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Hike the Murhut Falls Trail in Washington

The Pacific Northwest has tons of amazing waterfalls – and this trail on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula is a short, easy hike with incredible views! The Murhut Falls trail is a quick out and back hike that will take you to through old growth forests to a dramatic waterfall – and this guide will tell you how to get there.

This guide to hiking the Murhut Falls trail will tell you how to get to the trailhead, what you need for the hike, and more!

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About the Murhut Falls Trail

Murhut Falls is one of the best waterfall hikes in Washington – with low effort, high reward scenery! Here’s what you need to go before you hit the trail.

Murhut Falls Trail Stats

Distance: 1.4 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 393 feet
Difficulty: easy – moderate

Leave No Trace on the Murhut Falls Trail

Anytime you’re outdoors, it’s essential that you practice Leave No Trace (LNT). LNT is a set of seven principles that help us understand our impact on the outdoors – because while we usually have good intentions, the environment is more fragile than we think, and one snap-second decision can cause damage to the environment that will take the earth years, even decades to repair.

Leave No Trace means enjoying the outdoors without disrupting nature, as much as it’s possible to do so. Here are the 7 principles of LNT, and how they apply when you hike the Murhut Falls trail!

  • Plan ahead and prepare – read this guide, make sure you know have the right gear, and be prepared for any weather.
  • Travel and camp on durable surfaces â€“ stay on the trail to avoid trampling grasses and plants!
  • Dispose of waste properly â€“ don’t leave trash, or anything else, behind. Pack it out!
  • Leave what you find â€“ I know it can be tempting to take a cool rock or leaf, but leave these things where they belong! Animals often use these, and if everyone takes one, the trail won’t be as pretty.
  • Minimize campfire impacts â€“ no campfires are allowed on the trail.
  • Respect wildlife â€“ avoid feeding or approaching birds or any other animals you might see.
  • Be considerate of other visitors â€“ yield to uphill hikers, and be respectful – no speakers or loud music.

The Best Time to Hike the Murhut Falls Trail

The most popular time to hike this trail is summer – but because this trail is pretty popular, hiking in the off season can give you some more privacy! Spring and fall are great times to hike, because there will be fewer people around. You’ll definitely need to be prepared for rain, but having the trail to yourself is worth it!

Getting to the Murhut Falls Trailhead

The road to the Murhut Falls trailhead is pretty rough – there are a lot of potholes, so you’ll need to take it slow. The forest road can be done in any car, as long as you’re careful!

Murhut Falls Trailhead Coordinates: 47.3757417, -122.0117894

The parking area is right across from the beginning of the trail, and it’s big enough for a few cars – if you’re hiking on a sunny summer day, make sure to get there early in the morning or closer to evening to ensure you can park! You don’t need a forest pass for this one.

Hiking the Murhut Falls Trail

Once you’ve parked and you’re ready to start your hike, here’s an overview of the trail to Murhut Falls!

The trail has a pretty steady incline, ascending through the woods. The trail is shaded, surrounded by trees, and you’ll see lush ferns and old growth forest.

This trail isn’t very long, so soon enough you’ll hear the waterfall. The last bit of the trail descends down, and shortly after that, you can see it peeking through the trees!

There’s a fork in the trail – to the left, it goes up to a gorgeous view of the waterfall. There’s a little wooden bench to sit on and enjoy the view, so don’t miss this! It’s the best viewpoint of Murhut Falls.

The right of the fork is definitely worth taking as well, and it goes down to the rushing river that comes from the waterfall!

What to Bring to Hike the Murhut Falls Trail

When you hike to Murhut Falls, here’s what you’ll need to bring!

Hiking Shoes

I recommend waterproof shoes for this hike – it rains often in Washington, and the trail gets muddy. Good traction, and being prepared for a rainy hike, is essential!

My favorite hiking boots are my Danner boots – they’re cute, comfortable, and waterproof! I also love hiking in my Chacos, and they’re are great for short trails like this one.

Rain boots are another great option for muddy or wet conditions, and are definitely the easiest to clean.

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Layers

PNW weather is known for being unpredictable, and it’s always best to wear layers when hiking.

A rain jacket is always a good idea when hiking in Washington, and the Marmot Minimalist Jacket is a great lightweight, waterproof option. For the cold, I love my Columbia puffy jacket – it’s lightweight, but keeps me warm! For added warmth and layering, a Patagonia fleece is always a good addition.

Backpack

The hike isn’t too long, but a backpack is always a good idea to carry water and snacks.

When I’m bringing my camera gear, my favorite backpack is the Alex Strohl Mountain Light. It’s definitely the best camera bag out there for hiking with photo gear. If you don’t need storage for camera stuff, I recommend an Osprey Hikelite. If you aren’t bringing very much and just want a day bag, I love my Topo Designs Y-Pack for carrying everyday essentials!

Hydration!

Especially when you’re hiking or exploring outdoors, it’s important to stay hydrated! Single use water bottles are, of course, terrible for the environment, so avoid that and bring a reusable one!

For hiking, the CamelBak water reservoirs are convenient and easy – they can fit in your hiking backpack for water on the go. Nalgene water bottles are great for day to day, and if you want an insulated water bottle to keep your water cold and refreshing, Hydro Flasks are the best!

More Adventures Near the Murhut Falls Trail

After you’ve hiked the Murhut Falls trail, check out these posts for more Washington adventures!

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