Sol Duc River Trail

The Sol Duc River Trail is a strenuous out-and-back from the end of Sol Duc Road to the High Divide junction: 8.4 miles one way, or 16.8 miles round trip. The rounded return figure is often given as 17 miles. Plan on a full day; about 12 hours is a reasonable allowance for the distance and climb. The trail shares its first 0.7 mile with the Sol Duc Falls walk, then continues past Sol Duc Park and Heart Lake to the ridge. The 18.2-mile High Divide Loop is a separate, longer circuit that returns by Deer Lake.

At the shelter near the falls fork, a short spur reaches a bridge above Sol Duc Falls; it is an optional detour, outside the stored route distance. The main trail narrows beyond the shared approach and winds through fir, hemlock and occasional spruce. Rocky footing and a stronger uphill push arrive around mile 3.5. Near mile 4.9, stay right at the Appleton Pass junction and cross the Sol Duc on a high footlog. A twin waterfall can be seen from one point along the way, but it is not reached by a trail spur.

Beyond the footlog, the route keeps climbing through deep forest, crosses Bridge Creek, then reaches patchy meadows and mountain hemlocks. Sol Duc Park, about seven miles from the start, is the first major open stretch and a designated backcountry camp. Its vault toilet and the area's water sources serve overnight hikers; treat water collected from the river or streams.

Above camp, the trail climbs a staircase into higher meadows. The tread grows rockier, with small rivulets running beneath and across it as the route enters the bowl of Heart Lake at about mile 8. Steep grassy slopes rise around the lake. The final climb reaches High Divide at about mile 8.4, where the view opens toward Mount Olympus and the Hoh drainage; Seven Lakes Basin continues beyond the junction. From the upper trail, the lake, meadow and ridge make the most distinctive photo view.

Start at the Sol Duc Falls Trailhead at the end of Sol Duc Road. The parking area is shared with the falls walk; restrooms are at the trailhead, and summer overflow can extend along the narrow road. This is a long, hard hike with roughly 3,200 feet of climbing, not a short extension to the waterfall. Snow can persist on the upper route into early or mid-July, with steep snow slopes that may require ice-axe and self-arrest skills. Ordinary pets are prohibited on park trails and in the wilderness. Day hiking does not require a backcountry camping permit, but camping overnight at Sol Duc Park or Heart Lake does.