Hiouchi Trail

Overview

Threading along the Smith River opposite Jedediah Smith Campground, the Hiouchi Trail moves through old-growth redwoods, mixed forest, and a few intimate river overlooks. Expect soaring trunks, huckleberry-draped understory, and shaded, rolling singletrack. Most hikers treat this as an out-and-back of 4.1–5.0 miles total, depending on where you turn around; the commonly listed full outing is about 5.0 miles with roughly 364 feet of gain. There’s also a shorter, easy east segment near the campground (about 1.6 miles) if you’re looking for a sampler.

What You’ll See

The west end begins via Stout Grove and immediately slips into “Little Stout Grove,” a gorgeous alluvial-flat pocket of redwoods that often feels like a private annex to the main grove. Farther along, the trail undulates on a terrace above the emerald Smith River, with periodic viewpoints and a few spots where short side paths reach the cobbled riverbank. Around the mid-trail stretch, you’ll pass through pockets of especially fine old growth; many hikers continue briefly beyond the signed end on the Hatton Trail to stroll a superb upland grove before turning around.

Keep an eye out for seasonal wildflowers like trillium, snow queen, and toothwort in spring. The canopy mixes redwood with California bay, Douglas-fir, tanoak, and Pacific madrone, while the ground layer is classic sword-fern and huckleberry.

Trail Character and Difficulty

This is easy-to-moderate forest singletrack: not steep overall, but rooty and uneven in places with small ravine/stream crossings that slow your pace. It’s peaceful, though you may hear Highway 199—especially on the east end where the noise can become a noticeable roar. Traffic on nice days is steady without being overwhelming; Stout Grove proper is busier.

Access and Parking

The most pleasant approach is from Stout Grove on Howland Hill Road: walk through the grove and cross Mill Creek to reach the Hiouchi Trail. In summer a temporary footbridge spans Mill Creek; in fall it’s often an easy ford; in winter high water can block this approach. A small, popular pullout near Highway 199 at the east end also accesses the trail but is hazardous to enter/exit due to traffic. Campers can use the seasonal footbridge from Jedediah Smith Campground for a seamless link to the trail; note that parking for non-campers on the short east segment is limited, and some visitors opt to park at a nearby visitor center and walk in.

Best Time to Hike

Year-round is fair game. Summer brings the most reliable access (thanks to the Mill Creek footbridge) and the most people. Fall can be magical when big-leaf maples glow yellow in Little Stout Grove and creek levels are still manageable. Winter offers quiet forest ambiance, but Mill Creek often runs too high to cross from the Stout Grove side—use the Highway 199 end if you go. For softer light and fewer people, start early or late on weekdays.

Tips

• Want a gentler stroll? The short “Hiouchi Trail East” from the campground side is a mellow out-and-back along the river. For an even easier family-friendly corridor walk in the area, the newer Hiouchi Flat Trail provides a flat, year-round connection under the redwoods.
• Footing can be slick or rocky in spots—wear sturdy shoes and take your time in the ravines.
• No pets on this trail.

Is It Worth It?

Yes—this is a classic redwoods-and-river ramble with standout moments in Little Stout Grove and an optional dip into upland old growth near the far end. The trade-offs are uneven tread and some highway noise toward the east, but the scenery and variety outweigh the drawbacks.