10 Day Volcanic Peaks to Sparkling Shores of the Pacific Northwest

Arrive in Portland and collect your car from an airport or downtown depot. Check-in at your accommodation and spend the rest of the day exploring. Spend an hour or two wandering the International Rose Test Garden and Japanese Garden in Washington Park. Visit Powell's City of Books, the world’s largest bookshop, tour the historic Pittock Mansion, or simply dive into Portland’s brilliant food and drink scene. Take your pick from hundreds of local restaurants, cafés, and food carts, many of which boast original menus featuring Portland-grown produce and home-brewed refreshments.

Overnight – Portland hotel

Drive to the northwest corner of Oregon and follow in the footsteps of explorers as you make your way around Lewis and Clark National Historical Park. Follow trails through wetlands, rivers, forests and beaches, before arriving in Astoria, the oldest settlement west of the Rockies. If you have time, climb the 125-foot-tall Astoria Column for some incredible views, or immerse yourself in local life with a ride on the Astoria Riverfront Trolley and a visit to the River Maritime Museum.

Overnight – Astoria hotel

Portland to Astoria driving distance - 98 miles

Embrace the outdoor life in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Olympic National Park. Explore a portion of almost one million acres of rainforests, waterfalls, lakes, and beaches. Hike trails, climb rocks, and witness incredible natural wonders before spending the night in your park lodgings with only the sounds of wildlife, the unspoiled stars, and your fellow guests for company.

Overnight – Olympic National Park hotel

Astoria to Olympic National Park driving distance - 127 miles

Travel around Puget Sound to Washington’s largest city, Seattle. Explore the seaport’s attractions from the artisan stalls of Pike Place Market to the lively streets of Chinatown. Climb the iconic Space Needle for panoramic views. Then, take a trip to see the striking Frank Gehry-designed Museum of Pop Culture, the beautiful Chihuly Garden and Glass Exhibit, and the waterfront’s Olympic Sculpture Park. Board a cruise to soak up the sights of the harbour and beyond, wander among street entertainers and buskers in the parks, or simply find your favourite coffee shop and spend a few hours watching the world go by.

Overnight – Seattle hotel

Olympic National Park to Seattle driving distance - 111 miles

Swap the city for the slopes and enter Mount Rainier National Park. Looming 14,400 feet over Seattle, this snow-capped volcano is filled with wildlife, wildflowers, and some of the state’s best hiking routes. Find creeks, canyons, waterfalls, and groves of gigantic 1,000-year-old trees as you follow the road from Ashford to Paradise. See bears, wolves, elk, and eagles at Northwest Trek, ride the old Mount Rainier train tracks on a RailCycle, or hit the trails at speed on a mountain bike. After nightfall, enjoy some of the most unspoiled stargazing in Washington.

Overnight – Mount Rainier hotel

Seattle to Mount Rainier driving distance - 103 miles

Follow the Pacific Crest Scenic Trail between Mount Adams and Mount St. Helens to Mount Hood. Optional activities here include picturesque drives, alpine hiking, boating on clear mountain lakes, and, for at least 10 months of the year, glacier skiing. Even if you're not staying at the Timberline Lodge, film fans will want to grab a photo outside the building which was used for exterior shots of the Overlook Hotel in Stanley Kubrick’s cult horror, The Shining.

Overnight – Mount Hood hotel

Mount Rainier to Mount Hood driving distance - 217 miles

Continue on the Pacific Crest Scenic Trail past Shelter Cove and Mount Thielsen to Crater Lake, the deepest lake in America. Formed 7,000 years ago by a volcanic eruption, Crater Lake sits within a rim of lava cliffs and is surrounded by a stunning, hiking-trail-packed landscape. In summer, cruises run to Wizard Island at the lake’s western edge, while lookout points provide incredible views all year round. Spend a night discovering this beautiful area, before beginning your journey to the coast tomorrow.

Overnight – Crater Lake hotel

Mount Hood to Crater Lake driving distance - 214 miles

Take the scenic route to the coast via the Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve in the Siskiyou Mountains. Tour beneath the earth as you head into the ‘Marble Halls of Oregon’, uncovering fossils, rock formations, and perhaps even a few bats. Continue to the Pacific Ocean and drive north to the artistic seaside resort of Coos Bay. Relax after the long drive and spend a night among historic buildings, theatres, galleries, boutiques, and waterside restaurants.

Overnight – Coos Bay hotel

Crater Lake to Coos Bay driving distance - 368 miles

After a relaxing breakfast by the ocean, make your way slowly back to Portland along the Oregon Coastal Highway. Pause to explore seaside villages and scenic views before turning east into the wine country of Willamette Valley. Grab a delicious meal or enjoy tastings and tours in your choice of over 300 wineries. When you’re ready, return to Portland where you'll have one more night to toast to your adventures among the city's top attractions. 

Overnight – Portland hotel

Coos Bay to Portland driving distance - 238 miles