appalachian Highway), turn left on the OH-73 exit, which lies 5.2 miles east of the OH-41 exit. Follow OH-73 for .5 mile and turn left on Bacon Flat Road. Continue on Bacon Flat Road for .3 miles. The preserve is signed and will be on your right. Park in the gravel parking lot and follow the trail to the interpretive kiosk and trailhead.
Interpretive kiosk: An interpretive kiosk is located at the trailhead. We encourage you to take a picture of the trail map with your phone before hiking the trails.
Trails are open from sunrise to sunset. Note: Parking lots are not winter-maintained. Do not hike during trails during periods of heavy rain, ice and snow. Note that trails are closed during the annual deer management hunt which takes place on the 1) Monday through Sunday following Thanksgiving, and 2) Saturday and Sunday before Christmas.
Hiking Trails’ Difficulty - moderately difficult - Trails are narrow in places and rocky with unimproved creek crossings. Consider recent rainfall accumulations before planning at rip.
Trails at Chalet Nivale border dangerous, potentially life-threatening cliffs: Trails can be narrow, uneven, and steep, with some unimproved creek crossings. It is important to stay strictly on the trail and be sure to keep children close at hand.
Chalet Nivale’s Three Trails:
Crawdad Creek Trail - 1.2-mile loop explores the banks of a headwater stream as well as the rim of the 30-foot dolomite rock walls that border the shallow canyon.
Early Buttercup Trail - 1.0-mile loop follows a second headwater stream that has carved out a moist, heavily- shaded hollow, rich in spring wildflowers and bordered by steep rocky hillsides.
Golden Meadows Trail - 1.0-mile loop winds through an old field habitat that glows in golden hues in the autumn due to its dense stands of goldenrod.