Hiking the Hazelwood Nature Loop Trail in Sequoia National Park
Distance: 0.7 miles / 1.1 km
The Hazelwood Nature Loop Trail in Sequoia National Park is one of my personal favorite day hikes within Giant Forest.
I say this because the short and easy trail is a great day hike to take it slow, enjoy the wildflowers, and look for wildlife, making it one of the best kid-friendly adventures in both Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park!
On a different note, it’s a little-known secret in Sequoia National Park that bears can best be seen around the meadows, like Hazelwood or Crescent Meadow, during the early and late evening hours of the day.
Therefore, I highly recommend planning your hike here or around similar meadows during these times if you’re interested in experiencing this unique opportunity.
Hazelwood Nature Loop Trailhead Parking
The trailhead parking for the Hazelwood Nature Loop is located directly off Generals Highway in a small pullout adjacent to the start of the hike.
In addition, parking can also be found at the Giant Forest Museum, but this is typically best if you plan on combining both the Big Trees Trail and Hazelwood Nature Loop into one longer adventure utilizing the connector trail shown later in this post.
Google Maps Directions: Hazelwood Nature Loop Trailhead
Hiking Checklist - Sequoia-Kings Canyon
Here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park.
That being said, bear spray is purposefully excluded from this list because, while the Sierra Nevadas are home to a large black bear population, bear spray is not allowed in either Sequoia or Kings Canyon National Park.
Hiking the Hazelwood Nature Loop Trail
The Hazelwood Nature Loop begins on a short out-and-back trail before the loop splits around the meadow, about 0.1 miles (0.2 km) into the hike.
Hazelwood Nature Loop-Rimrock Junction
Following the trailhead, the Hazelwood Nature Loop splits with the Rimrock Trail, a short 1.2-mile (1.9 km) trail that is commonly used to create longer loops around Giant Forest with other trails, like the Trail of the Sequoias, the Congress Trail, among many others.
Here, go straight (right) to continue toward the Hazelwood Loop.
Hazelwood Nature Loop Trail
This is where the Hazelwood Nature Trail splits into the loop around the Hazelwood Meadow.
I chose to go right around the meadow in the counterclockwise direction.
Hazelwood Nature Loop-Big Trees Connector Junction
After the creek crossing, the short connector leading to the popular Big Trees Trail splits to the right, which begins about 0.3 miles (0.5 km) away.
At this split, go straight to continue on the loop around the Hazelwood Meadow.
Read My Separate Post: Big Trees Trail
Not long after beginning the west side of the Hazelwood Loop, I came across this mom and her cubs just off the trail.
That being said, this is really just a reminder about why it is important to be vigilant in Sequoia, as vegetation that’s only a few feet high can hide a bear that may be right next to you on the trail!
Hazelwood Nature Loop-Alta Junction
At the very southern end of the Hazelwood Loop, the Alta Trail branches away.
In short, the Alta Trail is one of Sequoia National Park’s longer adventures, which begins here in Giant Forest and leads out to Alta Peak in the Sequoia-Kings Canyon Wilderness, about 10 miles (16.1 km) each way from the museum.
In any case, go straight (left) to begin the east side of the Hazelwood Nature Loop.
Hazelwood Nature Loop Junction
This is where the short Hazelwood Nature Trail completes the loop around the meadow.
Here, simply go straight (right) to return back to the trailhead off Generals Highway, about 0.1 miles (0.2 km) away.
Sequoia National Park
Kings Canyon National Park
