Hikes/United States/Washington State/Olympic National Park

Difficulty

Hard

Elevation

442 m

Distance

4.3 km

Duration

2-3h

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Olympic Switchback Trail

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Route description
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Route information
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Reviews

The Olympic Switchback Trail does exactly what it claims to: switchback and make you feel like you’re competing in the Olympics. This short but very steep hike is all switchbacks to a viewpoint next to Mount Angeles. It’s a grind, but a brief one. Poles are helpful and we recommend waiting for a dry day to hike this trail.

Route Description for Olympic Switchback Trail

Olympic Switchback Trail is true to its name. It switchbacks, it switchbacks more, and it doesn’t stop switchbacking. While only 4.3 km in length, it packs 442 m of elevation gain into the ascent. It might be a little bit of a grind, but the views are pleasant enough to make it worth doing.

Begin from the trailhead and, you guessed it, immediately launch into switchbacks. They start out a bit wider before narrowing, and they don’t end. Take care not to take the spur trails off the corners of the turns.

This trail terminates at the T-junction of Heather Park Trail and Switchback Trail. You can continue to adventure if you wish, or you can turn around and punish your knees the entire way back to the trailhead.

Getting to the Olympic Switchback Trail Trailhead

The trailhead for the Olympic Switchback Trail is on Hurricane Ridge Road.

Route Information

Backcountry Campground:
No
When to do:
March-October
Pets allowed:
No
Family friendly:
No
Route Signage:
Average
Crowd Levels:
Moderate
Route Type:
Out and back