Hiking in Olympic

8.5 mi · 2,647 ft gain · 5.2 hr

A 8.5-mile loop in the Olympic high country combining the meadows of Badger Valley with the alpine lake basin at Grand Lake and the exposed ridge views of Grand Pass — one of the most complete mountain days in the park.

0.8 mi · 49 ft gain · 17 min

A short paved loop at Hurricane Ridge offering panoramic alpine meadow views with almost no elevation gain — the most accessible high-country experience in the park, reachable by anyone who can make the 17-mile drive from Port Angeles.

1.3 mi · 219 ft gain · 36 min

An easy out-and-back from the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center that adds a bit of elevation to the rim loop, ending at a dedicated sunrise viewpoint with open views east over the Olympic range.

4.6 mi · 1,384 ft gain · 2.8 hr

A moderately challenging loop in the Hurricane Ridge zone that climbs through subalpine meadows to an open ridge with views of Puget Sound on clear days — one of the best elk-spotting routes in the park.

7.7 mi · 2,395 ft gain · 4.7 hr

A hard out-and-back through old-growth forest and subalpine terrain to the calm, glacier-carved Grand Lake basin — worth the climb for the quiet alpine setting and wildlife along the approach.

8.9 mi · 2,867 ft gain · 5.6 hr

The highest-rated trail in the Olympic data set — this out-and-back to Grand Lake routes through the lush Badger Valley, adding creek crossings and wildflower meadows to what is already one of the park's most scenic alpine lake approaches.

15.1 mi · 5,869 ft gain · 10.6 hr

A strenuous 15-mile out-and-back with nearly 6,000 feet of gain to Grand Pass — the full commitment version of the Grand Valley trail system, suited to peak-baggers and strong hikers who want to earn the highest viewpoints in the area.

1.6 mi · 318 ft gain · 48 min

A quick out-and-back to a valley viewpoint in the Grand Valley trailhead area — a low-effort introduction to the Olympic mountain zone that rewards the approach drive with open meadow views without requiring a multi-hour commitment.

4.7 mi · 869 ft gain · 2.2 hr

A moderate forest hike through dense old-growth Olympic rainforest with a river crossing — the closest you can get to rainforest character from the north entrance without driving to the Hoh, and a good complement to Hurricane Ridge if you're spending two days.

3.5 mi · 803 ft gain · 1.8 hr

The most popular hike from Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center — a 3.5-mile out-and-back along an exposed ridge that trades forest for wildflower meadows and delivers the Olympic range panorama most visitors come to Hurricane Ridge to see.

3.1 mi · 1,469 ft gain · 2.4 hr

A short but steep 3-mile climb via the Switchback Trail to the Klahhane Ridge — packs 1,469 feet of gain into a compact out-and-back that rewards with one of the highest accessible viewpoints in the Hurricane Ridge zone.

7.2 mi · 2,483 ft gain · 4.7 hr

A 7-mile out-and-back that climbs steeply from the Hurricane Ridge Road trailhead through dense old-growth to Lake Angeles, a cold alpine lake ringed by rocky cliffs — one of the most dramatic lake destinations reachable from the north entrance.

8.3 mi · 2,949 ft gain · 5.5 hr

A demanding ridge hike that gains nearly 3,000 feet through river terrain and wildflower zones to the Lillian Ridge, with lake views below and one of the most expansive eastern Olympic panoramas in the trail system.

7.2 mi · 1,899 ft gain · 4.1 hr

A 7-mile out-and-back from Deer Park Campground (accessible via a gravel road from Port Angeles) to Maiden Peak, offering commanding views over the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the San Juan Islands — the north-side Olympic viewpoint most people haven't heard of.

5.8 mi · 2,178 ft gain

A strenuous 5.8-mile climb from Hurricane Ridge to the summit of Mount Angeles — exposed upper terrain and steep switchbacks lead to one of the highest summit points accessible as a day hike from the main north-entrance road.

3.9 mi · 1,978 ft gain

A strenuous 4-mile route that grinds 2,000 feet of gain up the Switchback Trail to Mount Angeles — a more direct and demanding approach than the Hurricane Ridge trail, suited to hikers who want elevation fast.

14.4 mi · 3,326 ft gain · 7.6 hr

A demanding 14-mile ridge traverse from Obstruction Point to the Deer Park area, crossing open subalpine terrain with sustained mountain views — ideal for strong hikers who can arrange a car shuttle at both ends.

7.1 mi · 2,047 ft gain · 4.2 hr

A long ridge approach via the Sunrise Ridge Trail, gaining 2,000 feet over 7 miles to Klahhane Ridge — the gradual alternative to the Switchback Trail with more wildflower terrain and a more progressive views experience.

0.9 mi · 219 ft gain · 29 min

A sub-mile loop from the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center that climbs slightly above the ridge to a named sunrise viewpoint — the shortest route to open wildflower terrain above the parking area, and worth the 29-minute effort for the views east.

8.9 mi · 3,874 ft gain · 6.6 hr

A challenging full-day combination that climbs the Switchback Trail to Klahhane Ridge and then descends to Lake Angeles, combining the two best destinations in the Hurricane Ridge north entrance zone into one big day with nearly 4,000 feet of gain.

1.1 mi · 82 ft gain · 0.4 hr

A short, mostly flat loop through old-growth temperate rainforest in the Hoh Rain Forest, with moss-draped maples, towering Sitka spruce and Western hemlock, and nurse logs lined with young saplings. The Hoh Valley is one of the wettest places in the continental US, so expect damp, muddy footing and pack waterproof boots. The big logistical catch is access: in summer (June-September), limited parking can mean 1-2 hour waits at the Hoh entrance gate between 10am and 4pm, so arrive early. Dogs are not allowed.

1.8 mi · 262 ft gain · 0.8 hr

A gentle, short walk through old-growth forest to a three-pronged waterfall where the Sol Duc River drops under a wooden bridge, with a viewing platform at the end. The trailhead sits at the far end of Sol Duc Hot Springs Road, about 14 miles off US-101 south of Port Angeles. Plan around the road: Sol Duc Road closes seasonally in winter, so check NPS current road conditions before you go and treat May through October as the reliable window. Dogs are not allowed.

3.3 mi · 85 ft gain · 1.0 hr

This is a beach walk rather than a trail, heading north about 1.5 miles from Rialto Beach over driftwood logs and rounded cobbles to Split Rock and the Hole-in-the-Wall sea arch, passing tide pools full of starfish along the way. It is tide-dependent: check the tide table and aim for low tide, since a tide above roughly 6 feet can cover the beach and leave nowhere to walk. Parking at Rialto fills fast in summer. Dogs are allowed only the first 0.75 miles to Ellen Creek, not beyond; overnight camping at Hole-in-the-Wall needs a wilderness permit.

1.8 mi · 324 ft gain · 0.9 hr

One of Olympic's most popular short hikes, running from the Storm King Ranger Station on Lake Crescent through old-growth forest to a tall waterfall. It stays mostly flat before a couple of well-maintained switchbacks near the falls, keeping it family-friendly. The trailhead is about 20 miles west of Port Angeles off US-101, and parking is limited, so start early. You can extend onto the Barnes Creek Trail, and Lake Crescent Lodge sits right at the shore nearby. Dogs are not allowed.

25.6 mi · 3,254 ft gain · 10.7 hr

A long backcountry route up the East Fork Quinault River to the historic Enchanted Valley Chalet, starting from the Graves Creek trailhead off South Shore Road. The first stretch to Pony Bridge is forested with few views; past it the valley opens up, and the well-graded trail balances climbing with long flat sections through the river valley. At 25.6 miles round trip with over 3,250 feet of gain, this is a multi-day backpacking trip, not a day hike, with the best window roughly March through September. A wilderness permit is required to camp overnight; check the NPS East Fork Quinault River Trail page for current trail and chalet status before you go. Dogs are not allowed.

4.4 mi · 2,142 ft gain

A steep climb above Lake Crescent that gains over 2,100 feet in 4.4 miles, starting near the Storm King Ranger Station. The maintained trail ends at about 2 miles, and the final quarter-mile is a steep, rocky scramble up a series of unmaintained ropes that can only be used one person at a time. Most injuries happen on the way down the rope section, so judge your comfort with the descent before committing on the way up; search-and-rescue calls happen here every year. Bring gloves for the ropes, start early before parking fills, and treat April through October as the season. Dogs are not allowed.