Tour Overview
7:30 AM: Hurricane Ridge, Lake Crescent, and Sol Duc Falls Tour (8-9 Hours)
About the Tour
Experience three unique ecosystems on this incredible day tour of Olympic National Park. The morning begins with a scenic drive from sea-level to “ski-level” at 5,242 feet elevation atop Hurricane Ridge. Upon arrival, explore the subalpine meadow trails that showcase the best sweeping vistas of the Olympic Mountains. After a scheduled stop in Port Angeles, enjoy a beautiful picnic lunch at Lake Crescent, the most iconic lake of Olympic National Park. In the afternoon, our group will drive into the picturesque Sol Duc Valley and enjoy some of the best moss-laden, old-growth forests in the entire Olympic Peninsula. A 1-mile (one-way) trail leads us to the top-rated waterfall in Olympic National Park, Sol Duc Falls. Experience mountains, subalpine meadows, lakes, rivers, and waterfalls on this action-packed and eco-diverse day tour!
Tour Details
$170 per person + taxes/fees
Age 10 or older required
2027 Schedule
Mar 29 - May 9: Sunday
May 10 - Sep 26: Friday, Sunday
Sep 27 - Oct 31: Friday
Tour Gallery
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Tour Summary
Itinerary Description
Hurricane Ridge: Our van tour will go from sea-level in Port Angeles to 5,242 feet elevation atop Hurricane Ridge. Throughout the 17-mile drive up to Hurricane Ridge, guests can observe the transition from lowland forests to the subalpine terrain. Upon arrival, our guide will lead a guided hike on the Cirque Rim trail (paved) and High Ridge trail (unpaved) through subalpine meadows atop the ridge. Depending on weather, we hope to enjoy sweeping vistas of the Bailey Range, Mount Olympus, river valleys, and Strait of Juan De Fuca.
Port Angeles: After exploring Hurricane Ridge, we will include a scheduled stop at Country Aire Natural Foods and Deli in Port Angeles before heading to Lake Crescent. This is the best option for those wanting to purchase a grab & go lunch, snacks, or a coffee for our picnic lunch stop.
Lake Crescent: As we head west on Highway 101, we will stop at the Lake Crescent Lodge for a scenic picnic lunch. Lake Crescent is one of the most beautiful natural lakes in the Pacific Northwest. It is a glacier-carved, crystal-clear lake that is 624 feet deep and outlined by a beautiful forested mountain range. During this visit, guests will have the opportunity go inside the historic Lake Crescent Lodge (built in 1915) and enjoy picturesque viewpoints from its dock.
Sol Duc: From Lake Crescent Lodge, the Sol Duc entrance fee station is only a 15-minute drive. Our group will enjoy a scenic 30-minute drive up the Sol Duc Valley, arriving to the Sol Duc Falls trailhead at the end of the road. Our guide will conclude our afternoon with a scenic hike tour through ancient old-growth forest to Sol Duc Falls, showcasing the best viewpoints of the river canyon and 48 foot waterfall.
Itinerary Outline
7:30 AM: Departure
Morning: Hurricane Ridge (~2 hr)
Mid-Day: Lake Crescent (~30 min)
Afternoon: Sol Duc (~2 hr)
3:30 PM / 4:30 PM: Return
Timing and destinations subject to change based on traffic, group pace, weather, and road conditions.
Itinerary Breakdown
Drive Time: 4-5 hours
Sightseeing Time: 4-5 hours
What’s Included
Naturalist Guided Hiking Tour
National Park Entrance Fees
Roundtrip Transportation
Meet-up Location
Olympic Hiking Co. 720 Marine Drive, Port Angeles, WA 98363
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Additional Details
Naturalist Guided Hiking Tour
The Sol Duc Valley and Lake Crescent feature some of the most diverse and beautiful lowland forests in Olympic National Park. At those destinations, our Naturalist Hiking Guide will identify the variety of old-growth trees, micro-plants, and discuss the rich history of the Sol Duc Valley and Lake Crescent. Atop Hurricane Ridge, our guide will overview the four seasons and unique geology of the Olympic Mountains, while identifying landmark river valleys, peaks, and the best panoramic vistas.
Hiking Trails
We typically cover 3-4 miles on this guided tour. Our guide will hike on the following trails for varying amounts of time and mileage based on the itinerary timing, group pace, weather conditions, and overall traffic. Please note there are options for guests to hike less at each destination.
Hurricane Ridge: Starting on the paved Cirque Rim loop (0.5 mi) our guide can add gravel trails including High Ridge (0.5 mi loop, 200 ft gain), Sunrise Point (0.1 mile one-way), and toward Klahhane Ridge for 2-3 miles total based on time and trail conditions.
Lake Crescent: Enjoy sightseeing and short nature walks around the Lake Crescent Lodge and its well-positioned dock. Make sure to step inside the lodge itself, which still beautifully showcases its historic charm as it was built in 1915.
Sol Duc: A 0.8 mile one-way trail out and back with minimal elevation gain and loss to Sol Duc Falls. There are some rocks and roots on the trail, as well as nature stairs down to the falls. Our guide may include optional trails and viewpoints for a roundtrip hike of 2-3 miles.
Seasonal Itinerary Adjustments
Spring: With raging waterfalls and lush forests, we will likely prioritize time within the Sol Duc Valley and Lake Crescent with less time atop Hurricane Ridge due to limited hiking access with the persisting winter snowpack.
Summer: Our group’s primary focus will be the trails atop Hurricane Ridge, especially with beautiful subalpine meadows atop the Ridge fully melted out in July and August.
Fall: After Mid-September, cooler temperatures and occasional snowfall may limit our road and hiking access to Hurricane Ridge. Accordingly, we will prioritize the resurgent waterfalls and beautiful fall colors of the Sol Duc Valley.