Best of Olympic Adventure
Inn-Based Hiking Tours
5 Days, 4 Nights 29MI / 47KM
Trip Highlights
On this tour, we’ll explore the diverse ecosystems of Olympic National Park, including the breathtaking high alpine environment with its incredible mountain and ocean views, the lush rainforests with their enchanting waterfalls, and the rugged, dramatic coastlines. While most of our exploration will be on foot, we’ll also enjoy a guided morning of sea kayaking on the Strait of Juan de Fuca. We’ll keep a sharp eye out for wildlife as we hike and paddle, returning each evening to our charming lodge.
Join us for an experience of the Pacific Northwest you’ll never forget!
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Diversity of Hikes
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Sea Kayaking
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Historic Lodging
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Dramatic Coastlines
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Alpine Hiking
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Pristine Rainforests
Book This Trip
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Trip Details
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Trip Type
Inn-Based Hiking Tours -
Trip Length
5 Days, 4 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
Up to 8 miles -
Group Size
2-10 Guests
- day by day itinerary
- logistical and travel information
- gear and clothing lists and more
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Is This Trip Right For me?
This trip follows well-maintained trails through the rainforests; the hikes along the beach are on soft, loose sand, hard-packed sand, or small rocks, depending on the tides; some rocks along the beach may be slippery as they are often wet and/or covered in algae or seaweed. Depending on the specific trails chosen by the guide(s), some short sections on the beach may require upper body strength for stabilizing or climbing over and around large boulders or climbing up and down steep headlands using fixed ropes. These sections are not required for any of the hikes, but are optional based on the interests and abilities of the group.
Difficulty Level
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Solitude Level
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Trip Itinerary
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however it can change occasionally based on temporary access restrictions, weather, lodging/campground availability, guest ability/injury, natural events like fires and flooding, and other potential causes. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.
Day 1
Shuttle to the trailhead: 3 hours
Hiking Mileage: 5 miles
Elevation Gain: 1000 feet
Elevation Loss: 1000 feet
This Olympic National Park hiking tour begins with a pickup at your hotel in Olympia. Our first day features a scenic drive to the Olympic Peninsula, followed by a hike through the alpine wonderland of Hurricane Ridge.
We’ll start by driving north along the Hood Canal, taking in beautiful early morning views of the islands and the narrow stretches of Puget Sound. Once we reach Port Angeles, we’ll climb up to Hurricane Ridge. After soaking in the stunning vistas from the Visitor Center, we’ll leave the crowds behind and begin our ridge hike. On a clear day, we can see across the Straits of Juan de Fuca to Vancouver Island and beyond to the north.
After ample time to explore these extraordinary mountains, we’ll drive back down to sea level and settle into our accommodations at Lake Crescent Lodge or Sol Duc Resort, charming century-old cabins steeped in history. Showers and comfortable beds await, along with opportunities for shorter hikes just out the back door—or you can simply relax and enjoy the views! We’ll wrap up the evening with a delicious dinner at the resort.
Day 2
Shuttle to Trailhead: 1.5 hours
Hiking Mileage: up to 8 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 200 feet
On Day 2, after enjoying breakfast prepared by your guide, we’ll head west toward Neah Bay and the Makah Reservation. Before leaving Neah Bay, we’ll make a brief stop at the Makah Cultural Museum. Its exhibits, featuring centuries-old artifacts from the Ozette village, offer a fascinating glimpse into the Makah people’s cultural heritage and bring a meaningful and historical conclusion to the day’s journey.
After parking near our trailhead, we’ll descend through coastal forests for two miles until we reach Shi Shi Beach, one of Washington’s most dramatic and beautiful shorelines. Here, you’ll find pounding waves, rugged cliffs, and towering sea stacks, along with tidal pools teeming with unique marine life.
We’ll take in sweeping views of the Pacific coastline, and if the tide is in our favor, we can explore the intimate tidal pools brimming with sea creatures where the trail meets the beach. If time permits, we’ll continue south along the expansive Shi Shi Beach toward the iconic Point of Arches. Your guide will serve you a gourmet lunch on the beach before we eventually bid farewell to the ocean and head back to the vehicle.
On our drive back, we’ll have the opportunity to stop by the renowned Makah Museum to learn about the cultural history of the Makah people. Our amazing day will conclude at our warm and cozy lodge, where you can freshen up before enjoying a delightful dinner at the resort’s restaurant.
Day 3
Shuttle to Trailhead: 1.5 hours
Hiking Mileage: 6 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: minimal
On Day 3, we’ll head southwest to the famous Hoh Rainforest. With over 140 inches of rain per year, this is one of the nation’s largest temperate rainforests, featuring ancient trees that tower up to 300 feet, moss-draped nurse logs, incredible biodiversity, and abundant wildlife.
We’ll hike along the wild Hoh River, exploring all that the rainforest has to offer. As we investigate this remarkable ecosystem, we may encounter elk, deer, black bears, bald eagles, fascinating banana slugs, and more. The immense cushions of moss absorb sounds, contributing to the Hoh River’s reputation as “The Quietest Place in the U.S.”
After we’ve soaked in the beauty of the rainforest and enjoyed one last gourmet trail lunch, we’ll make our way back to the trailhead and return to our cozy lodge for the evening!
Day 4
Shuttle: 1 hour
Kayaking Mileage: varies
Hiking Mileage: 1.6 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 200 feet
Today is a special day as we combine a morning of kayaking on the Strait of Juan de Fuca with a stunning waterfall hike on our way back to the lodge. After breakfast, we’ll shuttle to Port Angeles and meet our local kayaking guides at Elevate Outdoors. We’ll get geared up, go through an orientation, and then kayak along the majestic, rugged shoreline of Freshwater Bay. From the comfort of our stable kayaks, we’ll paddle across the water, keeping an eye out for raptors (including bald eagles) and marine life like harbor seals and otters—and who knows, we might even spot a whale! Freshwater Bay is a fantastic spot for birdwatching, beach walking, and exploring the tidal zones for sea stars, crabs, sea cucumbers, and more. After paddling back to our starting point, we’ll enjoy a late picnic lunch with serene views of the Pacific Ocean.
After lunch, we’ll hop back in the car and return to our lodge. But our day isn’t quite over! We’ll stop at the Sol Duc River and stretch our legs on a short yet stunning walk through the rainforest to Sol Duc Falls. A delightful dinner and a relaxing evening will cap off this extraordinary day.
Day 5
Hiking Mileage: 8 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 2519 feet
Shuttle to Olympia: 4 hours
Today we’ll rise early for breakfast and check out of our lodge. Our hike is a challenging out-and-back journey to the spectacular vistas from the summit of Pyramid Peak. We’ll enjoy pristine forest trails while keeping an eye out for wildlife as we ascend this generally well-maintained path. About halfway, we may encounter a washed-out section of the trail that can be tricky to navigate, but our experienced guides will assist in navigating this part. The hiking gets most difficult near the top, but we’ll soon be rewarded with breathtaking views of Lake Crescent and the surrounding peaks of the Olympic Range (don’t forget your phone or camera!). We’ll enjoy lunch at the summit before descending the same trail.
After our hike, we’ll embark on a scenic drive back to Olympia. Fond farewells will mark the end of our 5-day adventure, leaving us to dream about the next one!
Trip Dates
Click on a date to register. You can also click here to request new dates or book through customer service.
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What's Included
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4 nights of double occupancy lodging at Lake Crescent Lodge (single occupancy requires an additional single supplement)
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Top-of-the-line daypack and trekking poles
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All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day
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Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
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Guided, fully-outfitted sea kayaking tour with a third party provider
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Roundtrip transportation from your hotel in Olympia, Washington to Olympic National Park and back
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Entrance fees and national park permits
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Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device
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Mandatory 3% national park fee that passes through directly to Olympic NP
What's Not Included
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Clothes, raingear, and footwear -
Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
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Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
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Alcoholic beverages
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Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Accommodations
* These exact accommodations are not guaranteed. In some instances alternative accommodations of similar quality and location may be used.
Lake Crescent Lodge
4 nights
Historic Lake Crescent Lodge was built in the early 20th century and is a perfect base camp for our Olympic hikes. With a lakefront location and comfortable, spacious rooms, it’s a guest favorite!
Trip Logistics & FAQs
Where Do We Meet?
Your guide will conduct a virtual orientation meeting (via conference call) at 5:00 PM the evening before your trip begins to review the packing list, communicate the first day’s logistics and answer any last minute questions you have. Your guide will give you the phone number for this call during the pre-trip contact approximately 10 days before your trip start date.
Early on the morning of Day 1 your guide will pick you up from your accommodations in Olympia, WA.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Travel to Olympia
The most common way to reach Olympia is by flying into Seattle and renting a vehicle or shuttling to Olympia (approximately 1 hour). SeaTac (Seattle-Tacoma) Airport is one of the most easily accessed destinations in the country. Many major cities in the United States and internationally offer direct flights into Seattle.
The shuttle to Olympia is provided by Premier Airport Shuttle. Go to https://premierairportshuttle.com/olympia/ or call 800-962-3579 to make reservations.
Start/End Times
Your guide will inform you of the first day’s pick-up time at the orientation meeting. Generally, you can expect it to be between 5 and 8 am, although the exact time will depend on current weather and road conditions. We will drop you off at your hotel on the final day no later than 7 PM.
Safety Precautiouns
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval and specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined on a case by case basis
Reviews
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Kendall M
1 year agoLoved It
First time using Wildland Trekking. Will definitely do so again! Loved the smaller group size.
Richelle M
1 year agoMaximum Guest Enjoyment
Fantastic small tour group experience. Guides were able to adjust the itinerary for maximum guest enjoyment. Will use Wildland Trekking again.
Mark M
1 year agoExcellent Trip
This was an excellent trip. Highly recommended for those who want to experience highlights of Olympic National Park including hiking and kayaking.
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