Best Hikes on the Olympic Peninsula Ranked

The Olympic Peninsula is a hiker’s paradise with trails ranging from gentle walks through ancient rainforest to challenging alpine scrambles with 2,000-foot elevation gains. Whether you’re a casual walker looking for accessible trails or a backcountry veteran seeking multi-day adventures, this comprehensive ranking covers the peninsula’s best hikes across all difficulty levels and regions.

Easy Hikes (Under 5 Miles, Minimal Elevation Gain)

1. Hall of Mosses Trail – Hoh Rain Forest

Distance: 3 miles round trip. Elevation gain: 200 feet. This is the peninsula’s most iconic easy hike. Towering Sitka spruce and western red cedar form a cathedral-like canopy, with massive moss-covered trees creating an otherworldly green world. The trail is well-maintained, relatively flat, and heavily traveled. Best visited early morning or off-season to avoid crowds. Trailhead parking often fills by 9 a.m. in summer.

2. Marymere Falls Trail – Sol Duc

Distance: 2 miles round trip. Elevation gain: 300 feet. A delightful walk through old-growth forest to a 90-foot waterfall. Less crowded than Hall of Mosses but equally beautiful. The trail ascends gradually alongside the Sol Duc River. Excellent for families with children. Trailhead near Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort.

3. Staircase Rapids Trail – Staircase

Distance: 2 miles round trip. Elevation gain: minimal. A flat, accessible walk along the North Fork Skokomish River with views of rapids. One of the least crowded major trails. Excellent for quiet forest immersion. Longer backpacking routes extend from this trailhead.

4. Dungeness Spit Beach Walk – Sequim

Distance: Up to 6.8 miles round trip (depending on how far you walk). Elevation gain: none. Not technically in the national park but on the peninsula’s north shore. A long sand spit extending into the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Birdwatching, sea views, and lighthouse access. Tide dependent; check tide tables.

5. Rialto Beach Loop – La Push

Distance: 3 miles round trip (beach walk). Elevation gain: minimal. Rocky beach walk with sea stacks, tide pools, and sea caves. Requires tide awareness. Best visited at low tide. Access Hole-in-the-Wall sea cave formation. Can be extended by walking further along coast or to Shi Shi Beach (more technical). Highly popular.

Moderate Hikes (5–10 Miles, 500–1,500 Feet Elevation Gain)

6. Hurricane Hill Trail – Hurricane Ridge

Distance: 3 miles round trip. Elevation gain: 700 feet. Stunning alpine views from 5,757 feet. The trail climbs steeply through subalpine meadows to a summit with 360-degree views of the Olympics, Puget Sound, and the Cascades. Wildflowers in late June through July. Weather changes rapidly; start early. High elevation means this is popular in good weather.

7. Hoh River Trail – Hoh Rain Forest

Distance: 6 miles round trip (easy version) or 17.3 miles one-way (backpacking route). Elevation gain: gradual 500 feet over 6 miles. Following the Hoh River through rainforest, this is the gateway to Mount Olympus. The first 6 miles are well-trodden and rewarding. The trail continues deep into the park for ambitious backpackers. Multiple campsites along the route.

8. Shi Shi Beach and Point of Arches – Neah Bay

Distance: 7 miles round trip (beach walk). Elevation gain: minimal (steep descent to beach, then coastal hiking). A remote and wild beach on the peninsula’s northwest tip. Requires tide awareness and camping permission from the Makah Nation. Sea arches, natural beauty, and solitude. More technical than Rialto Beach.

9. Obstruction Point Road Overlooks – Hurricane Ridge

Distance: Variable 1–3 miles depending on stops. Elevation gain: 500–1,000 feet from roadside pullouts. A scenic drive with multiple short walking overlooks (Elk Overlook, Obstruction Point, etc.). Combines driving and hiking. Wildflowers and alpine views. Seasonally closed (typically November–March).

10. Mount Ellinor Trail – Hoodsport

Distance: 6.8 miles round trip. Elevation gain: 2,500 feet (this is a challenge). One of the Olympic Peninsula’s most prominent peaks (5,944 feet) with views of Hood Canal and the mountain range. The trail climbs relentlessly through forest then scree to open summit meadows. Wildflowers peak in late June. Requires good fitness. Scrambling on the final section. Trailhead is 1.5 hours from Port Angeles.

Difficult Hikes (10+ Miles, 1,500+ Feet Elevation Gain, or Technical Terrain)

11. Enchanted Valley Trail and Pony Bridge Camp – Remote Interior

Distance: 12 miles round trip to Pony Bridge, 26+ miles for full traverse. Elevation gain: 1,200 feet to camp. One of the most remote and pristine backpacking routes on the peninsula. The trail ascends gradually through rainforest, following the Quinault River. Crosses multiple bridges. Reaches a stunning U-shaped glacial valley ringed by waterfalls cascading from cliffs. Waterfall caves and permanent waterfalls. Requires backpacking permit and multiple days.

12. Mount Olympus – Hoh Rain Forest

Distance: 17 miles round trip. Elevation gain: 3,563 feet to summit (7,965 feet). This is the peninsula’s most famous peak and a serious endeavor. The Hoh River Trail leads to base camp (6 miles), then steep forest to Blue Glacier (one of the few remaining glaciers on the peninsula). Non-technical but exposed final approach. Requires mountaineering skill, crampons, and ice axe experience on glacier. Best climbed July–September when snow is minimal.

13. Royal Basin Backpack – Bailey Range

Distance: 8 miles to basin, 15+ miles for loop. Elevation gain: 2,000+ feet. A high alpine basin surrounded by meadows and peaks. Spectacular wildflowers (peak late July/early August). Requires stream crossings and off-trail navigation. Fewer crowds than other major trails. Trailhead at Dungeness River area (north side).

14. Quilcene-Dosewallips Loop – Hood Canal Interior

Distance: 10+ miles. Elevation gain: 3,000+ feet. A challenging high-elevation loop on the Hood Canal side of the park. Alternates between rainforest and alpine terrain. Requires navigation skills and stream crossings. Excellent wildlife habitat. Less-used trail; conditions can be challenging. Permits required for backcountry camping.

15. Shi Shi Beach Multi-Day Backpack – Northwest Coast

Distance: 15+ miles along the coast. Elevation gain: variable (beach walking with some bluff sections). A remote multi-day coastal adventure. Requires tide awareness, rock scrambling, and Makah Nation permits. Camping at designated sites. Pristine beaches, sea caves, and wildlife. One of the peninsula’s finest wilderness experiences. Challenging logistics but rewarding.

Hiking By Region and Access

Rainforest (Hoh, Quinault, Bogachiel)

Best for: Moss-covered trees, river corridors, wildlife. Access: Drive to Forks, then to trailheads. Most popular: Hall of Mosses, Hoh River Trail.

Alpine (Hurricane Ridge, Obstruction Point, Bailey Range)

Best for: Panoramic views, wildflowers, sub-alpine meadows. Access: Hurricane Ridge Road from Port Angeles. Seasonal closures possible. Most popular: Hurricane Hill, Obstruction Point overlooks.

Coastal (Rialto Beach, Shi Shi Beach, Dungeness Spit)

Best for: Sea stacks, tide pools, marine life. Access: From La Push (Rialto), Neah Bay (Shi Shi), Sequim (Dungeness). Tide-dependent. Most popular: Rialto Beach.

Remote Interior (Enchanted Valley, Royal Basin, Quilcene-Dosewallips)

Best for: Solitude, pristine wilderness, wildlife. Access: Multiple points around the park. Requires backcountry permits and navigation. Fewer crowds but more challenging logistics.

Seasonal Considerations

Spring (April–June)

Wildflowers emerge. Snow melts from lower trails by late May. Higher elevation trails (above 4,000 feet) may have lingering snow through June. Stream crossings can be challenging due to runoff.

Summer (July–September)

All trails fully accessible. Best conditions for hiking. Peak wildflower bloom in late July/early August. High elevation peaks are snow-free. Maximum crowds on popular trails.

Fall (September–November)

Fall colors peak early October. Weather clear but cooler. Lower crowds. Higher elevation snow by late October. Stream crossings more manageable.

Winter (December–March)

Lower elevation rainforest trails accessible. Higher elevation trails (above 3,000 feet) require winter gear. Shorter daylight hours. Minimal crowds.

Essential Hiking Tips

Permits and Reservations

Day hikes don’t require permits. Backcountry camping requires permits ($8/night). Submit permits 1–5 months in advance via lottery or obtain walk-up permits from ranger stations same day.

Gear Essentials

Waterproof jacket, layered clothing, sturdy hiking boots, trekking poles for muddy/rooty trails, high-SPF sunscreen (UV exposure increases with elevation), insect repellent (mosquitoes peak July–August), bear bell (optional but recommended), water filter or treatment.

Trailhead Conditions

Check current conditions via nps.gov/olym before heading out. Trails can be muddy, bridged sections collapse, and blowdowns occur. Parking at popular trailheads fills early; arrive before 8 a.m. in summer.

Wildlife Safety

Black bears and mountain lions inhabit trails; neither is aggressive if given space. Store food in bear boxes at campsites. Make noise while hiking. Elk can be dangerous; maintain 25 yards distance. Never feed any wildlife.

Water

No water sources along short day hikes; bring 2–3 liters. Backcountry water is available but requires treatment (filter or purification tablets). Never assume water is safe without treatment.