Park Chasers
Menu
  • Meet the Park Chasers
    • About the Park Chasers
    • Our #Parkchasing Gear
    • Work With Us
  • Find Your Park
    • A-Z Park List
    • Parks By Interest
    • Parks by Region
    • Parks by State
  • Guides to Chasing
    • NPS History
    • Camping
    • Gear
    • Hiking
    • Passport Stamps
    • Photography & Video
    • Sight Seeing & Tours
    • Trip Planning
    • Park Chaser Profiles
  • Top 10 Visited National Parks
Menu

Hiking Olympic National Park: Sol Duc Falls Trail

Posted on July 12, 2016 by asippl

It has been two weeks since our visit to Olympic National Park. We’re still daydreaming about the trip. Giant trees and hanging moss. Beaches and mountain ranges. While we’re in the midst of planning upcoming visits to Glacier National Park and Alaska, we can’t help but reminisce about all the fun we had camping and hiking Olympic National Park. Especially the Sol Duc Falls Trail.

Sol Duc also goes by the spelling "Soleduck" on some of the signs in the park
Sol Duc also goes by the spelling “Soleduck” on some of the signs in the park

Waterfalls are one of the many reasons people visit the Olympic Peninsula.  With many spots receiving more than 10 feet of rain annually, there’s no shortage of destinations.  Sol Duc Falls is one of the more scenic waterfalls in the park.  It is also one of the most accessible.

The 1.6 mile out and back trail is popular for families and day hikers. Many multi-day hikes through the Olympic Range also leave from this trailhead.  We recommend adding it as a stop between destinations in the park. Hop out to stretch your legs on a hike through old growth forest right up to the 37 foot waterfall.  And be sure to bring your camera.  They just may be some of your best photos of the trip.

Sol Duc Trail Sign

Planning Your Visit to The Sol Duc Falls Trail

The Sol Duc Falls Trail departs from the trailhead at the end of Sol Duc Falls Road.  Visitors should travel on Highway 101 roughly 30 miles west of Port Angeles. Turn south onto Sol Duc Falls Road and pass through the entrance gate to the park.  This is a fee area so visitors will need to purchase a 7 Day pass to Olympic or a National Park Service annual pass.  Continue on Sol Duc Falls Road another 13.5 miles to the trailhead parking area.

The Sol Duc Falls Trail

The Sol Duc Falls trailhead includes multiple hikes but the park signage clearly designates the way to the falls.  Depart from the end of the parking area through old growth forest until you reach the Sol Duc River.  The Sol Duc is one of the few rivers in the park that continue to see Chinook and coho salmon return from the Pacific Ocean every year.

The trail drops roughly 200 feet in elevation, most of which is near the approach to the falls.  On the left of the trail you will find a small wooden shelter if you are caught in one of Olympic’s famous downpours.  When you arrive at the falls, stop for photos on the bridge and listen to the roughly 300 cubic feet per second of water tumble over the rocks. Cross the bridge and hike both up and downstream on the Sol Duc River or return back on the trail to the parking area.

Sol Duc Falls - Olympic National Park
Sol Duc Falls – Olympic National Park

Travel Notes

  • The Sol Duc Falls trail can also be extended into a 6 mile loop by taking the Lover’s Lane Trail.  Instead of returning back to the trailhead, cross the bridge and hike downstream from Sol Duc Falls.  The trail leads back to Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort and the Eagle Ranger station where you can cross the river again and hike back to the parking area.
  • Hiking Olympic National Park almost definitely means hiking in the rain. Make sure you have proper rain gear and footwear as the Sol Duc Falls trail is muddy and slick.  We saw too many visitors disappointed to find this is not a “do it in flip-flops” trail.
  • If you arrive in the fall, make a stop at the Salmon Cascades along Sol Duc Falls Road.  While fewer and fewer salmon make it back each year, there is still the chance to see the Chinook and coho run in this area.
  • Stay on the trails. In May 2016, a man was hiking in the area and stepped out on the rocks above the falls to get a better view of the river.  He slipped and was swept over the Sol Duc Falls.  While he survived with minor injuries, it required a significant rescue effort from park staff and law enforcement.

 

 

Related Posts

  • Hiking Olympic National Park: The Hall of Mosses TrailHiking Olympic National Park: The Hall of Mosses Trail
  • Hiking Grand Teton National Park:  Inspiration PointHiking Grand Teton National Park: Inspiration Point
  • Trip Recap: Olympic National ParkTrip Recap: Olympic National Park
  • Camping in Olympic National Park:  Heart O’ the Hills CampgroundCamping in Olympic National Park: Heart O’ the Hills Campground

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Search

Amazon E-BOOK

Welcome

We’re Greg and Amy, the Park Chasers. We’re in hot pursuit of a visit to all 418 national parks in the National Park Service and sharing our stories along the way.

Current count: 70 of 418

Our next stop:  Table Mountain National Park (South Africa)

Subscribe to ParkChasers

Enter your email address to have Parkchaser updates sent via email

Categories

  • Camping
  • Eating & Sleeping
  • Great National Park Drives
  • Hiking
  • History Lessons
  • International Parks
  • National Park Gear
  • NPS Centennial
  • NPS News
  • Park Chaser Profiles
  • Park Programs
  • Photography
  • Ranger Programs
  • Travel Notes
  • Trip Planning
  • Wildlife

Archives

  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • August 2015
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
© 2019 Park Chasers | Theme by Superb WordPress Themes
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.