Hall of Mosses - 0.8 Miles Round-Trip

The Hall of Mosses (.8 miles) and Spruce Nature Trail (1.25 miles) introduce visitors to the Hoh Rainforest's complex ecosystem and unique arboreal tapestry.

Both trails begin at the Hoh Rainforest Ranger Station and loop through diverse swaths of rainforest above and along the Hoh River.

Trail Map | Photo Gallery

The Hall of Mosses circles an older section above the river, where moss-draped hemlock, spruce and fir stand over 200' tall. Joining them is bigleaf maple, a large deciduous tree with distinct gnarled limbs.

The Spruce Nature Trail enters a lower, younger forest along the Hoh River. This bottomland ecotone is dominated by Sitka spruce, western hemlock, red alder and a rich collection of ferns.

The trail offers river access, where you're free to explore its braided gravel bars and cobbled rock banks. Look for elk and otter along the river and its tributaries.

The Hoh Rainforest

The Hoh River is born on the slopes of Mount Olympus and drops 7,000' over 50 miles to the Pacific Ocean. The glaciers of its birth grind rock into glacial flour, giving the Hoh its distinct milky blue color.

The west-facing Hoh River Valley is optimally positioned to capture rain and fog from the Pacific, with 140”+ of rainfall each year. Clouds, fog, and the forest canopy itself help trap moisture and regulate temperatures within.

Douglas fir, red cedar, western hemlock, and Sitka spruce dominate the canopy, joined by big leaf maple and red alder. The understory nurtures a variety of berries, ferns, and mosses, which support robust populations of Roosevelt elk, bear and deer. Top predators include mountain lion, bobcat, river otter and bald eagle.

Annual salmon runs bring vital food and nutrients back to the forest each fall, sustaining reliant inhabitants through the long rainy winter.