Exploring the remote and diverse landscapes of Olympic National Park can be a time-consuming matter, so you might be looking for short and easy hikes in Olympic National Park to add to your already-filled itinerary.
There’s no road through the park and visiting famous spots like the Hoh Rain Forest, Hurricane Ridge and Ruby Beach requires you to drive around the Olympic Mountains. Essentially, properly seeing Olympic National Park means a road trip around the entire Olympic Peninsula.
If you don’t have time for long day hikes, check out the following easy hikes in Olympic National Park. They range in length from no more than 0.5 mile to about 4 miles, with most on the lower end of the spectrum.
All are super-easy and have very little, if any, elevation gain. Ideal for a quick stroll to a scenic spot or a fun afternoon hike!
Contents
- 10 Wonderful Easy Hikes in Olympic National Park
- Easy Hikes in Olympic National Park: Temperate Rain Forest Trails
- Easy Hikes in Olympic National Park: Pacific Coast Trails
- Easy Hikes in Olympic National Park: Olympic Mountains & Old-Growth Forest Trails
- Wildlife Safety When Hiking in Olympic National Park
- Easy Day Hikes in Other National Parks
10 Wonderful Easy Hikes in Olympic National Park
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To anyone visiting America’s national parks, I always recommend doing at least one hike in each park. Usually, I’d say the longer the hike, the better the immersive experience. In the case of Olympic National Park, however, that isn’t necessarily true.
There’s so much to see here, so many places to visit, that a combination of several easy Olympic National Park hikes might be better than just one longer one.
This incredibly diverse park encompasses three major ecosystems—the lush temperate rain forests, the Olympic Mountains and old-growth forests, and the wild Pacific coast.
All are vastly different. Each is worth exploring on a short hike.
So, below, you’ll find short and easy hikes in Olympic National Park’s three main areas. I’ve also indicated whether these easy Olympic National Park trails are wheelchair accessible and whether pets are allowed or not.
Easy Hikes in Olympic National Park: Temperate Rain Forest Trails
Hall of Mosses Trail
Arguably the most famous trail in the entire national park, the Hall of Mosses Trail is a magical place to explore. Located in the stunning Hoh Rain Forest on the park’s west side, this extremely popular loop runs through lush old-growth forest.
It is particularly well-known for its grove of tall club moss-covered maple trees. Although only 0.8 miles long, the Hall of Mosses Trail is one of the most iconic hikes in the national park system.
I couldn’t think of a more appropriate trail to start this list of the best easy hikes in Olympic National Park.
Don’t skip it! In summer, try to get there early in the morning, though, as it gets very busy here during the day.
- Location: Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center
- Distance: 0.8 miles (loop)
- Pets allowed: No
- Wheelchair accessible: No
Lake Quinault Loop Trail
The Lake Quinault Loop Trail is the perfect introduction to the Quinault Rain Forest in the park’s southwestern corner.
Although technically located in adjacent Olympic National Forest, I couldn’t not include it in this list. Olympic National Park is just up the road and you’ll pass by this amazing trail while driving the beautiful Quinault Rain Forest Loop Drive.
The best place to start a hike on the Lake Quinault Loop Trail is the historic Lake Quinault Lodge, one of the greatest national park lodges in America. You could, however, also start it a various locations along the road.
The length of this particular hike on the Olympic Peninsula also varies. You can walk the quick and easy 0.5-mile Rain Forest Nature Trail Loop or combine all trails in the area for an 8-mile jaunt through a gorgeous rain forest.
If I may suggest one specific hike, it’d be the combination of the Lakeshore Trail, the Rain Forest Nature Trail Loop, and the trails through Cedar Bog and past Cascade Falls. This combined Quinault Rain Forest trail is about 4 miles long and takes about two hours.
- Location: South shore of Lake Quinault, at Lake Quinault Lodge
- Distance: 0.5 to 8 miles (suggested 4 miles) (loop)
- Pets allowed: No
- Wheelchair accessible: No
Cascading Terraces Nature Trail
To immerse yourself even more in the mossy beauty of the Quinault Rain Forest, hike the easy 1-mile Cascading Terraces Nature Trail.
The trailhead is at the Graves Creek Campground, which is the terminus of the Graves Creek Road, a 6-mile extension of the Quinault Rain Forest Loop Drive.
This flat trail runs through stunning forest scenery and along the East Fork of the Quinault River. Note, however, that after 2016 floods swept away the riverside portion of this former loop, it’s now a short out-and-back trail.
Typical of these Pacific Northwest rain forests, there’s an abundance of moss, lots of ferns and some beautifully crooked trees. You can also get close to the Quinault River here. Watch for migrating salmon in the fall.
- Location: Quinault, at Graves Creek Campground
- Distance: 1 mile (roundtrip)
- Pets allowed: No
- Wheelchair accessible: No
Kestner Homestead Loop Trail
An easy self-guided 1.3-mile loop trail runs from the Olympic National Park Quinault Rain Forest Ranger Station to Kestner Homestead.
This abandoned collection of farm buildings is a great place to learn about homesteading in the Quinault River Valley.
I particularly liked this short hike because it’s historic rather than natural. Although there’s beautiful natural scenery here, too, this walk is mostly about the area’s history.
- Location: North shore of Lake Quinault, at Quinault River Ranger Station
- Distance: 1.3 miles (loop)
- Pets allowed: No
- Wheelchair accessible: Yes, with assistance
Easy Hikes in Olympic National Park: Pacific Coast Trails
Rialto Beach to Hole-in-the-Wall
Situated about halfway down the Olympic Peninsula coast, Rialto Beach is one of Olympic National Park’s most famous beaches. Home to piles of driftwood, sea stacks, pebbles and sand, this stunning beach is exceptionally photogenic.
You can simply walk down to Rialto Beach from the parking lot for a breath of invigorating ocean air, or you can go for an easy hike to Hole-in-the-Wall. This sea-carved rock arch is a popular beach hiking destination in Olympic National Park, about 1.5 miles one way.
It’s a popular spot to explore tide pools and see marine creatures like sea stars, sea anemones, mussels, various crab species, and sea urchins. Sometimes, you can even see octopuses in or near tide pools.
When hiking to Hole-in-the-Wall from Rialto Beach, make sure to keep an eye on the tide, though. Watch the ocean for sneaker waves, which can occur at any time. Wear sturdy shoes.
- Location: Mora – La Push
- Distance: 3 miles (roundtrip)
- Pets allowed: Yes, first 0.5 mile from parking lot to Ellen Creek
- Wheelchair accessible: No
Ruby Beach Walk
The northernmost accessible beach in the Kalaloch area, Ruby Beach is home to a popular overlook and beach trail. It’s a short drive north of the wonderful Kalaloch Lodge and campground.
The trail to the beach is only 0.4 miles long, but you can extend your Pacific coast walk by simply continuing walking on the beach.
Enjoy this breathtaking sea stack-lined stretch of coastline, fill your lungs with fresh air. Watch for wildlife like eagles, western gulls, brown pelicans, whales and seals.
Even though it’s an undeniably busy spot, Ruby Beach is still one of the most pristine beaches on the U.S. West Coast. I highly recommend this easy coastal hike in Olympic National Park.
- Location: Kalaloch
- Distance: 0.4 miles (roundtrip to beach), but longer options along the beach
- Pets allowed: Yes
- Wheelchair accessible: Partially, only viewpoint is accessible, with assistance
Easy Hikes in Olympic National Park: Olympic Mountains & Old-Growth Forest Trails
Sol Duc Falls Trail
The Sol Duc Valley is in the northern foothills of the Olympic Mountains, a verdant valley home to subalpine lakes, old-growth forests and the fast-flowing Sol Duc River.
The heart of this area is the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort, one of the park’s several lodges. It offers accommodation, dining, mineral pool bathing and massage treatments.
It’s also the starting point of the so-called Lover’s Lane Loop, which links the Resort, the Sol Duc Campground and beautiful Sol Duc Falls. This loop is 5.8 miles long.
For a shorter and easier trail to get to Sol Duc Falls, you can hike the 0.8-mile one-way Sol Duc Falls Trail. The trailhead is at the end of Sol Duc Road.
This stunning forested area is one of my favorite places in the entire park, while Sol Duc Falls is an exceptionally beautiful waterfall. And as far as easy hikes in Olympic National Park go, this one is easily in my top three.
- Location: Sol Duc
- Distance: 1.6 miles (roundtrip) from the end of the Sol Duc Road or 5.8 miles (loop) from Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort
- Pets allowed: No
- Wheelchair accessible: No
See more waterfall hikes in the national parks here!
Marymere Falls Trail
Another easy waterfall hike in Olympic National Park is the Marymere Falls Trail. This wonderful and popular trail starts at the Storm King Ranger Station at Lake Crescent. It’s 0.9 miles one way to a scenic 90-foot waterfall.
Although the trail isn’t entirely flat—the elevation gain is 400 feet—it’s still quite an easy hike. Moreover, the first half a mile is wheelchair accessible, allowing people with different abilities to enjoy the gorgeous scenery of this part of the park, too.
- Location: Lake Crescent, at Storm King Ranger Station
- Distance: 1.8 miles (roundtrip)
- Pets allowed: No
- Wheelchair accessible: Yes, first 0.5 mile is accessible with assistance
Meadow Loop Trails
At the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center, a dense network of short trails offers visitors the chance to explore these wonderful mountain meadows.
Both the Cirque Rim and Big Meadows trails, respectively 0.5 and 0.25 miles long, are easy hikes in Olympic National Park’s alpine area. They’re also paved and wheelchair accessible. These trails have amazing views of the Olympics to the south, and Port Angeles and the Strait of Juan de Fuca to the north.
Walk across the meadows and watch for alpine wildlife such as black-tailed deer and Olympic marmots. Birds are abundant here as well.
- Location: Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center
- Distance: Network of several 0.25-mile to 0.5-mile trails
- Pets allowed: No
- Wheelchair accessible: Yes, with assistance
Hurricane Hill Trail
Perhaps the most “challenging” of all these easy hikes in Olympic National Park, the Hurricane Hill Trail gains about 700 feet in elevation in 1.6 miles.
It is a partially paved, partially rough gravel trail that starts at the end of Hurricane Ridge Road. The first half a mile is accessible to wheelchair users.
If you are looking for a relatively short hike that offers epic, panoramic Olympic mountain views, it doesn’t get any better than the Hurricane Ridge Trail.
- Location: End of Hurricane Ridge Road
- Distance: 3.2 miles (roundtrip)
- Pets allowed: No
- Wheelchair accessible: Yes, first 0.5 mile is accessible with assistance
Wildlife Safety When Hiking in Olympic National Park
It’s not because you’re hiking one of the popular and easy trails in Olympic National Park that you won’t encounter wildlife. Rather the opposite, in fact.
This amazingly diverse park is home to an abundance of wild animals, from small and obviously harmless banana slugs to large and potentially dangerous mammals like black bears and mountain lions, also known as cougars.
Both bears and lions roam the park’s forests, but they’re occasionally even seen on beaches and in alpine meadows as well.
Roosevelt elk, the largest of all elk species, live in the park’s pristine rain forests. You can see them in the Hoh River and Quinault River valleys. They can be particularly dangerous during calving season (spring) and the rut (fall).
Even the ubiquitous deer can harm visitors by kicking or striking out with their antlers when approached.
Mountain goats, although not native to the park, are also present in Olympic National Park. People have gotten seriously injured by mountain goats in the past, so keep your distance.
Always be aware of your surroundings when hiking in the park, even if you’re doing one of these easy Olympic National Park hikes. Consider carrying bear spray. Learn how to use bear spray correctly here.
Olympic National Park regulations require that all visitors stay at least 50 yards away from all wildlife. Never approach a wild animal. If an animal approaches you to within 50 yards, it is your responsibility to move away and increase the distance to over 50 yards again.
I also strongly recommend reading the following wildlife safety guides before your visit to Olympic National Park. Better safe than sorry!
