Hiking
North Shore Hikes (click here for pdf map)
Kestner Homestead
Maple Glade Trail & Kestner Homestead Trail – an easy walk (.5 miles) through level open rain forest. Signs along the trail identify common rainforest trees. Begins at the Quinault Ranger’s Station (about 2 miles east of Lochaerie Resort). Watch for grazing deer, Roosevelt Elk and occasional flooding.
Big Cedar Trail – (.25 miles) This trail is short but great for kids. Follow it to see the one of the World’s Largest Western Red Cedars. There are stairs and boardwalks along the way.
Irely Lake – (1.2 miles) parking area for this trail is about 1.5 miles from the bridge that adjoins North Shore Rd. to South Shore Rd. This trail also joins Three Lakes (7 miles).
Wolf Bar – a moderate hike (2 miles) from end of North Fork of Quinault River. This trail begins about 3 mil es from the bridge over the Quinault River. Wolf Bar is on a bluff overlooking the river. You will enjoy a view of Mt. Lawson and plenty of alder trees and sword ferns.
More Experienced hikers may choose to continue along the North Fork of the Quinault to join other trails including the Elip Creek Loop (20 mile loop), Low Divide (16.5 miles) and Three Lakes (7 miles).
South Shore Hikes (click here for pdf map)
Largest Sitka Spruce
Fletcher Creek - a short hike (2 miles) from the bridge that connects North Shore Rd. and S. Shore Rd into a loop. Very pretty scenery including Bunch Falls.
World’s Largest Sitka Spruce – (.2 miles from Rainforest Resort) Drive or walk to see this record breaking tree. It is 191 feet high and 55 feet 7 inches around.
Quinault National Trail System – easy to follow trails that begin near Lake Quinault Lodge, includes several interpretive loop trails that are great for children.
Quinault Tribal Fish Hatchery - Owned by Quinault Indian Reservation off S. Shore Rd.
Graves Creek Nature Trail – (1 mile loop) this trail begins at the Graves Creek campground (at the end of S. Shore Rd.) and meanders near the East Fork of Quinault River.
Experienced hikers may choose to follow Graves Creek to the Pony Bridge Hike and explore the backcountry wilderness of the Olympic National Park. Or to follow the South Shore Rd. to Colonel Bob Trail – a strenuous round trip hike to Col. Bob is about 8.25 miles. The views of Lake Quinault and other mountain peaks of the Olympics are spectacular. Colonel Bob Trail is a strenuous hike, so prepare for weather. You will want to bring a topo map, food, and plenty of water. The trail is rocky and steep (a 3,300 feet climb from the trail head).
BEACHES
Kalaloch & The ‘tree of life’ (39 minutes, 32.3 miles - hwy 101)
Tree of Life - Kalaloch
About 73 miles of beach in the Olympic National Park provide beach-combing opportunities. At Kalaloch, seven area beach trails lead to coastal hikes and Kalaloch Creek. Fishing possibilities at Kalaloch include surf perch, salmon, or native trout, or at low tide visitors may dig for razor clams. Bald eagles, black-legged kittiwakes, red-throated loons, black scoters, and brown pelicans are among birdwatchers' sightings at Kalaloch. From Kalaloch bluffs, whale watchers may see migratory gray whales, and sea lions, harbor porpoise, harbor seals, sea otters and orcas may also be spotted.
The Tree of Life; with its amazingly viewable roots seemingly supplying the tree with life despite having no soil, the tree seems to be immortal. Located just north of Kalaloch Lodge, near the Kalaloch Campground (this is where you will park), "Tree Root Cave" features a tree like no other. Still breathing while its roots travel to nowhere. Erosion, having taken away its life supply, has not stopped the tree from thriving on the coast and leaving people speechless from a sight that has never been seen before.
How is the top so green? How has it not gone on to that big tree place in the sky? How has another tree not taken over like it so often happens in the tree circle of life? These questions have been asked so many times with no one really knowing how it keeps on going. So it became known to some as the Tree of Life.
Ruby Beach (50 minutes, 39.9 miles - HWY 101)
Ruby Beach Sea Stacks
Just south of where the Hoh River meets the Pacific Ocean, Ruby Beach offers several miles of beach exploration, with unique rock formations and swirling sun-bleached driftwood. During low tide, it is possible to observe starfish, crabs, and other sea life among the tide pools and sea stacks, as well as explore the sands leading out to Abbey Island. Be sure to check the tidal charts before heading out!
Beginning at the parking lot trail head, follow the trail down to the beach for approximately a quarter of a mile and navigate over driftwood to reach the beach. Near the bottom of this trail, Cedar Creek empties into a large pool ideal for play for children and families.
Valley of Giants Rainforest Tours offer guided day hikes in the Quinault River area.
Owner Matt Houghton has been guiding people outdoors for many decades. Foraging, birding, botanizing, tracking are all part of exploring the wilds with Matt. “My goal is to help people become more familiar with the outdoors so they can create their own wild adventures.” Matt has a Bachelor’s degree in natural history, and a Masters in adventure-based therapy. He has managed outdoor education programs for elementary students, adjudicated youth, university students, and retirees.Currently he runs Valley of Giants Rainforest Tours in Quinault Washington, and guides interpretive day-hikes in the Quinault Rainforest.
All these outings are world class, so don't worry about FOMO.
EASY OUTINGS (2-HOURS)
Kestner Ranch
This quick drive from Lochaerie, includes a one-mile hike and explores one of the earliest homesteads in the area. The maple glade along the walk is world renown.
Graves Creek nature trail
This is a 45 minute drive up into the Valley of Giants, skirts many river vistas and includes an easy one-mile hike through an old-growth maple grove.
Quinault Rainforest loop
This one-mile loop takes the adventurer along cliffside canyon and back through a grove of 600-900 year old Douglas Firs.
These three outings can be included into one day-long adventure in a 36 mile loop drive and can be modified to include the world's largest Sitka Spruce.
Kalaloch beaches tour
This outing requires a drive along hwy 101 to the many beaches of Kalaloch. Depending on the tides, we might go tidepooling, visit the largest Western Red Cedar, see the 'Tree of Life' and stroll along some of the wildest beaches in the world.
MODERATE HIKES
These trips last 4 hours each, and run about 4 miles. Participants should be able to climb three flights of stairs without stopping in preparation.
Gatton Creek Loop
This adventure climbs gradually to 400 feet above lake Quinault, is a serene stroll through the most dynamic forest on earth. This is a virgin forest of red cedar, douglas fir sitka spruce and western hemlock. We hang out at Gatton Falls which is the biggest falls within walking distance of Quinault.
Lake Shore trail to the ancient forest preserve.
This trail has beautiful vistas of Lake Quinault, and travels through an old-growth forest that was one of the first protected forests in the country.
North Fork of the Quinault
With open vistas of the river valley and groves of monster trees,this trail has lots to offer. It can include an option to walk off trail into some
serious wildness. This is a 40 minute drive from Lochaerie.
MORE DIFFICULT & FURTHER OUT
These trips are at least 4 hours long, require drives up to 45 minutes each way, and feature off-trail experiences in Olympic National Park. While only moderately difficult with no elevation gain, these outings require special permission as they are rarely visited. Please inquire if you are interested
ADVANCED
These trips require at least an hour drive each way. Some require river fords (the Queets River valley), and some climb thousands of feet in a few miles (Colonel Bob Peak). Please inquire if you are interested.
All outings can include lunch for an added $25 per person.
Have a look at Matt's adventures with his customers on Instagram, or click the enclosed QR code to be taken to his AirBNB experiences page.