5 wonderful winter hikes in the redwood forest

Moody and magical, winter is a dreamy time to explore the woods

Two children walk down a fern-lined path in a foggy redwood grove.
Photo by Scott Catron.

Something magical happens to California’s redwood forests during winter. Clouds insulate the trees from the outside world, making a walk among these giants feel cozy and nostalgic. The rains conjure up the earthy smell of the soil and the brisk lemony scent of the foliage. Crowds are few and far between, and the hushed stillness of the season encourages a slower pace.

Winter is also a time of growth for these trees. In the deepest months of the season, the redwoods begin flowering along their upper branches, setting the stage for autumn seed cones. Many species of redwood forest fungi also flourish during winter rains, dotting the forest floor with their strange shapes and vibrant colors.

Winter wanderings do require a few extra considerations. Bring a rain poncho or waterproof coat and opt for waterproof boots that rise above your ankle. Layer clothing to adjust to quick shifts in temperatures and consider bringing dry clothes to change into after your hike. And do your research beforehand, as some roads and access points might be closed seasonally or due to recent storms.

Each of the five trails below provides a unique adventure to suit your winter mood. Together, they encompass nearly the full coast redwood range, from the Santa Cruz Mountains to the top reaches of Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park.

Redwood Grove Loop Trail

Park: Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Distance: 0.8 mile
Elevation gain: 40 feet
Difficulty: Easy

Multiple people, from kids to seniors, hike down a wide flat path in the redwoods
The wide, wheelchair-accessible loop at Henry Cowell Redwoods is ideal for multigenerational adventures. Photo by Roy E. Williams II.

The old-growth coast redwoods along this short but memorable trail inspired some of the earliest efforts to protect the species from logging. The grove’s crown jewel is The Giant, a 1,500-year-old redwood that stands 277 feet tall and measures 16 feet wide. Visit in winter and you may also spot bright yellow and red mushrooms sprouting beneath the big trees. The loop trail itself is compact dirt and mostly flat, making it accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. (See our guide for more accessible trails in the redwoods.)

As Henry Cowell is one of the more southern redwood parks, it tends to be more temperate and less rainy that its northern counterparts, making this a more palatable option for those not wanting to wear a rain poncho.

Meteor & Sunset Loop 

Park: Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Distance: 5.2 miles
Elevation gain: 820 feet
Difficulty: Moderate

Brushy green branches sprout from the burned trunk of a redwood
New growth sprouts from a coast redwood impacted by fires in Big Basin. Flickr photo by Bethany Weeks.

Though nearly all of Big Basin burned during the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex fire, a visit to the park today is an opportunity to witness the amazing recovery of the redwoods. About 97% of the park’s coast redwood trees survived the fire—in contrast to only about 3% of Douglas-firs—and the League and park partners have created a forest restoration plan to support a full return to health.

Winter is a particularly pleasant time to enjoy this trail, which is now much sunnier and exposed without its protective tree canopy. Venture along the path and you’ll spot new redwood branches making their way up toward the sunlight—a testament to nature’s resilience that may help cure the winter blues. Peel your eyes away from the treetops to notice the bright green understory growth and, if you’re lucky, glimpse the animals that have returned to the forest.

Whittemore Gulch and Harkins Ridge Loop Trail

Park: Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve
Distance: 6.5 miles
Elevation gain: 1,750 feet
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging

bright yellow flowers resembling pansies sprout from a forest floor of duff and dead leaves
The incongruously named redwood violet blooms trailside in February. Flickr photo by Bruce Washburn.

This loop trail on the San Francisco Peninsula includes sweeping ocean views, as well as plenty of second-growth redwoods that tower over burbling creeks, moss-covered logs, and banana slugs aplenty. Spotting the cheerful redwood violet is a perk to visiting in winter. Contrary to the name, these flowers are bright yellow and start blooming in February, setting a happy tone for the spring to come.

Like other redwood forests along the Peninsula, the preserve offers a surprising amount of sunshine in winter. But be sure to layer as there is a noticeable temperature difference between the ridge and gulch.

Drury-Chaney & Grieg-French-Bell Grove Loops

Park: Humboldt Redwoods State Park
Distance: 3 miles total
Elevation gain: 30 feet
Difficulty: Easy

a green carpet of redwood sorrel blankets the forest floor in a redwood grove
Redwood sorrel creates a magic carpet in the Grieg-French-Bell Grove. Photo by Max Forster.

Along the northern stretch of the Avenue of Giants, the Drury-Chaney and Grieg-French-Bell groves sit side by side. Beyond the incredible old-growth redwoods, what makes these groves stand out is the redwood sorrel. This clover-like plant covers the forest floor like a dense carpet, creating an enchanted landscape guaranteed to lift anyone out of their winter fog.

The Drury-Chaney Loop is a 2.4-mile gravel trail that’s pleasant in winter because it’s defined and easy to navigate without wading in mud (and flat enough to be considered wheelchair accessible). As the trail continues west, the dense forest and redwood sorrel thins and the magic lessens. Stick with it, however, and you’ll be rewarded by the grove’s largest trees, just beyond a dirt road crossing.

The Grieg-French-Bell Grove Loop is more challenging to navigate and mud should be expected. However, this grove is undeniably the most awe-inspiring of the two, with an unbelievably lush carpet of sorrel. Visitors report that while the hike is short––roughly half a mile––it’s easy to spend nearly an hour exploring side trails and getting lost in this magical forest.

Boy Scout Tree Trail

Park: Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
Distance: 5.5 miles
Elevation gain: 750 feet
Difficulty: Moderate 

a man stands amidst green ferns, looking tiny compared to a massive coast redwood tree
The Boy Scout Tree Trail is an ideal place to contemplate your significance in a big, gorgeous world. Photo by Max Forster.

Many believe the Boy Scout Tree Trail to be the best redwood hike in the world, featuring both a kingdom of old-growth trees and the year-round cascade at Fern Falls. It’s worth making the trek just to see the trail’s namesake Boy Scout Tree: More than 2,000 years old, it stands nearly 240 feet tall with a diameter of over 23 feet.

This trail makes for a magnificent adventure in winter. The park is well known for rain––on average, almost 8 inches falls in January alone—yet the mood is anything but dreary within the forest. Mist hugs the canopy, creating a fantastical land for hikers to explore. Keep an eye open for coastal giant salamanders and banana slugs meandering past colorful mushrooms. Also watch for roots, especially when it’s wet or dewy, as they snake across the trail and can be a tripping hazard.

About the author

Helena Guglielmino is a Reno-based writer and backpacker. Her stories on environment, adventure, and culture have been published by Roadtrippers, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, Reno News & Review, Outdoors Unlimited, and more.

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One Response to “5 wonderful winter hikes in the redwood forest”

  1. Molly

    I love these trees so much! They give us so much, and we must protect them, plant them, help them grow.

    Reply

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