With more than 922,000 acres (373,120 hectares), most of it offically designated wilderness, it's not hard to find someplace to go for a hike in Olympic National Park.

Hiking to Marymere Falls, Olympic National Park / Rebecca Latson

You can walk on the beach, walk through a rain forest, or hike up onto the roof of the park where you'll find glaciers and crags.

Keeping in mind the weather in Olympic, be sure to pack wisely, even if you're going out only for the morning or afternoon. Good rain gear is a must, and though it's more than a little moist in the park, water should be in your pack, too.

Here's a glance at some of the shorter hikes in the park: 

Temperate Rain Forest Hikes

 Hoh Rain Forest

* The Mini Trail is a paved 0.1 mile (0.16 km) loop trail near the Visitor Center.

* Hall of Mosses Trail is a 0.8 mile (1.3 km) loop trail beginning near the Visitor Center.

* Spruce Nature Trail is a 1.2 mile (1.9 km) loop trail beginning near the Visitor Center.

Queets Rain Forest

* Sam's River Loop is a flat 2.8 mile (0.85 km) trail through different ages of temperate rain forest. Watch for damage from severe winter storms.

Quinault Rain Forest

The bridge over Kestner Creek along the Maple Glade Trail, Olympic National Park / Rebecca Latson

 * Maple Glade Trail is a 0.5 mile (4.5 km) loop beginning at the bridge next to the Quinault River Ranger Station.

* Cascading Terraces Trail is a 1.0 mile (1.6 km) loop trail beginning at Graves Creek campground. NOTE: Graves Creek Road was damaged in 2007 adding an additional 4.5 mile (7.2 km) hike.

* Irely Lake Trail is a 1.2 mile (1.9 km) trail beginning 0.7 miles (1.1 km) before the North Fork campground entrance.

* Quinault Big Cedar Trail is a 0.2 mile (0.32 km) trail gaining 80 feet (24 m) in elevation. The trailhead has minimal parking and is located 2.0 miles (3.2 km) up the North Shore Road across from the Lake
Quinault Resort.

* Kestner Homestead Trail is a self guided 1.3 mile (2.1 km) loop trail starting at the Quinault Ranger Station.

 Mountain Hikes

Hurricane Ridge

* Meadow Loop Trails begin from the parking lot. There are several 0.25 to 0.5 mile (0.4 to 0.8 km) trails.

* Hurricane Hill is 1.6 miles (2.6 km) one way and begins at the end of the Hurricane Ridge Road. The rough paved trail gains about 700 feet (213 m) in elevation, giving panoramic views. (Wheelchair accessible first 0.5 miles (0.8 km) only.

* Klahhane Ridge begins near the Visitor Center. The first 2.8 miles (4.5 km) brings you to a junction with the Switchback Trail. You may continue or return to the Visitor Center.

* Deer Park Rainshadow Loop: self-guided 0.5 mile (0.8 km) loop to summit of Blue Mountain. Starts at the end of Deer Park Road, a steep, one-lane gravel road not suitable for RVs or trailers.

 Lowland Forest Hikes

Sol Duc

* Ancient Groves Nature Trail: 0.6 mile (0.97 km) loop beginning 9 miles (14.5 km) up Sol Duc Road.

* Sol Duc Falls is 0.8 miles (1.29 km) one way from the end of the Sol Duc Road.

* Lover’s Lane Loop is a 5.8 mile (9.3 km) loop connecting Sol Duc campground, Sol Duc Falls and the Resort.

* Mink Lake Trail: 2.6 miles (4.2 km) one way from Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort.

Lake Crescent

* Moments in Time Nature Trail: a flat 0.6 mile (1.0 km) loop trail beginning at Lake Crescent Lodge.

* Marymere Falls is 0.9 miles (1.4 km) one way from Storm King Ranger Station. (The first 0.5 mile / 0.8 km is accessible.)

* Mount Storm King Trail: 2.1 miles (3.4 km) one way from turnoff on Marymere Falls Trail. It climbs 2,100 feet (640 m)!

* Pyramid Peak Trail is 3.5 miles (5.6 km) one way and begins near the North Shore Picnic Area. It climbs 2,350 feet (716 m)!

* Spruce Railroad Trail is 4.0 miles (6.4 km) one way and begins near the North Shore Picnic Area or the east side of the lake. It is a designated bike trail.

Heart O’ the Hills

* Heart O'the Forest Trail is 2.3 miles (3.7 km) one way and starts at Loop E in Heart O’ the Hills campground.

Park Visitor Center

* Peabody Creek Trail is a 0.5 mile (0.8 km) loop trail beginning in the Visitor Center parking area.

* Living Forest Trail is a 0.4 mile (0.6 km) loop trail behind the Visitor Center

Elwha

* Madison Falls Trail is a paved 0.1 mile (0.16 km) one way trail to a waterfall; starts at the Elwha Entrance Station.

* Cascade Rock Trail: a steep 2.1 mile (3.4 km) one way forest hike, or take the level 0.6 mile (1 km)  loop. Both begin behind the picnic shelter in Elwha campground.

* Upper Lake Mills Trail is a steep 0.4 mile (0.6 km) one way trail from 4 miles (6 km) up the Whiskey Bend Road. It descends 400 feet (122 m) to the Elwha River.

* West Lake Mills Trail is 1.9 miles (3.1 km) one way and begins at the Lake Mills boat launch parking area.

* West Elwha Trail is 3.0 miles (5 km) one way in old-growth forest near the river; starts at Altair Campground.

* Geyser Valley Loop is a 6.0 mile (10 km) loop trail beginning at the end of the Whiskey Bend Road. The trail can be broken down into shorter loops.

Staircase

* Shady Lane Nature Trail is 0.9 miles (1.4 km) one way and begins across the bridge from the ranger station.

* Staircase Rapids Loop Trail has a bridge out, but two 0.9-mile (1.4 km) trails explore both banks of the river from near the ranger station.

Coastal Hikes

Be aware of tides when hiking.

Ozette

* Cape Alava Trail is 3.3 miles (5.3 km) one way mostly on boardwalk from near the ranger station to the coast.

* Sand Point Trail is 2.8 miles (4.5 km) one way mostly on boardwalk from near the ranger station to the coast. A 2.9 mile (4.7 km) beach walk connects the two trails making a 9.0 mile (14.5 km) loop

Mora – La Push

* Rialto Beach: 1.5 mile (2.4 km) hike to arch and tidepools at Hole-in-the-Wall. Use caution if continuing north.

* Second Beach: 0.7 mile (1 km) hike to tidepools and seastacks from La Push Road, 14 miles (22.5) west of Highway 101.

* Third Beach Trail is a 1.4 mile (2.25 km) hike to a sandy beach from La Push Road, 12 miles (19 km) west of Highway 101.

* James Pond is a 0.3 mile (0.5 km) loop to a shallow beaver pond.

Note: Pets are not allowed on park trails or beaches except on a leash at the following locations:

• Rialto Beach
• Kalaloch Beaches
• Spruce Railroad Trail
• Madison Falls Trail
• Peabody Creek Trail
• July Creek Loop Trail
• Campgrounds, parking areas, and on roads

Backpacking In Olympic

There are plenty of opportunities to walk into the backcountry of Olympic National Park. The place to begin that trip is on the park's Wilderness Trip Planner webpage. There you'll find details on getting permits, backcountry regulations, food storage, tides, and winter travel, just to name some of the pointers.

Another good page to check out is on Wilderness Safety, which offers some tips on dealing with wildlife in the backcountry, coping with the weather, and staying safe.

Where will that trail take you in Olympic National Park? / Rebecca Latson