Ancient Groves Nature Trail

Ancient Groves Nature Trail is a 0.57-mile loop from a roadside pullout on Sol Duc Road, through old-growth forest to a brief bluff-side look over the Sol Duc River. Allow about 30 to 45 minutes. It is short, but not flat: about half the compacted-gravel tread rolls up and down at steep grades, with narrow boardwalks and short bridges. Add it to a Sol Duc drive if you want a quick forest walk; don't mistake the mileage for an easy, even path.

The path runs beside the road for about 100 feet, then drops into the woods. At the first junction, go right toward the river. The bluff-side stretch is brief; the trail climbs away from it through rolling forest tread, crosses a second bridge, then passes the junction for the lower access. Keep left there to finish the loop and return to the main pullout. Watch your footing on the steep pitches and keep children close along the river bluff.

The towering trees and layered forest floor are the reason to stop. The park describes its lowland old growth as typically Douglas-fir and western hemlock more than 200 years old, with fallen wood, standing snags and several layers of plants. It estimates that only about five percent of the peninsula's original lowland forest remains. Downed trunks and the shaded understory are part of what makes intact old growth useful habitat, not forest debris to clear away.

Use the Ancient Groves Main Trailhead pullout, about 8.8 miles up Sol Duc Road. Parking is limited along the road, though van-accessible parking is listed. Pets and bikes aren't allowed on park trails. Sol Duc Road often closes in winter after snow or ice, so check its status before driving out. The Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort has a restaurant and shop, but they're a separate stop and the resort closes for winter.