Port Gamble Forest - Forbidden Forest Trail Loop

The Port Gamble Forest offers 60 miles of trails through diverse lowland forests. It is a favorite for mountain biking, horseback riding, mushroom hunting and of course hiking. A year round trail system, it is the perfect winter destination for a day trip out of the city. Active logging may affect trail access. 

The Forbidden Forest Loop is an 8.5 mile trek through beautiful second growth Douglas fir. The loop starts from the Bayview parking lot. Take Stumps trail 0.4 miles to intersection of logging road 1000. Take a left on 1000 road for 300 feet to Ewok/Ranger trail on the right. Follow the trail as it climbs through second growth timber. As the trail flattens out at the junction of Ranger and Ewok, continue left onto Ewok Trail and hike through lovely fern understory with beautiful Douglas fir forest until you reach crest of hill where the trail intersects the ET trail. 

Take a right on ET and follow it downhill to Road 1000 where you will jog 100 feet to the right to find Forbidden Forest Trail. Forbidden Forest climbs through a beautiful stand of Douglas Fir in a serene forest. It crosses Road 1000 and continues through the forest and drops into a ravine. Follow the trail to the right into the ravine.

This ravine is full of ferns and feels like a fairyland. The trail winds through the ravine and up the opposite side, crossing Road 1400 at a big moss-covered rock. Continue for another two miles where it forms a junction with Twisted Sister.

Take a left on Twisted Sister and cross Road 1000 onto a spur road which leads to Downhell and the Hood. Keep an eye out for the Hood bifurcating to the left just before Downhell starts its descent. Follow Hood through burns and turns as it descends back to Road 1000. At the road, take a right and descend the road back to the parking lot.

Shorter Loop: If you are looking for a shorter loop, follow the ET to the right as it traverses the ridge to Logging Road 1000. Take a left on Road 1000 and descend back to parking area on the logging road. This shorter loop is 3.5 miles.

WTA Pro Tip: Across the highway from the trailhead parking area is a waterfront parking lot with a trail to the beach where you can enjoy fresh oysters! Plan your trip to return at low tide.