Pros & cons
PROS
- Interpretive signs and benches make it an easy, educational wander.
- Quickly paired with nearby Spruce Nature Trail for a complementary river/meadow loop.
CONS
- Heavily crowded in peak season; expect slow sections and busy photo spots.
- Not wheelchair accessible due to roots, stairs, and brief steep grades.
Park at the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center; the Hall of Mosses loop starts just beyond the facilities. Arrive early—lots fill fast in summer and on weekends.
Expect slick roots, mud, and wet boardwalks; brief steep grades and stairs on the east side. Keep distance from elk and stay on the trail to protect delicate understory.
Overview
A greatest-hit reel of the Hoh Rain Forest in under a mile. This 0.8-mile loop starts just beyond the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center and packs in towering Sitka spruce, bigleaf maple, and western hemlock completely festooned in vibrant moss. Elevation gain is under 100 feet, but expect a few short ups and downs.
What you’ll see
The trail’s namesake corridor of ancient maples, heavy with hanging moss, is the star—and yes, it’s as photogenic as you’ve heard. Ferns carpet the floor, “nurse logs” cradle new trees, and the constant damp gives everything a luminous green. You’ll cross a small bridge over Taft Creek early on. Wildlife sightings can include Roosevelt elk and banana slugs, plus plenty of bird activity overhead.
Trail details and navigation
From the trail hub by the visitor center, go left for Hall of Mosses (the right fork is the Spruce Nature Trail). The path is mostly smooth forest tread with occasional boardwalk, roots, and rocks. Parts of the east side of the loop have steeper grades (reported up to 24%) and a short set of stairs—still easy overall, but not fully accessible. Plan 30–60 minutes depending on photo stops and reading the interpretive signs and benches along the way.
Crowds and logistics
This is one of the park’s most popular walks—expect crowds and a slower pace, with reports of roughly 2,500 visitors per day in peak periods. Arrive early or late in the day for easier parking and fewer people. If you have time, pair this with the neighboring Spruce Nature Trail for a different feel (more open areas and river/meadow views) while Hall of Mosses delivers denser, mossier forest.
Best time to hike
Spring through fall (April–October) is prime for lush greenery and the full rainforest effect. Summer is busiest—early morning or late afternoon brings softer light and a quieter soundscape often noted as profoundly tranquil when the crowds thin. Winter stays green but can be cold, wet, and occasionally storm-impacted. Year-round, bring a rain jacket and waterproof footwear; the trail can be muddy and slick. No special hiking permit is needed, but a park entrance fee applies.
Elevation
0.8 mi · 45 minWhere it starts
47.8615, -123.9342Wildlife on this trail
Near Hall of Mosses Trail
All places →All trails →
0 mi awayHall of MossesA moss-draped rainforest loop that feels like a fairy taleTrailhead · Restroom
0 mi awayHoh Rain Forest Entrance SignClassic welcome sign with a handy pullout and spruce displayPullout · Parking
0 mi awayHoh River Trail to Five Mile IslandLush, mostly flat rainforest ramble to a sunny river islandEasy · 10.6 mi · 5 hr
0 mi awayElk Lake TrailA rainforest-to-alpine haul to a quiet lake below Mount OlympusChallenging · 31 mi · 48 hr
0.1 mi awayHoh Lake TrailRainforest to alpine grind to a quiet lake and the High DivideChallenging · 30.2 mi · 23 hr
0.1 mi awayHoh Rain ForestMoss-draped rainforest with easy loops and elk along a glacier riverTrailhead · Parking
0.1 mi awayHoh River TrailIconic rainforest-to-glacier walk from mossy giants to Blue GlacierModerate · 17.5 mi · 48 hr
0.1 mi awayHoh Rain Forest Visitor CenterGateway to Hall of Mosses and lush rainforest trailsVisitor Center · Exhibit
