Beyond the OverlookHurricane Hill at Sunset: Is the Hike Worth It?
We hiked the full Hurricane Hill trail for sunset, and that timing made an already accessible mountain hike much more memorable.
Firsthand guide · Updated September 2026 · How we review our guides
Trail at a glance
Distance: 3.4 miles round trip · Elevation: about 826 feet · Difficulty: moderate · Typical time: around 2 hours.
Why we chose sunset
Hurricane Hill is one of Olympic's more accessible panoramic hikes, so it can be popular. We deliberately went later and hiked the whole route around sunset. For us, that was the right call. The low sun made the ridge and mountain photos much better, and it felt calmer than a prime daytime visit likely would.
What the hike feels like
The route is relatively short and much of it is paved, but do not confuse paved with flat. You are still climbing. The payoff is broad mountain and water views rather than one single viewpoint at the end.
Sunset logistics
Check sunset time and weather before you go, and bring a headlamp even if you expect to finish in daylight. Mountain weather can obscure the views quickly. We would rather arrive early enough to enjoy the top than race sunset on the climb.
Who is it best for?
This is a great choice when you want significant scenery without a full-day hike. For serious hikers, pair it with a harder Olympic hike rather than expecting Hurricane Hill itself to be the day's big challenge.
