History is full of irony. Five grand military installations originally established to protect Puget Sound from foreign invaders are now peaceful idylls: wit-ness Forts Ebey, Casey, Worden, Townsend, and Flagler. Fortunately, they never saw combat. Fortunate, too, that with their decommissioning in the 1950s they were converted to state parks that now protect over 2300 acres and 9 miles of prime Puget Sound coastline. At 780 acres, Fort Flagler on the northern tip of Marrowstone Island is the largest, consisting of over 3.5 miles of shoreline. It offers one of the finest beach hikes in the state. And if that isn't enough, there are miles of trails weaving through quiet forest and historic grounds to keep you more than content.

With over 7 miles of trail and 3.5 miles of coastline, hiking options are many at Fort Flagler. The following loop samples a few of the many facets of this wonderful seaside park. You'll walk on a wide beach with sweeping views out to islands, mountains, bays, and inlets. And you'll walk upon towering bluffs graced with stately trees and harboring relics that tell a century's worth of stories about life at Fort Flagler. Throw in some seabirds, frolicking deer and rabbits, and a surprise or two and you've got yourself quite a hiking lineup to look forward to.

Start your adventure on the wide cobblestone-strewn beach. Head east, enjoying a grand view across Port Townsend Bay to the Victorian city of Port Townsend. Admire Whidbey Island's lofty chalky bluffs hovering in the distance. An impressive fortress of bluffs soon begins to tower right above you as well. Gaze up at the tall trees teetering on them-there's a good chance a bald eagle or two will be peering down at you. After 1.5 miles of beach strolling, round Marrowstone Point. Enjoy a knock-out view of Admiralty Inlet with its flotilla of vessels plying choppy waters.

Continue hiking on a wide sandy beach, coming to an old weather-battered pier at 2.25 miles. It's time now to sample Flagler's interior. Find the trail leading from the beach 0.25 mile to the Battery Wansboro, perched high on a bluff. Via a series of short interconnecting trails, work your way back to your starting point. Follow the Lagoon Trail for 0.5 mile to the East Searchlight Trail. Turn right, proceeding 0.5 mile to the Anti-Aircraft Battery Trail. Then continue 0.7 mile to the Bankhead Trail, turning left, for an 0.8-mile hike back to your vehicle.

En route you'll pass a handful of historic structures and pass through quiet groves of fir, cedar, maple, and alder. It's quite peaceful. Ironic, considering this land was set aside for war.