Olympic National Park & Discovery Trail

Meet in Seattle. Climb aboard the Bainbridge Island ferry right in downtown Seattle for a short cruise to the charming Victorian seaport of Port Townsend. Enjoy the maritime history of the town along with an excellent lunch. After a bike fitting, head out on the Olympic Discovery Trail. Take your time: today’s ride from Port Townsend to Dungeness Bay has plenty of twists, turns, and scenery.

You’re in for a scenic treat today with a few hills tossed in for fun. From Dungeness Bay, pedal through the peaceful countryside to the bustling Port Angeles waterfront. Time to ride off into the Olympic Peninsula wilderness with its towering Douglas fir and cedars. A challenging stretch from Joyce to the start of the Spruce Trail segment may tempt you to hop into the van for a boost. Skip this if you like, or bicycle the whole thing. Enjoy a picnic lunch at Lake Crescent, a sapphire-blue alpine gem tucked into the mountains of Olympic National Park. Continue riding the north shore of the lake to Fairholme General Store. Hop into the van for a quick shuttle up the highway to Lake Crescent Lodge, where you’ll stay the next two nights.

Choose your own adventure today: Take an easy hike to 90-foot Marymere Falls, or a challenging one up Storm King for views all the way out to the Straits of Juan de Fuca. Or head to Sol Duc Hot Springs for a soak and/or a hike through the old-growth rainforest to Sol Duc Falls. Paddle Lake Crescent in one of the lodge’s kayaks, canoes or SUPs. Or simply stay put at the lodge, soaking up the glorious mountain scenery. Lunch and dinner are on your own today (options at both the lodge and at the hot springs). Take your time and enjoy.

Ride through miles of rainforest this morning from Fairholme to Lake Pleasant. Towering Douglas fir, western red cedar and occasional bright stands of vine maple battle for terrain with sword fern and omnipresent blackberry vines. Lunch on the shores of tiny Lake Crescent, a popular local fishing spot. From here, choose to ride or hop in the van for the transfer out to Lapush and Quileute Oceanside Resort on the wild shoreline of the Pacific Ocean. You’ll be here two nights, enjoying phenomenal ocean views from your room.

Another day to explore! Tide permitting, hike from Rialto Beach to Hole in the Wall to explore the secrets of the local tidepools: sea anemone and sea star, tiny fish and hermit crabs all make their home here in ever-changing seaweed-jungle pools. If the tides don’t allow for Hole in the Wall, hike through the deep old-growth rainforest to Second Beach, one of the most incredibly gorgeous spots on the Olympic Peninsula. Sea stacks – tall rock formations separated from the main landmass – rise like specters from swaths of sandy beach. Bald eagles command the sky; seals and sea otter can occasionally be spotted on the sands. Or just relax and stay put at Quileute Oceanside Resort to watch the wind-tossed surf.

Head to Hurricane Ridge this morning. Sweeping views of the Olympic Mountains and the Straits of Juan de Fuca – and even Victoria, B.C. on a bluebird day – await at the literal high point of the tour. There’s great hiking at the top too! Watch for blacktail deer, mountain goats and maybe a whistling Olympic marmot. After lunch here, hop in the van for the shuttle back to Bainbridge Island and a spectacular sunset ferry ride into downtown Seattle.