All it takes is one simple look around for visitors to fall in love with the Olympic Peninsula. Sequim, which is located in the rainshadow of the Olympic Mountains, enjoys more dry sunny days throughout the year than most other towns in the Pacific Northwest, making it a truly unique and wonderful travel destination. The biggest draw to for guests to visit us at the Dungeness Bay Cottages is the scenery. It’s unbeatable. It also happens to be a great home base from which to explore the Olympic Peninsula, which includes one of the newest attractions, the Olympic Discovery Trail. Book your room at the Dungeness Bay Cottages in Sequim, and come experience the Pacific Northwest with us.
Biking the Olympic Discovery Trail
The Olympic Discovery Trail traverses almost 130 miles of the Olympic Peninsula, taking riders through some of the most beautiful scenery the Peninsula has to offer. It is bordered on the south by the Olympic Mountain Range and on the north by the Strait of Juan de Fuca, opening up to some truly majestic views along it’s entire length. The trail has its origins in our neighboring town of Port Townsend, and goes all the way out to the shores of the Pacific Ocean. All along the way, you’ll encounter views of snow capped peaks, ocean vistas, fast flowing rivers, pristine lakes, and and the majestic forests of the Pacific Northwest everywhere you turn.
Sightseeing Along the Trail
It’s easy to get lost in the beauty of the Olympic Discovery Trail as you travel from one end to the other. However, there are also plenty of wonderful sights to behold as you traverse the Olympic Peninsula. Here, we’ve highlighted just a few of the “must-see” destinations that lie along the Olympic Discovery Trail.
- Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge & Lighthouse. The wildlife refuge and lighthouse are located on Sequim’s Dungeness Spit, which is the longest natural spit in the country. This beautiful area is home to over 250 species of birds, 41 species of mammals, and at least 8 species of marine mammals. It’s an incredible place to stop for lunch or for a bit of respite before continuing your journey.
- Railroad Bridge Park. Within the park, you’ll find the new 780 foot trestle over the Dungeness River, which connects to a rare wooden truss bridge. The surrounding Railroad Bridge Park has river walks and an Audubon Center with an outstanding collection of local wildlife. In total, there are Five original Railroad trestles along the Olympic Discovery Trail that have been converted for trail use.
The Ediz Hook Sand Spit/Downtown Port Angeles. Four miles of scenic shoreline trails pass through Port Angeles’ charming downtown corridor, offering riders views of Canada across the straits and of Port Angeles Harbor. A connecting trail heads out to Ediz Hook, where riders can enjoy stunning views of Port Angeles, nested at the base of the looming Olympic Mountains.- Elwah River. Right now is a special time to visit the beautiful Elwah River Valley. The Dams on the Elwah River were removed in early 2012 and 2014, and ever since the area has seen dramatic ecological changes. There are easy walking trails with dramatic overlooks over the lower dam removal site, or you can head down to see the ever-changing mouth of the Elwah River before continuing towards Lake Crescent.
- Lake Crescent. West of Port Angeles, the Olympic Discovery Trail will enter the Olympic National Park, where it will follow the historic Spruce Railroad grade for 6 miles along the breathtaking north shore of Lake Crescent. If you’re feeling brave, a dip into the icy waters of Lake Crescent on a hot day are both refreshing and rewarding.
- La Push. The western end of the Olympic Discovery Trail is the Pacific Ocean beachside resort town of LaPush. The last mile of trail has three side trails, leading to three beautiful and secluded ocean beaches, simply named First, Second and Third Beaches. These beaches are an unbelievably scenic place to spend a restful afternoon or evening, at the end of what is sure to be an exhausting, though worthwhile bike ride. There is plenty of camping nearby for those looking to extend their trip and experience one of the Northwest’s quintessential experiences; beach camping!
If you need to rent a bike for the day (or days), Sequim has several excellent bike shops. Ben’s Bikes offers rentals and has a wide range of options including; mountain, comfort, road, children’s bikes, and even doggie buggies for your small, furry family members. If you call ahead they will deliver to certain hotels, B&B’s and inns for your convenience. No matter how you choose to enjoy it, the Olympic Discovery Trail is no doubt a fantastic way to tour the Olympic Peninsula, and the Dungeness Bay Cottages is the perfect place to start. Book your room at our cozy beachside cottages today.
