Take your pick for a fun ride along some of Port Angeles’ best mountain bike trails, located within the foothills just outside Olympic National Park
Explore the magical landscape in and around Washington’s Olympic National Park with a ride on some of the best mountain biking trails in the Pacific Northwest. Roll past jaw-dropping Salish Sea and Olympic mountain vistas and take in a quiet moment of Pacific Northwestern bliss on a choice trail that suits your pedaling style.
Load up your mountain bike and head to Port Angeles to tackle these trails …
DRY HILL MOUNTAIN BIKE PARK
Trails: 24 trails totaling 15 miles
Distance from Port Angeles to trail: 5 miles, 8 minute drive
Black Diamond daredevils and Green newbies have trails to cruise throughout Dry Hill’s semi-packed mountain terrain. Climb ferny forested paths and descend into open meadows. Pedal along a ridgeline with clear views of the ruddy valley below along the mellow Muffin Top trail. Work on technique with jumps and a rockier, packed terrain on the White Knuckle trail. Dry Hill is also dog friendly.
Perfect Pitstop – For early risers, stop by Sasquatch Donuts in downtown Port Angeles before hitting the trail. Savor delicious classics like plain and blueberry or go wild with some sugary breakfast cereal sprinkled on top. Arrive early because these donuts sell out fast!
STRIPED PEAK TRAIL
Trails: 7.5 mile loop + a few extra legs
Distance from Port Angele to trail: 16 miles, 20 minute drive
Cruise around history and stunning views within the Salt Creek Recreation Area’s multi-use Striped Peak Trail. Climb along jagged coastal cliffs for a stunning bird’s eye view of a remote saffire cove on the Salish Sea. Hop off your bike and tread down the stairs for a closer look and do a little tide pooling. Newly built portions of the trail connect you to an old WWII bunker. We recommend bringing a headlamp to take a break and explore it. Roll through cedar and hemlock woodlands past a 30-foot waterfall.
Perfect Pitstop – At the foot of Stripped Peak, you’ll discover Salt Creek Recreation Area. This is the place to recharge after a good ride. Wander sandy shorelines to intimate tidepools brimming with marine life. Climb a short ridge that gives way to gnarled sea stacks and crashing waves. Seek out several historic WWII bunkers.
COLVILLE MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS
Trails: 12 trails totaling 3 miles
Distance from Port Angeles to trail: 9 miles, 12 minute drive
Level up along Colville’s beginner friendly trails. Dart around moss-draped trees along the perimeter path. Catch a little air in the drop zone or in the multiple jump lines. Ride the ups and downs of the pump track to have a blast while skilling up. After a fun afternoon, gather around the park’s BBQ pit for a memorable picnic.
Perfect Pitstop – Find your chill as you head back into town at Angeles Brewing Supplies and Taproom. Get beer to go or stick around to sample the extensive taps including beer, cider and wine. From light and refreshing to dark, bold brews – you’ll find the right reward after a day on the trails.
ADVENTURE ROUTE – SECTION OF THE OLYMPIC DISCOVERY TRAIL
Trails: 25 mile singletrack
Distance from Port Angeles to trail: Varies depending on trailhead chosen – as short as 7 miles, 10 min drive
Sail through thick forests covered in moss and ferns. Climb switchbacks to sweeping views of mountain ranges and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Your gaze will wander all the way to Canada along certain moments of the trail. The Adventure Route portion of the Olympic Discovery Trail has many points of entry, with the dramatically blue destination of Lake Crescent. Along the way, you may spy delicate trillium, calypso orchids, bald eagles or even elk.
For more lakeshore cruising, connect with the Spruce Railroad Trail portion of the Olympic Discovery Trail to continue towards Forks, Washington.
Perfect Pitstop – Fuel up before or after the ride with some rare culinary flair for lunch. Little Devil’s Lunchbox combines TexMex and Northwest flavors for tacos, burritos and overstuffed sandwiches you’ll want to order another to take home. This cozy cafe delivers delicious smoked delites, wrapped or stacked, that often earns them the local Best Lunch accolades.
FOOTHILL MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS
Trails: 14 trails totaling 11 miles
Distance from Port Angeles to trail: 8 miles, 16 minutes driving
Seize some sprawling vistas on the edge of Olympic National Park. The Foothill Trails is an all-season system that has you rolling through a working forest with varying paths open to hikers, mountain bikers, horses and off-road vehicles. Pedal well-packed terrain as you look down over Port Angeles and across the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Canada’s Vancouver Island. Be sure to grab a map to know the types of usage each trail allows.
Perfect Pitstop – After a calorie-burning mountain biking session, we recommend an iconic fast food burger. You don’t need four wheels to experience the original Frugal’s drive-in in Port Angeles. With awards for best burgers as well as their famous seasoned fries and thick milkshakes, Frugal’s has been a Port Angeles institution since 1988. Don’t miss the huckleberry milkshake when it’s in season!
MOUNTAIN BIKE TOURS & SHUTTLES
Let the pros plan an awesome ride for you. Adventures Through Kayaking offers half day mountain bike tours through the Adventure Route section of the Olympic Discovery Trail in Port Angeles. Cruise wide yet scenic single tracks through ferny forests. Take a break to gaze over snow-capped mountains and the crystal clear waters of both the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Elwha River. The owners are seasoned MTB riders and can offer you great advice on other trails to tackle while you are in Port Angeles, Washington. Tours are offered year round; online booking is available April through September. You set the pace, and they bring the equipment and the expertise.
For shuttles to Dry Hill mountain bike park in Port Angeles, DM the Dry Hill Bike Park Facebook page and MicroShuttles will handle the rest.
