Best of Olympic and Rainier Tour

• Shuttle to Trailhead: 3 hours
• Hiking Mileage: 3 miles
• Elevation Gain/Loss: 800 feet
• Accommodations: Lake Crescent Lodge

This Northwest hiking tour begins with a convenient pick-up 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, enjoying beautiful early morning views of the islands and the narrow stretches of Puget Sound. After reaching Port Angeles, we’ll ascend to Hurricane Ridge. After soaking in the vistas from the Visitor Center, we’ll leave the crowds behind to hike Klahane Ridge toward Mount Angeles. On a clear day, we’ll be treated to stunning views: to the north, Vancouver Island across the Straits of Juan de Fuca; to the east, the snowy cap of Mount Baker rising from the North Cascades; and to the south, glaciated Mount Olympus, all framed by vibrant alpine wildflowers.

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.

• Hiking Mileage: 6-8 miles
• Elevation Gain/Loss: 200 feet
• Accommodations: Lake Crescent Lodge

On day 2, after a hearty breakfast at the lodge, we’ll head west towards Neah Bay and the Makah Reservation. After parking near our trailhead, we’ll descend through coastal forests for two miles until we reach Shi Shi Beach, one of the most dramatic and beautiful beaches that Washington has to offer. Pounding waves, rugged cliffs, and towering sea stacks await, as well as tidal pools filled with marine life.

We’ll soak up sweeping views of the pacific ocean and coastal forest, and intimate details of tidal pools crawling with sea creatures as we continue southward towards the Point of Arches. Your guide will prepare a picnic lunch on the beach, and eventually we will bid farewell to the ocean and hike back to the vehicle. On our way back to our hotel we’ll have a chance to stop by the famous Makah Museum and learn more about the cultural history of the native Makah tribe.

Our incredible day concludes at our warm and cozy lodge, where you can freshen up before enjoying a wonderful, luxurious dinner at the resort.

• Shuttle to Trailhead: 1.5 hours
• Hiking Mileage: 4-6 miles
• Elevation Gain/Loss: minimal
• Accommodations: Kalaloch Lodge

On day 3 we’ll say farewell to our lodge, load up our bags, and head southwest towards the famous Hoh Rainforest. With over 140 inches of rain per year, this is one of the nation’s largest temperate rainforests, and includes ancient trees towering up to 300 feet in height, moss-draped nurse logs, incredible biodiversity, and abundant wildlife.

We’ll hike up the wild Hoh River and explore all that the rainforest has to offer. Elk, deer, black bears, bald eagles, fascinating banana slugs, and more await us as we investigate this incredible ecosystem. Immense cushions of moss absorb sounds, contributing to the Hoh River’s title as “The Quietest Place in the U.S.”

When we’ve had our fill of hiking, we’ll make our way back to the trailhead and head further southwest to our destination for the night, Kalaloch Lodge, right on the Pacific coast. We’ll enjoy a casual stroll down the beach or just relax with a view of the ocean, eat dinner, and fall asleep to the sound of the waves crashing on the beach.

• Shuttle to Trailhead: 4 hours
• Hiking Mileage: 5 miles
• Elevation Gain/Loss: 1150 feet
• Accommodations: National Park Inn

Day 4 marks our transition from the Olympic Peninsula to the Cascades and Mount Rainier. Today we explore shimmering alpine lakes, abundant wildflower blooms, and tumbling waterfalls on the shoulders of North America’s most famous volcano. Mount Rainier stands at 14,411 feet tall, and is the most heavily glaciated peak in the contiguous United States.

We will start our hike near scenic Narada Falls, before climbing gradually through gentle forests and abundant blueberry bushes. We’ll hike past the iconic, beautiful Reflection Lake, aptly named for their stunning mirror image reflection of Mount Rainier, up to Faraway Rock with panoramic views of lakes and mountains below.

After wrapping up our hike we’ll check in to our accommodations at the historic National Park Inn, and then have time to stroll down the Wonderland Trail just outside the door, or to relax on the veranda with views of Mount Rainier. After a delicious dinner, we’ll enjoy the stars outside or take in a ranger talk at the Longmire or Paradise visitor center.

• Shuttle to Trailhead: 20 minutes
• Hiking Mileage: 6+ miles
• Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,800+ feet

On Day 5, we’ll hike through the renowned Paradise Meadows of Mount Rainier, a sub-alpine wonderland teeming with vibrant flowers and delicate meadows. We’ll ascend the Skyline Trail toward Glacier Vista, where we’ll enjoy panoramic views of the Nisqually Glacier before continuing our trek. Our goal is to reach the stunning vistas at Panorama Point and, if conditions allow, get as close to Camp Muir as possible, the famed mountaineering basecamp.

As we hike, we’ll keep an eye out for marmots, pikas, mountain goats, and more, all while soaking in breathtaking views of Mount Rainier and the surrounding landscape. If the weather cooperates, we might catch glimpses of Mount Hood, Mount St. Helens, and Mount Adams, three other prominent stratovolcanoes in the Cascade range. The Paradise area is rich in human history, and we’ll have the opportunity to explore some of it as we wander around the Paradise Lodge and the Visitor Center.

• Hiking Mileage: 4-6 miles
• Elevation Gain/Loss: 1250-2150 feet
• Shuttle to Olympia: 2 hours