Soldiers Trail

Soldiers Trail is a 1.6-mile one-way walk from the Alta Trail junction near Old Bear Hill Road to the Moro Rock parking area. It crosses the Giant Forest through mature sequoias, then drops toward Tunnel Log and the Moro Rock road. It is a good short choice if you want a quieter stretch among the big trees without making the summit stairs the whole outing. Plan for the point-to-point finish; retracing it makes a 3.2-mile walk.

The first third-mile climbs steeply, gaining about 270 feet on dirt singletrack. Mature giant sequoias line this uphill stretch. After the crest, the trail drops down the far side and eases as it approaches Crescent Meadow Road. The route is short, but the opening climb makes it more than a casual stroll; allow about 60 to 90 minutes for this one-way walk.

The trail crosses Crescent Meadow Road near Tunnel Log, continues through the forest, then crosses the road again and climbs toward the Roosevelt Tree before dropping to the Moro Rock lot. Watch for vehicles at both crossings. Tunnel Log is a fallen sequoia with a drive-through opening; you pass the visitor area, but the road crossing is part of the hike.

The Army built Soldiers Trail while patrolling and protecting the park from 1891 to 1913. Soldiers Camp was established in 1911, and the path cut a shorter walk between the camp and the visitor area than following the road. The forest here shows the effects of fire and storms too: alongside living trees, you'll see fallen and damaged sequoias.

The route ends at Moro Rock parking; the summit stairway is a separate hike. To finish near Giant Forest Museum, you can retrace Soldiers Trail or use the return by Bear Hill or Moro Rock trails. A seasonal shuttle also serves the Moro Rock parking area from the museum when it is running. Pets aren't allowed on park trails.