With lush forests and pristine beaches, Whidbey Island is the perfect place for a weekend getaway from Seattle! One of my favorite things to do on Whidbey is hike. I love exploring the mossy forests full of ferns, and taking in the views of the ocean and the mountains while hiking along the coast. Below we highlight the best hikes on Whidbey Island. There are an abundance of trails to choose from, including long and strenuous hikes and shorter strolls. 

All of these trails in this guide offer unique and beautiful views of the island’s forests, beaches, and unique attractions. Many of these trails are also part of Whidbey Camano Island’s ‘24 Trails’ list, which highlights 24 lesser-traveled trails on the islands. Some of these trails are maintained by Washington State Parks, and others are maintained by the Whidbey Camano Land Trust. The majority of these trails are also dog friendly, but canine companions must be on-leash!

best hikes on Whidbey Island

Below we share the best hikes on Whidbey Island, Washington. We also share information on how to practice leave no trace on the island, and what to pack for a trip to Whidbey Island.

How to leave no trace on Whidbey Island

You are responsible for following Leave No Trace principles when you visit Whidbey Island. Below are four Leave No Trace tips that are especially important when recreating here: 

• Only hike on official and established trails. Wandering off trail can damage or kill sensitive vegetation, which can lead to trail erosion and unsightly trampled areas. Please stay on established trails.
• Pack out what you pack in. Don’t leave your litter behind! Everything you pack with you on your adventures should leave with you, including food wrappers, apple cores, nut shells, and doggy bags! If you find trash along the trail that isn’t yours, be a good steward by picking it up and disposing of it properly. 
• Respect wildlife. When you are recreating on public land, you are visiting the homes of the critters that live there. Always keep your distance from wild animals, do not try to pet them, and don’t feed them. 
• Be considerate of others. Everybody wants to enjoy their time outside! Respect others and protect the quality of their experience by avoiding loud music and noises. 

What to pack for hiking on Whidbey Island

Dress for rainy weather

Whidbey Island can be fairly rainy, but don’t let that slow you down! Here are waterproof hiking essentials that will help you stay dry during inclement weather. Below, you will also find our hiking essentials checklist.

• Waterproof Rain Jacket. We love our REI XeroCloud rain jackets (for women and men), which are lightweight and breathable.
• Waterproof hiking boots. Not only is it rainy on Whidbey Island, but many trails on Whidbey are pretty muddy. We love waterproof Lowa Renegade hiking boots (for women and men).
• A waterproof backpack cover. If you want to prevent your backpack from getting soaked in the rain, waterproof backpack covers are a essential! We’ve used ours for years.

Hiking essentials checklist

• America the Beautiful Pass. An annual America the Beautiful pass covers your entrance fees at all national parks. It also covers fees at other federally managed public lands, such as forest service and BLM sites. This pass is a great investment for people who love national parks and outdoor recreation!
• Good hiking boots. Waterproof boots with good traction are essential, and a quality pair can last for years. We highly recommend Lowa’s Renegade hiking boots (for women and men).
• Water and a water filter. We love the Katadyn BeFree 1.0 Liter Filter Bottle for water filtration, and usually use a Nalgene water bottle or a HydraPak Water Reservoir for water storage.
• Sun protection. We recommend the Sahara Sun Hoodie (for women and men), which is a sun shirt that offers UPF 50+ sun protection. For sunscreen we like Dermatone’s sport sunscreen and Skin Protector Balm (for winter).
• A headlamp. The Black Diamond Storm 500-R Rechargeable Headlamp is lightweight, compact, waterproof, and USB rechargeable.
• A comfortable day pack. We recommend the REI Trail 25 (unisex), the Gregory Juno daypack ​for women, or the Gregory Citro daypack for men.

Your guide to the best hikes on Whidbey Island

Below we share the best hikes on Whidbey Island. The trails are listed in order from the southernmost tip of the island to the northernmost point. However, we do not cover Deception Pass State Park in this guide. 

Travel tip: Cell service is hit or miss on the island, so I recommend downloading offline maps and trail guides before visiting. 

Possession Point State Park Loop

The Possession Point State Park Loop is a 1.7 mile hike located at the southernmost tip of Whidbey Island, about a 15 minute drive from the ferry stop at Clinton. Highlights of this trail include beautiful woodland, a hike along the beach, and abundant shorebird viewing opportunities.

Along this wooded trail you’ll get periodic glimpses of the Puget Sound and, on a clear day, the mountains. The start of this hike passes along a beautiful forest path lined with ferns and surrounded by cedar and douglas fir. The trail itself is fairly narrow, and best for single file travel. Once you do a loop through the forest you will descend down to the beach. Here you will find beautiful rocks, sweeping views of the nearby mountains, and an abundance of shorebirds and ducks. We even saw a bald eagle sitting in one of the trees, and a beaver swimming in the Sound! You’ll also pass by towering cliffs left by the movement of glaciers.

Pets are allowed, but they must be on leash at all times.

Travel tip: this hike requires a Washington Discover Pass. You can purchase one online here. 

Dorothy Cleveland trail

The Dorothy Cleveland trail is a delightful, moderately challenging 1.1 mile trail that goes up a small mountain. The trail gains nearly 400 feet of elevation in less than ¾ of a mile. Highlights of this trail include abundant songbirds, ferns, and glimpses of the water below.

The parking lot has bathrooms and a generous number of parking spaces, as well as a boat ramp. The trail starts next to the Puget Sound, where there is a wetland and lots of songbirds, including red wing blackbirds. On a clear day, you can see the mountains in the distance. The trail ascends slowly up the mountain along a forested path surrounded by ferns. You will find several seating areas along the climb. You’ll pass by abundant mosses, and get a glimpse of an old dam. You’ll go up several gentle switchbacks, as well as some stairs. 

Towards the top of the mountain, you’ll find lots of salal plants, mushrooms, and more dense trees. You’ll also hear many songbirds singing, and may encounter some chatting douglas squirrels. The stopping point of this hike offers some views of the ocean, but the vistas are not sweeping. During the summer views of the Sound are likely obscured by the trees and leaves. 

Trustland Trails Multi-use Trail Loop

Maintained by the South Whidbey Parks and Recreation Department, the Trustland Trails Multi-use Trail Loop is a 1.7 mile loop trail that takes you through dense forest. This is a great casual trail for families, and includes lots of great coastal shrubs and plants.

This path is relatively flat and includes a very few tripping hazards, making it a great option for families or people looking for a casual stroll. The trail is also wider, making an easy to walk side-by-side with another person. The trees here are tall, narrow, and dense, with lots of moss along the trail. You’ll find abundant salal, delicate hemlock and cedar trees. At the beginning of the hike you will hear the sounds of the road. However, after about ten minutes of walking you will be immersed in the sounds of the forest, with plenty of chirping birds, rustling leaves, and croaking frogs. Dogs on leashes are allowed on the trails here, and some of the trails are also open to horses.

South Whidbey Island State Park Wilburt Trail

Located in South Whidbey Island State Park, the 0.8 mile Wilburt Trail is a short but unique hike on the island. This is the largest stand of old growth trees on south Whidbey, and you’ll pass by a 500 year-old cedar tree and a ‘floating forest.’

During this beautiful but short hike you will pass by a large ancient cedar, as well as several nurse logs, which are felled logs that are used by new trees and plants to support their growth. The trail passes over several floating platforms, as well as a wetland and ‘floating forest.’ This area has abundant smaller ferns known as deer ferns. Along the route, you will also find thoughtful educational signage, making this a great hike to do with kids. This trail is relatively flat, but does have some roots that are tripping hazards. 

Pets are allowed, but they must be on leash at all times.

Travel tip: this hike requires a Washington Discover Pass. You can purchase one online here. 

Price Sculpture Forest 

This 0.6 mile hike is a personal favorite, and one I’ve done many times! The Price Sculpture Forest hike has abundant public art and sculptures. The trail winds through the forest, with whimsical art installments around every corner. It’s truly a unique experience, and it’s also totally free to visit!

Fort Casey 

Fort Casey Historical State Park preserves historic military batteries and a beautiful 1903 lighthouse. The 1.9 mile Fort Casey loop trail is a great way to explore the area, and the trail will take you by the ocean, the batteries, and the lighthouse.

This trail is relatively flat, but because it’s on an open bluff it is very exposed and offers very little protection from wind or rain.

Ebey’s Landing Pratt Loop Trail

Overlooking the Salish Sea, Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve preserves a working agricultural and natural landscape on Whidbey Island. The area is jointly managed by several entities, including the National Park Service.

The Pratt Loop Trail is a great, easy hike option that is flat, and 1.3 miles in length. You’ll pass by active farmland and some historic farm structures. The second half of the hike takes you through a peaceful forest. Note that this area can get quite windy. 

Travel tip: this hike requires a Washington Discover Pass. You can purchase one online here. 

Ebey’s Landing Trail

Overlooking the Salish Sea, Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve preserves a working agricultural and natural landscape on Whidbey Island. The area is jointly managed by several entities, including the National Park Service.

The Ebey’s Landing Trail is 3.6 miles and features stunning, sweeping views of the nearby mountains, ocean, and forest. From the parking lot, this hike immediately begins to ascend up a cliff overlooking the water and farmland. You’ll hear lots of red wing blackbirds amongst the brambles. After climbing you’ll pass by a dense forest on your right, with a sheer cliff off to your left. During the hike you’ll get absolutely sweeping views of the ocean and the Olympic mountain range.

Once you reach the peak of your ascent you will begin a gradual descent along the bluff until you reach some switchbacks, which bring you back down to the beach to complete the loop. We saw two bald eagles up by the forest, one of which we only spotted because we could hear his characteristic chirping. The end of the trail is along the beach, which has lots of beautiful rocks and driftwood. 

Travel tip: this hike requires a Washington Discover Pass. You can purchase one online here. 

Strawberry Point Preserve

The 244-acre Strawberry Point Preserve has a lovely 1.8 mile hiking trail that winds through forest and a meadow. This is a “lollipop” style trail, and features some elevation gain. 

This trail starts off on a flat, narrow trail that winds through the forest along a gently rolling path. You’ll pass by trees and moss, and you will hear frogs chirping as you walk along this beautiful trail. Watch your feet along this route – I almost stepped on a frog on the trail!  You will pass through a meadow and a dense forest full of massive ferns and Douglas fir trees. Please make sure to stay on the trail, as the small side trails are for wildlife only. Expect some elevation gain on this hike!

Travel tip: This trail is a bit on the muddy side after rain, so I recommend wearing waterproof shoes or hiking boots. 

Dugualla State Park

There are a number of trails in Dugualla state park, but we opted to do the 4 mile Wetland to Big Loop to North Loop. This hike had nearly 500 feet of elevation gain, which is mostly concentrated on the portion of trail that takes you to the beach. 

This hike starts out with a gentle incline through the forest, on a relatively wide trail where 2 to 3 people can walk side-by-side. The path is surrounded by tall trees and abundant sword ferns. After a short walk, you’ll meet a split in the trail, where you can go either left or right. We went to the right to do the full loop. Here the trees open up, with more light coming through the canopy. You will hear birds singing in the trees. The trail honestly feels a little like you’re in Jurassic Park, with all of the tall lush trees, and ferns. In fact, some of the ferns were almost as tall as us! 

You have the option of hiking along a small trail that takes you out to the beach. The beach is small, but very pretty. However, this section of trail is fairly steep, and can be a bit slick. 

Pets are allowed, but they must be on leash at all times.

I hope you found our overview of the best hikes on Whidbey Island helpful! You can find more USA and Washington state travel guides here.