Emerald Exploration: Hall of Mosses Trail in Olympic National Park

Immerse yourself in the unparalleled beauty of the Hall of Mosses Trail, where every step reveals the vibrant greens of the ancient Hoh Rainforest.

Last updated: May 2024

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$30 National Park entrance fee
More than 500 Miles from you
World Class: Exceptional experiences that are among the best things to do in the world
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Description

Explore the emerald heart of Olympic National Park on the Hall of Mosses Trail, a serene journey through lush, moss-covered forests. Immerse yourself in the unparalleled beauty of the Hall of Mosses Trail, where every step reveals the vibrant greens of the ancient Hoh Rainforest. The Hall of Mosses Trail offers a rare glimpse into the heart of the Hoh Rainforest, part of Olympic National Park's diverse ecosystem. This 0.8-mile loop trail, with an elevation gain of around 100 feet, is a journey through a verdant landscape teeming with western hemlocks, bigleaf maples, and Sitka spruces that tower up to 250 feet. The forest floor is a soft tapestry of mosses and ferns, creating a scene so lush it feels otherworldly. The trail is accessible to all, promising an easy yet rewarding adventure into one of the United States' largest temperate rainforests, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve.

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Itinerary

Begin at the Hoh Rainforest Visitor Center
Follow the well-maintained, 0.8-mile loop trail
Take time to observe the towering trees, mosses, and potentially wildlife
Complete the trail at a leisurely pace, enjoying the unique ecosystem

Location

Hoh Valley Rd, Forks, WA 98331

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Packing List

Waterproof hiking boots
Rain jacket
Camera
Water bottle
Snacks (to enjoy after the hike, keeping the forest clean)

4.8 ● Google reviews

Need National Park Pass or Fee to enter. I heard many of my friends visit this place on sunny summer days and say it is not up to expectations. But visiting this place on a gloomy and rainy day gives the other worldly feels. Must visit. We visited in October, end of peak season and had zero wait time. We drove peacefully and parked without any issues. October also gave a tint of fall yellow color which made the places look more beautiful.

One of the most magical places in the who country. Sweet, 3/4 mile loop featuring whimsical mosses and mushrooms. Very fairy core. Get there at sunrise to enjoy the best views with the least tourists. The place fills up very quickly and the path is narrow and one way only, so its hard to turn back (lest you get dirty looks from fellow hikers).

The views are simply stunning. Make sure to get a picture clicked of the trail from the visitor center. It is a simple trail but having the map on your hand makes it easy to be sure that you follow the path. Most of the trail is semi-paved. Make sure to read the small information snippets provided along the trail on how the forest is formed, how the flora and fauna affects the germination of new plants on the forest ground. Great experience! It was a 30 minute trail but spent close to 2 hours exploring the same

Beautiful trailhead and trails! I will say if you’re already from Western Washington you might find it a bit underwhelming, but still beautiful! The trail layout of also quite great, you see a lot of cool flora! Warning to photographers- there’s a lot of people so be prepared to either photoshop them out for shoot in between hoards.

We arrived around 10 am Labor day weekend. After a quick 1.5 hour wait they let us in. Well worth the wait. The trail was easy . It was one of they most wonderful display of old growth trees I have ever seen.

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