Parking
Park at the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center, about 17 miles south of Port Angeles; start at the paved path on the east end of the lot. The access road is weather-dependent, especially in winter.
Overview
About Klahhane Ridge Trail
Why go
- A long, scenic ridge approach before the summit climb
- Wide mountain views and summer wildflower meadows
- Distinctive volcanic rock along the route
Heads up
- Long outing with a steep final mile
- High ridge exposure to wind and lingering snow
- No food service or potable water at the trailhead
This is the full Hurricane Ridge approach to Klahhane Ridge: a 7.6-mile out-and-back, returning the way you came. Allow about five to six hours for the rough, rolling ridge walk and the steeper final climb, with time to stop for views. That time is a planning estimate; conditions and pace make a difference. This is longer than the separate road-access hike that climbs the Switchback Trail directly.
Parkwolf’s verdictIs this the hike for you?Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Olympic map
Full mapElevation5,072–5,886 ft
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
6 active Olympic alerts
- InfoNo potable water at Hurricane RidgeMentions Hurricane Ridge, referenced in this guideNo potable water is available at Hurricane Ridge; bring your own drinking water.Official details
- CautionUS 101 Hoh River Bridge reduced to one laneUS 101 at the Hoh River Bridge is restricted to one lane of alternating traffic; obey the signals and 25 mph speed limit.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Olympic Tour Guide
Your drive to Klahhane Ridge Trail, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Olympic National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Olympic audio tourRecorded for this trailhead
Hurricane Ridge0:00 / 0:33
“You're approaching Hurricane Ridge, where the Bailey Range panorama opens up right beside the parking area. You don't need a long hike for this one.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Olympic Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- The Griff Fire’s Steep Slopes
- Hurricane Hill: Summit or Picnic
- Trees That Grow Sideways
- Switchback Trail to Victor Pass
- 204 audio storiesacross Olympic’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Olympic Marmot, Humpback Whale, Grey Whale, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 148 trails, 94 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Trail guide
Hiking Klahhane Ridge Trail
The route, from the visitor center to the ridgeStart on the paved path at the east end of the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center parking lot.
Start on the paved path at the east end of the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center parking lot. The first 2.8 miles follow the ridge to the Klahhane Switchback junction, with about 250 feet of climbing. The final mile climbs roughly 800 feet on the Switchback Trail to Klahhane Ridge. The easier opening stretch can lull you into underestimating the finish: save energy for the sustained uphill, then retrace the full route to the visitor center.
What the climb feels likeThe walk alternates between open high-country tread and short sections of trees, with rocky and…
The walk alternates between open high-country tread and short sections of trees, with rocky and uneven footing. Much of the route is exposed to sun and wind, and the last ascent is the most demanding part. Hurricane Ridge is a high, changeable place: strong gusts are possible, and snow can linger into summer. Bring warm, wind-resistant layers even when conditions below feel mild.
Look back from Klahhane RidgeThe payoff is a broad look across the Olympic peaks and ridges, including Mount Angeles and the…
The payoff is a broad look across the Olympic peaks and ridges, including Mount Angeles and the valley toward Hurricane Ridge. From the high point, frame the ridgeline or the trail in the foreground against the jagged rock; it gives the landscape scale and shows the character of the route.
Read the rockThe red and gray volcanic rock here includes pillow lava, formed when molten rock cooled…
The red and gray volcanic rock here includes pillow lava, formed when molten rock cooled underwater on the ancient Pacific seafloor. As you cross the open ridge, look for rounded, stacked forms among the more fractured rock; they are a clue to the area's very different past.
Flowers and wildlifeIn summer, the open meadows can hold Indian paintbrush, lupine, phlox and glacier lilies.
In summer, the open meadows can hold Indian paintbrush, lupine, phlox and glacier lilies. Marmots, deer, mountain goats and black bears live in the area, but sightings are never guaranteed. Give wildlife room and keep food secured.
Getting there and planning aheadHurricane Ridge is about 17 miles south of Port Angeles by road.
Hurricane Ridge is about 17 miles south of Port Angeles by road. Restrooms are available at the visitor center, but do not count on food service or potable water there; bring what you need for the outing. Pets and bicycles are prohibited on Hurricane Ridge trails. The road is generally open daily in summer and typically has a limited Friday-to-Sunday and holiday schedule in winter, weather permitting. Check the current road status before driving; winter access can change quickly.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Olympic
710 sightingsOlympic MarmotMost seen around 11 AMSighting map
30 sightingsHumpback WhaleMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
42 sightingsGrey WhaleMost seen around noonSighting map
23 sightingsMountain LionMost seen around 8 PMSighting map
71 sightingsMountain GoatMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
306 sightingsBald EagleMost seen around 11 AMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Olympic. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
