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Best Hiking Trails in Olympic National Forest
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Overview

The Olympic National Forest circles much of the Olympic National Park in the northwest corner of Washington state's Olympic Peninsula. The area is renowned for its diversity in flora, fauna, and geography, with pristine Pacific Northwest old-growth wilderness, coastal beaches, temperate rainforest, rivers, five wilderness areas, snow-capped mountains, abundant rainfall, low elevation lakes to alpine tarns, and a rain shadow effect to the east. The national forest spans more than 633,600 acres with a network of over 250 miles of trails and a large selection of campgrounds, including a few cabin rentals.

Getting Started

First begin by deciding what terrain you'd like to explore—mountains, lakes, rivers—as this national forest encompasses so many options. If you're visiting from Seattle and only have a day, stick to the eastern side of the forest (which has the most hiking options), and is closest to the Seattle ferries, or loop up from the south via US Route 101.

Check out the scenic and popular 7 mile out and back Lena Lake Trail, the longer and more challenging 11 mile Upper Big Quilcene Trail or the 8 mile [Mt. Townsend Trai(https://www.gaiagps.com/hike/trail/united-states/washington/mt-townsend-trail-839/). The 6 mile Mount Ellinor Trail is another popular choice with great views.

When to Go

Like many areas of the Pacific Northwest, the months of May-September are ideal. But because of the lower elevation of some of the area, the Olympic National Forest can be visited year-round if you don't mind the rain, and higher elevations can be great for winter snow sports, like snowshoeing.

Permits

Check out day use fee areas, here, and get prepared for your adventure with one of the many passes accepted, including the popular Northwest Forest Pass. Call one of the local ranger stations for more information.

Dog Info

Leashed pets are allowed in the Olympic National Forest.

Seasonal Popularity

Lena Lake
DIFFICULT 5.0 mi
Mount Ellinor
DIFFICULT 7.2 mi
Mount Townsend via Mt. Townsend Trail #839
DIFFICULT 8.7 mi
Upper Big Quilcene Trail #833
DIFFICULT 5.0 mi
Mount Ellinor
DIFFICULT 1.4 mi
Upper Big Quilcene Trail #833
DIFFICULT 13.6 mi
Harrison Lake Loop via Tunnel Creek Trail #841
DIFFICULT 8.2 mi
Mount Walker North Viewpoint via Mt. Walker Trail
DIFFICULT 4.0 mi
Lena Lake
DIFFICULT 6.9 mi
Big Hump Loop via Duckabush Trail #803
DIFFICULT 9.1 mi
Mount Townsend via Little Quilcene Trail #835 and Mt. Townsend Trail #839
DIFFICULT 3.4 mi
Mount Zion
DIFFICULT 3.4 mi
Gray Wolf Trail #834
DIFFICULT 7.0 mi
Lake Quinault Lodge Loop via Quinault Loop Trail
EASY 3.9 mi
Mildred Lakes via Mildred Lake Trail
DIFFICULT 3.1 mi
Cascade Falls Loop via Quinault Loop Trail
EASY 1.8 mi
Tubal Cain Trail #840 and Tull Canyon Trail #847
DIFFICULT 11.7 mi
Lower Silver Lake Loop via Silver Lake Way Trail and Silver Lakes Trail #842
DIFFICULT 10.0 mi
Mount Townsend via Little Quilcene Trail #835 and Mt. Townsend Trail #839
DIFFICULT 7.2 mi
Lower Mount Ellinor Trail
DIFFICULT 2.1 mi
Mount Zion via Snow Creek Trail #890 and Deadfall Trail #849
DIFFICULT 6.6 mi
Kloshe Nanitch
DIFFICULT 5.2 mi
Lena Lake Loop
DIFFICULT 9.3 mi
Upper Lena Lake via Lena Lake Trail #810
DIFFICULT 5.4 mi
Big Quilcene Diversion via Lower Big Quilcene Trail #833
DIFFICULT 11.8 mi
Lena Lake Loop
DIFFICULT 5.6 mi
South Point Loop via 2730
DIFFICULT 7.2 mi
Big Creek Loop
DIFFICULT 9.8 mi
Cascade Falls Loop via Quinault Loop Trail
EASY 4.8 mi
Wagonwheel Camp via Wagonwheel Lake Trail
DIFFICULT 5.9 mi