Only nine nautical miles from Seattle and separated from the Olympic Peninsula by the Hood Canal, the Kitsap Peninsula provides a peaceful escape from city traffic. The Great Peninsula, as Kitsap is actually called, has so many arms of land jutting into the Puget Sound that the area has a disproportionate amount of shoreline which ranges from rock beaches to sandy shores and inland from farm land to forest, proffering a pleasant mix of northwestern landscapes.
While Kitsap lacks the soaring mountains characteristic of the Olympic Peninsula interior, it has a different sort of appeal. Road bikers take to the miles of roads winding across the Kitsap Peninsula that pass by small fishing villages, like Poulsbo, and salt water scenery -enjoy the sky line of sailboats against the Olympic Range to the west, and mountains Baker and Rainier in the east. Dedicated peddlers can cross onto the Kitsap from Seattle by ferry and continue on over the Hood Canal Bridge to the Olympics after they've finished exploring.
Kopachuk State Park, on the east side of the peninsula, has over a mile of shoreline to stroll, while Blake Island in the north, accessible only by boat, has shoreline, year-round camping and great views. If you're after a long walk, parks inland have trails through the forest, though these are still short enough to qualify as easy day hikes. For serious backpacking it's best to head over to the Olympic Peninsula.
Kitsap Peninsula is only nine nautical miles west of Seattle, a short ferry ride away or a one hour drive. Olympia is due south, as the crow flies, but the road follows a longer, circuitous route.
