Park
Turtleback Mountain South Trailhead
20 locals recommend
Tips from locals
The hiking is great, and the views are fabulous. I love making a loop hike. Take a picture of the trail map at the parking lot, so you have an easy reference and guide.
This is, hands down, my favorite trail on the island. When family or friends come to visit, if we're short on time, this is the only hike I'll take them on. The views on the ascent are gorgeous (I go to Ship Peak myself, through the West Overlook on the way up and down the Lost Oak Trail on the way back down). The view gets increasingly panoramic. On one side of the crest, you overlook Orcas to the East. On the other side, you look South toward the Olympic Peninsula, over the other San Juan Islands. Breathtaking but, as my uncle said halfway up, "a real hike... not just a brisk walk in nature."
This is, hands down, my favorite trail on the island. When family or friends come to visit, if we're short on time, this is the only hike I'll take them on. The views on the ascent are gorgeous (I go to Ship Peak myself, through the West Overlook on the way up and down the Lost Oak Trail on the way…
The South Trailhead to Turtleback Mountain is my favorite. There are a couple different trails you can choose, but I prefer to stay on the main trail. You'll have sweeping views of all the islands once you hit a higher elevation. Well worth the sweat!
Locals also recommend
Location
Eastsound, WA