Olympic National Park: Cape Alava Loop

Explore Olympic National Park’s rugged, wilderness coast on this 8.7-mile loop. From the Ozette Trailhead, cross an arched wooden bridge and enter old-growth red cedar forest. The trail alternates between boardwalk and a pebbly path as it passes through tall grassy meadows, fields of ferns, and lush, mossy forest. At mile 3.1, emerge from the forest and take in views of rocky, seaweed-covered shore, impressive sea stacks, and Ozette Island.
The next 3 miles travel along a sandy and rocky coastline peppered with giant driftwood logs. Before rounding the first headland, look for ancient Native American petroglyphs carved into the rocks. At mile 6, head back into the woods and maneuver through thick fern underbrush and sitka spruce—huckleberry bushes flank the trail in spots. Pass the only view of Ozette Lake before closing the loop at Waypoint 2, and retracing your steps to the trailhead.
Note: Wilderness Camping Permits are required for all overnight hikes on the Olympic Wilderness Coast. Do not try to round headlands without knowledge of tide heights and times. Carry a tide chart and a detailed topo map.
-Mapped by Kari Bodnarchuk

Trail Facts

• Distance: 14.0

Waypoints

WPT001

Location: 48.154232, -124.66935

From the Ozette Trailhead, cross an arched wooden bridge over the Ozette River, then follow the well-maintained pebble and stone path through the forest.

WPT002

Location: 48.152386, -124.671761

Bear right onto Cape Alava Trail @ Y-junction. Wide, pebbly trail meanders through dense old-growth red cedar blanketed in moss. Ahead, follow boardwalk that winds through marshy areas dotted with skunk cabbage; cross several wooden bridges and hike up and down cedar steps.

WPT003

Location: 48.153484, -124.696365

Cross a cool brook (tannin gives the brook its deep brown color) near downed trees carpeted in moss; ferns and branches covered in old man’s beard. Hike through a tunnel of thick vegetation and through areas where old-growth cedars and hemlocks line the trail. The trail alternates from boardwalk to pebbly path and passes through tall grassy meadows, fields of ferns and through dense forest where spaghnum moss blankets the ground, ‘butt rot’ mushrooms cling to trees, and the potent smells of skunk cabbage fill the air. About 2 miles down the trail, pass through big grassy meadow called Ahlstroms Prairie, where Scandinavians settled in the late 1800s. Keep an eye out for deer.

WPT004

Location: 48.15995, -124.723282

Pass through a large area where old blowdowns are engulfed by moss; continue heading west.

WPT005

Location: 48.160633, -124.730782

Narrow dirt trail emerges from forest, passing through lush, grassy fields. Take in first views of rocky, seaweed-covered shore, impressive sea stacks and Ozette Island offshore. Next, follow muddy, dirt singletrack through a grassy field and past a stream; trail sharply descends to beach.

WPT006

Location: 48.160965, -124.73175

Turn left on beach, and hike south along the sandy and rocky coast. Walk past giant driftwood logs stacked up along shore; look for bull kelp, sea sponges, and crabs (you may also spot deer and bald eagles); huge sitka spruce and red cedar dot the coast. Optional: Turn right on the beach and hike 0.75 mile to see the remains of a log house from an old Makah settlement.

WPT007

Location: 48.149216, -124.720268

Wedding Rocks: Just before rounding the first headland, look for ancient Native American petroglyphs carved into the rocks to the right of the black and red circular marker. Use caution when rounding headlands. Bring a detailed topo map and a tide chart for tide heights and times.

WPT008

Location: 48.143185, -124.717087

A campsite (with wooden benches) sits on this level clearing at the edge of the woods, sheltered by old, giant sitka spruce and cedar trees. Look west for views of a triangular sea stack with a hole in one side.

WPT009

Location: 48.135418, -124.710869

Hike around rocky headland (caution: in high tides, use a rope to scramble up very steep path and pass over headland). Next, walk along a very long and wide wineglass-shaped bay (hard-packed sand makes walking easier here). Sea stacks rise offshore and seagrass flourishes in the woods to your left. Fish nets, buoys, rope and other debris are scattered among rocks.

WPT010

Location: 48.127632, -124.708199

Turn left into woods at bull’s-eye trail marker that stands several hundred feet before the next headland (Sand Point). Pass a level campsite with downed trees for benches and a fire pit, then cut through shoulder-high scrub. In roughly 100 feet, turn left @ T-junction and follow pine needle and dirt trail toward Ozette Ranger Station; maneuver through thick fern underbrush and spaced-out sitka spruce; pass more skunk cabbage and mushrooms. Trail alternates between a pebbly path and a boardwalk made with hand-split cedar planks; huckleberry bushes flank trail in spots.

WPT011

Location: 48.151585, -124.671837

Trail passes a distant (and the only) view of Ozette Lake through trees on right.

Boardwalk

Location: 48.153496, -124.696251

Views of Rocky Coast

Location: 48.160675, -124.731026

Giant Driftwood

Location: 48.160786, -124.7313

Petroglyph

Location: 48.149178, -124.720314

Sea Stacks

Location: 48.14315, -124.717087