The Olympic Peninsula is one of those places that doesn’t make sense on paper. Within a single day’s drive, you can walk through a temperate rainforest dripping with moss, stand on a wild Pacific beach watching waves crash against sea stacks, and climb into alpine meadows with glacier views. Nowhere else in the lower 48 packs this kind of diversity into one peninsula.
And the best part? Most visitors stick to the same three or four spots. Get a mile off the main roads and you’ll have entire valleys to yourself.
The Rainforest Trails
1. Hoh River Trail
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate | Distance: Up to 17.3 miles one way | Elevation Gain: Varies
The crown jewel of Olympic rainforest hiking. The first few miles are flat and accessible — a cathedral of Sitka spruce and western hemlock draped in club moss, with the milky blue Hoh River running alongside. Most people turn around at the 2-3 mile mark. Keep going. The trail continues deep into the valley, eventually reaching the base of Mount Olympus at the Glacier Meadows camp (17.3 miles).
Day hike option: The Hall of Mosses loop (0.8 miles) and Spruce Nature Trail (1.2 miles) near the visitor center are short but extraordinary.
Tip: The Hoh gets 12-14 feet of rain per year. Waterproof everything. Seriously.
2. Quinault Rainforest Loop
Difficulty: Easy | Distance: 4 miles round trip | Elevation Gain: 200 ft
Less famous than the Hoh but equally lush. This loop follows the Quinault River through massive old-growth trees — some over 500 years old with trunks you can’t wrap your arms around. The world’s largest Sitka spruce is here. Fewer crowds, same magic.
3. Enchanted Valley Trail
Difficulty: Moderate | Distance: 26 miles round trip | Elevation Gain: 1,800 ft
The “Valley of 10,000 Waterfalls.” This overnight backpacking route follows the Quinault River to a historic chalet surrounded by waterfalls cascading down sheer valley walls. In spring and early summer, the waterfalls are everywhere — dozens of them pouring off the cliffs. One of the most dramatic backcountry destinations in the Pacific Northwest.
Note: Permits required for overnight camping. Reserve through recreation.gov — they go fast.
Coastal Trails
4. Shi Shi Beach to Point of the Arches
Difficulty: Moderate | Distance: 8 miles round trip | Elevation Gain: 200 ft
Wild, remote, and otherworldly. A muddy trail through forest drops you onto a pristine beach with massive sea stacks and tidal arches. At low tide, the tide pools are some of the richest on the Washington coast — starfish, anemones, urchins in neon colors. Camp overnight if you can.
Important: Check tide charts before going. Some sections of beach are only passable at low tide. A wilderness permit is required.
5. Rialto Beach to Hole-in-the-Wall
Difficulty: Easy | Distance: 3 miles round trip | Elevation Gain: Minimal
A beach walk through driftwood piles to a natural rock arch you can walk through at low tide. Simple, accessible, and stunning. The kind of trail where you end up staying three hours longer than planned just watching the waves.
6. Third Beach Trail
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate | Distance: 2.8 miles round trip | Elevation Gain: 300 ft
A short forest trail descends to one of the most photogenic beaches on the Olympic coast. Sea stacks, tidepools, and a waterfall that drops directly onto the beach. The trail itself is easy, but the descent and ascent have some muddy, root-covered sections.
Alpine Trails
7. Hurricane Ridge Trails
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate | Distance: Various | Elevation Gain: Various
The most accessible alpine terrain in Olympic National Park. Drive to Hurricane Ridge (5,242 ft) and choose from several trails with views of the Olympic Mountains and, on clear days, the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Vancouver Island. The Hurricane Hill Trail (3.2 miles round trip) is the standout — a gradual climb to panoramic views.
Best time: July through September when the road is clear of snow. Wildflower season peaks in late July.
8. Royal Basin Trail
Difficulty: Hard | Distance: 14 miles round trip | Elevation Gain: 2,700 ft
A stunning climb through old-growth forest to an alpine basin surrounded by peaks and glaciers. Royal Lake sits in the basin and makes a perfect backcountry campsite. This is serious hiking — long, steep, and remote — but the payoff is one of the most beautiful alpine settings in the Olympics.
9. Mount Storm King Trail
Difficulty: Hard | Distance: 3.8 miles round trip | Elevation Gain: 2,100 ft
Short but punishing. A steep climb through forest gives way to rope-assisted scrambling on exposed rock with Lake Crescent far below. The summit view — looking down at the impossibly turquoise lake surrounded by dense forest — is world-class. Not for anyone uncomfortable with heights or steep exposure.
Hidden Gems Most People Miss
10. Staircase Rapids Loop
Difficulty: Easy | Distance: 2 miles round trip | Elevation Gain: 100 ft
On the east side of the park, far from the tourist crowds. A flat loop through old-growth forest along the Skokomish River with rapids and deep emerald pools. Peaceful in a way that the west side trailheads rarely are.
11. Marymere Falls via Barnes Creek Trail
Difficulty: Easy | Distance: 1.8 miles round trip | Elevation Gain: 200 ft
A short walk through old-growth forest to a 90-foot waterfall. Located near Lake Crescent, it pairs well with Storm King for a full day. Easy enough for anyone and beautiful year-round.
When to Visit
Best months: July through September for the fullest access. Snow clears from Hurricane Ridge and high alpine trails by mid-July.
Spring (April-June): Lower elevation trails are accessible. Rainforest trails are lush. Alpine routes still snow-covered. Expect rain.
Fall (October-November): Fewer crowds, fall color along river valleys. Weather turns unpredictable. Some high-country access closes.
Winter: Rainforest and coastal trails remain open year-round. Hurricane Ridge opens for winter recreation (snowshoeing) on weekends.
Practical Tips
- Rain gear is non-negotiable. The west side of the peninsula averages 150+ inches of rain per year. Waterproof boots, rain jacket, pack cover — bring it all.
- National Park entrance fee: $30/vehicle for 7 days. Worth every penny.
- Gas up before you go. Stations are sparse once you leave Port Angeles or Forks.
- No cell service in most of the park. Download offline maps and let someone know your plan.
- Bear canisters required for overnight trips in many areas.
Explore all Olympic Peninsula trails on our Olympic Peninsula trails page for GPS data and current conditions.
