At a glance
- 4 mi round trip
- 2,000 ft
- Out & back
- Moderate
- National Forest
Hikeable nearly year-round. The grade averages about 20% — short but relentless. No parking pass required; the loop road is a winter alternative when the trail is icy.
Mount Walker is the Olympic Peninsula’s reliable, year-round dog-friendly viewpoint hike. Per the Washington Trails Association, it is a roughly 4-mile round trip with about 2,000 feet of elevation gain to a high point near 2,804 feet, with two viewpoints at the top spanning Hood Canal, the Cascades, and (on a clear day) Mounts Rainier and St. Helens.
With your dog
The catch is the grade: it averages about 20%, so the climb is short but relentless. Pace your dog, take breaks, and carry extra water — there is little shade relief from the effort. Dogs must be on leash. No parking pass is required, and the trailhead is about 4.6 miles south of the Quilcene Ranger Station on US-101.
Why here instead of the park
Olympic National Park’s mountain trails (Hurricane Ridge and the backcountry) are off-limits to dogs. Mount Walker sits just outside the park on Olympic National Forest land, giving you a real Olympic Mountains viewpoint experience with your dog along.
Gear for this hike
Ruffwear
$99.99Ruffwear Approach Pack — Research Review
The Ruffwear Approach Pack is a compact dog‑pack built on Ruffwear’s WebMaster harness frame. It pairs radial-cut saddlebag construction and a weight-forward design with two zippered saddlebags (each with a smaller pocket) for about 13 L of total carrying volume. The pack is offered in four girth-based sizes (XS–L) and includes multiple adjustment points, leash attachment options, and trail-oriented load-tuning.
Ruffwear
$49.99Ruffwear Roamer Bungee Dog Leash — research review
The Ruffwear Roamer is a 1-inch webbing bungee leash offered in two length ranges that combines Wavelength stretch webbing, a padded adjustable handle with a side‑release buckle, a traffic handle for quick restraint, and an anodized 6061‑T6 aluminum Talon Clip. It’s presented by Ruffwear for running, hiking, hands‑free walking and biking and can be worn at the waist, carried by hand, or looped around a post without unclipping; the waist fit adjusts up to 48 in. The longer 7.3–11 ft option is noted as not ideal for crowded or high‑traffic sidewalks.
Ruffwear
$24.99Ruffwear Quencher Bowl: Sizes, Capacity & Alternatives
The Ruffwear Quencher Packable Dog Bowl is a collapsible square bowl designed for food and water on the go. It is made from a durable water-resistant shell fabric with a lightweight waterproof lining and includes reflective trim. The Quencher comes in three capacities (Small 0.75 L, Medium 1 L, Large 2.5 L), folds flat for pocket or pack storage, and—because its fabric construction is not rigid—must be held or placed on level ground to maintain shape. Ruffwear provides a limited warranty against defects in materials and workmanship.
Related
- Murhut Falls
- Mount Ellinor
- Olympic Peninsula Road Trip
Sources & research
Read our research methodology and editorial standards →
- Trail reference Mount Walker