Editor’s Note: This feature is presented by our partners at Fjällräven.
From the Olympic Peninsula to the foothills of the North Cascades, these Seattle-area trails are perfect for off-season adventures just outside the city.
While winter storms cover trails across the country in snow, Seattle’s mild coastal climate offers outdoor enthusiasts a unique opportunity for ample snow-free hiking throughout the colder months. Thanks to the city’s proximity to multiple national and state parks, hikers don’t need to venture far to enjoy stunning natural landscapes.
To the west, discover coastal ecosystems and lush rainforests on the Olympic Peninsula. Or travel just an hour or two to the east for winter-friendly, low-elevation mountain trails with towering snowy peaks in the background.
These mountain and coastal areas are the perfect places to immerse yourself in the wild this winter. So load your backpack, bundle up, and head outside to discover the incredible beauty outside Seattle.
Dripping with life, the Hoh Rainforest is a sea of green. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
1. Hoh Rainforest
A short ferry ride and drive from Seattle, the Olympic Peninsula is one of the most ecologically diverse regions in the Pacific Northwest. Here, visitors can explore rugged coastlines, towering mountains, and one of the best-preserved temperate rainforests in the world — the Hoh Rainforest.
Hike through an enchanting landscape of moss-draped trees, ferns, and crystal-clear streams on the Hoh River Trail. This route extends 18.5 miles to the Blue Glacier moraine with views of Mount Olympus. In winter, hikers typically turn around at Five Mile Island for a 10-mile, round-trip hike.
If you’re short on time, the Hall of Mosses Trail winds 0.8 miles through old-growth forests and features an impressive grove of maple trees covered top to bottom in club moss.
- Length: Up to 18.5 miles; most winter hikers turn around sooner
- Difficulty: Moderately challenging
- Restrooms: At the Hoh Rainforest Visitor Center
- Parking: Main lot at the trailhead and overflow parking at the nearby campground
- Dog friendliness: No dogs allowed in the national park
- Hours: 24 hours a day year-round, with some holiday closures
