Olympic Peninsula: Singletrack of the Gods

Introduction

Mountain biker riding Washington's Olympic Peninsula

Ascend to fat-tire heaven

The Olympic Peninsula is made up of truly unique and strikingly beautiful terrain. It encompasses 6,500 square miles of ocean beaches, windy ridges, precipitous mountains, snowfields, glaciers, deep gorges, and verdant forests. Rising from sea level to the summit of Mt. Olympus at 7,965 feet, you can bet the peninsula serves up some great singletrack.

Bike trails here run through lush Pacific Northwest forest with stunning views of high peaks, and in the spring you can expect fantastic wildflower displays. Speaking of spring flowers—the Olympic coast averages 12 feet of rainfall a year. That means wet, muddy winters, with the best riding conditions late spring through early fall.

The trails described here range from the strenuous and technically difficult Mt. Muller Loop, to the Lower Big Quilcene Trail, which is appropriate for adventurous beginners. If it's roller coaster-like dips and turns you want, head to the Foothills trails. The Lower Southfork Skokomish Trail is a 21-mile loop that combines paved road with lots of steep single-track.

To ride the trails within Olympic National Park, you must pick up a pass at a ranger station.

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Last Updated: 13 Jul 2011
Published: 29 Apr 2002
The details, dates, and prices mentioned in this article were accurate at the time of publication.