West Central

Foothills & Lakes

The West Central quarter of ODT runs from Port Angeles across the Elwha River, along the coastal lowlands and Lake Crescent, to end on Hwy 101 at the top of Fairholm Hill. It is 31.7 miles long.

West of Port Angeles the trail crosses the Elwha River on a spectacular suspended bridge. Long a source of hydropower and water for mills, the Elwha dams were removed in September 2011, and the largest river flowing out of the Olympics returned to breeding all 5 salmon species, including the giant 100 pound Chinook salmon of earlier years.

Beyond the river, the route parallels the Strait of Juan de Fuca coastline with side roads to beaches and resorts. At the town of Joyce, the trail cuts south over coastal hills to Lake Crescent, a large, deep (600 ft+) glacial lake nestled between towering mountain ridges. The trail hugs the lake’s north shore on 8 miles of former railroad grade, passing thru the restored McPhee  & Dailey-Rankin tunnels.. It then rises into a heavily forested plateau that continues through the next section.

Download the ODT West Central Map

Access Points

  1. Port Angeles City Pier. Lincoln St at W. Front St. Parking, toilets, water, tourist info center, shopping and restaurants, transportation center.
  2. 10th St Parking. 10th St at Milwaukee Dr. On street parking only.
  3. 18th St Trailhead. Parking, toilet, water.
  4. Kacee Way off Lower Elwha Road. Parking only.
  5. Elwha River. At end of Crown Z Water Rd under the bridge. Parking only.
  6. East Beach Trailhead. Near end of E. Beach Rd in Olympic National Park. Parking, toilets, water.
  7. Sol Duc Road. On Hwy 101 opposite Sol Duc Rd. Limited parking.

Upcoming Events

Mar
28
Thu
7:00 pm 2024 Traveler’s Journal @ Dungeness River Nature Center
2024 Traveler’s Journal @ Dungeness River Nature Center
Mar 28 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
2024 Traveler’s Journal @ Dungeness River Nature Center
Thursday, March 28th – “A Glimpse of Poland and Slovakia” by Arvo Johnson ••• GREAT LOCATION ••• Dungeness River Nature Center 1943 W. Hendrickson Road Sequim Doors Open at 6:30pm, Show Starts at 7pm. Suggested …
Apr
10
Wed
6:30 pm PTC Board Meeting – April 10th @ ZOOM
PTC Board Meeting – April 10th @ ZOOM
Apr 10 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
The Peninsula Trails Coalition Board is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. To see  Agenda &meeting information:  April 10th  Board Meeting  Time:          April 10th, 2024, 6:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada) …
Apr
13
Sat
7:30 am OAT RUN – On the OLYMPIC ADVENTU... @ Olympic Adventure Trail
OAT RUN – On the OLYMPIC ADVENTU... @ Olympic Adventure Trail
Apr 13 @ 7:30 am – 2:00 pm
OAT RUN – On the OLYMPIC ADVENTURE TRAIL @ Olympic Adventure Trail
Saturday, April 13, 2024 is the Olympic Adventure Trail Run (OAT Run). It is a point-to-point trail 12K and half marathon as well as an out-and-back 50K. It takes place on the Olympic Adventure Trail. Want …
Apr
27
Sat
8:30 am Run The Peninsula – Railroad Bri... @ Banana Way and the Olympic Discovery Trail off of Business Park
Run The Peninsula – Railroad Bri... @ Banana Way and the Olympic Discovery Trail off of Business Park
Apr 27 @ 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
Run The Peninsula - Railroad Bridge, Sequim - April 27th, 2024 @ Banana Way and the Olympic Discovery Trail off of Business Park
The Railroad Bridge Run is the 2nd of 5 races from the Run the Peninsula Race Series. The Railroad Bridge is a 5k and 10K that’s an out and back on the Olympic Discovery Trail. …