Olympic Mountains

The Olympic Mountains form a rugged range on the Olympic Peninsula in northwest Washington State, notable for a mix of coastal rainforest, alpine peaks and glaciated summits. The range contains some of the most intact temperate rainforest and alpine habitats in the contiguous United States.

Key highlights include extensive hiking and mountaineering routes, rainforest valleys with ancient conifer stands, and alpine ridgelines. Summits and ridges offer panoramic views across the peninsula and out to the Strait of Juan de Fuca on clear days.

The mountains were uplifted by tectonic forces and glaciation sculpted many valleys and cirques; they have long been inhabited and used by local Indigenous peoples. The area gained federal protection with the creation and expansion of Olympic National Park in the 20th century, which conserves large tracts of the range.

Geographically the range sits on the Olympic Peninsula west of Seattle, roughly 80 to 150 kilometres from the nearest major city depending on the access point; approaches are typically from towns such as Port Angeles and Forks and by roads that lead into park trailheads.

• Highest point: The highest peak rises to 2,432 metres and contains small alpine glaciers at higher elevations.
• Protected status: Much of the range lies inside Olympic National Park, which was established in 1938, protecting both alpine and coastal temperate rainforest environments.

What to See #

• Mount Olympus: Highest summit of the range, Mount Olympus, reaches 2,432 metres and hosts several small glaciers and alpine terrain.
• Hurricane Ridge: Hurricane Ridge provides accessible alpine viewpoints and trails at relatively low elevation with panoramic views of the range and Strait of Juan de Fuca.
• Hoh Rainforest: The Hoh Rainforest sector contains extensive temperate rainforest ecosystems with large Sitka spruce and western hemlock, protected within Olympic National Park.