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Pacific Northwest: Rainforest, Coast, and Volcanoes
Von Seattle setzt du mit der Fähre nach Bainbridge Island über und fährst auf die Olympic Peninsula: Hurricane Ridge, Lake Crescent, Hoh Rain Forest und die Pazifikstrände des Olympic-Nationalparks. Auf dem US 101 geht es über Astoria nach Cannon Beach an der Oregon-Küste und dann landeinwärts nach Portland. Von dort führt die Runde in die Columbia River Gorge und auf den Mount Hood Scenic Byway rund um den Vulkan, bevor du nach Seattle zurückfährst. Am Hoh Rain Forest kann die Wartezeit an der Einfahrt im Sommer bis zu zwei Stunden betragen; die Parkverwaltung empfiehlt, vor 8 Uhr oder nach 17 Uhr zu kommen. Für den Parkplatz bei Multnomah Falls an der I-84 (Exit 31) brauchst du in der Sommersaison ein zeitgebundenes Timed Use Permit über recreation.gov; die Termine werden jedes Jahr neu festgelegt. Wer zwei bis drei Tage mehr hat, hängt im Süden Oregons den Crater Lake an: Der Rim Drive ist meist erst ab Mitte Juli komplett offen und schließt mit dem ersten großen Schnee, spätestens am 1. November.
3 stops
Why This Route?
In just over two weeks, this route connects temperate rainforest, wild Pacific beaches, two relaxed cities, and the waterfalls of the Columbia River Gorge with Mount Hood in the background. The stages are short, yet the landscape changes almost daily.
Hidden Gems
- Ruby Beach with driftwood and sea stacks on the Olympic Coast
- Lake Crescent, with the trail to Marymere Falls
- Puffins at Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach from April to August, best at low tide
- Ecola State Park north of Cannon Beach
- Latourell Falls on the Historic Columbia River Highway, much quieter than Multnomah Falls
Getting there and back
Round trip, returning to where you started
- Arrival
- Flight · Seattle-Tacoma (SEA)From Sea-Tac Airport, the Link Light Rail (1 Line) runs to downtown. You'll only need the rental for the Olympic Peninsula.
- Departure
- Flight · Seattle-Tacoma (SEA)The last night in Seattle shortens the drive to the airport; return the car at Sea-Tac's rental office.
Itinerary
Stop 1 • 3 Nights
Seattle
Seattle is the largest city in Washington state, situated between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, with Mount Rainier as a backdrop on the horizon. You come for the Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, a strong music and coffee culture, and because national parks like Mount Rainier and Olympic are just a few hours' drive away.The city is hilly and shaped by water: ferries depart directly from Downtown, locks connect the lakes to the sea, and from viewpoints like Kerry Park, you see the skyline, bay, and volcano in one picture. Neighborhoods like Ballard, Fremont, and Capitol Hill each have their own character.
Pike Place Market, Space Needle and Seattle Center, ferry trip to Bainbridge Island.
8 Sights
4 Restaurants
History and Culture
On November 13, 1851, the settler group led by the Denny family landed at Alki Point. They survived the first winter only with the help of the Duwamish and Suquamish under Chief Seattle, after whom the city is named. In June 1889, the Great Seattle Fire destroyed the city center; afterwards, construction was restricted to stone and brick, which shapes the current appearance of Pioneer Square, the city's first neighborhood.With the Klondike Gold Rush starting in 1897, Seattle became the starting point for prospectors en route to the Yukon, and the city's merchants who outfitted them grew wealthy. The Space Needle, today the city's landmark, was built for the 1962 World's Fair.Culturally, Seattle is known for Grunge: Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden emerged from the local indie scene, and Jimi Hendrix spent his youth here. The Museum of Pop Culture tells their story. Today, tech companies like Amazon, headquartered in South Lake Union, shape the city, and the first Starbucks opened at Pike Place Market in 1971.
Stop 2 • 1 Night
Port Angeles (Olympic National Park)
Hurricane Ridge overlooking the Olympic Mountains, afternoon Lake Crescent.
Stop 3 • 2 Nights
Forks (Olympic National Park)
Hoh Rain Forest with the Hall of Mosses Trail, Ruby Beach and the wild coast near La Push.
Stop 4 • 2 Nights
Cannon Beach
En route, Astoria at the mouth of the Columbia River. Haystack Rock, tide pools at low tide, and hikes in Ecola State Park.
Stop 5 • 3 Nights
Portland
Portland is Oregon's largest city, situated on the Willamette River near its confluence with the Columbia River, on the border with Washington. You come for the gardens in the West Hills, Powell's colossal bookstore, over 500 food carts, more than 80 breweries, and because the Columbia River Gorge, Mount Hood, and the Pacific Coast are on your doorstep.The city is compact, green, and easy to explore on foot, by bike, and by light rail. To the west, Forest Park, a forested hill area, directly borders the residential neighborhoods, while the entertainment and dining districts are located on the river's east side.
Food Carts, Powell's City of Books and the Rose Garden in Washington Park.
8 Sights
3 Restaurants
History and Culture
The city owes its name to a coin toss: In 1845, founders Asa Lovejoy from Boston and Francis Pettygrove from Portland (Maine) tossed a copper coin in Oregon City to decide who would name the new town. Pettygrove won two out of three tosses. The so-called Portland Penny is now housed in the Museum of the Oregon Historical Society.The International Rose Test Garden, the oldest continuously operated rose test garden in the USA since 1917, reflects its nickname City of Roses. Since 1984, when BridgePort and Widmer Brothers opened their breweries in what is now the Pearl District, Portland has been considered a stronghold of craft beer and bears the nickname Beervana.Today, independent shops, an experimental restaurant scene, and food cart pods shape daily life. Many carts are grouped together in parking lots, from Cartopia on Hawthorne Boulevard to the pods in Downtown.
Stop 6 • 2 Nights
Hood River (Columbia River Gorge and Mount Hood)
Waterfalls on the Historic Columbia River Highway, orchards on the Fruit Loop in the Hood River Valley, and Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood.
Stop 7 • 1 Night
Seattle
Seattle is the largest city in Washington state, situated between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, with Mount Rainier as a backdrop on the horizon. You come for the Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, a strong music and coffee culture, and because national parks like Mount Rainier and Olympic are just a few hours' drive away.The city is hilly and shaped by water: ferries depart directly from Downtown, locks connect the lakes to the sea, and from viewpoints like Kerry Park, you see the skyline, bay, and volcano in one picture. Neighborhoods like Ballard, Fremont, and Capitol Hill each have their own character.
Northbound return, last night before departure.
8 Sights
4 Restaurants
History and Culture
On November 13, 1851, the settler group led by the Denny family landed at Alki Point. They survived the first winter only with the help of the Duwamish and Suquamish under Chief Seattle, after whom the city is named. In June 1889, the Great Seattle Fire destroyed the city center; afterwards, construction was restricted to stone and brick, which shapes the current appearance of Pioneer Square, the city's first neighborhood.With the Klondike Gold Rush starting in 1897, Seattle became the starting point for prospectors en route to the Yukon, and the city's merchants who outfitted them grew wealthy. The Space Needle, today the city's landmark, was built for the 1962 World's Fair.Culturally, Seattle is known for Grunge: Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden emerged from the local indie scene, and Jimi Hendrix spent his youth here. The Museum of Pop Culture tells their story. Today, tech companies like Amazon, headquartered in South Lake Union, shape the city, and the first Starbucks opened at Pike Place Market in 1971.
3 stops
Route Summary
Duration15 Days
Stops7 Places
TypeMixed
Best Time to GoJuly to September