Our pups have always loved hiking, so we’ve searched for trails in our area of Western Washington that we can enjoy with them in their later years. I’ve compiled a list of hikes that we like and would recommend to others with senior dogs. Of course, every dog is different so do your research and adjust your plans as needed. The list is separated by geographical region. To view all the hikes, as well as additional tips, the best place to start is on the introductory page: Hiking with Senior Dogs in Western Washington.
And don’t forget, for everyone’s safety and enjoyment of the trails, make sure you keep your pup on leash and pick up after them!
The stunning Spruce Railroad Trail at Lake Crescent is a must-do hike
Begin the trail on a wide, flat, even path
Spruce Railroad Trail (Lake Crescent) – Most of this trail is wide, flat and easy to navigate with senior pups. Park at the West Trailhead and wander through the trees with regular views of the Lake on your left. About a mile in, you’ll come to a tunnel with a spur trail to the left. If you continue straight through the tunnel, you’ll enjoy a wide, flat trail but it’s much less scenic than the spur trail. The spur trail is moderately steep, narrow in places and a bit uneven with rocks and roots. However, this trail provides some of the most spectacular views and takes you to the Devil’s Punchbowl with a scenic bridge. If you’re able to take the trail, I highly recommend it.
The trail around the Devil's Punchbowl is narrow and rocky but many dogs will have no trouble with it
Sister love
The bridge at the Punchbowl is very sturdy and even Shiloh, who was terrified of bridges, did just fine
After you’re finished soaking up the scenery and getting lots of photos, continue on the trail and you’ll end up on the other side of the tunnel. You can go left to continue your hike (the flat road continues and the scenery remains similar), or if you’re ready to return, you can take a right and go through the tunnel to get back to your vehicle. The tunnel can be a bit dark, so if you or your pup have eyesight limitations, you might want to use the flashlight on your phone.
The tunnel is a fun experience but it can be a bit dark in the middle section
The entire trail, from the West Trailhead to the East Trailhead is 5 miles each way. The loop I recommend – West Trailhead to spur trail and back through the tunnel – is just under 3 miles total. As you can imagine, this trail can get quite busy, especially on weekends, holidays and unusually sunny days. Additionally, the path is a favorite of cyclists, so if your pup is scared or reactive to bicycles, this trail might be a challenge for you. The wide, even paths and beautiful scenery make this one of my favorite hikes! Treat yourself to a milkshake at Granny’s Café on the drive home. Learn more about the trail and read trip reports on the WTA site.
Railroad Bridge Park is beautifully decorated during the holidays with garland, lights, wreaths and nature's patina!
Railroad Bridge Park (Sequim) – This trail is part of the larger Olympic Discovery Trail, which runs from Port Townsend to the coast and is popular with cyclist. We went during the holidays and loved seeing the bridge decorated in garland and lights. The trail is flat and easy to navigate. You’ll start by crossing the bridge, which was built in 1915 and overlooks the Dungeness River.
Once over the bridge, you’ll enjoy a leisurely stroll through the woods and then spill out into a neighborhood area. Go as far as you like, then return the way you came. This is a popular path, so expect to see cyclists and people with dogs, among others. The Dungeness River Nature Center, an educational and interpretive center, has opened at the Railroad Bridge Park since we visited – you might want to check it out. Get directions and other information about this trail on the WTA site.
The Larry Scott Trail is flat and starts with the water on one side and the cliffs on the other before entering the woods
Larry Scott Trail (Port Townsend) – This trail starts near the Port Townsend ferry terminal. It winds along the water, past a paper mill and into the woods. The trail is wide and flat and should be easy for most senior pups to navigate. It’s a fairly popular trail, so expect to see lots of folks out, especially along the waterfront. The trail is over 7 miles long, so go as far as you want and then turn around and go back the way you came. Fun fact: Apparently the paper mill uses only recycled paperboard to make their products; no new trees are cut for production! Learn more and view trip reports on the WTA site.
The beach at Fort Flagler is relatively short but a fun jaunt before or after your hike through the woods
Fort Flagler (Marrowstone Island)
Fort Flagler is on the northern tip of Marrowstone Island, east of Port Townsend, and was originally built to guard against entry into Puget Sound. You can still see bunkers and other military remnants on the bluff, which are fun to explore.
A view from the trail with a ferry and Whidbey Island in the background and native red flowering currant in the foreground
There are several trails within this park. We decided to start on the water and parked down near the Lower Campground. From here, we enjoyed a short stroll on the beach, watching all the people who were out clamming. We then walked through the campground where we found a trail that leads to the Bluff Trail. The trail starts in the woods and eventually opens up into grassy meadow areas with beautiful views of the water.
If the weather is right, you might get to watch paragliders taking off from the bluff. We also enjoyed seeing beautiful native plants in bloom and eagles flying overhead. When we went in April, it wasn’t crowded at all, but I’d imagine it’s a popular destination in the summer months. A Discover Pass is required. Learn more on the Washington State Parks website.
The Dungeness Spit Bluff Trail offers stunning views from a flat, even path
Dungeness Spit Bluff Trail (Sequim) – The Dungeness Spit is part of the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge and dogs are not allowed. However, the Dungeness Recreation Area, located just outside the Refuge, has a beautiful bluff trail where dogs are welcome on leash. While there is a fee to visit the Refuge, there is no fee for day hiking in the Recreation Area.
The bluff trail begins at the western end of the parking area. The high perspective of this flat, wide trail offers expansive views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Vancouver Island and the Olympic Mountains.
Learn more on the WTA site.
On a clear day, you can get an awesome view of Mt. Baker from the beach at Miller Peninsula State Park
Miller Peninsula State Park (Sequim) – There are several trails to take in this park, but unfortunately, while there are some good, flat options, they’re quite lengthy if you want to go to the beach (and trust me, you do). The first time we did this hike, we parked in the main lot off Diamond Point Road, but the 6+ mile hike really pushed Shiloh. The second time we hiked these trails, we used a somewhat questionable parking area off Diamond Point Boulevard (near the beginning of Fireweed Road) that made the trip about 2 miles shorter (4.3 miles roundtrip to the beach and back with 373 elevation gain). The parking spot was next to a gate, and there’s also a mailbox there along with a No Parking sign. We liberally took that sign to mean that one shouldn’t block the gate or mailbox. There is a space for one car to park here and not be in the way. As we were leaving, someone else took our spot, so it’s apparently a known parking option. Other people were parking alongside the road a little ways down. Park wherever you feel comfortable.
From our favorite parking spot, take Fireweed Trail until it intersects with the Beach Trail to the right. If you park in the main lot, you’ll want to take the Trailhead Loop to the right, then Diamond Point Trail to the right, followed by Fireweed Road (straight-ish) and then Beach Trail to the right.
The wooded, road trails are flat, wide and easy to navigate, though admittedly not super scenic. Once you veer right onto the narrower Beach Trail, the scenery becomes a bit more interesting. And once you reach the beach, you’ll enjoy gorgeous views of Mt. Baker, Protection Island and loads of birds, including eagles.
Be sure to plan your adventure so you arrive at the beach around low tide, allowing you plenty of room to wander. When ready, return the way you came. Horses and bicycles also use the trails. A Discover Pass is required.
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