Best Day Hikes to Explore at Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park offers an unusually wide variety of landscapes within one destination. You can walk through moss-covered rainforest, follow rugged Pacific beaches, visit waterfalls, explore alpine scenery, or enjoy mountain and ocean views—all during different hikes across the park.

Choosing the right trail can be difficult because the hikes vary greatly in distance, elevation, difficulty, scenery, and time required. Some trails are short enough for a quick stop, while others are better suited to a full day or even overnight planning.

This guide brings together the most useful trail information from the five researched hiking guides and focuses on the best day hikes to explore at Olympic National Park, with distances, elevation gains, difficulty levels, highlights, and practical considerations.

From Easy Walks to Epic Views: 17 Trails & Scenic Spots at Olympic National Park — Scroll Down for the Full Breakdown, You Won’t Want to Miss Any of It!

1. Hall of Mosses

If your goal is to experience the famous rainforest environment without committing to a long hike, Hall of Mosses is one of the easiest choices.

The researched guides list it at approximately 0.8 to 1.1 miles, with one version combining Hall of Mosses and Spruce Nature Trail into a 2.5-mile loop with about 100 feet of elevation gain.

The trail is known for its moss-covered surroundings and giant trees, making it particularly suitable for:

First-time rainforest visitors
Families
Short hiking outings
Travelers who prefer easy trails
Visitors looking for a rainforest experience without a long commitment

The Spruce Nature Trail provides another short option in the same rainforest area.

Key numbers

Distance: 0.8–1.1 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 78 feet listed for one route
Combined Hall of Mosses + Spruce Nature Trail: 2.5 miles
Combined elevation gain: 100 feet

2. Sol Duc Falls

Sol Duc Falls is another strong option when you want a relatively short hike with a waterfall as the main attraction.

The researched sources list the trail at 1.5 to 2 miles round trip, with one detailed listing giving 1.8 miles and 262 feet of elevation gain. Another guide estimates the walk at around 45–90 minutes.

The trail is particularly appealing if you want a manageable forest walk followed by a scenic waterfall.

Key numbers

Distance: 1.5–2 miles RT
Detailed listing: 1.8 miles
Elevation gain: 262 feet
Typical time mentioned: 45–90 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

Summer parking can fill quickly, so an early start can make the experience easier.

3. Marymere Falls

Marymere Falls combines forest scenery and a waterfall and appears repeatedly among the recommended easier hikes.

The researched guides list the hike between 1.8 and 3 miles round trip. One source gives approximately 1 hour, while another lists the waterfall as 90 feet and another describes it as approximately 200 feet.

Because the sources provide different waterfall measurements and route distances, it is best to use the trail distance associated with the specific route you plan to follow.

Key numbers

Distance: 1.8–3 miles RT
Time mentioned: about 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy–Moderate
Waterfall: described as 90 feet in one source and about 200 feet in another

The trail is located near Lake Crescent, making it useful for visitors exploring that area.

4. Hurricane Hill

For hikers who want mountain scenery without taking on one of the park’s hardest routes, Hurricane Hill is one of the standout options.

The researched guides list it at 3.2 to 3.5 miles round trip, with elevation gains ranging from 650 to 803 feet.

From the Hurricane Ridge area, the hike offers views toward the Olympic Mountains and Vancouver Island.

Key numbers

Distance: 3.2–3.5 miles RT
Elevation gain: 650–803 feet
Difficulty: Easy–Moderate
Hurricane Ridge elevation: about 5,200 feet
Port Angeles-area drive to Hurricane Ridge: approximately 18 miles

The trail can be a good choice for travelers who want a more mountainous experience without committing to a multi-day route.

Planning tip

One researched guide recommends arriving around 8 AM or earlier, while another notes that Hurricane Hill parking can hold approximately 40 cars.

A winter road schedule mentioned in the research runs from mid-December through March, on weekends and Monday holidays from 9 AM–4 PM, weather permitting.

5. Ruby Beach

Ruby Beach offers a completely different hiking experience from the rainforest and mountain trails.

The researched guides list the walk at approximately 0.5 to 0.6+ miles round trip, making it one of the easiest coastal options.

The main attraction is not elevation or a long trail but the combination of:

Sea stacks
Sea arches
Pacific coastline
Sunset scenery
Beach exploration

One source notes that approximately 0.1 mile of the access trail is steep and slippery.

Key numbers

Distance: 0.5–0.6+ miles RT
Difficulty: Easy
Access: includes about 0.1 mile of steep/slippery trail

Low tide is particularly useful if you want to explore more of the beach.

6. Second Beach

Second Beach is another coastal option, particularly attractive for travelers who want beach scenery rather than mountain elevation.

The researched sources list distances ranging from 1.4 miles RT to 4 miles RT, while another detailed route gives 2.2 miles RT and 291 feet of elevation gain.

Key numbers

Distance: 1.4–4 miles RT
Detailed route: 2.2 miles
Elevation gain: 291 feet on the 2.2-mile listing
Difficulty: Easy–Moderate

The beach is associated with La Push and offers a different experience from the rainforest and alpine sections of the park.

7. Rialto Beach to Hole-in-the-Wall

The Rialto Beach route combines beach walking with one of the area’s most recognizable coastal features: Hole-in-the-Wall.

The researched guides list the complete outing at approximately 3.2–3.3 miles round trip, with elevation gains of only 85–108 feet.

Key numbers

Distance: 3.2–3.3 miles RT
Elevation gain: 85–108 feet
Difficulty: Easy–Moderate
Rialto Beach → Hole-in-the-Wall: about 1.6 miles along the beach in one source

This is less about climbing and more about navigating the beach and timing the route correctly.

Important: Check the tides

The researched guides strongly emphasize low tide for Hole-in-the-Wall. Tide conditions can affect how easily you can explore the coastal section, so checking the tide chart should be part of your planning.

8. Lovers Lane

For visitors who want a longer forest hike with waterfalls, Lovers Lane provides a moderate option.

The route is listed at 6.1 miles with approximately 590 feet of elevation gain.

The hike is notable for its waterfall scenery, including a 53-foot Lover’s Lane waterfall and nearby 50-foot Sol Duc Falls.

Key numbers

Distance: 6.1 miles
Elevation gain: 590 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Lover’s Lane waterfall: 53 feet
Sol Duc Falls: 50 feet in the researched description

This makes it a useful choice for hikers who want more time on the trail than the shorter Sol Duc Falls outing.

9. Mount Storm King

Mount Storm King is considerably more demanding than the easy waterfall and rainforest walks.

The researched guides list it at 4.4 to 5.2 miles round trip, with approximately 2,076–2,109 feet of elevation gain.

Key numbers

Distance: 4.4–5.2 miles RT
Elevation gain: 2,076–2,109 feet
Difficulty: Moderate/Hard to Challenging
Maintained trail: ends about 0.4 mile before the summit

The upper section is unmaintained and involves ropes, making this a very different experience from an easy Olympic National Park day hike.

If you are specifically looking for an easy family trail, this is not the same category as Hall of Mosses or Sol Duc Falls.

10. Shi Shi Beach

Shi Shi Beach provides a longer coastal experience and is associated with Point of Arches.

The researched sources list the hike at approximately 8.8–8.9 miles, with around 561–567 feet of elevation gain.

Key numbers

Distance: 8.8–8.9 miles
Elevation gain: 561–567 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Point of Arches route: approximately 8.9 miles in one listing
Distance from Port Angeles: about 77 miles in one researched source

A Makah Recreation Permit is required according to the researched guides.

11. Ozette Loop

The Ozette Loop is another longer coastal hike for travelers who want to dedicate much more of their day to the trail.

The researched guide lists:

Distance: 9.4 miles
Elevation gain: 538 feet
Difficulty: Moderate

The route includes coastal scenery and connects with the North Sand Point Trail and Cape Alava Trail.

Compared with a short beach walk such as Ruby Beach, this is a much more substantial day-hiking commitment.

12. Quinault Rainforest Loop

The Quinault area offers shorter rainforest hiking options, including the Quinault Rainforest Loop.

One researched guide lists the loop at 4.1 miles with 364 feet of elevation gain and rates it easy.

Key numbers

Distance: 4.1 miles
Elevation gain: 364 feet
Difficulty: Easy

For an even shorter rainforest experience, the Quinault Rainforest Nature Trail is listed at only 0.5 mile.

13. Maple Glade Trail

Maple Glade provides another short rainforest experience.

The researched sources list the trail at approximately 0.5 to 2 miles round trip, depending on the route described.

The trail is associated with mossy forest scenery and giant trees, making it suitable for travelers who want a shorter nature walk rather than a demanding hike.

Key numbers

Distance: 0.5–2 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Main attraction: Mossy forest and giant trees

14. Spruce Railroad Trail

The Spruce Railroad Trail follows the Lake Crescent area and provides a longer but relatively accessible option.

One researched source lists it as 10 miles round trip, while another describes its length as flexible and rates it easy.

Key numbers

Maximum listed distance: 10 miles RT
Difficulty: Easy–Moderate
Main feature: Lake Crescent
Historical connection: former railroad

Because the route is longer than the short rainforest walks, you can adapt the outing around how much time you have available.

15. High Divide / Seven Lakes Basin

High Divide is included among the most demanding routes in the researched material.

The trail is listed at:

22 miles
6,197 feet of elevation gain
Hard difficulty
Loop route

One researched guide describes it as a 3-day, 2-night trip and notes that the area contains at least 8 lakes.

Important planning detail

Camping requires advance permits.

This route is therefore better considered a long-distance hiking adventure rather than a conventional short day hike.

16. Enchanted Valley Trail

Enchanted Valley is another very long route that appears in the researched guides.

The sources list approximately 27.8–29 miles, with elevation gains between 3,244 and 3,700 feet.

Key numbers

Distance: 27.8–29 miles
Elevation gain: 3,244–3,700 feet
Difficulty: Hard/Challenging
Recommended style: Two-night backpacking trip in one source
Distance from Port Angeles: about 139 miles in one researched description
Enchanted Valley Chalet: built in 1931

Although it appears in lists of the park’s best hikes, its distance makes it unsuitable for a typical short day-hiking itinerary.

17. Other Short Trails and Scenic Stops

The five researched guides also identify several shorter options that can fit into a broader Olympic National Park itinerary.

Cape Flattery

Distance estimates vary substantially between the researched sources, from 0.25 mile to 1.5 miles, with the detailed route listing 200 feet of elevation gain.

The main attraction is the combination of sea caves and coastal overlooks.

Devil’s Punchbowl

The researched sources list this at approximately 1 mile, making it another short option around Lake Crescent.

High Steel Bridge

This is listed at less than 1 mile, with the main attraction being a gorge and waterfall viewed around the bridge.

Falls View Canyon

The researched material lists this as approximately 1 mile round trip, with a waterfall and forest setting.

Rocky Brook Falls

One guide lists the hike at approximately 3 miles round trip, highlighting a tall Washington waterfall.

Striped Peak

The researched source lists Striped Peak at 5–6 miles round trip, with the trail located in the Salt Creek Recreation Area.

Pyramid Peak

Pyramid Peak is listed at approximately 6–7 miles round trip and is associated with views around Lake Crescent.

Choosing the Right Hike for Your Day

The best hike depends heavily on how much time and physical effort you want to spend.

Best for a short rainforest walk

Choose Hall of Mosses, Maple Glade, or the Quinault Rainforest Nature Trail.

These options keep the mileage low while emphasizing moss, giant trees, and rainforest scenery.

Best for waterfalls

Consider Sol Duc Falls or Marymere Falls.

Both provide relatively short routes compared with the park’s longer mountain and backpacking trails.

Best for mountain views

Hurricane Hill is a strong option for a mountain-focused outing while remaining considerably shorter than High Divide or Enchanted Valley.

Best for coastal scenery

Ruby Beach, Second Beach, and Rialto Beach provide different versions of the Olympic coastline.

For Hole-in-the-Wall, tide planning becomes especially important.

Best for a challenging hike

Mount Storm King offers significant elevation gain over a relatively short distance, while High Divide and Enchanted Valley are substantially longer commitments.

Easy Hikes vs. Challenging Hikes

If You Want…	Consider
Very short rainforest walk	Hall of Mosses
Short waterfall hike	Sol Duc Falls
Forest + waterfall	Marymere Falls
Mountain views	Hurricane Hill
Easy coastal scenery	Ruby Beach
Beach experience	Second Beach
Coastal formation	Rialto Beach → Hole-in-the-Wall
Longer forest hike	Lovers Lane
Steep mountain challenge	Mount Storm King
Long coastal hike	Ozette Loop / Shi Shi Beach
Long alpine adventure	High Divide
Multi-night valley hike	Enchanted Valley

How Long Should You Stay?

One researched guide recommends 4–7 days to explore much of Olympic National Park.

That length makes sense when you consider the distances between the park’s major areas. One source notes that driving from Hurricane Ridge to Lake Quinault takes more than 3 hours, so trying to combine distant regions into one day can result in substantial driving time.

A multi-day trip also gives you more flexibility to combine:

Mountain hikes
Rainforest walks
Waterfalls
Lake Crescent trails
Pacific beaches
Longer coastal routes

Best Time and Arrival Strategy

The researched guides identify March–October as a generally preferred period for visiting.

However, the practical experience can depend heavily on the individual trail and season.

For busy locations, arriving early is repeatedly recommended. This is particularly relevant for:

Hoh Rainforest
Hurricane Ridge
Sol Duc
Ruby Beach
Rialto Beach

One researched source recommends arriving at the Hoh Rainforest around 7:30 AM during summer. It also reports that summer weekend entrance lines can reach 2–3 hours, while a late arrival around 10 AM resulted in approximately 1.5 hours of waiting in the author’s experience.

Tide Planning for Olympic’s Beaches

Beach hiking in Olympic National Park is not simply about choosing a trail and walking.

For coastal destinations such as Ruby Beach, Rialto Beach, and Hole-in-the-Wall, tide conditions matter.

The researched guides particularly recommend:

Checking tide charts before visiting Hole-in-the-Wall
Visiting Ruby Beach around low tide for more beach exploration
Planning Rialto Beach and Hole-in-the-Wall around low tide

This can make a significant difference in how much coastline you can safely explore.

Permits and Fees Mentioned in the Research

The includes several practical costs and permits.

Olympic National Park entrance fee

One researched source mentions an entrance fee of $30 per vehicle, valid for 1 week.

Makah Recreation Permit

For Shi Shi Beach, the researched information states that a Makah Recreation Permit costs $20 and is valid for the calendar year.

High Divide camping

The researched guide states that camping for High Divide / Seven Lakes Basin requires advance permits.

These requirements can change, so visitors should verify current requirements before their trip.

Wildlife You May Encounter

The easy-hiking guide highlights several types of wildlife associated with the park’s landscapes.

The researched material mentions:

Roosevelt elk
Bald eagles
Deer
Mountain goats
Black bears
Tide-pool creatures

Roosevelt elk were specifically mentioned as being seen during visits, with rainforest and meadow environments identified as useful places for wildlife watching.

Wildlife viewing should always remain secondary to safe trail behavior and responsible observation.

A Simple Day-Hike Planning Strategy

If you have limited time, avoid trying to cover every part of Olympic National Park in one day. Whatever trail you choose, a solid pair of hiking shoes makes a real difference on the park’s mix of muddy forest paths and rocky coastline.

Instead, choose hikes according to the landscape you most want to experience.

For rainforest

Start with Hall of Mosses and consider Spruce Nature Trail or Quinault Rainforest Nature Trail.

For waterfalls

Choose Sol Duc Falls or Marymere Falls.

For mountains

Choose Hurricane Hill if you want substantial scenery without committing to the much longer High Divide route.

For beaches

Choose Ruby Beach, Second Beach, or Rialto Beach.

For a challenging adventure

Consider Mount Storm King, Ozette Loop, or the much longer High Divide and Enchanted Valley routes.

Some Question

What are the easiest hikes in Olympic National Park?

Among the researched trails, Hall of Mosses, Sol Duc Falls, Ruby Beach, Maple Glade Trail, Quinault Rainforest Nature Trail, and Marymere Falls are among the easier options.

How long is Hall of Mosses?

The researched sources list Hall of Mosses at approximately 0.8–1.1 miles. A combined Hall of Mosses and Spruce Nature Trail route is listed at 2.5 miles.

How long is Hurricane Hill?

The researched guides list Hurricane Hill at 3.2–3.5 miles round trip, with approximately 650–803 feet of elevation gain.

Which Olympic National Park hike is best for waterfalls?

Sol Duc Falls and Marymere Falls are two of the clearest choices. Sol Duc Falls is listed at 1.5–2 miles round trip, while Marymere Falls is listed at 1.8–3 miles round trip.

Do I need to consider tides when hiking at Olympic National Park?

Yes. The researched guides specifically recommend checking tides for Rialto Beach, Hole-in-the-Wall, and Ruby Beach. Low tide is particularly important for exploring more of these coastal areas.

How long is Mount Storm King?

The researched sources list Mount Storm King at 4.4–5.2 miles round trip, with approximately 2,076–2,109 feet of elevation gain.

Is High Divide a day hike?

High Divide is listed at 22 miles with 6,197 feet of elevation gain and is described in one researched guide as a 3-day, 2-night trip. It is therefore much more demanding than the park’s typical short day hikes.

How long should I spend at Olympic National Park?

One researched guide recommends 4–7 days to explore much of the park. This is useful because the park covers approximately 1,400–1,442 square miles, and some major areas are separated by several hours of driving.

Final Thought

The best day hikes to explore at Olympic National Park depend on the experience you want rather than simply choosing the longest or most famous trail. Hall of Mosses is ideal for rainforest scenery, Sol Duc Falls and Marymere Falls provide accessible waterfall experiences, Hurricane Hill offers mountain views, while Ruby Beach, Second Beach, and Rialto Beach showcase the Pacific coast.

For more demanding adventures, Mount Storm King, Ozette Loop, Shi Shi Beach, High Divide, and Enchanted Valley require substantially more time or physical effort. With distances ranging from 0.5-mile walks to 29-mile adventures, Olympic National Park offers options for many different hiking styles.

Hi, I’m Marcus! I love exploring the outdoors and discovering incredible places. Through ExploreNatureTrips blog, I share my travel experiences, useful tips, and recommendations for the best sights, trails, and destinations to visit.