- 100 Classic Hikes of Washington
Ebey’s Landing Loop Trail Guide on Whidbey Island
Ebey’s Landing is a beautiful, quaint hike on Whidbey Island and is one of Washington’s 100 Classic Hikes. It offers wonderful, scenic views of the coast and a rich history of the area. Ebey’s Landing is a hike I have found myself on before and will continue to hike it in years to come.
In this trail guide, I will review everything you need to know to get to the trail, what to expect along the trail, and what to do when you finish your hike! Let’s get into it!
Comprehensive Guide to Ebey's Landing Bluff Trail
General Info
Trail: Ebey’s Landing Trail
Region: Whidbey Island – Ebey’s Landing National Reserve
Distance: 5.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 350′ gain
Difficulty: Easy
Required Permit: Discovery Pass
Dog’s Allowed: Yes
Bathroom: At Trailhead Parking Lot
Accessing the Ebey's Landing Trailhead
Ebey’s Landing Bluff Trail is located on the Ebey’s Landing National Historic Reserve in Washington. Here is everything you need to know about the area and trailhead!
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.
Hiking Ebey's Landing Bluff Trail
From the parking lot, hikers can see a number of the different scenic views that draw hikers to this trail. Including: the Olympic Mountains, Mount Baker, and coastal cliffs. Hiking along the trail, the perspective of these views change.
Starting towards the bluff overlook, hikers 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 choose to turn right on 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 and enjoy the various overlooks that are carved out on the side of the cliff before turning right and continuing along the bluff. The bluff offers a birds 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 to 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 hiked this trail last, I even saw Kingfishers fishing in the lake.
Should Ebey's Landing be a 100 Classic Hike?
Ebey’s landing should be included on the 100 Classic Hikes of Washington List. This trail has spectacular views and provides 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 as well as some of the different animal species in the area.
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 two and a half hours but plan on closer to three hours. Walking along the beach will take long than the trail.
Do you need a Discover Pass to hike Ebey's Landing?
Yes, you need a Discover Pass to hike the Bluff Trail in Ebey’s Landing. The Discover Pass has an annual fee of $35 annually. The pass can be purchased at State Park Visitors Centers or a local REI.
How long is the loop 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 that you can take to the Ebey’s Homestead which would add an additional 2 miles to the loop.
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 being a favorite.
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Meet the Author -
Sarah Borgen
I am an Educator and outdoor Enthusiast based out of Seattle and writer of Exploren Borgen! My adventures consist of weekends spent in the woods, on a hike, car camping, and taking a deep breath of fresh air. When not on an adventure, you can find me in a classroom teaching high school science! I love having a job that allows me to the opportunity to discuss things like conservation, sustainability, and accessibility.
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Meet the author
Sarah Borgen, AKA your outdoor bestie
I’m an outdoorsy educator and adventure advocate, which is why I’m passionate about creating resources – like blogs, guides, and interactive maps – to simplify your travels. I’m eager to share some of Washington’s greatest destinations and hidden gems with you.
