Hiking Washington's Olympic National Park

After this morning’s Welcome Meeting, take a scenic drive to the Olympic Peninsula and hike along the alpine wonderland of Hurricane Ridge where you will look across the Straits of Juan de Fuca to Vancouver Island and beyond. After plenty of playtime in these extraordinary mountains, drive back down to sea level and to our accommodation at a century-old hotel filled with charm and history. Showers and beds await, as well as opportunities for shorter hikes just outside the back door. Or you can just lounge around, chat with your fellow travellers, and enjoy the lakefront views. Tonight you will enjoy an included dinner at the lodge. (B/L/D)

After breakfast prepared by your guide, head west towards Neah Bay and the Makah Reservation where you will descend through coastal forests for two miles until we reach the pounding waves, rugged cliffs, tidal pools, and towering sea stacks at Shi Shi Beach. Soak up sweeping views of the Pacific coastline before you continue south towards the iconic Point of Arches where you’ll enjoy a gourmet beach lunch before the drive back to our accommodation. Along the way, you will have a chance to stop by the famous Makah Museum (when open) and learn more about the cultural history of the Makah people. Tonight, enjoy a wonderful restaurant dinner as a group. (B/L/D)

After breakfast, head southwest towards the famous Hoh Rainforest, one of the nation’s largest temperate rainforests where you will see ancient towering trees, moss-draped nurse logs, incredible biodiversity, and abundant wildlife. From here, hike up the wild Hoh River and explore all that the rainforest has to offer. Elk, deer, black bears, bald eagles, and more await you in this incredible ecosystem. After a final gourmet trail lunch, make your way back to the trailhead and then drive to Olympia along scenic Highway 101 which offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. On arrival in Olympia, your trip will come to an end at approximately 5 pm. (B/L)