One of the best year-round trails on the Puget Sound in Washington is Ebey’s Landing. On a clear day, you can see straight across the Strait of Juan de Fuca into Canada, but even on an overcast, moody day, the coastal bluff is just as beautiful.

This is a trail I keep coming back to over and over again, and I believe you will feel the same.

In this short trail guide, I will share everything you need to know about this hike, as well as some additional suggestions for what to do on Whidbey Island before and after your hike. If that sounds good to you, let’s get into it!

Just a heads up! This post contains affiliate links, which means I could earn a small commission at no cost to you.

Comprehensive Guide to Ebey’s Landing Bluff Trail

Ebey’s Landing is a beautiful, quaint hike on Whidbey Island and is one of Washington’s 100 Classic Hikes by Craig Ramaino. It offers wonderful, scenic views of the coast and a rich history of the area.

This area was historically home to the Lower Skagit People for thousands of years before early settlers joined the mix. Early settlers compelled the Lower Skagit People and other Coast Salish People to sign the Point of Elliott Treaty, which removed them from their ancestral lands.

Throughout Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve, you can learn about the conflicts between the Lower Skagit People and Colonel Isaac Neff Ebey, part of the Ebey Family, one of the first permanent settlers on the island.

Quick Overview of Ebey’s Landing – Bluff Trail

Before you head out on the trail, here is some important information about the area to help ensure a safe and responsible journey.

Where is the trail located?

Ebey’s Landing is located on the homeland of the Stillaguamish, Snohomish, Suquamish, Skagit, and other Coast Salish tribes. We are grateful for the stewards of this land, past and present. We are honored to be recognized as guests in this land.

Getting to the Trail

To access this trail on Whidbey Island, take the Mukilteo Ferry to Clinton. You will drive through the town of Coupeville to get to the S Ebey Road. 

The trailhead is at the end of the S Ebey Road before the road veers off to the left. The parking lot has approximately ten spaces for cars.

Trailhead Facilities

There is a pit toilet and picnic bench at the trailhead.

Season to visit

One of the best parts about the Bluff Trail is that, due to its proximity to the coast, the trail is accessible year-round. 

• Spring: Blooming flowers along the cliffside
• Summer: Dry trail, but great for relaxing on the rocky shore
• Fall: Cool temperatures and brown grass
• Winter: Windy with muddy conditions

This is a great trail year-round. I highly recommend you hike it in all of the seasons, especially on a sunny winter day.

Read Next: Iceberg Point on Lopez Island

Hiking Ebey’s Landing Bluff Trail

From the parking lot, hikers can see several scenic views that draw them to this trail. Including: the Olympic Mountains, Mount Baker, and coastal cliffs. Hiking along the trail, the perspective of these views changes. 

As hikers approach the bluff overlook, they will experience the first section of the elevation gain, with the Olympics on their left and fields on their right. At the junction before the trees, hikers can turn right onto the Ebey’s Landing Trail to hike out towards the preserved historical landmarks, Jacob and Sarah Ebey’s Blockhouse and cemetery. 

History: The Ebey Historical Preserve was once owned by the first non-native person on the Island.

Coming back towards the bluff, hikers can stop to enjoy the overlooks carved into the side of the cliff before turning right and continuing along the bluff. The bluff offers a bird ‘s-eye view of Perego’s Lake and the surrounding area. Directly across from the Preserve is Port Townsend, and hikers can watch the Seattle-Victoria Passenger Ferry, Cargo Ships, and Navy ships pass through the water passage. 

Just before beginning the switchbacks down to sea level, hikers can take a quick 0.2-mile detour for an additional overlook. These steep switchbacks are narrow and can become slippery in inclement weather.

Not Sure What to Bring on the Trail? Read: Ten Essentials of Hiking

At the bottom of the switchbacks, hikers can put their feet on the rocky shore or continue along a carved-out trail next to the lake. Ebey’s Landing Trail along the lake provides a dirt path almost the entire way back to the trailhead. This makes for easy walking, as walking through rocks on the shore can become tiresome and hard on the feet. 

Past the lake, however, hikers will need to walk the remaining 0.9 miles back to the trailhead on the rocky shore. If you’re following the Ebey’s Landing Trail on AllTrails, the two routes, along the shore and along the lake, are included on the map. There is plenty of driftwood to sit on and enjoy the tide coming in and out along the shore. There are birds, crabs, and the occasional seal that can be seen on this section of the shore. When I last hiked this trail, I even saw Kingfishers fishing in the lake. 

Related Reading: Turtlehead Reserve on Orcas Island

Should Ebey’s Landing be a 100 Classic Hike?

I am on a journey to hike every book in the popular trail guide “100 Classic Hikes of Washington” by Craig Ramano.

What I have loved about this goal of mine is all the incredible places the trails in this book have taken me. There are so many trails and areas of Washington I would not have ventured to if it were not for this book.

Ebey’s Landing should be included on the 100 Classic Hikes of Washington List. This trail has spectacular views and provides a history of the Island along the way. There are a number of signs along the trail that provide details about the history of the trail and some of the area’s animal species.

On a low tide day, you can see more of the intertidal zone, one of my favorite marine ecosystems. You will see bald eagles flying through the skies, the occasional deer, and plenty of other incredible animals.

Let me know in the comments if you think Ebey’s Landing should be a 100 Classic Hike of Washington or not!

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the answers to some of the commonly asked questions about Ebey’s Landing Historic Reserve and the Bluff Loop Trail:

How long does it take to hike Ebey’s Landing?

The amount of time you spend hiking this trail will ultimately depend on how much time you spend on the visits and the beach. The hike can be completed in 2.5 hours, but plan on closer to 3 hours. Walking along the beach will take longer than the trail. 

Plus, you might be stopping a lot to enjoy the beautiful view!

Do you need a permit to hike Ebey’s Landing?

Yes, you will need a Discover Pass to hike the Bluff Trail in Ebey’s Landing State Park. The Discover Pass has an annual fee of $47 annually, which can be purchased when renewing your tabs at the DMV, any State Park Visitor Center, or at a local REI.

You can also purchase the permit here.

How long is the loop trail at Bluff Point?

The loop is about 5.6 miles, depending on how much beach exploring you do! There is also an additional hiking route to Ebey’s Homestead that would add 2 miles to the loop. It is an overall easy walk with minimal elevation gain.

What to Pack for Hiking Ebey’s Landing

Ebey State Park has some incredible trails in addition to Ebey’s Landing, including the Prairie Overlook Trail, Ebey’s Prairie Ridge Trail, and the Pratt Loop and Kettle Spur Trail. All of these trails offer coastal views of the Puget Sound in a rather temperate climate.

Here are some suggestions of things to bring on your trip out to the area:

1. Binoculars: Nocs Provisions makes my favorite binoculars for the trail. They’re lightweight, powerful, and perfect for spotting wildlife.
2. Rain Jacket: You never know when a sprinkle or full-blown rainstorm will hit the coast, especially since it happens rather quickly sometimes. I love my Black Diamond Fineline Stretch jacket.
3. Day Hiking Pack: I love my Osprey Tempest 20 Liter pack, especially for shorter trails.
4. Hiking Boots: For good grip and ankle support, I would suggest the Oboz Midger Mids.
5. Water: I have been loving my 48oz Nalgene with the Hardside Hydration setup.

What to do on Whidbey Island:

This hike requires a ferry or a longer drive to get to, so I found it best to make a day out of visiting Whidbey Island.

• Visit a coffee shop to start your day! My favorite coffee shop on the Island is Mukilteo Coffee Roasters
• Visit State Parks: Deception Pass State Park also has impressive views of the area! 
• Visit a Winery or Distillery: There are a number of Wineries and Distilleries on Whidbey Island. Whidbey Island Distillery and Whidbey Island Vineyard & Winery are a favorite.
• Search for Orcas: The resident orcas have officially returned to Penn Cove as of 2025, and you could see them swimming around the area.

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You might also like…

• Best Day-Trip Things to Do on Bainbridge Island
• Guide to the Best Orca Whale Watching in Washington
• 17 Things to Do on San Juan Island
• Weekend Guide to the Best Hikes on Orcas Island

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