Cirque Rim Trail & Big Meadow Loops

These trails provide a wonderful little taste of subalpine meadows, deer, and the summer displays of wildflowers, along with excellent views of Port Angeles, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and the Olympic Mountains.

.5 mile and .25 mile RT. Easy. Access: Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center parking lot.

Grand Ridge (Obstruction Point to Green Mountain)

This is the highest section of trail in the park, a fact you might notice as you gaze out to Victoria, BC, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca to the north, or to the south, toward the Grand Valley with its string of lakes and the numerous snow-clad peaks of the Olympic interior. There is a shortage of both trees and water on this hike.

From the parking lot, follow the trail to the left. (The right goes to Grand Valley.) In 2 miles you'll find yourself at the breathtaking top of Elk Mountain. Over the next 5.5 miles, you will pass through Roaring Winds Camp (not misnamed) on your way up to Maiden Peak. This is a good turnaround point, unless you want to descend to Deer Park.

11 miles RT. Moderate. Access: From Hurricane Ridge, turn right onto dirt road to Obstruction Point, and continue 8 1/2 miles to end of road.

High Ridge, Alpine Hill to Klahhane Ridge

You can take the short, paved 1-mile High Ridge Route (which is chock-full of interpretive exhibits) and then return to the parking lot. Or you can proceed along the unpaved portion to Sunrise Ridge, a rocky little backbone of a view point off the High Ridge Trail, providing excellent panoramas of the Olympic Mountains, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Port Angeles, and numerous beautiful alpine glaciers and wildflowers. The rest of the 3.3-mile, somewhat strenuous walk climbs to the top of Klahhane Ridge. As numerous signs warn, do not feed or approach the deer and marmots here.

1-8 miles RT. Easy to moderate. Access: Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center.

Hurricane Hill

This is a popular trail in the summertime. The broad, paved trail climbs along an abandoned work road up to brilliant alpine meadows, with fantastic views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Port Angeles to the north and glacier-crowned Mount Olympus to the south.

3.2 miles RT. Moderate. Access: 1 1/2 miles from Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.