The Olympic Peninsula is one of the most ecologically diverse locations in the USA! From towering mountain peaks, to lush rain forests, and the crashing of the surf on the Pacific Coast, Olympic National Park has a life time of adventure available!
LessThe Hoh River Trail begins in the heart of the Hoh Rainforest—one of the most incredible rainforests in the world! "You can’t escape a sense of magic at the Hoh,” writes Susan Elderkin on WTA.org. "The huge trees, the cascading moss, the birds and Roosevelt elk, the Olympic Mountains rising above and the broad river valley extending up and downstream all add up to make this a hike that must be done at least once in a lifetime.” Mapped here is the entire trail running 34 miles round-trip.
If the entire 34-mile Hoh River Trail is a bit too much, linked here you'll find an achievable 10-mile day hike to Five Mile Island that is guaranteed to impress!
The North Coast Route weaves along some of the most remote shoreline in the Lower 48. Famous Washington spectacles of coastal rainforest, sea stacks, arches, headlands, river mouths, giant driftwood, rocky shores, and sandy beaches are spread along a 30-mile stretch of nearly undeveloped coast in Olympic National Park. The North Coast Route is a partially maintained backcountry trail with designated campsites.
This short hike on the Hall of Mosses Trail affords enchanting scenery deep beneath the canopy of the rainforest, with massive screens of moss hanging from the towering trees. On this quick loop, you’ll enjoy "educational signage and plenty of opportunity to explore some of Washington's gorgeous, lush rainforests,” according to WTA.org.
This short hike affords enchanting scenery deep beneath the canopy of the Hoh Rain Forest. The deep, lush forest covered in moss is a result of the incredible 140 inches of precipitation that the Hoh Rain Forest receives every year. "The Hoh is one of the finest remaining examples of temperate rainforest in the United States and is one of [Olympic National Park’s] most popular destinations,” according to NPS.gov.
This triangle-shaped loop grants a brief tour of the wild Olympic Coast, with its coniferous rainforest, rocky beaches and tide pools, and sea stacks rising from the waves. The distance makes it doable as a day hike, but the coast has some fantastic campsites that make this better as a backpacking trip, for those who can reserve a permit. The permits are not easy to get because they are in high demand, and can be booked far in advance. Get yours as early as possible.
These natural hot springs are tucked in the fragrant evergreen forest of the Elwha River Valley. They require only a little bit of work to reach, in the form of a drive into Olympic National Park and a hike into a wilderness area. They are quite popular and space in the pools is limited, so try to go early in the morning or on a weekday if you want the best choice of a spot to soak.
The High Divide Loop is one of Washington’s premier backpacking routes, to alpine lakes and along a mountain crest in Olympic National Park. The hike begins at the ever-popular Sol Duc Falls trailhead, but continues past the crowds into a mountainous wilderness, reaching a highpoint of 5,474 feet on Bogachiel Peak.
"With glacier-packed peaks, ancient forests, and a rugged coastline, Olympic is arguably one of the most diverse national parks in the country,” writes Brad Lane on PlanetWare.com. With so many options available spread over almost a million acres of land, figuring out where to start is often the biggest challenge! In this guidebook, you’ll discover a broad selection of Olympic National Park’s very best hikes.