8 Fantastic Hikes On Orcas Island: A First-Timer’s Guide
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Orcas Island offers the best hiking of all the San Juan Islands.
This island is more mountainous than Lopez Island or San Juan Island. The trails on Orcas Island take hikers past lakes and waterfalls through fantastic forests to panoramic coastal views.
But even though there are terrific hikes on Orcas Island, it can be challenging to find good trail recommendations.
I remember digging around the internet before my first trip to Orcas Island. After poking around a few websites, I found several trail names and maps but still didn’t have a great sense of which hikes I should choose.
I put together this list of Orcas Island hikes to make it even easier for hikers to plan a trip to this spectacular destination.
Ready to pick a trail? Here is an overview of hiking on Orcas Island with my recommendations for 8 fantastic hikes on the island.
Overview of Orcas Island Trails
Here are key things to know about hiking on Orcas Island before choosing which trails you’d like to take.
Where To Find Hikes on Orcas Island
The trails on Orcas Island are primarily found in three locations.
- Moran State Park: this park on the eastern side of Orcas Island has 38 miles of trails, more than anywhere else on the island. This is where most of the best hiking on Orcas Island is found.
- Turtleback Mountain Preserve: this preserve on the western side of Orcas Island offers nearly 9 miles of trails. Although there are fewer trails here than at Moran State Park, the trails in Turtleback Mountain Preserve provide some of the best views on all of Orcas Island.
- Obstruction Pass State Park: this park has a few easy trails totaling 2 miles. They might not be sought out by experienced hikers but it’s nice to know these trails are available for anyone heading to the park for the beach or campground.
Orcas Island Trail Maps
The best hikes on Orcas Island are part of larger trail networks and may require taking multiple trails to complete them. Here are the trail maps for the networks where my recommended hikes are located.
Passes Required to Hike on Orcas Island
Like all state parks in Washington, Moran and Obstruction Pass State Parks require a Discover Pass to park there. If you don’t already have an annual Discover Pass, you can buy a one-day or annual pass online or once you arrive at these parks.
No passes are required to hike at Turtleback Mountain Preserve.
8 Fantastic Orcas Island Hikes
Here are the trails I recommend that hikers consider taking on Orcas Island. These trails range in length and difficulty so there is an option for hikers of all skill levels.
1. Cascade Falls Trail
- Distance: 0.8 miles roundtrip
- Elevation gain: 130 feet
- Location: Moran State Park
The trail to Cascade Falls is one of many great waterfall hikes in Washington.
Cascade Falls Trail offers a great bang for your buck since it packs multiple waterfalls into one short hike.
Cascades Falls is the first and most impressive waterfall you’ll see on the hike. At 40 feet, Cascades Falls is the tallest waterfall in the San Juan Islands.
There is an upper and a lower view point at Cascade Falls. Make sure to check them both out before you continue on to the remaining waterfalls.
Once you’ve gotten your fill of Cascade Falls, backtrack to the sign that points to Rustic Falls, Cavern Falls, and Hidden Falls.
I recommend seeing Rustic Falls and Cavern Falls before heading back to the trailhead.
Although signs point to Hidden Falls, it’s named that for a reason. It’s an unlabeled waterfall under a bridge and eventually the signs stop pointing to it. Even if you do find it, there isn’t much to see.
If you do track down Hidden Falls, your hike will be closer to 1.5 miles instead of 0.8 miles.
2. Sunrise Rock
- Distance: 1.4 miles roundtrip
- Elevation gain: 300 feet
- Location: Moran State Park
Sunrise Rock is a great trail for hikers who want a short hike to great views but are still willing to put in some physical exertion.
As the name suggests, this trail makes for a great sunrise hike. (Check out my sunrise hiking tips if you’ve never done one before!)
The trail to Sunrise Rock starts near the southern end of Cascade Lake. Park at the day use lot near South End Campground and look for the trail near the campground restrooms.
The hike begins as a relaxing walk through the forest. The trail intersects with others but it is well-labeled with signs for Sunrise Rock.
Eventually the relaxing stroll will turn into a steep ascent since all of the elevation gain is packed into the last quarter mile to the top. The struggle to climb this steep section will be over before you know it.
If the incline doesn’t take your breath away, the view just might. The viewpoint looks out over Cascade Lake and the rolling hills that surround it.
From this vantage point, hikers can see to the east, west, and north. This makes it a good spot to watch either a sunrise or sunset over Orcas Island.
3. Cascade Lake
- Distance: 2.7 mile loop
- Elevation gain: 200 feet
- Location: Moran State Park
The scenic stroll around Cascade Lake is a great trail for those who want to explore a popular feature on Orcas Island without much elevation gain.
This loop around Cascade Lake begins at the main day use area.
The trail starts off along the western shore of the lake. Hikers will enter the woods and enjoy views of Cascade Lake throughout this section of the trail.
When you arrive at South End Campground, walk along the road until the trail resumes off to the left.
At this point the trail intersects with a few roads. Enjoy your last views of the water as you navigate this stretch of the trail.
The section of the trail that takes you up the eastern side of Cascade Lake veers away from the lake and into the woods until it brings you back to the day use area where you began.
This loop trail is a great activity if you’re staying at one of Orcas Island’s awesome campgrounds around Cascade Lake.
4. Ship Peak Trail
- Distance: 3 mile loop
- Elevation gain: 860 feet
- Location: Turtleback Mountain Preserve
The Ship Peak Trail is one of the best hikes on Orcas Island because it only demands a moderate amount of effort to reach multiple viewpoints, including one of the top views on the entire island.
Reaching Ship Peak actually requires taking several trails to form a loop hike.
Start at the southern trailhead at Turtleback Mountain Preserve. This parking lot is along Wildrose Lane.
From the South Trail, complete a loop using the Morning Ridge Trail, the West Overlook Trail, and the Lost Oak Trail.
Ship Peak can be reached by taking a short side path off of the loop. From this summit hikers can soak up wide open views of the surrounding islands.
The other viewpoint this loop offers is along the West Overlook Trail.
Between the ease of the trail and the amazing views it offers, the Ship Peak Trail is a fantastic trail that any hiker can appreciate.
5. Mountain Lake Loop
- Distance: 3.9 mile loop
- Elevation gain: 50 feet
- Location: Moran State Park
If you enjoy the loop around Cascade Lake, you’ll enjoy walking the Mountain Lake Loop too.
This trail is nearly flat so it’s a great hike to do if you need a rest from all of the more strenuous hikes on Orcas Island.
And if you have more time, the Mountain Lake Loop connects to trails to Twin Lakes and Cascade Falls for optional extensions. Just make sure to stay on the main loop trail if you don’t want to tack on additional mileage.
Mountain Lake Loop begins at the boat launch near the campground on the lake’s western shore.
The trail follows right along the western edge of Mountain Lake. Enjoy overlooking the largest lake on Orcas Island along the hike.
Hikers will have the chance to delight in other sightings, too.
Wildlife is more common here than at Cascade Lake because it is less crowded and there are no roads to bring vehicle traffic around the lake.
And on a clear day with good visibility, hikers can see up to the tower on top of Mount Constitution from the dam at the southern end of Mountain Lake.
Although Mountain Lake Loop is one of the easier trails on Orcas Island, it’s certainly a worthwhile trail for hikers of all skill levels.
6. Little Summit to Mount Constitution
- Distance: 4.4 miles roundtrip
- Elevation gain: 430 feet
- Location: Moran State Park
The hike between Little Summit and Mount Constitution is one of several routes hikers can take to reach Mount Constitution.
This hike is one of the best easy hikes in Washington because you get a fantastic view at both the beginning and end of the trail. Mount Constitution is the tallest point in all of the San Juan Islands at over 2,400 feet, so it is THE viewpoint to see on Orcas Island.
You can drive to both Little Summit and Mount Constitution, but hiking between them is much more rewarding.
It’s a 4.4 mile hike roundtrip between these two spots. You can park at either location. I started up at Mount Constitution, but if you want to tackle the uphill direction first, start at the Little Summit trailhead off of Mount Constitution Road.
Follow signs for the short walk from the Little Summit trailhead to Little Summit to access a picnic area and a great view of the islands right off the bat.
Once you’ve had your fill of the views, follow signs to Mount Constitution (or “tower”, referring to the watchtower at the top). Towards the end of the trail you’ll get a few peeks of the view to come, but just wait until you get to the top.
From Mount Constitution you’ll get sweeping views of the San Juan Islands, Vancouver, Mount Baker and Mount Rainier. Even on an overcast day I was impressed with the sight.
(If this hike sounds appealing but you prefer a more difficult trail, check out hike #8 below!)
7. Turtlehead Summit
- Distance: 5.7 miles roundtrip
- Elevation gain: 1,300 feet
- Location: Turtleback Mountain Preserve
Hikers who take the moderately difficult trail to Turtlehead Summit will be rewarded with one of the most expansive views on Orcas Island.
Turtlehead Summit is the second highest point in the San Juan Islands so the panoramic views from here are outstanding.
To reach Turtlehead Summit, start at the preserve’s north trailhead along Crow Valley Road.
Take the North Trail until it meets the Turtlehead Trail. Hikers will have opportunities to take a few detours off the main path to additional overlooks, but keep in mind you’ll rack up some more distance by taking these side paths.
8. Cold Springs Trail to Mount Constitution
- Distance: 8.6 miles roundtrip
- Elevation gain: 2,230 feet
- Location: Moran State Park
The Cold Springs Trail can be combined with the Little Summit Trail to connect hikers from Cascade Lake to Mount Constitution.
It’s a great hike to take if you want to see both of those highlights in a day or if you’re camping around Cascade Lake.
It’s also a good choice if you’re seeking one of the more challenging trails on Orcas Island.
The vast majority of this hike’s elevation gain is covered on the Cold Springs Trail before reaching the Little Summit Trail. You’ll cover 2,000 feet of elevation in about 2 miles.
The Cold Springs Trail starts across the street from the day use area at Cascade Lake.
This difficult trail climbs steeply up the side of Mount Constitution with numerous switchbacks to aid with the journey. Several creeks and viewpoints offer hikers rewards throughout the trek.
The Cold Springs Trail ends at Mount Constitution Road. Cross the street to connect with the Little Summit Trail and continue on to the epic views that await you at the top of Mount Constitution.
Looking for more trails in Washington? Check out these related articles:
- 17 Best Easy Hikes In Washington State (According To A Local)
- 15 Spectacular Lake Hikes Near Seattle (For All Skill Levels)
- 18 Great Fire Lookout Hikes In Washington
- 9 Beautiful Waterfall Hikes In Washington
- 6 Spectacular Sunrise & Sunset Hikes Near Seattle
- 5 Must-Do Hikes In North Bend (Easy To Hard)
As always, enjoy the outdoors responsibly. Leave no trace on all of your adventures.
