Begin this loop hike at the Beacon Rock Equestrian Trailhead for Hamilton Mountain and Hardy Ridge, located about 0.75 mile up Kueffler Road. Start by hiking north on the Equestrian Trail. After about one mile you will see the West Hardy Ridge Trail, which you will come down on your return trip. Continue another 0.5 mile and turn north onto the East Hardy Ridge Trail (another dirt road in the woods). Travel this road until it ends, where you will see a sign for the connector trail marked "foot traffic only". This well-established, single track trail will take you up to the top of the ridge in about 0.5 mile, where you will come to a four-way junction. Turn right to travel north on the trail to the Hardy Ridge summit (note that you can go straight here to head back down the other side of the ridge). The trail can be overgrown, so stick to the ridge top. When you return to the four-way junction, take the connector trail to the right (west), heading down the western side of the ridge. This trail is an old road that has recently been reclaimed. It is much more rugged and overgrown, but is marked; when the connector trail ends on the West Hardy Ridge trail, turn downhill (south) to return to the equestrian trail.
 
Beacon Rock State Park Map
 
Hike by Bus! The Skamania County WET Bus stops at this trailhead. Plan your next trip using this service with our suggested hike itinerary. Learn more.

- Hike descriptions were collaboratively written with the generous support of oregonhikers.org.