Olympic Peninsula loop: ridges, rain forest and wild beaches
From Port Angeles up Hurricane Ridge, around Lake Crescent to Cape Flattery, then down the wild Pacific beaches to the Quinault rain forest.
- Distance
- 318 km (197 mi)
- Driving
- 3 h 31 min
- Suggested days
- 4
- Stops
- 9
- States
- WA
- Updated
- May 26, 2026
At a glance: 4-day road trip of about 318 km (197 mi) with 9 stops, from Port Angeles to Quinault. About 3 h 31 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Washington
Route description
From Port Angeles, Hurricane Ridge Road climbs 17 miles to a ridge at about 5,200 feet with views of Mount Olympus and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The day lodge burned in 2023, so bring food and water; in winter the road usually opens only Friday to Sunday by day, weather permitting. Back in town, follow US-101 west to Lake Crescent, a deep glacial lake about 30 minutes away.
From the Storm King ranger station, an easy trail leads to 90-foot Marymere Falls. West of the lake, turn off onto Sol Duc Road for 14 miles through old forest to the trailhead for Sol Duc Falls, under a mile each way. Then take SR-112 along the Strait to Neah Bay, a narrow and winding road, about two hours from Sol Duc.
At Cape Flattery, on the Makah Reservation, a boardwalk trail leads to platforms above sea caves at the northwestern tip of the contiguous US; buy a Makah Recreation Pass in Neah Bay. Return to US-101 and continue to Forks. West of Forks, the road to La Push ends at Rialto Beach, where the Hole-in-the-Wall arch is 1.5 miles north at low tide.
South of Forks, US-101 reaches the coast at Ruby Beach and runs along the Kalaloch beaches, with a large campground on the bluff. It then turns inland to Lake Quinault, where trails through the rain forest start from South Shore Road. The whole route with side trips is about 300 miles; park entrance fees apply at Hurricane Ridge and Sol Duc. Book campgrounds early for summer.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Port Angeles
WA - 221 km
Hurricane Ridge
ViewsPort Angeles, WAA ridge at 5,200 feet facing the glaciers of Mount Olympus, 17 miles up from Port Angeles. The day lodge burned in 2023, so bring food; check road hours, as winter access is limited.
- 328 km
Marymere Falls
NatureLake Crescent, WAA 90-foot waterfall reached by an easy trail of about 1.8 miles round trip through old forest from the Storm King area on Lake Crescent. Park at the ranger station off US-101.
- 413 km
Sol Duc Falls
NatureOlympic National Park, WAA waterfall splitting into several channels as it drops into a mossy slot canyon. The trail is under a mile each way from the end of Sol Duc Road, past the hot springs resort.
- 597 km
Cape Flattery
ViewsNeah Bay, WAThe northwesternmost point of the contiguous United States, on the Makah Reservation. A boardwalk trail of about 1.5 miles round trip leads to cliff platforms over sea caves; buy a Makah Recreation Pass in Neah Bay.
- 662 km
Rialto Beach
NatureLa Push, WAA wild beach of drift logs and sea stacks at the mouth of the Quillayute River. Walk 1.5 miles north to the Hole-in-the-Wall arch at low tide; the car park is at the end of the road from Forks.
- 734 km
Ruby Beach
NatureKalaloch, WAA beach of sea stacks, driftwood and reddish sand on the Olympic coast, a short walk down from a pull-out on US-101. Sunset is the favourite time; the lot is small and fills in summer.
- 860 km
Quinault Rain Forest
NatureQuinault, WATemperate rain forest around Lake Quinault, with record-size trees and moss-draped maples. The Quinault Loop Trail starts on South Shore Road; a 31-mile drive loops around the lake and valley.
- 92 km
Quinault
WA
FAQs
How long is Olympic Peninsula loop: ridges, rain forest and wild beaches?
4-day road trip of about 318 km (197 mi) with 9 stops, from Port Angeles to Quinault. About 3 h 31 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Olympic Peninsula loop: ridges, rain forest and wild beaches?
We suggest 4 days: about 3 h 31 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Olympic Peninsula loop: ridges, rain forest and wild beaches start and end?
It starts in Port Angeles and ends in Quinault.
Which states does Olympic Peninsula loop: ridges, rain forest and wild beaches pass through?
Washington.
