What trails shall I hike in Hurricane Ridge?

Klahhane Ridge Trail
This nicely-maintained Hurricane Ridge hiking trail can be quite a challenge, but what you’ll see along the way makes it worth the work it takes to complete it. Travel through dark forest covered with lots of ferns and mosses on the way to Lake Angeles, which is simply stunning. Then climb briskly into subalpine forest as you make your way to the trail’s namesake, Klahhane Ridge. Descent can be tough as the path is narrow and often retains snow well into July. 

• Distance: 12.5 miles 
• Average Time: overnight 
• Elevation Gain: 4,735 feet 
• Difficulty: moderately strenuous to Lake Angeles, strenuous for the remainder 
• Trail Type: loop 
• Trailhead: Use Heart o’ the Hills trailhead. From Port Angeles, travel west to Hurricane Ridge Road. Turn right and drive 6.4 miles and turn right on the spur road to the trailhead.

Heather Park Trail
Among Hurricane Ridge trails, this is an extremely rigorous one, but it ends at a very charming alpine meadow. It’s dry, so bringing along lots of water is essential. Hikers who aren’t in great shape rarely make it beyond the halfway point, but those with excellent skills will be able to scale the very steep terrain that makes up the second portion. 

• Distance: 10 miles each way 
• Average Time: overnight 
• Elevation Gain: 3,150 feet 
• Difficulty: moderate to very strenuous 
• Trail Type: out-and-back 
• Trailhead: From Port Angeles, head west on US-101 to Hurricane Ridge Road. Turn right and continue for 5 miles. Just before the park entrance booth, turn right and proceed to the large trailhead parking area.

Sunrise Ridge
Hike this trail in the morning and you’ll most likely see some wildlife including deer, coyote, and chipmunks, and perhaps a bear. This trail is less crowded than other popular, short Hurricane Ridge hikes, like asphalt-paved Hurricane Hill Trail, but boasts similar excellent views that include bucolic meadows swept with colorful wildflowers of many varieties. Suitable for kids. 

• Distance: 5.2 miles roundtrip 
• Average time: 3 hours 
• Elevation Gain: 1,000 feet 
• Difficulty: easy 
• Trail Type: out-and-back 
• Trailhead: From Port Angeles, travel west on US-101 to Hurricane Ridge Road. Make a right and follow the road for 17.5 miles to the Hurricane Ridge Visitors Center. The trail begins on the north side of the large parking area.

Hurricane Hill
This paved path takes visitors to a knoll where you can view Mount Olympus, Mount Baker, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. It’s suitable for young and old and is, in fact, a great way to introduce young children to the joys of hiking. It also becomes a great snowshoe trail in the winter, but conditions can be tough and icy, so always check with park rangers before heading out. 

• Distance: 3 miles roundtrip 
• Average time: 60-90 minutes 
• Elevation gain: 950 feet 
• Difficulty: easy 
• Trail type: out-and-back 
• Trailhead: From Port Angeles, travel west on US-101 to Hurricane Ridge Road. Turn right and drive 17.5 miles to the Hurricane Ridge Visitors Center and continue 1.5 miles farther on the narrow Hurricane Hill Road to trailhead parking.