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Lake Quinault and Area Hikes - Depending on your experience and energy level on any particular day, the Quinault Valley offers more than 15 maintained trails for you to explore, from short hikes to extended adventure trips. Below are a few of the recommended, ranging from the easier hikes for the beginner to more challenging for the experienced. For more information about Lake Quinault, visit www.QuinaultRainForest.com
- The Big Spruce Tree Trail - Only a few minutes in length and an easy walk, this trails is a great warm up. The trails goes to the lartgest Sitka Spruce Tree known and can be accessed by a short mile drive from the Quinault Lake Lodge.
- The Big Cedar Trail - This short trail does have some challenging high steps as you climb the hillside. Once you have reached the top, which is about a 15 minute hike, you will see the enormous Cedar Tree some have called the "Hobbit Tree."
- The Maple Glade Trail - A must-see for rain forest enthusiasts, this trail is only a half mile in length but positively breathtaking. Huge, Big Leaf Maples are found throughout the area, draped with eye-cathcing streamers of moss and ferns. During the morning or late evening hours, the low angle of the sun highlights the huge leaves to every shade of green one can imagine. This is an easy trail with no hills.
- The Halfway House Trail - For both long and short hikers, this 10.2 mile hike takes you throught he dense rain-forest past giant, moss colored trees adjacent to a crisp, clean mountain river. Beginning on an abandoned road, this course takes some challenging loops and turns with scenic picnic sites which also serve as turn-arounds for the short hike version. Listen to the rusing Quinault River as your travel through the trees of the thick, lush forest over quaint footbridges and picturesque creeks when you tackle this spectacular hike.
- The Pony Bridge Trail - A moderately difficult trail, the Pony Bridge hike is a long, gentle uphill climb along an abandonded road, along a wide, cobbled path. Halfway through and at its peak, there is a charming picnic site overlooking the Quinault River canyon below.
- The Colonel Bob Trail- An 8.4 mile round-trip, this steep climb takes you to a breath-taking viewpoint overlooking the Quinault Valley and Lake and even offers a rare glimpse from the west of Mount Olympus. Continuing the steep ascent, the summit at 4.2 miles is a great place to stop and picnic with amazing views in all directions.
- The Low Divide Trail - An extremely challenging hike of 44.5 miles, this trail is the ultimate in single-day conquests. It offers stunning a stunning view of the breathtaking Olympic National Park. Leave the trailhead at the wee hours in the morning and experience the calm, tranquility of the park at dawn as you march along the lush rainforest trails. Don't forget to allow for several substantial rests at picturesque picnic stops and rejuvenate as you take in the beauty of the lakes, rivers and spectacular surroundings.
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