Olympic Peninsula Bike Tour

Meeting Location: Hampton Inn and Suites Seattle-Airport/ 28th Ave in Seattle, Washington.

Meeting Time: 8:30 AM on Day 1

Return Time: 4:00 - 6:00 PM on the afternoon of Day 6

Retun Location: Hampton Inn and Suites Seattle-Airport/ 28th Ave

Trip Length: 6-days 

Age Limit: Minimum age is 14

Bicycles & Gear: Pedego Bikes Included with tour price

Day 0: Arrival in Seattle, Washington

Arrive in Seattle, Washington, with air service from almost all major airlines, or drive from your home. 

• Accommodations: Not Included - The preferred hotel is the Hampton Inn and Suites Seattle-Airport/ 28th Ave
• Meals: Not Included

Day 1: Seattle to Lake Quinault

We pick you up at Hampton Inn and Suites Seattle-Airport/ 28th Ave Seattle lodging at 8:30 AM, and begin our trek into the beautiful Olympic Peninsula. Once we depart the Seattle area our van carries us through rolling farmland that gradually changes into undulating forest. After two or so hours of driving, we reach our first destination, Lake Sylvia State Park. Stepping out into the fresh air, we enjoy our first taste of the verdant forests the Olympic Peninsula is famous for with an optional 1.5 mile mellow hike around the lake taking in the moss-covered spruces, firs, and assorted ferns, or relax near the water's edge while your guides prepare a wonderful picnic lunch. The trail system around Lake Sylvia was built to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the American tree farm system whose first certified tree farm was near here.

After lunch we hop back in the van to head deeper into the heart of the peninsula. Another hour north, passing through Wishkah and Humptulips gets us to Lake Quinault Lodge, our resting place for the evening. The name “Quinault” is an anglicized version of kʷínayɬ, the name of a village located where the Quinault river meets the sea, and today called Taholah. For eons, the land of the Olympic Peninsula has been the home of a number of tribes of the Salish people. Today, The Quinault Indian Nation (QIN) consists of the Quinault and Queets tribes along with the descendants of five other coastal tribes: the Hoh, Quileute, Chehalis, Chinook, and the Cowlitz.

Once we are settled in, we explore the stunning forest around lake Quinault via the extensive hiking trail system starting right from the lodge's back porch.

Hiking: Optional 1.5 – 3 Miles

• Accommodations: Lake Quinault Lodge
• Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2:  Morning Ride, then on to the Coast

In the morning we ride on dirt roads from the lodge that follow the Quinault River.  We pass gigantic trees and a magical forest of ferns and moss. We stop to appreciate two different waterfalls that tumble down from side canyons into the river.  After 11 miles we either return by our same route or take an alternate route on the north side of the river. Along the way we enjoy a picnic lunch.

When our riding is done we load up and drive to the coast.  Depending on the date, we are headed to one of two oceanfront lodges where we stay for the next two nights.  Both are situated in stunning locations where beach and surf welcome explorers.

Biking: 22 miles. Gentle grade. Some possible short ascents and descents.

Walking: Beach walking once we arrive at our accommodation.

• Accommodation: Either Kalaloch Lodge or Quileute Oceanside Resort
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3:  Hoh Rainforest

After breakfast at the lodge we drive inland into the Hoh Rainforest. Depending on the weather and other factors we either ride first or go directly to the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center. Our cycling today is a short 8-mile gravel out and back that follows an old logging road cut into the northern ridge of the Hoh valley. The Hoh is the main artery through the Hoh river rain forest and while the word Hoh means “whitewater” the river meanders through expansive gravel bars during much of its 56-mile journey.  Starting as glacial melt from Mt. Olympus, the Hoh is an important salmon stream, with 13 different populations of salmonids including coho, sockeye, chum and Chinook. Soak in the beauty and wonder of this grand biodiversity that is also home to eagles, bear, Roosevelt elk, black-tailed deer and a host of other birds and amphibians.

The visitors center offers several trails including a natural history interpretive journey through the Hall of Mosses trail. This ¾ mile trail highlights the beauty and diversity of one of the world’s largest remaining temperate rainforests which boasts more biomass per acre than anywhere else in the world!

Biking: 8 Miles. Elevation: + 898 ft; - 898 ft. Max Grade 13.5%

Hiking: Optional ¾ Mile interpretive walk

• Accommodation: Either Kalaloch Lodge or Quileute Oceanside Resort
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4:  Ride the Olympic Discovery Trail

After breakfast we start cycling on the Olympic Discovery Trail just outside of Sappho. First up is a 10-mile paved ride along the seldom driven Mary Clark Road through brilliant emerald forest. If road riding isn't your style, take the sag-wagon to the next trailhead and rejoin the rest of the group on a paved, designated bike trail. Soon we’re on the Spruce Railroad Trail along the shore of Lake Crescent, admiring the towering peaks that surround the dazzling clear sapphire waters of this glacially carved lake. On a warm day set the bikes aside momentarily and take the short stroll out to the Devils Punch Bowl for a refreshing dip in the lake.

We finish the day with a shuttle to Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort, where you may want to soak some tired biking muscles.

Biking: Distance: 20.5 miles all paved designated trail + optional 9.3 miles paved road, no shoulder. Elevation + 971; - 753  / plus optional +132; - 463.

• Accommodations:  Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Morning ride and Hurricane Ridge

We descend by van following the Sol Duc river to return to the Olympic Discovery Trail.  On bikes we continue east on the trail passing over the Elwa River.Two dams were removed between 2011-2014, making this the largest dam removal project in world history.  It’s an inspiring story of recovery and regeneration as salmon have returned to spawn and coastal diversity has increased. Our ride continues on to the outskirts of Port Angeles and after a picnic lunch we shuttle south into the mountains to Hurricane Ridge.

As the name suggests, this is a windswept topography with endless views in all directions.  In the distance you can see Vancouver Island while closer in are the majestic Olympic mountains.  There’s time to explore the visitor’s center as well as some trails in the area including the Hurricane Ridge trail.

Departing from the ridge it’s a quick 30 minute shuttle to the bustling coastal city of Port Angeles.

Biking: Distance 6-8 miles, +/- 200ft elevation

• Accommodations:  Red Lion Hotel Port Angeles Harbor
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Final ride before heading to Seattle

Our last day of cycling, we ride from the hotel parking lot directly onto the Olympic Discovery trail as it hugs the coast and then turns inward to pass through farm fields of lavender interspersed with evergreen forests.  We pass through the town of Sequim, unique in that unlike the rest of the Olympic Peninsula, it only gets 30 inches of rain on average, compared to 6-7 times that not far away. We pass over 9 bridges on today’s ride, four of which are restored railroad trestles dating to 1914-15. These are sections of the abandoned Milwaukee, Chicago, Pacific and St. Paul lines, making for gentle grades. Our ride ends in Blyn where we enjoy a final lunch, load up our bikes and then drive to Bainbridge Island to catch the ferry into downtown Seattle. The ferry ride is a great opportunity to soak in the marine breeze and begin our farewells.  We will return guests to the Hampton Inn and Suites Seattle-Airport/ 28th Ave where the adventure began.

Biking: Distance 27 miles, paved trail. Elevation: +1200 ft, -1160 ft

• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Getting There

Seattle on the Puget Sound in Western Washington state. You can fly into the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) on any major airline including Alaska, Delta, Southwest, United, JetBlue, and Allegiant. You should plan to arrive the day before your bike tour starts.

You can easily grab a taxi or rent a car to get into downtown or your hotel. 

Provided transportation will begin in the morning on the first day of your bike tour.

Weather in the Olympic Peninsula

We highly recommend checking the weather prior to your trip for an updated forecast and current conditions. We recommend the following websites. 

Weather in Forks, Washington 

Weather in Port Townsend, Washington

When To Go?

July, August, and September are pleasant months to be in Seattle and the surrounding Olympic Peninsula with average summer temperatures ranging from 65-80 degrees Fahrenheit.

The weather like anywhere is unpredictable. We ask all guests to adhere closely to the packing list to make sure they are prepared at whatever weather the North West throws at us!

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Here at ROW Adventures, our first and foremost goal is for you to have an enjoyable and safe experience. While most of our trips are suitable for beginners, some of our trips are more active than others and it’s important that you understand the physical requirement of the trip you choose. 

All of our multi-day biking trips are active adventures that involve some level of physical exertion and possible exposure to the elements including but not limited to wind, rain, heat, sun, cold temperatures and cold water conditions.  ROW Adventures is able to accommodate people with physical limitations, disabilities, and medical conditions; please speak with your Adventure Consultant if you think you will require any additional assistance while on the trip.  We ask that you consult your doctor if you have health or medical conditions that could impact your ability to participate in an active and outdoor adventure. As your trip approaches, for your own safety as well as that of the entire group, we want to make sure that you can fulfill the following physical requirements of the trip:

• Wear all protective and safety equipment that is required by ROW Adventures and recommended/required by industry-wide standards.
• Load and unload, on their own or with the aid of a qualified companion, the bus and/or van providing transportation for ROW Adventures activities.
• Perform all biking activities, including following instructions on their own or with the assistance of a qualified companion or adaptive bike.
• The ability to make a quick and controlled emergency stop.
• The ability to start and stop on a hill.
• The ability to make controlled turns in tight corners.
• The ability to ride at 10-14 mph for extended periods of time (We simply can't do the distance of desingated miles in the allotted time otherwise.)
• Able to enter a van with an 18-inch step.
• Ability to climb 2-3 flights of stairs.
• Experience riding a bicycle for 2-4 hours at a time.

Olympic Peninsula Bike Tour Packing List

Here is a recommended list of things to pack. Add and subtract to meet your needs. Please keep your luggage to one medium sized hard roller luggage as it packs into our trailer more easily. A medium-sized soft duffle is alright, but we recommend a hard-shelled rolling bag. Otherwise, a regular roller bag will work as the next best option. You will also want to bring one carry-on day pack to leave in our support van during the day, where you will access at lunch and other points when we meet up with the van. We will provide 2 Luggage tags per guest. The two-bag guideline is strictly enforced. Please note that if you do not attach the provided luggage tag to your bag, there is a risk that the bag may be left behind.

E-Bike: We are providing either Pedego Interceptor or Pedego Boomerang Bikes for your enjoyment.  We will assign you a bike based on your size and our availability.

E-Bike Battery: We provide only one battery per day.  Our guide carries a spare battery on the trail in case it’s needed, but you will need to pedal in order for your battery to last the day. In the evening we give you your battery and a charger in a small backpack to take to your room and charge. Most guests do not have any difficulties with the mileage each day provided they use the battery conservatively.  If you desire a secondary battery, we have a limited amount of extra batteries available for an additional $125 on the 5-day tour.

Recommended Bike Specific Clothing

Remember that we ride 8-28 miles each day, which may be further than you are used to.  This is why we recommend padded bike shorts and a few other things that may be new to you. As well, we recommend checking the weather prior to your trip departure and adjusting the below quantities accordingly based on current forecasts. 

• 3-4 pairs of padded bike shorts or padded liners

• 1 pair of full-length bike pants or athletic pants

• 3-4 short-sleeve performance fabric shirts or bike jerseys, bright colors are great for visibility 

• 2-3 long sleeve performance fabric shirts

• 1 light fleece or performance jacket for layering

• 4-6 pairs of performance fabric socks

• 1 waterproof rain jacket 

• 1 pair of waterproof rain pants

*Please note that rain is frequent in the Olympic Peninsula and a good rain jacket and pants are key to a dry and comfortable biking experience.

Recommended Accessories

• 1 pair of bike gloves, short-fingered and padded preferred
• Helmet (helmets are included with bike rental, but many people prefer their personal helmet)
• 1 helmet liner or thin hat
• 1 water bottle or hydration pack (We provide one insulated bike water bottle and recommend you bring a second one as well)

Optional Accessories

• Personal handlebar or seat bag (Will be provided if you don’t have one)
• Sun brim or visor for your helmet.  
• Chamois cream or butter
• Full fingered bike gloves or glove liners *for cool forecasts
• Toe covers for your biking shoes *for cool forecasts
• Helmet or handlebar mirror
• Your personal bike shoes (if clip in, be sure to bring your own pedals)    
• Personal bike seat    
• Padded seat cover    
• Waterproof case for your camera or phone

Casual Attire

• 2-3 long bottoms (pants, skirt, etc)
• 1-2 short bottoms (shorts, skirt, etc)
• 2-4 short sleeve shirts
• 1-2 long sleeve shirts
• Undergarments 
• Walking or casual shoes
• 1-2 lightweight layering pieces such as a sweater, jacket, fleece
• Bathing suit or shorts

Personal Items

• Any necessary prescription medications 
• Allergy or other needed medications
• Personal hygiene items (Small bottle of hand sanitizer and hand soap)
• Sunscreen & SPF lip balm 
• Back up contact lenses or glasses
• Polarized sunglasses

Layering

Layering is a critical component to being prepared for outdoor activities and best prepares you for changing temperatures. First, wear a good wicking layer as your “against the skin layer”. This will help with moisture management and the dryer you are, the more comfortable you will be. Wool or synthetics are the best. They both work – the biggest pro on the wool side is odor control. Wool is naturally anti-bacterial and can be worn for multiple days in a row. It also provides excellent temperature regulation. Synthetics, on the other hand, dry a little faster and are often lighter weight. You can’t really go wrong as long as you aren’t wearing cotton (unless it’s an incredibly hot day!)

Other Items

• Cell phone and charger
• Credit/debit cards
• Medical insurance cards
• Travel insurance confirmation (if purchased)

• Native Peoples of the Olympic Peninsula, The Olympic Peninsula Intertribal Cultural Advisory Committee, edited by Jacilee Wray, 2002, University of Oklahoma Press
• The Beachcomber's Guide to Seashore Life in the Pacific Northwest, J. Duane Sept, 1999, Harbour Publish­ing
• Olympic National Park: A Natural History, Tim McNulty, 2003, University of Washington Press
• Footprints in the Olympics: An Autobiography, Chris Morgenroth, 1991, Ye Galleon Press
• Birds of the Pacific Northwest Mountains, Nancy Baron and John Acorn, 1997, Lone Pine Publishing
• Olympic National Park Nature Guide, Larry and Nancy Eiffert, 2001, Estuary Press
• Cascade - Olympic Natural History: A Trailside Reference, Second Edition, Daniel Matthews, 1999, Raven Editions

Pedego Electric Bike Fleet

Olympic Discovery Trail - Learn all about the trail you'll be biking on!

7 Surpring Facts about Olympic National Parks - Read up on what sets apart Olympic National Park from others!

Please see our full Terms & Conditions HERE.