If you think Washington is just rain and coffee shops, get ready to have your mind blown.
This state is packed with coastal trails that wind through driftwood forests, tide pools brimming with sea stars, giant sea stacks, and gorgeous sunsets.
Some of these hikes reach wild beaches where the ocean roars beside you, while others follow high cliffs with mountains and islands extending into the horizon.
Whether you want a quick stroll with epic views or an all-day adventure through misty woods and sandy shores, these nine trails are the absolute best of the best!
1. Shi Shi Beach to Point of Arches
The Shi Shi Beach to Point of Arches trail sits on the wild Olympic Peninsula in Olympic National Park, starting at the Shi Shi Beach Trailhead near Neah Bay.
You’ll hike 8 miles round trip with about 200 feet of elevation gain, taking 4–6 hours depending on how long you stop to admire the sea stacks and tide pools.
The trail is rated moderate because you’ll scramble over driftwood, squish through muddy stretches, and navigate slippery beach rocks.
However, the incredible views of Point of Arches’ jagged rock formations at the end make it all worth it.
This hike is famous for its stunning sunsets over the Pacific Ocean and the rows of arches that pop out of the surf, making it one of the state’s top coastal adventures.
2. Cape Alava Loop
Next up is the Cape Alava Loop, an epic journey through misty rainforests and driftwood-strewn beaches on the Ozette Triangle in Olympic National Park.
This 9.4-mile loop starts at the Ozette Ranger Station and takes about 5 to 7 hours to complete.
Along the way, it leads you along cedar boardwalks, through mossy woods, and out to the westernmost point in the lower 48 states.
You’ll hit three distinct sections: the forested Cape Alava Trail, the wild coastline between Cape Alava and Sand Point, and the Sand Point Trail back inland.
The hike is mostly flat but moderate due to slippery beach rocks, and it’s famous for Wedding Rocks’ petroglyphs that offer a glimpse into Makah tribal history.
3. Second Beach Trail (La Push)
If you’re after a short but spectacular adventure, the Second Beach Trail near La Push is pure magic with giant sea stacks and tide pools full of starfish.
Starting at the Second Beach Trailhead off La Push Road, this 0.7-mile trail drops 200 feet to the sand and takes about 1 to 2 hours to complete.
You’ll wind through a lush coastal forest before stepping onto a wide beach scattered with massive driftwood logs that look like something from a movie.
This easy trail may get muddy and slippery, and it’s well-known for breathtaking sunsets behind sea stacks like Crying Lady Rock.
4. Dungeness Spit Trail
For a hike that feels like walking into the sea, the Dungeness Spit Trail near Sequim offers an 11-mile round trip along the longest natural sand spit in the U.S.
This out-and-back hike starts at the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge parking lot and takes 4 to 6 hours if you go all the way to the New Dungeness Lighthouse.
You’ll stroll a skinny stretch of sand jutting five miles into the Strait of Juan de Fuca, with waves crashing on one side and calm bay waters on the other.
The trail is mostly flat but moderate because the soft sand can tire your legs fast, and it’s known for spotting wildlife like harbor seals, bald eagles, and shorebirds.
5. North Head Trail (Cape Disappointment State Park)
Ready for a short but dramatic hike?
The North Head Trail in Cape Disappointment State Park packs a punch with sweeping ocean views, misty cliffs, and a historic lighthouse 130 feet above the surf.
Starting at the North Head Lighthouse parking lot, this 3.3-mile out-and-back trail takes about 45 minutes to 1.5 hours and leads you into a foggy stretch of coast.
It’s an easy-to-moderate trail with a few rocky, uneven sections, and it’s famous for the 1898 North Head Lighthouse which is also available for tours.
6. Cape Flattery Trail
If you’re itching to stand at the very edge of the continental U.S., the Cape Flattery Trail near Neah Bay will blow your mind with unmatched views.
This 1.5-mile round-trip trail begins at the Cape Flattery parking area on Makah Reservation land and takes about 35 minutes to an hour to complete.
It winds through lush forest on wooden boardwalks to a series of jaw-dropping viewing platforms.
From the cliffs, you’ll spot the swirling Pacific crashing around Tatoosh Island and its iconic lighthouse, plus sea caves carved into the rocky headlands below.
The trail is easy, with stairs and roots here and there, and it’s renowned for gorgeous sunsets over the Pacific.
7. Discovery Park Loop Trail
The Discovery Park Loop Trail in Seattle is a gem that showcases both forested trails and beautiful Puget Sound views.
This 2.8-mile loop starts at the Discovery Park Visitor Center and takes about 1.5 to 2 hours, leading through tall Douglas firs, open meadows, and sandy bluffs.
Don’t miss the detour down to the West Point Lighthouse, where you can watch ferries cruising by and seals popping up in Seattle’s biggest park.
The trail is rated easy with some rolling hills and offers everything from Olympic Mountain views to sunsets over the Sound—all in one quick, accessible loop.
8. Rialto Beach to Hole-in-the-Wall
For a beach hike that feels prehistoric, the Rialto Beach to Hole-in-the-Wall trail near La Push features driftwood forests, black sand, and towering sea stacks.
Starting at the Rialto Beach parking area, this 3.3-mile round-trip hike runs 1 to 2 hours, mostly along the sand as you head north to the famous Hole-in-the-Wall.
You’ll scramble over slick rocks and dodge waves at high tide, but the reward is exploring tide pools bursting with anemones, sea stars, and urchins.
The trail’s uneven and slippery footing makes it moderate, and it delivers breathtaking sunsets and a vibe straight out of Jurassic Park.
9. Ebey’s Landing Loop Trail
Ebey’s Landing Loop on Whidbey Island gives bluff-top views and pioneer history in one epic loop.
Beginning at the Ebey’s Landing parking lot near Coupeville, this 3.6-mile trail takes about 1 to 2 hours.
From there, it climbs golden bluffs before dropping down to a rocky beach lined with driftwood.
You’ll also pass 1850s historic homesteads, spot seals playing in the surf, and enjoy endless views across Admiralty Inlet to the Olympic Mountains.
The trail is rated easy to moderate thanks to a few short climbs, and it’s famous for sunsets that light the bluffs in brilliant orange.
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