Quinault Rainforest Nature Loop

We did this trail during a road trip back in 2018. At the time Lucas wrote on his blog “We just went on a cool hike in the rainforest. We saw lots of moss hanging down from the trees. It was the coolest hike ever.”

That kind of sums it up. It’s a short loop but striking in its rainforest wildness and beauty, unlike just about anything else we’ve ever done with Lucas in a wheelchair. The challenge is that its not a paved trail or even hard packed gravel so I could imagine it getting very muddy at time… especially since its a rainforest!

The trail can be found on the south side of Lake Quinault, about a mile SW of Lake Quinault Lodge. The Lodge itself is also wheelchair accessible and a fun place to stay. This trail is well worth checking out if you are visiting the Lodge but probably not worth the trip otherwise given its remoteness.

Key stats:

Distance: 1/2 mile round trip. The trail connects to a larger network of trails but its unclear if those trails are accessible (seems unlikely).

Wheelchair accessible parking? Yes

Wheelchair accessible bathrooms? Yes

Trail condition? Hard packed gravel. The first 1000 feet or so is totally wheelchair accessible, then it gets narrower and a bit more difficult to traverse.

Highlights? You’re in the middle of a rainforest! The moss draped from the trees is amazing, along with other oversized rainforest vegetation. The trail also provides good views of Willaby Creek.

More information about Quinault Rainforest Nature Loop.