Hiking Washington’s Olympic National Park – 3 days
From high alpine ridges and wildflower-studded meadows to dramatic waterfalls, moss-draped giant trees and rugged beaches, the scenic Olympic Peninsula has it all. Hike along a ridge traverse 5,500 feet above sea level on a coastal hike to Shi Shi beach, one of the world’s most beautiful beaches, walk through the Hoh Rainforest and see some of the largest and oldest trees in Washington, and stay and dine at a historic National Park lodge on beautiful Lake Crescent and enjoy special outdoor dining experiences prepared by your guide. This hiking tour is an opportunity to experience the very best that the Olympic Peninsula has to offer, with a perfect balance of challenge and comfort.
Trip overview
- Start – Olympia, United States
- Finish – Olympia, United States
- Destinations – United States
- Physical rating – 4/5
- Group size – Max 6
- Spend each night at a century-old hotel filled with charm and history, where a comfortable bed awaits, as well as opportunities for shorter hikes just outside the back door.
- Hike along the alpine wonderland of Hurricane Ridge and take in the views across the Straits of Juan de Fuca to Vancouver Island and beyond.
- Walk through coastal forests to Shi Shi Beach where pounding waves, rugged cliffs, tidal pools, and towering sea stacks create a memorable nature experience.
- Join your guide at the famous Makah Museum and learn more about the cultural history of the local Makah people.
- Hike up the wild Hoh River and explore everything this rainforest has to offer while you watch for sightings of the local wildlife like elk, deer, bald eagles, and more.
- This is a hiking trip; a good fitness level will help you enjoying all included hikes and activities. Good clothing, appropriate footwear, and wet weather gear are a must.
- This trip involves hiking from 3 to 8 miles (5 to 10 km) per day with a total trip distance of 15+ miles (24+ km). The maximum daily elevation gain/loss is 1000 feet (305 m). Please check the trip itinerary for more details.
- On this trip, you’ll be required to carry a daypack weighing approximately 8-12 lb (3.5- 5.5 kg).
- On our final day there is no accommodation included so please plan your departure accordingly, or pre-book a post-tour night.
Itinerary
After this morning’s Welcome Meeting, take a scenic drive to the Olympic Peninsula and hike along the alpine wonderland of Hurricane Ridge where you will look across the Straits of Juan de Fuca to Vancouver Island and beyond. After plenty of playtime in these extraordinary mountains, drive back down to sea level and to our accommodation at a century-old hotel filled with charm and history. Showers and beds await, as well as opportunities for shorter hikes just outside the back door. Or you can just lounge around, chat with your fellow travellers, and enjoy the lakefront views. Tonight you will enjoy an included dinner at the lodge.
Today’s driving time is approximately 3 hours. Today’s walking distance is approximately 8kms (5 miles) with a 300m (1000 feet) elevation gain.
A pre-trip orientation meeting will take place at 5:00 PM day before trip starts via conference call. Your guide will reach out via email approximately 10 days before the trip to coordinate this call. Early on the morning of day 1, you will be picked up from Double Tree by Hilton hotel in Olympia (or the accommodation of your choice). We recommend you book a pre tour night in that hotel.
After breakfast prepared by your guide, head west towards Neah Bay and the Makah Reservation where you will descend through coastal forests for two miles until we reach the pounding waves, rugged cliffs, tidal pools, and towering sea stacks at Shi Shi Beach. Soak up sweeping views of the Pacific coastline before you continue south towards the iconic Point of Arches where you’ll enjoy a gourmet beach lunch before the drive back to our accommodation. Along the way, you will have a chance to stop by the famous Makah Museum (when open) and learn more about the cultural history of the Makah people. Tonight, enjoy a wonderful restaurant dinner as a group.
Today’s driving time is approximately 3.5 hours. Today’s walking distance is approximately 8kms (5 miles) with a 70m (200 feet) elevation gain.
After breakfast, head southwest towards the famous Hoh Rainforest, one of the nation’s largest temperate rainforests where you will see ancient towering trees, moss-draped nurse logs, incredible biodiversity, and abundant wildlife. From here, hike up the wild Hoh River and explore all that the rainforest has to offer. Elk, deer, black bears, bald eagles, and more await you in this incredible ecosystem. After a final gourmet trail lunch, make your way back to the trailhead and then drive to Olympia along scenic Highway 101 which offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. On arrival in Olympia, your trip will come to an end at approximately 5 pm.
Today’s driving time is approximately 5 hours. Today’s walking distance is approximately 8kms (5 miles) with minimal elevation gain.
Inclusions
- Hurricane Ridge hike
- Shi Shi Beach to Point of Arches hike
- Makah Museum visit
- Hoh Rainforest & River hike
