Sol Duc Falls & Hurricane Ridge
A varied guided day linking the Sol Duc forest, Lake Crescent and the high-country scenery of Hurricane Ridge.
- Full day · around 9 hours
- Port Angeles departure
- Forest walking plus mountain stops
Mountains & meadows
Hurricane Ridge · NPS / C. BubarHurricane Ridge: mountain views, trails & tours
Go for the Olympic mountain panorama. Walk the meadows, take on Hurricane Hill or join a guided day that adds Lake Crescent and Sol Duc Falls.
Choose it forMountain views and high-country walking
Time to allowAllow a half day or longer
Your basePort Angeles
Pairs well withLake Crescent on a separate outing
Driving and choosing a trail
Follow Hurricane Ridge Road south from Port Angeles. NPS uses about 45 minutes as a driving reference before entrance delays or parking congestion. Check current road conditions before setting off; mountain weather can change the plan.
Start with the meadow paths around the main parking area for a short visit. Hurricane Hill begins at a separate trailhead farther along the ridge road, so allow time to move between the two. Compare shorter walks if the group wants views without a sustained climb.
| Walk | Distance | What changes the choice |
|---|---|---|
| Meadow loops | About 0.25–0.5 miles | Short paths near the main parking area |
| Hurricane Hill | 3.2 miles round trip | About 700 feet of climbing; separate trailhead |
A mountain day close to Port Angeles
Hurricane Ridge brings you above the forests for ridgelines, meadows and wide mountain views. It is our first choice for a clear-weather day from Port Angeles. The landscape feels completely different from the sheltered lake and river valleys below.
Spend a half day or longer here, with a viewpoint stop and a walk. Return to Port Angeles for a waterfront dinner, or take a guided highlights day to combine the ridge with lower-elevation scenery.
Meadow paths or Hurricane Hill?
For the lightest outing, follow the short meadow paths near the main parking area. They keep the mountain views central to the visit and leave plenty of time for stops.
For a longer walk, head to the separate Hurricane Hill trailhead farther along the road. The route is 3.2 miles round trip with roughly 700 feet of climbing. Pick this when the hike is a highlight of your day.
Match the visit to the season
Summer gives you the broadest access to the high country. Winter brings snow, restricted road-opening schedules and vehicle requirements. Use the official road status for your day, and bring food and water: the former Day Lodge burned in 2023 and its indoor services are gone.
Clallam Transit’s Hurricane Ridge shuttle runs seasonally; the operator currently announces a return in summer 2027. Its published schedule covers the last bus and ticket arrangements. Park admission is separate from the ride.
Choose a ridge day or a guided highlights day
Choose a dedicated ridge day for more hiking and time at the viewpoints. Choose the Sol Duc and Hurricane Ridge tour for a full-day introduction to mountains, lake and waterfall, with transport and guiding from Port Angeles.
Book a Port Angeles overnight before an early start. Downtown gives you restaurants and harbor walks after the mountains, plus lower-elevation options if the road closes.
Go with a local guide
Make this part of your park day.
Choose it for the experience
Mountains, lake & waterfall
A varied guided day linking the Sol Duc forest, Lake Crescent and the high-country scenery of Hurricane Ridge.
Travel from Port Angeles with a guide and return after the outing. See available dates and the full itinerary on GetYourGuide.
Compare all three tours →Choose your next night
Find your stay ↗Sleep in town. Start with the mountains.
Book a Port Angeles room for an early ridge drive and a waterfront dinner afterward.
Keep planning
More places to explore.
Let someone else drive
Olympic National Park without a car
Visit Olympic without a car: stay in downtown Port Angeles, book local guided park days and connect with ferries, buses and seasonal ridge transport.
Explore the guide →Choose your season
Best time to visit Port Angeles & Olympic National Park
Find the best time for Port Angeles and Olympic National Park. Compare summer mountain access with spring waterfalls, fall coast days and winter visits.
Explore the guide →Clear water & old-growth forest
Lake Crescent
Explore Lake Crescent: Marymere Falls, shoreline picnics, Spruce Railroad Trail and paddling. Compare a lakefront overnight with Port Angeles hotels.
Explore the guide →Build on this part of the trip