The 350-mile Pacific Coast Scenic Byway epitomizes the Evergreen State. It outlines the entire Olympic Peninsula, meanders through Olympic National Park, through lush rain forests, along oyster-packed inlets and ocean beaches, then extends south to the border with Oregon. Imagine strolling under the moss-draped canopy of an old-growth rainforest, hiking in alpine meadows with jaw-dropping mountain views, or walking along miles of wild and sandy beaches with sea stacks and tidepools. Plan to pack your binoculars and boots and take your time… you’re in for a treat anytime of the year!
Key points of interest:
- Olympic National Park – Hurricane Ridge, south of Port Angeles, provides the most popular access to Olympic National Park. A paved road twists and turns 17 miles up to the 5,200-foot summit. There you’ll find jaw-dropping 360-degree views of mountain peaks, forested valleys, and the Pacific Ocean all the way to Canada.
- Rainforests and Waterfalls – Waterfall seekers can find over 20 waterfalls on the Olympic Peninsula. Hoh Rainforest, one of the last old-growth temperate rainforests in the western hemisphere. This is one of the most remarkable places on the planet! Annual rainfall measures in feet (14 feet a year is the average), so remember your rain gear.