Port Ludlow :: a Master Planned Resort Community for All Ages :: Birding, Boating, Golfing, Hiking, & More

Rainier Loop is roughly three miles in length. The route is approx. 1/3 trail through beautiful natural forest, with the remainder on asphalt pathways, quiet neighborhood streets, and two short crossings of busier roads. The forested section passes through LMC greenbelt property.

Rainier Loop includes some nice steep hills and some narrow, windy pathways through the forest. It's a great workout, both for your body and your mind, and you don't even have to leave your neighborhood. Plus, since it does wind through north bay neighborhoods, unlike the Timberton Loop, you don't need hiking partners to discourage a chance encounter with a four-legged predator.

Although you can enter and exit the Rainier Loop almost anywhere along the route, these directions assume that you are starting from the gravel parking lot about the Port Ludlow Marina.

Start your hike as if you were going to go along the Around-the-Bay trail. Follow the access road south from the marina out to Oak Bay Road and turn left. Stay on the west (water) side of the road and walk so that you can see any oncoming traffic. Go a short distance until you reach Scott Court.

When you reach signpost #3 at Scott Court, cross Oak Bay Road and pick up the asphalt pathway on the east side of the road that parallels the road but gives you a buffer from any traffic. Follow this pathway until it forks at signpost #4.

Signpost #4 marks the intersection of a steep pathway up the hill to the right and a level pathway that continues around the bay into the Village Center. At signpost #4, take the right fork and walk up the hill to Wells Ridge Court.

At the top of the hill, follow Wells Ridge Court to Rainier Lane and turn right (north). Stay on Rainier Lane for roughly 3/4 of a mile. After you cross Walker Way go a little further, approx. 1/3 of the distance between Walker Way and Swansonville Road, and start looking for the trail marker on the right (water) side.

Just north of the house at 251 Rainier Lane turn right at the trail marker. This is the good part - nearly a mile of beautiful trail through forested greenbelt.

Please be aware that some parts of the forested section pass close to private homes. Observe good trail etiquette by turning cell phones off and keeping conversation volume down when within earshot of these homes.

Follow the trail through the woods as it winds down the hill until it emerges at the corner of Swansonville Road and Oak Bay Road. Cross Oak Bay Road using extreme caution - traffic moves fast and does not stop for pedestrians.

Once you are on the east (water) side of Oak Bay Road, you have two choices.

1. The slightly shorter route is to go right (south) a block or so and turn left onto the utility road with a red identification sign ("8481") on the north side of the old conference center.
2. Or you can turn left (north) and walk a half block to Pope Way and turn right (towards the water). When you get to Montgomery Lane, you can either turn left (north) to add the Montgomery Loop to your route, or turn right to return. If you turn right, walk to the end of Montgomery Lane, going towards the old conference center. Look for the sign identifying a short path at the end of the Montgomery cul-de-sac.

Whichever way you chose, you will end up in the same place: near the Grace Christian Center that is now in the conference center area. Proceed back to the Port Ludlow Marina by walking along pathways and roads past the church and the Admiralty Bay Condominiums.