Elwha River

Mountain bike the moderate 6.8-mile Madison Creek to Glines Canyon Spillway Overlook trail in Olympic National Park.

If you're looking for a peaceful mountain biking experience away from cars, the Elwha River Viewpoint – Madison Falls loop from Port Angeles is a fantastic choice. This moderate 29.6-mile (47.6 km) route, with 2268 feet (691 metres) of elevation gain, guides you along the Olympic Hot Springs Road, which is closed to vehicles. You'll pass the beautiful 60-foot Madison Falls, then ride through lush lowland forests with views of the Elwha River and the valley where Lake Mills once was, offering a unique perspective on the area's natural beauty.

Plan for about 3 hours and 12 minutes to complete this ride. The route starts from the Madison Falls parking lot, which is the furthest point vehicles can access. Beyond this, the road is yours to explore by bike. While mostly paved, be prepared for some unpaved sections and a potentially steep bypass trail around a washout, which might require you to push your bike for a short stretch.

What makes this trail truly stand out is the opportunity to witness one of the largest ecosystem restoration projects in National Park Service history: the rewilding of the Elwha River after dam removal. You can cycle to the Glines Canyon Overlook, once the site of a dam, and see the now free-flowing river. It's a journey through both natural splendor and significant environmental history.