Olympic North Coast Wilderness
~4 days · 32 mi · moderate · Multi-day trek
Quick facts
What the Olympic North Coast Wilderness is known for
The northern Olympic wilderness coast between Rialto Beach and Shi Shi Beach, roughly 30-32 miles point-to-point of wild Pacific shoreline past Cape Alava, Ozette, and Point of the Arches. Progress is tide-dependent — sand, boulder gardens, and rope-assisted overland trails around impassable headlands — so carry a tide table; Olympic NP wilderness permits are required, plus a Makah permit at the Shi Shi end.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 10 ft to 915 ft over 32 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 3.6 mi · 11%
- Downhill 4.8 mi · 15%
- Flat 23.2 mi · 73%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Olympic North Coast Wilderness take?
Most backpackers hike the Olympic North Coast Wilderness in about 4 days (3 nights out) over its 32 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Olympic North Coast Wilderness?
The Olympic North Coast Wilderness climbs roughly 2,028 ft total — about 63 ft per mile, topping out near 305 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.