Mileage: 3.6+ miles RT
Elevation Gain/Highest: 250/256ft
Map: NPS or USGS Coupeville
Favorite Eats After Hike: Front Street Grill, 3 Sister Market, or just Pack A Cooler. You can learn more about these places in my Must Hike Must Eat Eating Out Guide.
Find out current conditions and as always, practice Leave No Trace. Pretty Please.
Hike Details:
This coastal trail on Whidbey Island offers a wide beach walk and a high bluff overlook that can be combined for a loop trail. The loop is 3.6 miles alone but you can extend this by strolling up and down the shoreline in either direction for a few more miles. Views of the Olympics, Mount Rainier and Mount Baker can be had on a clear day and odds are you will see bald eagles soaring overhead on the wind.
The Bluff Trail is also part of the Pacific Northwest Trail and to the north is Fort Ebey and the Kettles Trail System for many more miles of trail. It sits up high on the slope and its narrow path means taking care with steps. The second half peers down at Perego’s Lake surrounded by weathered driftwood. At 1.8 miles it takes a few switchbacks down to the beach and you can wander north or south birdwatching, rock hounding or just listening to the waves hit the shore.
My Hikes:
12/5/2021
As I am nursing an injury, it will be some mellow hikes for December and Ebey’s Landing always fits the bill. We took the long way around through Deception Pass, arriving at the lower parking lot just before 11am, it was full with a few cars lining the road. Based on a previous trip report, we timed it had low tide so we could do the loop. We were able to squeeze in between two a short distance from the parking lot. A reminder, you still need a Discover Pass on the road.
It took us about 1.5 hours to wander the loop up onto the bluff, along its length, down to the beach and back. The sun showered down through greyish clouds and wind was absent. Mt Baker was obscured to the east passing the field but we could see the ferry gliding on the horizon to Port Townsend.
It seemed like we had the bluff mostly to ourselves, the beach was busy with birders and dogs. Afterwards we stopped off at the Bayside Farmer’s Holiday Market in Langley to look for holiday gifts and pick up some of my new favorite cider from Misfit Island Cider (think English Dry style).
6/25/2020
In search of a bug free hike after the mosquito fest of Cow Heaven two days before, I opted for an island stroll on a trail I have not done in quite a few years. I have visited for the beach but it was time to do the Bluff Trail loop. Due to the pandemic at the time, they are highly discouraging the Bluff Trail because of its narrow width and slope (making it hard to social distance) but I was lucky to arrive when no one else was heading up.
The wildflowers were out, dotting the bluff with bright color as the morning clouds slowly burned away. The Olympic Peninsula stayed shrouded but I could see Mount Rainier off to the south! A few bald eagles soared above and I could see a few people down on the beach as I had the bluff to myself.
Looping back down to the beach was a one-way affair and I meandered back as the ocean waves lapped the shore. There were a few more beachcombers as I approached the parking lot but there was plenty of room for all.
11/2014
We parked on Hill Rd. because the lot was full and walked back toward the trailhead. It was a cold but bright day and perfect for a bluff and beach stroll. It was a short hike up to the bluff, I loved how we had the water and Olympics on one side and farmland and Mt. Baker on the other.
It was a little muddy where you are walking on private property but that isn’t a long section. We did a loop, coming back on the beach, looking for wishing rocks and beach glass. Not sure why I didn’t take any pictures of our trip back, maybe too busy finding treasure. A wonderful way to spend the afternoon!
Directions: From Mukilteo, take the ferry over to Clinton. Head north as the main road becomes SR-20. Continue to the town of Coupeville and then north for approxiamtely. 1 more mile. Turn west (left) onto Ebey Road and keep straight past the junction for Terry Road until you reach a bend and the beach. The parking lot is on the right and Hill Rd. goes to the left. You will need a Discover Pass whether you are in the lot or on the road.
You can also access Whidbey Island via SR 20 and Deception Pass (skipping the ferry) and drive south to Sherman Road. Turn right, then left on Cook Rd. and right again on Ebey Rd. There is also a overlook parking lot off Sherman Road at the cemetery. A trail here connects over to the Bluff Trail. A Discover Pass is needed. Privies are available at both parking lots.
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