Discover the beauty of Olympic National Park in the US state of Washington, It is a unique national park due in part to its variety of ecosystems and landscapes. Here you can explore the rocky, rugged coastline, walk through lush, verdant, temperate rainforests, and hike to majestic mountain peaks as well. Just like a previous piece, the hikes here are presented by individual geographical location and unless otherwise noted, all hiking trail distances are round-trip.
Olympic National Park features four main areas. They are the park’s northern region which includes popular Hurricane Ridge, the rainforest, the Pacific Coastline, and the well-known Staircase. Without further ado, here are the 17 best hikes in Olympic National Park.
The 17 Best Hikes in Northern Olympic National Park
1. Hurricane Ridge Trail to Hurricane Hill
You will need two hours to complete this 3.2-mile hike. It is rated easy to moderate and has a total ascent of 700 feet. This hike is even good if you’re traveling with older kids.
Park your car in the parking lot located at Hurricane Ridge Road’s end. Don’t park close to the official Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center unless you want to add almost two and a half miles to the hike. The trailhead should be marked.
This is a wide trail that eventually runs along a ridge and slowly gains elevation. There are some switchbacks near the end of the hike as you climb to the peak but it’s not strenuous. The view is spectacular.
2. Hike to Sunrise Ridge via the Sunrise Point Trail
This is another easy-to-moderate hike that offers hikers more incredible views out over Hurricane Ridge. It has a total distance of three miles and a total ascent of 800 feet. Give yourself two hours for this hike.
Park at Hurricane Ridge’s main parking lot. This memorable hike begins on the popular High Ridge Trail. The trail will lead you up to a noteworthy viewpoint and then continues east toward massive Mount Angeles. Now you need to watch yourself as this is where the name of this hiking trail actually changes.
For no official reason, it is given two different monikers: the Klahhane Ridge Trail and the Sunrise Point Trail. Nevertheless, the beautiful panoramic views on this hike are worth a little confusion. The hike ends at an overlook where you can enjoy a striking view of Mount Angeles.
3. Hike Klahhane Ridge Trail to Mount Angeles
Interested in actually hiking to Mount Angeles? If so, prepare for a strenuous hike with a total ascent of 2,551 feet. It’s 6.5 miles and you’ll need between four to six hours to complete it.
This specific hike is actually an extension of the previously mentioned Sunrise Ridge Trail hike. If you want to hike to the highest peak in the area and enjoy one of the park’s best panoramic views, this is the hike for you, fellow hikers. You begin this hike at the official Hurricane Ridge parking lot.
Hike east along the earlier mentioned Klahhane Ridge Trail–also named the Sunrise Point Trail–to Sunrise Ridge and beyond. You will next experience a moderate descent. Now here’s the interesting part.
In order to actually reach the very top of Mount Angeles, you must now complete a very steep hike. It comes complete with some fairly tricky rock scrambling as well. Ah, but from high atop of Mount Angeles, the views are said to be just plain unbeatable. Complete the hike on a clear day and you will be able to see Mount Rainier, Puget Sound, Vancouver Island, and Olympic National Park’s mountains.
4. The Marymere Falls Hike
This is an easy hike with a total ascent of just 200 feet. It has a distance of under two miles and should only require one hour to finish. Veteran visitors say it is a sweet, short hike to see this beautiful waterfall that’s nestled deep inside a verdant old-growth forest. Most of this hike to Marymere Falls is surprisingly fast, flat, and, in terms of scenery, quite memorable.
It features bridges spanning streams and creeks and an ancient forest of moss-covered trees looming overhead. There is, however, a brief, technically strenuous uphill climb to a great viewpoint of the waterfall. This hike can also be a nice little addition to the hike to Mount Storm King since both hikes start at the same trailhead. They both begin at the popular Lake Crescent which is nestled right next to the official Storm King Ranger Station.
5. The Mount Storm King Hike
Get pumped up, people! This hike is one of the best hikes in the entire park. This hike may be under five miles but it is rated strenuous. It has a total ascent of 2,130 feet and you will need between three to five hours to complete it.
Despite the fact that those in the know call it a comparatively short yet “grueling” hike, it ends with a stunningly memorable view of lovely Lake Crescent and is one of the most popular hikes in the park as well.
Not only is this a steep, challenging, and nigh-relentless climb up to majestic Mount Storm King, but just before you get to the actual summit, the trail gets steeper still. You will actually need to use a number of ropes. After that, you must survive one brief, last scramble to Mount Storm King’s peak. The hike to Marymere Falls can be added to the start or finish of this hike.
6. The Sol Duc Falls Hike
If you’d prefer an easy hike, try this 2.25-mile hike. It has a total ascent of just 320 feet and might take an hour to finish. For those not in the know, Sol Duc Falls is a striking waterfall that is found deep amidst Olympic National Park’s temperate rainforest.
Hop in your car and take the well-marked Sol Duc Road to its end. Park in the parking lot there. From there it’s just a comparatively quick round-trip walk to the wonderful waterfall.
7. Hike High Divide Trail and the Seven Lakes Basin Loop
Up for a challenge? This strenuous hike has a total distance of 19 miles and a total ascent of 5,000 feet, this hike requires between 10 to 14 hours to complete. In fact, you may wish to make an overnight backpacking trip out of this one.
You begin this adventure at striking Sol Duc Falls. From there, you hike past distinctive Deer Lake and head into the subalpine region. You will see a total of seven lovely lakes on this hike and might even see black bears and other assorted local wildlife as well. If you do decide to camp overnight on this trek you will have to get a permit ahead of time and be sure you know all the precautions to take when you camp anywhere that bears may bed down too.
The Best Hikes Along the Picturesque Pacific Coastline
8. The Cape Flattery Hike
Let’s try another easy one now, shall we? For those not in the know, Cape Flattery is officially the northernmost place in the entire continental United States. More specifically it is situated at the spot where the Strait of Juan de Fuca meets the Pacific Ocean.
This is an easy hike with a total ascent of only 200 feet. It has a distance of only 1.5 miles. You should be able to do it in an hour. The hiking trail itself actually alternates between boardwalks, a dirt trail, and a gravel trail all the way up to three exceptional viewpoints of the famous Cape Flattery.
9. The Shi Shi Beach Hike
If you’d like to spend some time at one of the park’s most beautiful beaches, where you can see not only tide pools but distinguishing pinnacles, this hike is perfect for your hiking bucket list. You can do it as a lengthy day hike or turn it into an overnight backpacking adventure.
Depending on how far you wish to hike down the beach, the distance will vary between six and 10 miles. Still, this hike is rated easy, with only a minimal ascent.
It should only require a total of four to six hours in total to finish it. It is also important to know that while the beach is situated within Olympic National Park actual access to the beach is via the Makah Reservation. You will need to pay the park’s fee and get a Makah Recreation Pass as well.
10. Hike Rialto Beach to Hole-in-the-Wall
The hike to Hole-in-the-Wall is another of the best hikes in this park. It is rated as an easy hike with a total distance of 3.5 miles. The ascent is minimal and it will take between 1.5 to 2.5 hours.
You will actually be hiking on the beach and the views are said to be “amazing.” Just drive to Rialto Beach and park in the parking area there, right alongside the beach. Hit the beach and head north. Enjoy the view of the well-known sea stacks that sit on the rugged coastline there.
11. The Third Beach Hike
To understand the name of this hike, you have to know something about the area. There is a trio of beaches near the town of La Push. They are actually named the First, Second, and Third Beach. (First Beach is the northernmost of these beaches and Third Beach is the most remote.)
The Third Beach Hike is an easy, three-mile hike with an ascent of 400 feet. Allow up to two hours for this one. The trail takes you through a verdant forest. It is generally an easy, flat trail but take a talkative hiking buddy as some say hiking through all these trees can be a little monotonous. Ah, but once you hit the beach, the view is quite nice!
12. The Ruby Beach Hike
Ruby Beach is a popular and easily accessible beach in Olympic National Park. It is named after the striking ruby-colored crystals that are in the sand there. This hike to the beach is six miles in length.
It is an easy hike with a minimal ascent. Give yourself three hours for this one. For a quick visit, park your vehicle in the big parking area then head downhill to the beach. In order to make it an actual hike, you simply go north along sand ‘til you hit Hoh River. That makes it a six-mile hike round trip.
And speaking of Hoh…
The Best Hikes in the Hoh Rainforest
There are two hiking trails you can take through the Hoh Rainforest. They both begin at one parking lot. Perhaps more importantly, they are both considered easy and are both reported to be “essential” when it comes to fully experiencing Olympic National Park.
13. The Hall of Mosses Hike
This hike is just under one mile. It’s an easy hike with minimal ascent and might take you half an hour at the most. The popular Hall of Mosses hiking trail loops through some of the area’s oldest trees. As you might gather from its name, this is also one of the park’s best places to take pictures of the moss hanging off of the trees there.
14. Hike The Spruce Nature Trail
This is one of the easiest and best hikes in the park. It’s a 1.2-mile loop trail with minimal ascent. It should take you no more than 45 minutes to finish.
It is highlighted by memorable views of the Hoh River and the local rainforest. If you are bothered by crowds, you will be pleased to know that this hiking trail is normally significantly less crowded than the previously mentioned Hall of Mosses. Animal lovers will also be happy to know you might be able to spot a black bear on this trail too.
The Best Hikes in Staircase
15. The Staircase Rapids Loop
This is an easy hike of just under three miles. It includes a total accent of 285 feet. You will need between one and a half to two hours to finish it.
This hiking trail runs along the Skokomish River’s North Fork. It takes you through a temperate, lush rainforest and comes complete with exceptional views of both rapids and waterfalls. Veteran visitors say this is a beautiful place to be. Typically speaking, as this goes to press anyway, you typically do not see a lot of other hikers here on this trail either. It offers views much like those found in the Hoh Rainforest, huge moss-covered trees complete with lichen.
16. The Mount Ellinor Hike
Also on our list of best hikes in this park, is this challenging hike. It has a distance of between 3.2 to 6.2 miles. Depending on your specific choices, the total ascent is a minimum of 2,400 feet but could go as high as 3,300 feet. Thus, you need to set aside at least three hours if not five.
Your reward here is the pretty panoramic views out over the well-known Olympic Peninsula and beyond to Mount Baker and Mount Rainier. Mount Ellinor is one of Olympic National Park’s highest mountains. It’s located on the park’s eastern side.
You actually have a choice of two hiking strategies in order to reach Mount Ellinor’s peak. One is a hike that has more of a gradual ascent but is longer. The other is shorter in length but is significantly steep. Of course, as it is with many hikes, you want to avoid heading out when it is especially cloudy or even drizzly. You want to be able to see you can in Olympic Park everything when you get to the top so clarity is king here.
17. Hike East Fork Quinault River Trail to Enchanted Valley
Last but certainly not least on this list of best hikes in the park, is this two to four-day adventure. It encompasses a distance of 26 miles and is rated as strenuous. Your journey begins near lovely Lake Quinault.
This is an exciting overnight backpacking trip where you hike to the Enchanted Valley Chalet. You take the popular East Fork Quinault River Trail for 13 miles. You hike through lush, old-growth forest ‘til you arrive at the chalet.
Keep an eye out for local wildlife too. You may very well spot bears, coyotes, deer, elk, and even mountain lions as you hike this trail. Your best bet is to consider this a fun overnight backpacking trip.
Get an Olympic permit ahead of time. With your permit, you will be able to camp overnight at Enchanted Valley, O’Neil Creek, Pony Bridge, or Pyrites Creek. Be aware that as this goes to press, the national park service may have decided to tear down and remove the old chalet.
