There are two trail head options for this hike. From the beach or further east overlooking the homestead. We chose the latter which adds about a mile to the loop. We saw about a dozen day hikers, more near the beach trail head. Lots of red wing blackbirds in the pond grass. Trail was in great shape. I hiked with kids aged 9 and 11. If I did it again I'd start and finish at the beach with kids. The added mile is a bit of a climb.

This hike is spectacular from beginning to end. I've been recommending it to everyone I know. It is so unique. The prairie views, the bluffs, the beach, the driftwood, the gnarled trees, moss, the wildflowers, the view of the Olympic Peninsula, the lagoons, the Bald Eagles gliding by... The list goes on and on. It's everything you would hope it would be and more. This is not a difficult or dangerous hike at all although I imagine it could be dicey if attempted in the rain. We had great weather. It was thrilling to look down while walking along the bluff. This is a romantic hike...peaceful, private, and visually dazzling. It might be the perfect setting for, say, a marriage proposal... It's that inspiring. I was pleased. Go.

We hike Ebey's landing at least once/year most years, and it is always good. Today was great. As usual we hiked up the hill and along the bluff first, then ran down the steep trail to the beach, then built shelters out of driftwood and found agates. Today we also had the pleasure of a whale (gray whale?) about 100 feet off shore.

It was pretty overcast today which was perfect for this hike. There is little to no shade at all along the trail. The trail along the bluffs is in great shape. There are a few spots where erosion is slowly taking pieces of the trail. You get fantastic views of Mt. Baker, the Olympics, and Mt. Rainier along the bluffs. Of course the view of the water is great too. Flowers are blooming all over the bluffs for nice splashes of color. The hike up the bluffs is steep but very short. Once on the top there is some up and down but nothing steep. We cruised along at a good pace carrying a two-month old with no problems. The trail is smooth with few rocks/roots/pits to trip you. Perfect for kids or those carrying kids. On the switchbacks down to the beach my husband spotted a whale out in the Sound. We watched it surface several times before we moved onto the beach. The hike along the beach is easy. The sand is hard packed so you aren't fighting against it. Again, kids would love picking their way along the beach. There are lots of logs, rocks, and shells to look at.

It probably took about an hour to get to the trail head from Mount Vernon. We arrived around 10:30 which I thought would be a little late but it worked out perfectly. It was alot cooler on Whidby than it was when we left our house because of the cool marine air. And the fog was just beginning to burn off of the sound. It we had arrived any earlier it would have been way too cold and we wouldn't have had a view. The trail starts by going up to the edge of a bluff. There were alot of different wild flowers and roses. There were also a variety of birds. I'm not really a bird watcher but the birds were really colorful and were singing. We also saw a bald eagle fly in front of us and go into the tree line that the trail follows. The only down side to this hike were the amount of mosquito's on the first part of the trail. Whidby Island seems to have alot of monster mosquito's this time of year, but they are male mosquito's and do not bite. I'm not sure when the females come out but luckily they were more of a nuisance than anything else. The hike follows the top of a bluff along a tree line and you get to see a bunch of knarled trees and you get a beautiful view of Mt.Baker, and the Olympics as you walk about two miles. You get to see a beautiful laggon and the beach below as you hike. Then the trail descends to the beach and you walk back to your car. My husband thinks he saw a seal. If you go on this trail wear lots of sun screen since you are exposed to the sun for the entire 4 miles.