Olympic Peninsula E-Bike Tour

Seattle to Lake Quinault

We pick you up at our recommended tour hotel, the Hampton Inn and Suites Seattle-Airport/ 28th Ave at 8:30 AM and begin our trek into the beautiful Olympic Peninsula. Once we depart the Seattle area our van carries us through rolling farmland that gradually changes into undulating forest. After two or so hours of driving, we reach our first destination, Lake Sylvia State Park. Stepping out into the fresh air, we enjoy our first taste of the verdant forests the Olympic Peninsula is famous for with an optional 1.5 mile mellow hike around the lake taking in the moss-covered spruces, firs, and assorted ferns, or relax near the water's edge while your guides prepare a wonderful picnic lunch. The trail system around Lake Sylvia was built to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the American tree farm system whose first certified tree farm was near here.

After lunch we hop back in the van to head deeper into the heart of the peninsula. Another hour north, passing through Wishkah and Humptulips gets us to Lake Quinault Lodge, our resting place for the evening. The name “Quinault” is an anglicized version of kʷínayɬ, the name of a village located where the Quinault river meets the sea, and today called Taholah. For eons, the land of the Olympic Peninsula has been the home of a number of tribes of the Salish people. Today, The Quinault Indian Nation (QIN) consists of the Quinault and Queets tribes along with the descendants of five other coastal tribes: the Hoh, Quileute, Chehalis, Chinook, and the Cowlitz.

Once we are settled in, we explore the stunning forest around lake Quinault via the extensive hiking trail system starting right from the lodge's back porch.

ACCOMMODATION : Lake Quinault Lodge

MEALS INCLUDED : Lunch, Dinner

Morning Ride, then on to the Coast

In the morning we ride on dirt roads from the lodge that follow the Quinault River.  We pass gigantic trees and a magical forest of ferns and moss. We stop to appreciate two different waterfalls that tumble down from side canyons into the river.  After 11 miles we either return by our same route or take an alternate route on the north side of the river. Along the way we enjoy a picnic lunch.

When our riding is done we load up and drive to the coast.  Depending on the date, we are headed to one of two oceanfront lodges where we stay for the next two nights.  Both are situated in stunning locations where beach and surf welcome explorers.

• Biking: 22 miles. Gentle grade. Some possible short ascents and descents.
• Walking: Beach walking once we arrive at our accommodation

ACCOMMODATION : Kalaloch Lodge or Quileute Oceanside Resort

MEALS INCLUDED : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hoh Rainforest

After breakfast at the lodge we drive inland into the Hoh Rainforest. Depending on the weather and other factors we either ride first or go directly to the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center.  Our cycling today is a short 8-mile gravel out and back that follows an old logging road cut into the northern ridge of the Hoh valley. The Hoh is the main artery through the Hoh river rain forest and while the word Hoh means “whitewater” the river meanders through expansive gravel bars during much of its 56-mile journey.  Starting as glacial melt from Mt. Olympus, the Hoh is an important salmon stream, with 13 different populations of salmonids including coho, sockeye, chum and Chinook. Soak in the beauty and wonder of this grand biodiversity that is also home to eagles, bear, Roosevelt elk, black-tailed deer and a host of other birds and amphibians.

The visitors center offers several trails including a natural history interpretive journey through the Hall of Mosses trail. This ¾ mile trail highlights the beauty and diversity of one of the world’s largest remaining temperate rainforests which boasts more biomass per acre than anywhere else in the world!

• Biking: 8 Miles with elevation of + 898 ft; - 898 ft. Max Grade 13.5%.
• Hiking: Optional ¾ Mile interpretive walk.

ACCOMMODATION : Kalaloch Lodge or Quileute Oceanside Resort

MEALS INCLUDED : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Ride the Olympic Discovery Trail

After breakfast we start cycling on the Olympic Discovery Trail just outside of Sappho. First up is a 10-mile paved ride along the seldom driven Mary Clark Road through brilliant emerald forest. If road riding isn't your style, take the sag-wagon to the next trailhead and rejoin the rest of the group on a paved, designated bike trail. Soon we’re on the Spruce Railroad Trail along the shore of Lake Crescent, admiring the towering peaks that surround the dazzling clear sapphire waters of this glacially carved lake. On a warm day set the bikes aside momentarily and take the short stroll out to the Devils Punch Bowl for a refreshing dip in the lake.

We finish the day with a shuttle to Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort, where you may want to soak some tired biking muscles.

• Biking: Distance: 20.5 miles all paved designated trail + optional 9.3 miles paved road, no shoulder. Elevation + 971; - 753  / plus optional +132; - 463.

ACCOMMODATION : Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort

MEALS INCLUDED : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Morning ride and Hurricane Ridge

We descend by van following the Sol Duc river to return to the Olympic Discovery Trail.  On bikes we continue east on the trail passing over the Elwa River.Two dams were removed between 2011-2014, making this the largest dam removal project in world history.  It’s an inspiring story of recovery and regeneration as salmon have returned to spawn and coastal diversity has increased. Our ride continues on to the outskirts of Port Angeles and after a picnic lunch we shuttle south into the mountains to Hurricane Ridge.

As the name suggests, this is a windswept topography with endless views in all directions.  In the distance you can see Vancouver Island while closer in are the majestic Olympic mountains.  There’s time to explore the visitor’s center as well as some trails in the area including the Hurricane Ridge trail.

Departing from the ridge it’s a quick 30 minute shuttle to the bustling coastal city of Port Angeles.

• Biking: Distance 6-8 miles, +/- 200ft elevation

ACCOMMODATION : Red Lion Hotel Port Angeles Harbor

MEALS INCLUDED : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Final ride and back to Seattle

Our last day of cycling, we ride from the hotel parking lot directly onto the Olympic Discovery trail as it hugs the coast and then turns inward to pass through farm fields of lavender interspersed with evergreen forests.  We pass through the town of Sequim, unique in that unlike the rest of the Olympic Peninsula, it only gets 30 inches of rain on average, compared to 6-7 times that not far away. We pass over 9 bridges on today’s ride, four of which are restored railroad trestles dating to 1914-15. These are sections of the abandoned Milwaukee, Chicago, Pacific and St. Paul lines, making for gentle grades. Our ride ends in Blyn where we enjoy a final lunch, load up our bikes and then drive to Bainbridge Island to catch the ferry into downtown Seattle. The ferry ride is a great opportunity to soak in the marine breeze and begin our farewells.  We will then return guests to where the adventure began at the Hampton Inn and Suites Seattle-Airport/ 28th Ave.

• Biking: Distance 27 miles, paved trail with elevation: +1200 ft, -1160 ft

MEALS INCLUDED : Breakfast, Lunch