Leiffer Loop

The Leiffer Loop is one of those rare trails where the forest does all the heavy lifting. Tucked inside Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, this short loop winds through a cathedral of old-growth coast redwoods — the kind of trees that make you instinctively lower your voice. The trail surface is well-maintained and mostly flat, with a soft carpet of needles underfoot and a canopy so thick that even midday sun filters down in dramatic shafts. You'll cross a couple of small wooden footbridges over seasonal creeks, pass through groves of ferns that reach your waist, and encounter a few genuinely massive specimens that stop you in your tracks. It's not a workout — it's a walking meditation. Perfect for families with young kids, anyone with limited mobility who still wants a real forest experience, or seasoned hikers looking for a mellow morning warm-up before tackling Boy Scout Tree Trail down the road.