Redwood National and State Parks

Hike to the Grove Of Titans

FamiliesAccessibilityPhotographers
1.5 mi Distance
1-2 hours Estimated Time
loop Trail Type

What to Expect

This is one of the most humbling short walks you'll ever take. From the trailhead off Howland Hill Road, you'll follow a modern elevated metal boardwalk that floats you through a cathedral of old-growth redwoods so massive they make you feel like a house cat in a furniture store. The boardwalk keeps you off the fragile root systems while interpretive panels unpack centuries of human and natural history. The titans themselves are staggering — these aren't just tall trees, they're wide, gnarly, ancient beings covered in burls and draped in ferns, with root structures that look like they're gripping the earth for dear life. The loop is flat, short, and fully accessible, meaning wheelchair users and families with strollers can experience trees that were already old when Columbus set sail. This trail is for anyone who wants to feel genuinely small.
FamiliesAccessibilityPhotographersFirst-Time VisitorsOld Growth

Safety Advisory

The metal boardwalk can be slippery when wet, which in the redwoods means most mornings year-round. Wear shoes with decent tread rather than flip-flops.

Howland Hill Road is narrow and winding with no cell service — drive cautiously and let someone know your plans if you're visiting solo.

Trail Details

Distance 1.5 miles round-trip
Estimated Time 1-2 hours
Trail Type loop
Pets Not allowed
Season Year-round
Trailhead Hike to the Grove Of Titans

Pro Tips

Trail Tip

Howland Hill Road is a narrow, unpaved road that won't accommodate RVs or trailers — leave anything oversized at the Hiouchi Visitor Center and drive in with your smallest vehicle. Go slow; oncoming traffic requires pullouts.

Trail Tip

Arrive before 9 AM or after 4 PM to avoid the midday crowds that have surged since the boardwalk opened in 2022. Early morning fog filtering through the canopy is worth losing an hour of sleep for.

Trail Tip

The boardwalk's metal surface photographs beautifully as a leading line into the grove. Shoot low and wide to capture both the walkway and the towering canopy — a 16-35mm lens or your phone's ultra-wide mode is ideal here.

Photos

Getting There

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