With rain in the forecast on Saturday, we headed to Whidbey Island for a seaside hike. We have hiked Ebey’s Landing a few times in the past, and it has always been one of our favorites to do in the fall or winter. Even on a cloudy day like Saturday, the bluff and sea are still a spectacular setting for a hike.

When we arrived at the trailhead around 2 PM, there were a few other cars but it was easy to find a parking spot. We started hiking towards the bluff and could see some small glimpses of sun trying to peek through the clouds. Hiking through this stretch of trail was beautiful, as we could see the prairie and farmland stretch right up to the edge of the bluff to meet the sea. It was somewhat windy, but once we turned right onto the bluff trail, the wind was mostly at our backs.

We started to get rained on as we hiked along the bluff, but the showers didn’t last long. Pretty soon, we saw patches of blue sky above us – it looked like we would avoid rain for the rest of the hike. There was a steep section of trail right when we turned onto the bluff trail, and we stopped part of the way up to take some photos at a viewpoint. The trail flattened out, and soon we turned the corner and got our first view of the lagoon below. The Strait of Juan de Fuca stretched out to the horizon, and a container ship was making its way into Puget Sound. This section of trail was flat and made for quick hiking, and soon we were descending towards the beach.

By the time we reached the beach, there was a lot of blue sky above us. Walking on the sand slowed us down on the way back, but it was fun to beachcomb and skip rocks as we walked. We were walking into the wind, although it seemed like it was calmer than before. The Olympic Mountains were trying to peek through the clouds, but we could mostly only see the foothills across the water. We kept our eyes out for seals and other sea life, but we didn’t see any besides some seabirds. Clouds started to move back in as we got closer to where we rejoined the bluff trail. There were a few more short rain showers, but they didn’t last longer than a few minutes.

We turned left when we reached the lower parking lot to climb up the stairs back to the bluff trail. We walked between the farmland and the sea, then turned right on the prairie trail to head back to the parking lot we started from. It took us around 2 and a half hours in total to complete the loop. We had a great time getting out in the fall air and were grateful to get some decent weather while we hiked along the sea.

I considered this a bonus day hike. The earlier weather forecast was not looking good there was a nice break of "mostly sunny" until late afternoon. I started at the beach trailhead. I was a little concerned about the tide but at around 1100 am the tide was at 6 ft and there was lots of space to walk along the shoreline. at about 1.5 miles I hit the trail that goes up to the Bluff Trail with great views of Admiralty Inlet and Perego's Lagoon. To the west the Olympics were mostly obscured and what appeared to be heavy rain. Once I was at the south end of the bluff looking east to Ebey's house and blockhouse there were clouds covering the Cascades and Mount Baker. All the hikers in this area were in the well known rain shadow particular to Whidbey Island.

There had been five vehicles in the parking lot when I arrived but when I returned there were about forty filling the lot and alongside the road to the south.

The vault toilet was open and stocked. There is an informational kiosk and several illustrative signs at the beach trailhead. 

The trail is in good condition throughout but there is a couple places on the trail up to the bluff that have narrowed due to erosion.

Did the loop including the jaunt off to see the Ebey houses. We started from the seaside parking lot off S Ebey Road. Arrived on Thursday 9/18 at about 11:30am, there were just 2 parking spaces left. Toilets clean and stocked.

It was a clear, sunny and warm.  The views from the bluff were spectacular. I wished I had worn a hat. No shade, bring water, sunglasses and sunblock. Binoculars were useful as well. 

Tips I have not seen on other reports:

You will be walking about 1.7 miles of the beach if you do the loop. This is not a hard packed trail, this is loose sand and rocks that some people may struggle with. Wear shoes you will not mind getting sandy or possibly wet with salt water. It’s a beach. Watch for sneaker waves, especially at high tide. 😊

If you have any fear of heights, the trail on the bluff is along a pretty steep slope. I am not sure I would feel comfortable letting a small child walk along it. But, I also have a fear of heights. I made it just fine, but my palms were a little sweaty. I tried to focus on the gorgeous view instead of the steep slope next to me. 

Overall, a wonderful and easy hike, not too crowded in late September on a weekday. I would recommend to friends and do it again myself. 

We did the whole loop, starting at Prairie Overlook.  It was a lovely day, and the trail was in good shape.  The Olympics view was obscured by heavy smoke haze from the wildfires.

This was one of my first hikes ever and it continues to never disappoint! The overcast day made it super peaceful to walk along the beach and there were plenty of fellow hikers out!

I didn't do the Prairie trail section and only did the Bluff Trail loop. The parking lot is small, but it felt like there were always 2 spots open! #HikeTheState