Hikes on Whidbey Island – The Kettles Trails

The Kettles Trails System, when coupled with the connecting trails in the neighboring Fort Ebey State Park, creates the largest trail system on Whidbey Island. There are more than 35 miles of trails to be hiked and explored. Deception State Park, on the north end of the Island, has about three more miles of trails. However, roughly 8 miles of these trails are on the Fidalgo side of Deception Pass Bridge, so not on Whidbey Island. The name “Kettles” comes from the dips and hollows left behind by retreating glaciers thousands of years ago. Now those ancient shapes form the backdrop to some of the island’s most scenic forest walks.

Nestled between Coupeville and the coastal bluffs of Fort Ebey State Park, the Kettles Trails are island’s hidden playground just waiting for you to lace up your boots and hit the path. Its trails are forested, peaceful, and full of hidden turns waiting to be explored. I love it because you can make your excursion a 30-minute stroll or a multi-hour, multi-mile hike. No matter the time or the length, you are in for a beautiful outing that ranges from moss-covered, fern-lined paths to sweeping sea views and crisp salty air.

The Kettles throughout the seasons

What I love most, though, is how the trails shift with the seasons. In early spring, the moss glows if the light’s just right. The green is IMPOSSIBLY GREEN, creating a perfect backdrop for the wild pink rhododendrons that are scattered throughout the trail system. By summer, the air smells of dry fir and cedar with a hint of sun-warmed earth. The sapphire blue sky creates the perfect backdrop for the Olympic Mountains in the distance. In the fall, rains bring the woodsy, mossy scents, along with a bounty of wild mushrooms. Winter is quite chilly, but certainly a great time for a hike! Donning a rain jacket and layers, you will be rewarded with sweeping and stormy views of the Straits.

The Kettles Trail system blends whimsy and nature in its trail names. You’ll find playful ones like Hokey-Ka-Dodo, Whippersnapper, and Humpty Dump, alongside those inspired by local foliage – Madrona Hill, Cedar Hollow, Salal Run, and Alder Grove. Others, such as Confusion, Windsucker Hill, and Escape, give clues about the trail’s personality or terrain.

Most routes are rated easy to moderate, with only short, steeper sections. The highest point of the system, around 200 feet above sea level, sits on a rise near Madrona Hill and Confusion, just off the main Kettles Trail connecting SR 20 to Fort Ebey. The various trails have short “ups and downs” that dip and bend through the ancient Kettles indentations.

A favorite route

One of my favorite loops is: Park off Hwy 20 by milepost 24. Enter through the Kettles Gate. Head out on the main Kettles Trail. Turn left onto Cedars. Continue on to Cedar Grove Loop and then right onto Cedar Grove back towards the Kettles Trail. Take a right on the road and walk the road until you see Raider Creek Trail on your left. Take Raider Creek to Princess Run. Turn left onto Princess Run, then left up Braveheart. At the top of Bravehart, turn right onto Water Tower. Follow Water Tower down to an old forest road, where you will turn left. Follow the old forest road until you pop out at a lovely field with toilets, picnic tables and amazing views. This is a great pit stop.

After a little break, you can pop onto Bluff Trail (at the south end of the clearing) and take in the amazing views as you walk along the wind swept bluff. Follow Bluff Trail until you see Hokey-Ka-Dodo taking off to your left. Take Hokey and follow it down to theKettles Trail. Follow the Kettles back toward the highway. Keep an eye out for a kiosk that has a posted map. Here, you will turn left and follow Whippersnapper all the way down toHumpty Dump. Turn right onto Humpty Dump and follow that back to the main Kettles Trail. Turn left and head back to your car. This route ends up to be a little under 6 miles.

To print out or screenshot a map of the Kettles Trails, as well as other Whidbey Island Hikes, visit https://www.islandcountywa.gov/655/Trail-Maps.

Accessing the Trails

You can access the trail system at many points. The main entrances are several pullouts just off Highway 20. The main “Kettles Gate” entrance is right next to milepost 24, and the others dot the highway for about 1 mile west. The access points off of the highway are public access, no parking permit required. To park within the state park, turn west onto Libbey Road and then left onto Hill Valley Drive which continues into the park. Staying straight past the turn into the campgrounds will take you to several kiosk-only trailheads and end in a large circular parking lot with bathroom facilities. You will need a Discover Pass to park within the state park.

The Kettles Trails are such an asset to Whidbey Island – for locals and tourists alike. If you haven’t taken the time to explore this wonderful area of central Whidbey Island, I would highly recommend you make a plan to do so. No matter the season or the weather, you will inevitably have a wonderful outing.

If you are looking for another great hike in Central Whidbey Island, check out my post about Ebey’s Landing Bluff Trail – https://northwestfrench.com/hikes-on-whidbey-island-ebeys-landing-bluff-trail/ – a beautiful hike with stunning views.