The Olympic Peninsula is a day hiker’s paradise and the Holiday Inn Express and Suites, Sequim is close to many of the trailheads. This list is a mix of the easy and the arduous, thick forest and alpine ridges, summer and winter and historical and ecological. So grab your hiking boots and poles and let’s go!

Marmot Pass Hike – This hike has a little of everything, which is why guidebook author, Craig Romano, said if you are only allowed one hike in the Olympics this should be it. You’ll be reward with spectacular views of the Hood Canal on one side and the snowy interior Olympic Mountains on the other.

Hurricane Hill Hike – This is an easy hike above tree-line because most of your elevation gain is done in your car. You can begin or end your hike at the snack bar at the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center. The views of the Bailey Range from the top of Hurricane Hill are spectacular.

Grand Ridge with the Klahhane Club – Part of the excitement of this hike is the drive along the spectacular road to the trailhead on Blue Mountain. The trail itself has expansive views because it’s the highest maintained trail in Olympic National Park.

Hurricane Ridge – It’s not just for summer. Like to ski or snowshoes? After a morning of skiing how about snowshoeing in the afternoon! You’ll find plenty of other jolly winter enthusiasts. There are exuberant children on the ski-slopes, but all is silent on the snowshoe trails.

Marymere Falls – This is a short trail ending at the beautifully flowing Marymere Falls. There is moss and mist and big ferns and bigger trees. Friends from France said this trail was the highlight of their vacation in the Northwest.

Madison Falls – If you are looking for an outing that combines a wheelchair access path, picnic area and a beautiful waterfall then Madison Falls in Olympic National Park is hard to beat. The path has recently been re-engineered for even easier ADA access.

Elwha River – Since the removal of the two huge concrete dams along the Elwha River, the reservoirs that flooded the river valley have drained away and the newly freed river is creating a new ecosystem. Hike this short path to see all the amazing changes.

43 Day Hikes to Peaks in the Olympics Ranked from Easiest to Most Difficult Gary Huff’s “Day Hiker’s Guide to the Olympic Peaks” lists 222 peaks in the Olympics. Of those, 74 are hike- able (walk-ups or scrambles) and do not require climbing skills. Approximately 43 of the 74 can be hiked in a day, using the criteria of under 20 miles roundtrip and under 5,000 ft elevation gain.