The Best Easy Hikes in Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park is a magical place full of many varied ecosystems — you can walk through an old-growth forest, stroll along a picturesque beach, and climb a mountain peak all on the same day! Hiking is a special way to experience the beauty of this national park, and this article is here to help you find the best easy hikes in Olympic!

No matter your age, ability, or skill level, there is an amazing hike in Olympic for you. The best easy hikes in Olympic are Sol Duc Falls, Hall of Mosses, Marymere Falls, Cirque Rim, and Hole-in-the-Wall.

My name is Ash, and I’m a former park ranger. I think that this park is best seen from the trail, which is why I’m so excited to share the best easy hikes in Olympic with you. Let’s talk about your hiking options!

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What are the Best Easy Hikes in Olympic?

Olympic has several easy hiking options, and each one provides a unique experience to see the park’s famous mountains, waterfalls, and beaches.

If a trail is less than three miles, doesn’t gain more than 500 feet of elevation, and is somewhere I take my own small children, it’s included in the list of best easy hiking trails in Olympic.

1. Sol Duc Falls

The trail to Sol Duc Falls feels like you’ve been transported into a fairytale! Large, old-growth trees surround you on every side, and as the sunlight peeks through the leaves, a golden glow illuminates the forest.

After hiking through the trees, you’ll reach a picturesque bridge that spans the gorge where Sol Duc Falls crashes beneath your feet!

Sol Duc Falls Trail Information

Distance: 1.6 miles round trip
Elevation: 200 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Restrooms: Yes
Pets Allowed: No

The trail to Sol Duc Falls is one of the busiest trails in Olympic, but rightfully so! You will hike through the mossy forest before being welcomed by a 50-foot, roaring waterfall that drops down into a small canyon. This waterfall is unique because it generally has three, but sometimes four separate falls.

Be sure to spend a few minutes enjoying the view of this gorgeous waterfall before heading back the way you came.

{ALTERNATIVE} Another easy hike in the area that travels through a beautiful old-growth forest is the Ancient Groves Nature Trail.

Location

The Sol Duc Falls Trailhead is located at the very end of the Sol Duc Road. You’ll find the turn-off for this road along Highway 101 just west of Lake Crescent.

2. Hall of Mosses

The Hall of Mosses Trail travels through the impressive Hoh Rain Forest of Olympic National Park, where the trees are draped in moss, and everything is a vibrant shade of green!

Hall of Mosses Trail Information

Distance: 0.8 mile loop
Elevation: 50 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Restrooms: Yes
Pets Allowed: No

The Hall of Mosses is the perfect trail for visitors of all ages and hiking abilities. You’ll love walking between the old maple and hemlock trees and admiring the moss that hangs on every surface.

Keep your eyes peeled for Olympic’s famous banana slugs — they like it here in the Hoh Rain Forest. If you’re lucky, you’ll also catch a glimpse of the large Roosevelt Elk that like to hang around this area and nibble on the ferns.

{ALTERNATIVE} Another easy hike in the area that I love to explore after the Hall of Mosses is the Spruce Nature Trail.

Location

The Hall of Mosses Trail starts right next to the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center. You’ll find the turn-off for the road into the Hoh Rain Forest along Highway 101 just south of the town of Forks.

3. Marymere Falls

Olympic is a park that has many beautiful waterfalls, and Marymere Falls is one of the most beloved. You’ll hike through an old-growth forest to a babbling creek with wooden bridges before reaching a view of the delicate Marymere Falls.

Marymere Falls Trail Information

Distance: 1.8 miles round trip
Elevation: 298 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: The first half-mile is accessible, but the small and steep trail up to the view of the falls is not
Restrooms: Yes
Pets Allowed: No

The trail to Marymere Falls begins near Lake Crescent, so you will enjoy beautiful views of the lake before taking a serene walk through an old-growth forest. This portion of the trail is mostly flat and easy.

Before long, you’ll reach the picturesque Barnes Creek, where you’ll then cross two fun wooden bridges. After crossing the second bridge, the trail heads steeply up the hill to several views of the 90-foot Marymere Falls. Almost all of the elevation gain for this trail is found along the last quarter-mile or so.

{ALTERNATIVE} Another favorite easy hike in the area is the Moments in Time Trail found along the shores of Lake Crescent.

Location

The Marymere Falls Trail is found in the Lake Crescent area just off Highway 101, near the Storm King Ranger Station.

4. Cirque Rim to Sunrise Point

This easy, paved trail found at the popular Hurricane Ridge area of Olympic provides excellent views of Port Angeles, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and Canada!

Cirque Rim Trail Information

Distance: 1.3 miles roundtrip
Elevation: 219 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes, the main Cirque Rim Trail is accessible, but the trail up to Sunrise Point is not
Restrooms: Yes
Pets Allowed: No

There’s no need to stay in the parking lot at Hurricane Ridge, even if you don’t like to or can’t hike! The Cirque Rim Trail is my favorite short trail to hike in the Hurricane Ridge area — it’s mostly flat and takes you through the meadows to some spectacular views of Canada. I often see deer along this trail as well!

If you can hike a little further and don’t mind traveling off the paved trail, you can continue beyond the Cirque Rim Trail up to Sunrise Point. This viewpoint is stunning and provides alternative views of the surrounding mountains.

{ALTERNATIVE} You can choose your own easy hike adventure along the meadow trails at Hurricane Ridge. The Cirque Rim Trail takes you all the way to the edge of the cliffs, but you can stay in the meadows and walk the Big Meadows Loop or head up the hill along the High Ridge Trail instead.

Location

The Cirque Rim Trail starts at the far west side of the main parking lot at Hurricane Ridge.

5. Hole-in-the-Wall

If you’re looking for a fabulous trail on one of Olympic’s many beaches, hiking to Hole-in-the-Wall is the adventure for you! You’ll find a family-favorite tidepooling destination and a picturesque sea arch at the end of this easy hike.

Hole-in-the-Wall Trail Information

Distance: 3 miles round trip
Elevation: 108 feet
Difficulty: Easy – Moderate
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: No, but there is a ramp available to get a wheelchair to the sand on Rialto Beach
Restrooms: Yes
Pets Allowed: No

Getting to Hole-in-the-Wall isn’t so much of a hike as it is just a nice walk along beautiful Rialto Beach. You’ll need to complete this walk at low tide in order to stay on the sand (and not have to navigate the piles of driftwood), so a little planning is required.

Approximately 1-1.5 hours before low tide, you can start hiking north along Rialto Beach to the Hole-in-the-Wall, which is an arch carved out of the cliffs. Near this arch, you’ll find numerous tidepools full of sea creatures to discover!

{ALTERNATIVE} If you’re looking for other fabulous tidepools without such a long walk, try Beach 4. This is another of our family-favorite spots to look for sea creatures at low tide!

Location

Hole-in-the-Wall is accessed by parking at Rialto Beach and hiking north for 1.5 miles. Rialto Beach is located off Highway 110, along the Mora Road, just north of the town of Forks.

What are the Best Wheelchair-Friendly Trails in Olympic?

Olympic National Park has several wheelchair-friendly trails that range in difficulty, but all offer stunning views of every area in the park. You can find more specific and detailed information on the park’s website, but here are a few notable options:

Madison Falls Trail – This paved trail leads to a beautiful, 60-foot waterfall. There is an open field nearby that used to be a 19th-century family homestead and is now used in the summer as a pasture for the park’s horses and mules.

Moments in Time Nature Trail – This short nature trail takes you through the trees along the coast of Lake Crescent. It’s a quiet area with interpretive signs along the way where you can learn more about the area.

The Living Forest Trail – You’ll start this short loop trail near the historic Beaumont cabin located by the Olympic National Park Visitor Center. This is a wide, gravel path that takes you through the forest full of tall trees and lush greenery.

July Creek Trail – This trail takes you to a fantastic picnic area. You will have views and access to the North Shore of Lake Quinault.

Maple Glade Rain Forest Trail – You will begin this trail from the Quinault Rain Forest Station. It’s a 0.5-mile loop trail through big-leaf maples draped in moss.

Salmon Cascades – This is a viewing platform located off of Sol Duc Road that is fun to visit any time of year, but especially in September and October, or late March-May. In the fall, you’ll be able to see coho salmon as they jump up and over these cascades to make it to their spawning grounds. In the spring, you’ll see steelhead trout.

Olympic Hiking Regulations

To protect this beautiful place and leave it better than you found it, please follow these regulations:

• Don’t take anything. Rocks, flowers, sticks, antlers, etc., must stay in the national park. If you find something cool, take a picture of it, but please don’t remove it.

• Stay on the trail. Please don’t make your own trail or follow trails that other people have made. This is for your own safety and to prevent soil erosion and stomping of plants.

• Don’t feed the wildlife. These animals need to be able to find food on their own in order to survive the harsh winters. They often become aggressive and transmit diseases to humans if fed.

•  Don’t leave food or backpacks unattended, even for a quick minute. Always keep your pack within arms reach while hiking or camping in Olympic to avoid unwanted wildlife encounters.

• Pets are not allowed on most park trails. Read more about where you can take your pets if you bring them to the park.

What are the Best Longer Day Hikes in Olympic?

If you’re able to hike longer distances and are feeling extra adventurous, Olympic has some epic longer trails that shouldn’t be missed! These trails are definitely not easy, but if you’re looking for a challenge, consider hiking Mount Storm King, the High Divide/Seven Lakes Basin Loop, or Lake Angeles Trail.

Mount Storm King – This hike isn’t very long, but it climbs 2000 feet in just under 2 miles, so you’re definitely in for a challenge! At the top, you’ll have gorgeous views of Lake Crescent and other nearby peaks. If you keep going past the maintained portion of the trail, there will be a series of ropes to help you continue climbing up.

High Divide/Seven Lakes Basin Loop – This 18.2 mile-loop trail makes a great place for backcountry camping. Along this trail, you will see views of Mount Olympus and several other peaks. If you’re not in a rush, you can take time to fish and look for wildlife such as elk and bear.

Lake Angeles Trail – This trail is very popular for camping, hiking, and snowshoeing. The climb through the forest is pretty steep, but the trail is well-maintained, and you’re likely to see wildlife on your way to the top.

This park has so many fabulous hiking trails. I hope you enjoy these easy trails in Olympic National Park — happy hiking!

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