Hike Among the Giants

There is no better way to explore the Giant Forest than by going out on the trails. The Congress Trail is a moderate, 2-mile (3.2-km) loop that starts from the General Sherman Tree and takes you into the heart of the sequoia grove. After centuries of weathering and fire, each individual tree has a unique story and appearance. The trail takes you by numerous mature sequoias, including the President Tree (the third largest tree in the world), as well as the famous House and Senate groups.

Details

Activity

Hiking

Pets Allowed

No

Activity Fee

No

Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.

Reservations

No

Season

Year Round

During winter, trail may be covered in snow and more suitable for snowshoeing. Check the our current conditions webpage for updated information.

Time of Day

Day

Accessibility Information

Congress Trail is a 2.7 mile round-trip lollipop-shaped trail on a gentle, paved incline. It begins near the General Sherman Tree, the largest living tree on Earth.

For accessible access to the Congress Trail and General Sherman Tree, park at the small parking area along the Generals Highway two miles (3.2 km) north of the Giant Forest Museum.

Parking in this lot is designated accessible only. If you do not have a placard, but cannot manage a steep slope or stairs on the main trail to the Sherman Tree, stop at a visitor center for a temporary pass. In summer, if parking here is unavailable, park instead at Lodgepole Visitor Center, Giant Forest Museum, or General Sherman Tree Main Trail and Parking and take the wheelchair accessible park shuttle (Green Route 1).

From here, the trail to the General Sherman Tree is paved with inclines of up to 5% and limited cross-slopes. There are benches along the trail.