Name: Hole-in-the-Wall Trail
Rating: 4.4

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Features Views · Wildlife

Family Friendly Looking for anemones and starfish in tidepools during low-tide can be fun! It may be a bit slippery out on the rocks, so be cautious!

Dogs are allowed on this trail, but only as far as Ellen Creek. All dogs must be on-leash at all times.

Overview

An Olympic Coast classic, this hike is a perfect easy day trip for the whole family. The views are spectacular, and your turnaround is at a very cool coastal geologic feature, the Hole-in-the-Wall!

Description

If you plan to hike through the "Hole in the Wall", you MUST keep track of the tide - you can only walk through the Hole-in-the-Wall during low tide. Make sure you have plenty of time for the mile or so hike there, including time to cross the Hole and walk around, then return through the Hole before the tide starts to come in!

The trailhead is basically the beach in front of the Rialto Beach parking area. The view of the beach is beautiful with large seastacks to the left (worth the walk if you wish to detour and check out the seastacks). To head to Hole-in-the-Wall, head to the right (north). The beach is your path!

As you stroll along the beach you'll see huge driftwood along the shore, and in the morning you may see tents housing hikers of the Pacific NW Trail. You're getting closer to Hole-in-the-Wall when you pass by seastacks. At about 1.5 miles, you've reach Hole-in-the-Wall. You'll need to navigate over slippery rock to get to (and through) the Hole-in-the-Wall. Sea-life is abundant here during low tide (which is the only time you can pass through the Hole). Starfish and anemones are abundant here and at the previous seastack. When you are satisfied, turn around and head back to Rialto Beach.