Olympic’s Quintessential Hike: Hoh River Trail
See our Best Trails guide, including World’s Best Hikes: 20 Epic Trails.
Tucked away in the most northwestern part of the Pacific Northwest, Olympic National Park is a waterlogged wonderland befitting of its name: any place so magical must be a dwelling for the gods.
Surrounded by bodies of water to the north, east, and west, the secluded one-million-acre park is home to towering, glaciated peaks and stunning vistas, a distinctly beautiful coastline, and one of the most rare and magnificent of ecosystems—the temperate rain forest.
With western-facing valleys that receive up to 14 feet of rain annually, the Olympic Peninsula is the wettest region in the lower 48 states, and is enriched with landscapes so lush that life literally seems to drip from the trees, and every inch is carpeted with green.
There is perhaps no better hike for experiencing the grandeur of Olympic’s forests than the Hoh River Trail, a 31-mile out-and-back that starts on the western side of the park and climaxes at a glacier-adjacent meadow at the base of Mt. Olympus, the range’s highest mountain. And for those who would prefer to see a rain forest without the rain, there’s no better time to hike the trail than right now, as the Hoh region averages just over three inches of rain per month in the summer, and the temperatures are typically mild and pleasant.
The trail is mostly flat for much of the way as it follows the northern banks of the river, but begins an abrupt ascent at mile 11, where it climbs 3,000 feet over four miles as it veers up from the Hoh on its way to Glacier Meadow.
Most hikers will want to allot at least three days to hike the trail, and there are numerous campgrounds along the way to pitch a tent. And despite what the weather forecast might say, it is very much advised to pack multiple layers, with at least one being waterproof. Even in paradise—and perhaps especially so—clouds can crash the party at any time.
Related Topics
Go Further
Animals
- These 'trash fish' are among Earth's most primitive animalsThese 'trash fish' are among Earth's most primitive animals
- These photos are works of art—and the artists are bugsThese photos are works of art—and the artists are bugs
- The epic migration of a 6-foot long, 200-pound catfishThe epic migration of a 6-foot long, 200-pound catfish
- Frans de Waal, biologist who studied animal emotion, dies at 75Frans de Waal, biologist who studied animal emotion, dies at 75
Environment
- Are synthetic diamonds really better for the planet? The answer isn't clear-cut.Are synthetic diamonds really better for the planet? The answer isn't clear-cut.
- This year's cherry blossom peak bloom was a warning signThis year's cherry blossom peak bloom was a warning sign
- The U.S. just announced an asbestos ban. What took so long?The U.S. just announced an asbestos ban. What took so long?
- The most dangerous job? Inside the world of underwater weldersThe most dangerous job? Inside the world of underwater welders
- The harrowing flight that wild whooping cranes make to surviveThe harrowing flight that wild whooping cranes make to survive
History & Culture
- Meet the powerful yokai that inspired the demon king in ‘Demon Slayer’Meet the powerful yokai that inspired the demon king in ‘Demon Slayer’
- A surprising must-wear for European monarchs? Weasels.A surprising must-wear for European monarchs? Weasels.
- Meet the woman who made Polaroid into a cultural iconMeet the woman who made Polaroid into a cultural icon
- Inside the observatory that birthed modern astrophysicsInside the observatory that birthed modern astrophysics
- See how Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr around the worldSee how Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr around the world
Science
- NASA smashed an asteroid with a rocket. The debris could hit Mars.NASA smashed an asteroid with a rocket. The debris could hit Mars.
- Humans really can have superpowers—scientists are studying themHumans really can have superpowers—scientists are studying them
- Why engineers are concerned about aging infrastructureWhy engineers are concerned about aging infrastructure
- The benefits of eating the peels on your fruits and veggiesThe benefits of eating the peels on your fruits and veggies
- The island of Santorini is hiding an explosive secretThe island of Santorini is hiding an explosive secret
Travel
- Play and stay in the mountains of eastern Nevada
- Paid Content
Play and stay in the mountains of eastern Nevada - This couple quit the city to grow wasabi in Japan's mountainsThis couple quit the city to grow wasabi in Japan's mountains