Olympic National Park & Mount St Helens Tours

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The Pacific Northwest's diverse coastline, rainforests, wildlife and mountain ranges offer exceptional trails to explore on this dedicated walking tour. Walk through spectacular scenery where rivers carve out the land and the Pacific Ocean rolls upon the endless sandy beaches and the rocky coasts. Hike amongst the majestic Cascade Mountains and lush Hoh Rainforest, and enjoy soothing hot springs and comfortable lodges before visiting Mount St Helens, the site of the major eruption in 1980.

You can now check your email and keep in touch with family and friends while on the road with our wi-fi enabled vehicles. (Maximum 5 users at a time. Fair usage restrictions may apply. Only available in USA & Alaska).

• Rent kayaks at Lake Crescent US$45
• Whitewater rafting in Olympic US$55

If you are spending extra time in our gateway cities, you can now plan in advance by pre-booking unique city sightseeing day tours in addition to your trip.

SEATTLE

All city day tours are operated by local experts who are dedicated to take you behind the scenes so you know it like a local! When booking your trip, simply select your chosen city tours from the Tour Extras section on the online booking form.

> View City Sightseeing Tours

Why not arrange your own Grand American Adventures departure? For groups of 8 or more, we can offer private departures on any of our published itineraries enabling friends, families or organizations to enjoy our style of travel at special rates. Although tours will run as per our standard itinerary shown here, slight modifications may be considered and dates can be chosen to suit your needs. (Subject to seasonal/operational restrictions). So contact us today and start planning your own adventure.

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Trip Itinerary

Our routes have been carefully chosen to include the best night stops and highlights. However, as local and operational conditions may vary and unforeseen circumstances can arise, the following itinerary should be used as a guideline.

As this tour departs at 0730 we recommend that you book pre-tour accommodation. Please request hotel details at the time of booking.

Day 1: Seattle to Olympic National Park

After departing Seattle you board your scenic ferry and travel directly to the heart of Olympic National Park where you hike amongst the peaks of the Olympic Range for a bird's eye view of the stunning landscape. You'll journey deep into old growth forest to visit flowing waterfalls and pristine lakes.

Upon arrival you venture out to Marymere Falls which is an easy walk to prepare your legs for your national park adventure. The waters of Falls Creek drop nearly 90 feet from a cliff into a small plunge pool near the trail below. Bustling Seattle feels like a distant memory as you are submerged within the natural beauty of Olympic National Park.
Accommodation: Hotel included | Meals: Paid locally

Day 2: Olympic National Park

Today you walk the Hoh River Rainforest Trail, a world heritage site and one of the great temperate rain forests. You hike to Five Mile Island which reveals the old-growth grandeur and pure wildness of this valley. Formed by river channels, the island is an awesome grassy valley bank dotted with maple glades. Enjoy the sounds of the gargling river and views up the valley all the way to Bogachiel Peak.

Your trail is accompanied by the birdsong of wrens, nuthatches, woodpeckers, chickadees, and thrushes which can be heard over the distant hum of the river as you pass moss-cloaked maples. Licorice ferns and club mosses cling to overhanging trees and wild elk keep the shrubs and bushes well-trimmed. When there is a gap in the forest you are rewarded with views of the High Divide and snow-capped Mount Tom, a peak on the Olympus massif with deep emerald pools to take your breath away.
Accommodation: Hotel included | Meals: Paid locally

Day 3: Olympic National Park

There are two good easy hikes which start near the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center: Hurricane Hill or Cirque Rim. With views of the Olympic Range, Puget Sound, and Vancouver Island you will see the trail is one to remember. Drive south on Hurricane Ridge road named for the 75-mile-an-hour winds which can blow here in winter. However, in summer the Ridge is spectacular and offers incredible views of the Olympic Mountains and the Olympic Peninsula coastline.

In the late afternoon, weather permitting, we drive out to northwest of the Olympic Peninsula to visit Hole in the Wall Rock, said to be a highlight for many travellers in this area.
Accommodation: Hotel included | Meals: Paid locally

Day 4: Mount Rainier National Park

Make your way to the tallest of the Cascade Peaks, Mt Rainier. With over 300 miles of trail ranging from gentle walks through the forests to heart pounding climbs up to the mountain's glaciers. Of course, simply relaxing at the scenic lodge cafés, photographing the amazing views or visiting the information center are also options!

Upon arrival you walk the Rampart Ridge Trail from Longmire. Listen for the tapping of the woodpeckers and keep an eye out for deer and other wildlife. On a clear day, you are rewarded with excellent views of Mount Rainier and the Nisqually River Valley from the ridge.
Accommodation: Hotel included | Meals: Paid locally

Day 5: Mount Rainier National Park

The Skyline Trail loops around the broad Edith Creek basin, leading through alpine flower fields, past thundering waterfalls and over high peaks. In this one loop, you'll experience the best the Paradise region has to offer in terms of scenic beauty, rugged hiking, varied terrain and ecosystems. You'll also find a memorial marking an important event in park history! Head northeast from the lodge, entering the lower reaches of Edith Creek basin on the Skyline Trail. You'll pass the crashing cascade of Myrtle Falls. The best views are from the trail bridge, looking directly down the falls.

Walk east on the trail as it traverses out of the Edith Creek basin and loops the headwall of the adjacent Paradise Valley. Climb to Panorama Point and Glacier Vista before your return journey. Please note due to National Park restrictions, this walk will be unguided. However, those seeking a guided hike will be escorted on the stunning Glacier Basin / Burroughs trail, which is approximately a 11 mile loop with views of glaciers, expansive valleys, and Washington's signature mountain.
Accommodation: Hotel included | Meals: Paid locally

Day 6: Mount St Helens

Mount St Helens was made infamous due to the eruption on 18th May 1980, but the area is rejuvenating itself and offers superb views of Mt St Helens where the conical shape, similar to Mt Fuji in Japan, is best enjoyed. Unfortunately, it is not possible to summit Mount St Helens due to permit restrictions.

Today you climb the eight mile Harry's Ridge Trail on Mount St. Helens leaving from the Johnston Ridge Observatory. The hillsides are awash with wildflowers in mid-summer, and the view from the end of Harry's Ridge has you looking straight into the mouth of the crater. You have a direct view of Loowit Falls and of an emerging glacier. Plus, incredible views of Spirit Lake, Mount Adams and even Mount Hood on a clear day.
Accommodation: Hotel included | Meals: Paid locally

Day 7: Mount St Helens to Seattle

This morning you climb the Hummocks Trail. Thirty years ago this was an old growth forest but is now covered with a landscape of towering mounds of ash, rock and mud. This is a great trail appreciate the devastating effects of the eruption of Mount St. Helens and marvel at the vitality of nature's return. The loop trail takes you by small ponds, the North Fork Toutle River and hummock mounds up to 500 feet high.
Meals: Paid locally

Leaving Mount St Helens in the rear view mirror, we journey back to Seattle, home of the famous Pike Place Market, Space Needle, countless microbreweries and the original Starbucks. Your tour ends upon arrival at approx. 17:00; if you are flying out this day please don't book a flight before 21:00.

You can easily book your trip online using our secure booking engine. You only need to pay a 10% deposit or (whichever is greatest) with full payment due 8 weeks before departure. We are members of ABTA (Association of Britsh Travel Agents) and are fully financially bonded so your money is 100% safe & protected at all times whether you pay by debit, bank or credit card. If you prefer to book by telephone, please contact our sales office and speak to one our friendly travel consultants.

Prices below are land only . For customers departing from the United Kingdom please call us on 0844 576 1370 for a flight inclusive quote.

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