11 Best Hikes in the Olympic National Park

Many of the best hikes in Washington can be found in Olympic National Park.

This park is one of the most beautiful in the US. Its alpine lakes, towering peaks, ancient forests, and coastal tide pools make it the ultimate outdoor playground. 

Whether you want a deep escape into nature or just a peaceful day walk with a picnic, the trails that cover this park have it all.

Even the most short and easy trails here offer major rewards for hikers. 

Based on our experience offering highly rated hiking tours in the park, here are our choices of the best hikes in Olympic National Park.

Mount Storm King is a challenging hike that rewards the adventurous with breathtaking views over the park.

It’s one of Olympic National Park’s best hikes if you’re after a great sense of accomplishment.

The trail starts at Lake Crescent and ascends sharply. As soon as you start climbing, it becomes a real test of endurance and strength. 

Early on, you’ll pass through dense forest, but the final stretch truly tests your tired legs. 

The park does not maintain this section and includes steep, rocky terrain where ropes are provided to help you navigate the climb.

It’s a fun way up but requires a sense of adventure.

Once at the top, you’re treated to panoramic views of Lake Crescent below and the surrounding mountains, making the arduous effort well worth it.

Hurricane Hill offers one of the best viewpoints, if not the best viewpoint, in Olympic National Park. 

The trail begins at Hurricane Ridge, a popular destination that provides easy access to the Olympic Range’s exceptional views.

Walking Hurricane Ridge alone is one of the top hikes in Olympic National Park if you’re after a short and easy route.

The paved trail gradually ascends, leading you through meadows covered with wildflowers in the summer. 

As you near the summit of Hurricane, the views open up dramatically, offering a sweeping panorama of the Olympic Mountains, Puget Sound, and even Vancouver Island on clear days. 

This hike is perfect for anyone looking for awe-inspiring scenery without too much effort. It’s definitely not as strenuous as other summits in the park. Still, the views and rewards are as good as anywhere else. 

We include the hike along Hurricane Ridge on the first day of our Washington Olympics and Cascades adventure. It’s the perfect introduction to this awesome national park.

The Sol Duc Falls Trail is a short but magical walk through an old-growth forest that feels like stepping back in time.

It’s one of the best day hikes in Olympic National Park if you want to experience the ancient trees of this region.

The trail is gentle and family-friendly, winding through towering trees and alongside clear streams. The highlight is Sol Duc Falls, an impressive waterfall that splits into three separate streams as it crashes down into the canyon below. 

The wooden bridge over the falls provides an excellent viewpoint, and the mist from the falls often catches the sunlight, creating rainbows that add to the atmosphere.

For those seeking an authentic wilderness experience, the High Divide and Seven Lakes Basin trail offers a multi-day adventure through some of the park’s most stunning landscapes. 

This challenging hike takes you high into the alpine zone, where you’ll be surrounded by a series of crystal-clear lakes nestled in a basin.

It’s absolutely one of the best hikes in Olympic National Park if you want to experience the park’s remote wilderness.

The trail offers spectacular views of Mount Olympus and the surrounding peaks - the kind of view that most park visitors never get to witness. 

Wildlife is also abundant up here, and you may encounter black bears and mountain goats. So, be prepared and know what to do if you encounter a bear on the trail.

This hike is demanding but provides unmatched rewards for those who do it.

While many of the best Olympic National Park hikes are focused around mountain trails and waterfalls, you can also do a fantastic coastal hike in the park.

Rialto Beach offers a unique coastal hiking experience where the sea meets the forest. This area is unlike anywhere else.

The hike takes you along the rugged Pacific coastline to the famous Hole-in-the-Wall rock formation and the iconic Tree of Life.

As you walk along the beach, you’ll be treated to views of sea stacks rising from the ocean and the sound of waves crashing against the shore. 

Tide pools filled with marine life add an extra layer of interest to this hike. Just try to time your visit with the tides to enjoy the scenery without getting stranded by rising waters.

This hike is also a favourite part of our Washington Olympics and Cascades adventure.

The Marymere Falls Trail is a gentle, family-friendly hike. The easy but beautiful route takes you through a lush, old-growth forest to one of the park’s most accessible waterfalls. 

Starting near Lake Crescent, the trail meanders through a canopy of towering trees, crossing creeks via wooden bridges.

The final ascent to the falls involves a short climb, but the reward is a stunning view of Marymere Falls cascading 90 feet down a fern-covered cliff. 

This trail is perfect for a leisurely afternoon outing and offers a peaceful escape into nature. We recommend bringing along a picnic and soaking up the great waterfall views.

Mineral Creek Falls is a hidden gem in Olympic National Park, accessible via the quieter Hoh River Trail. 

This hike takes you deep into the temperate rainforest, one of the quietest places in the continental US. The trail follows the Hoh River, with its impressive turquoise waters guiding you along the trail. 

The falls are tranquil, with water tumbling down a moss-covered cliff into a serene pool - an excellent place for a cold swim if you’re brave enough.

This hike is ideal for those looking to immerse themselves in the solitude and beauty of the rainforest without the crowds.

It’s undoubtedly one of the top hikes Olympic National Park offers if you want an escape from the busier trails.

The Hall of Mosses Loop and Spruce Nature Trail offer a quintessential experience of Olympic National Park’s temperate rainforest. This is one of the park’s most popular walks, and we think every visitor should try to fit it in—especially as it’s an easy hike.

The Hall of Mosses Loop is a short trail that leads you through a magical world of towering trees draped in moss, creating an otherworldly atmosphere. 

The Spruce Nature Trail complements this with its path through dense spruce forest, offering views of the Hoh River. 

Both trails are flat, easy, and family-friendly, providing an intimate look at the park’s lush, green heart. While there’s a lot to see in Olympic National Park, it’s these old mossy trees that really make the place unique.

Cape Flattery is the northwesternmost point of the contiguous United States, with a point that offers dramatic views that are well worth the journey. 

Getting there involves a short hike through a forest and a series of viewing platforms overlooking the Pacific Ocean. 

From here, you can see Tatoosh Island with its historic lighthouse and watch waves crash against the rocky cliffs below. 

The area is rich in marine life, so watch for seabirds, whales, and sea otters.

The rugged beauty of Cape Flattery makes it a must-visit for any adventurer.

The hike to Devil’s Punchbowl via the Spruce Railroad Trail is a scenic walk along the shores of Lake Crescent - one of the highlights of any trip to the park.

The trail is mostly flat and passes through an old railroad tunnel, which adds a touch of history to your hike. 

Devil’s Punchbowl is a deep, blue-green pool where adventurous hikers can take a refreshing dip or enjoy the view.

It’s a great place to stop and soak up your surroundings.

The trail offers a pleasant mix of shaded forest and open sections with views across the lake, making it a varied hike for all skill levels.

Shi Shi Beach is one of the most stunning coastal hikes in Olympic National Park, known for its wild and rugged beauty. 

The trail leads you through a forest before descending to the expansive beach, where you’ll find the striking Point of Arches. These towering rock formations rise dramatically from the sand and are best explored during low tide when tide pools teem with marine life. 

This relatively flat but long hike is a great day hike or an overnight backpacking trip for those wanting to experience camping on the beach.

The varied landscapes along the way and sense of remoteness make this one of the best hikes on the Olympic peninsula.

These are some of the best hikes in the Olympic National Park and some of the best hikes in the USA, as this park offers such unique landscapes and sights that you can’t experience in other parts of America.

We suggest a multi-day hiking adventure if you want to experience this park’s best landscapes. Check out our Washington Olympics and Cascades adventure for the ultimate experience in the Northwest.