Do I need a ship, a zeppelin or the tram?

Yes, on foot the way uses: Ship from Rut'theran Village to Auberdine.

Can Horde players make this trip?

Yes, in about 30 min on foot. Alliance territory: guards and players will attack you. Alliance ports. Their guards will attack you on the docks. There is no Horde alternative.

Are these times exact?

They are estimates, give or take a quarter: flight times come from real Classic flights, walking times from the real size of each zone, and ships and zeppelins count up to five minutes of waiting.

How to get from Darnassus to Mount Hyjal in WoW Forever

About 8 min by flight path once you have it, or about 30 min on foot. Times are for an Alliance character.

Open this route on the map

On foot

30 min

Travel form

22 min

druids, shamans

Mount 60%

20 min

from level 40

Mount 100%

17 min

level 60

Flight path

8 min

fastest

The way, step by step

Before you have the flight paths. Times on foot.

Start in Darnassus
Capital city in Teldrassil
Head to Rut'theran Village
Through the portal at the foot of the tree
≈ 1 min
Ship from Rut'theran Village to Auberdine
Classic route
2–5 min
Cross into Ashenvale
Through the coast road south · level 18–30
≈ 8 min
Cross into Felwood
Through the road north into Felwood · level 48–55
≈ 2 min
Cross into Winterspring
Through the Timbermaw Hold tunnels · level 53–60
Timbermaw furbolgs in the tunnels attack until you earn reputation with them. Most players just run through.
≈ 8 min
Cross into Mount Hyjal
Through Darkwhisper Gorge · level 60 · Official
≈ 7 min

With the flight paths

With a 100% mount and the flight paths you have discovered.

Start in Darnassus
Capital city in Teldrassil
Head to Rut'theran Village
Through the portal at the foot of the tree
≈ 1 min
Fly from Rut'theran Village to Nighthaven
Flight path · time measured in Classic
≈ 3 min
Cross into Winterspring
Through the Timbermaw Hold tunnels · level 53–60
Timbermaw furbolgs in the tunnels attack until you earn reputation with them. Most players just run through.
≈ 1 min
Cross into Mount Hyjal
Through Darkwhisper Gorge · level 60 · Official
≈ 4 min

And the way back?

From Mount Hyjal to Darnassus: about 8 min by flight path, or 30 min on foot.

Open the way back on the map

Questions

Do I need a ship, a zeppelin or the tram?: Yes, on foot the way uses: Ship from Rut'theran Village to Auberdine.
Can Horde players make this trip?: Yes, in about 30 min on foot. Alliance territory: guards and players will attack you. Alliance ports. Their guards will attack you on the docks. There is no Horde alternative.
Are these times exact?: They are estimates, give or take a quarter: flight times come from real Classic flights, walking times from the real size of each zone, and ships and zeppelins count up to five minutes of waiting.