Most people ride the Olympic Peninsula as a loop and go home. We'd suggest a different ending: finish in Port Angeles, roll onto the Coho ferry, and spend the next few days on Vancouver Island. Ninety minutes on the water and you're in downtown Victoria.
The basic idea
US-101 wraps around three sides of the Olympic Peninsula, with the mountains of Olympic National Park in the middle. If you're coming from Oregon or southern Washington, the most natural direction is south to north along the coast, ending in Port Angeles:
- Aberdeen → Lake Quinault: into the rainforest on the southwest side of the park
- Kalaloch → Forks: the stretch where 101 briefly runs along the Pacific, past wild, driftwood-covered beaches
- Forks → Lake Crescent → Port Angeles: 101 hugs the shore of Lake Crescent, one of the prettiest pieces of road in the state
Coming from Seattle instead? Ride the east side along Hood Canal and take the loop counter-clockwise — or skip the loop and head straight for Port Angeles.
Worth the detour: Highway 112
West of Port Angeles, State Route 112 follows the Strait of Juan de Fuca towards Clallam Bay and Neah Bay. It's slower and twistier than 101, with water views across to Vancouver Island — a good alternative to the main highway if you have the time.
Hurricane Ridge
The climb from Port Angeles up to Hurricane Ridge is a classic ride, with views across the Olympics. Be aware that access varies a lot by season and weather: the National Park Service says the road may open or close depending on conditions, and in late fall and winter it's often limited. Check the NPS road conditions page on the day.
Closures to watch for
The Olympic Peninsula is remote, and a single closure can change your whole route. Two things to know:
- Hoh River Bridge on US-101: in September and October 2026, the bridge was closed to all traffic for several multi-day periods for repairs. According to the National Park Service, there is no detour across the Hoh River — riding around the east side of the peninsula adds at least four hours. Check for future closures before you plan a loop through the west side.
- Park roads: many of the side roads into Olympic National Park (Sol Duc, Upper Hoh, Quinault and others) close seasonally or after storms.
The NPS current road conditions page and the Olympic Peninsula tourism travel alerts are your friends here.
Planning tips
- Fuel: towns are far apart on the west side. Fill up whenever you can in Forks, Aberdeen or Port Angeles.
- Weather: the west side of the peninsula is one of the wettest places in the continental US. Pack for rain even in summer.
- Coverage: cell service is patchy along the coast and in the park.
- Ferry timing: check the Coho schedule before you set your last day — sailings are reduced in winter and the ferry is out of service for annual maintenance each winter (January 4 to February 3 in 2027).
Port Angeles to Victoria
Book your motorcycle on the Black Ball Ferry Line's Coho, be at the terminal an hour before departure, and bring your passport and bike paperwork for the border. All the details are in our guide to riding to Vancouver Island from Washington.
Once you land, our store at 508 Herald Street is just minutes from the ferry terminal. Come in, grab a coffee, and we'll point you towards the Pacific Marine Circle Route.
Road and closure information last checked in November 2026. Conditions on the Olympic Peninsula change often — always check before you ride.