Morning light kisses the path amongst Western Swordferns in the Olympic View Park
This small neighborhood park in Silverdale has limited parking and no views (and no beach access), but it’s excellent for senior dogs. Enjoy a cacophony of bird sounds and very few people as you stroll the mostly flat trails through quintessential PNW forestland. If you hike the entire park, you’ll get in about a mile and a half. Main Trail is flat; Fern Alley and Tall Trees Loop have only slightly moderate hills, and Huckleberry Loop has a moderate hill.
To do the entire park in a way that takes advantage of the less-steep routes, start at the parking area at the intersection of Jupiter Trail and Olympic View Loop (park on the side of the road). When you reach the intersection of Main Trail, Tall Trees and Fern Alley, take Main Trail to the right. Then veer left onto Fern Alley, and when you come across Tall Trees, go right. When you reach the three-way intersection again, go up Fern Alley on your left, and then go right when it becomes Main Trail again. Finally, take the first entry onto Huckleberry Loop (after the private property sign) on your left. At the bottom of Huckleberry, turn left and you’ll return to your vehicle.
This massive maple reminds me of the Whomping Willow in the Harry Potter series
For a shorter, easier loop, take Main Trail at the three-way intersection; then take Fern Alley back to your vehicle. With both trail options, along the way you’ll pass an old abandoned and collapsed truck (on your right a bit past the private property sign) as well as a massive maple tree that reminds me of the Whomping Willow in Harry Potter (on the left of Fern Alley, before you get to Tall Trees).
There are maps posted throughout, so feel free to wander and let your dog go where their nose takes them. It’s hard to get lost. Just remember that you’re parked at the South entrance so you can always find your way back.
Read about other hikes for senior dogs in Western Washington!
Hiking with Senior Dogs in Western Washington
