Hiking Guide
WTA's hiking guide is the most comprehensive database of hikes in Washington, and comprises content written by local hiking experts and user submitted information. All data is vetted by WTA staff. This resource is made possible by the donations of WTA members.
We respectfully acknowledge the lands we are visiting are the homelands of Indigenous tribes of the Pacific Northwest, some of whom have reserved rights on these lands. Tribes continue to rely on and share in the management of these lands today. Please tread gently and treat these places with respect.
Results List
4197 HikesCamas Meadows
Central Cascades > Blewett Pass
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Length
- 2.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 350 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,200 feet
This beautiful meadow is visible from a variety of logging roads that surround it. Visitors are asked to not walk in the meadow, as it is a protected research area and a fragile ecosystem.
Dewey Lake
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 6.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,270 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,900 feet
9.3.25: The trail is closed until further notice due to the Wildcat Fire.
SR 410 (Chinook Pass) is closed between Crystal Mountain Boulevard (12 mi north of summit) and Morse Creek (5 mi east of summit) for the winter season.
To misquote a famous author, this hike can be "the best of trips or the worst of trips". Done in the right season, it has beautiful flowers, ripe berries, expansive views, great campsites, fishing, and swimming. Done in the wrong season, it has treacherous avalanche chute crossings, wet trail, no flowers, muddy campsites, and horrendous bugs.
Shriner Peak
Mount Rainier Area > SE - Cayuse Pass/Stevens Canyon
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Length
- 8.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,434 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,834 feet
SR 123 (Cayuse Pass) is closed between the junction with SR 410 to the north and the Mount Rainier National Park boundary (near Ohanapecosh Campground) to the south for the winter season.
Gorgeous weather and late-season color make this one of the most beautiful autumn hikes in Mount Rainier National Park. This hike is a tough climb, but the payoff is great views and lots of solitude.
Mount McCausland
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
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Length
- 7.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,800 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,747 feet
Mount McCausland delivers mountain views, lake views, and even solitude at the summit. The cost? The first three miles of the trail is easy, but the last half mile to the summit is steep and occasionally brushy. Taking a break on that climb is no hardship, though: the hillside is carpeted in berries and the views start early.
East Fork Foss - Necklace Valley
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
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Length
- 18.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,400 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,000 feet
The Necklace Valley makes a wonderful 2-3 night backpack trip for hearty hikers, and rewards with cool alpine lakes to swim and fish in, or just camp beside. Or take a day trip along the East Fork Foss River admire the amazing second-growth tree canopy.
Esmeralda Basin (Esmerelda)
Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
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Length
- 7.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,750 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,960 feet
Esmeralda Basin promises hikers the opportunity to walk through old forest, meadows brimming with wildflowers, and along rocky hillsides, all while enjoying the striking scenery of the jagged and craggy Esmeralda Peaks.
Seeley Lake Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 1.3 miles, roundtrip
Seeley Lake Park offers a 1.3 mile roundtrip urban hike in the city of Lakewood. Though the lake itself is more of a marsh, the wildlife here is plentiful, Hikers see ducks, squirrels, and other creatures flitting about, and in spring the flowers blooming provide a cheerful background.
Anderson Point
Olympic Peninsula > Kitsap Peninsula
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Length
- 1.4 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 250 feet
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Highest Point
- 250 feet
Enjoy a short hike to one of the best beaches in Kitsap County.
Bluff Mountain
Southwest Washington > Lewis River Region
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Length
- 12.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 890 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,390 feet
Hiking across bare talus slopes, past rocky outcrops and fields of wildflowers while admiring sweeping vistas, you would think you're at 7,000 feet. But the alpine-like setting at this mid-elevation is the result of period of wildfires that swept the area in the early 1900's.
Latourell Falls
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - OR
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Length
- 3.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 540 feet
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Highest Point
- 600 feet
The popular Latourell Falls in Guy W. Talbot State Park offers hikers several loop options, a family friendly one-mile roundtrip accessible walk to the Lower Falls and historic bridge, or a 2 mile loop to also take in the 134-foot Upper Falls, the third tallest in the Columbia Gorge.
Battle Ground Lake State Park - Lower Lake Trail
Southwest Washington > Lewis River Region
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Length
- 1.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 120 feet
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Highest Point
- 680 feet
Battle Ground Lake State Park is a local favorite, particularly good for families with its short loop around the lake and the playground.
Colquhoun Peak
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 1.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 630 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,173 feet
This short, steep hike leads to an abandoned lookout site, where nature has obscured the views with tree growth. A careful descent to the southeast from the lookout site leads to the top of a steep rocky area with magnificent views of Mount Rainier and the Greenwater River Valley – just don’t lose your footing if you're snapping pics at the peak!
Heather Meadows
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
The last 2.7 miles of the Mount Baker Highway/SR 542 (from Heather Meadows to Artist Point) is closed for the winter season.
Heather Meadows is an area of Mount Baker with a variety of trails to explore with gorgeous views.
Forest Park - Everett
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 4.9 miles of trails
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Elevation Gain
- 1,100 feet
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Highest Point
- 370 feet
With several miles of wooded trails, a self-guided nature tour plus hill climb and orienteering courses, Forest Park gives you plenty of reasons to get outdoors without leaving the city.
Point Whitehorn Marine Reserve
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 1.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 192 feet
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Highest Point
- 157 feet
This hike boasts a great combination of wetland and sea shore. It is doable by hikers of all ages, and most of the trail is wheelchair accessible.
Glacier View
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
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Length
- 4.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 950 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,450 feet
The trailhead is inaccessible due to a washout on FR 59.
Climb a ridge to a rocky promontory nine miles due west of Tahoma’s summit and experience multi-volcano, jaw-dropping views under clear conditions. Glacier View’s short but moderately intense route is ideal for lovers of huckleberries, wildflowers, old-growth forest, mushrooms, fauna and lakes.
Little Quilcene River
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 6.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,180 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,200 feet
Take this lung-busting trail up the north side of Mount Townsend, through coniferous forests offering cameo views to the Strait of Juan de Fuca to the north, opening onto views of the Dungeness and Graywolf watersheds to the west.
Bearhead Mountain
Mount Rainier Area > NW - Carbon River/Mowich
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Length
- 6.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,800 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,089 feet
The Fairfax Bridge (3 miles south of Carbonado) is closed to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic until further notice due to safety concerns. The bridge closure renders this hike inaccessible.
Bearhead Mountain is a moderate, well-marked trail through the forest that carries you to an old fire lookout site with a bold and brassy Rainier view.
Rampart Ridge Loop
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
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Length
- 4.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,300 feet
-
Highest Point
- 4,080 feet
This short loop out of Longmire makes for a great, quick way to get some elevation gain, some forest views, and a fantastic vista of Mount Rainier, all in less than five miles!
Ohanapecosh Hot Springs
Mount Rainier Area > SE - Cayuse Pass/Stevens Canyon
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Length
- 0.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 50 feet
-
Highest Point
- 2,000 feet
SR 123 (Cayuse Pass) is closed between the junction with SR 410 to the north and the Mount Rainier National Park boundary (near Ohanapecosh Campground) to the south for the winter season.
This short, sweet little loop near the Ohanapecosh Visitors Center make a great visit for a leg stretch or a history hike with little ones. You can't get into the hot springs (and you probably wouldn't want to) but you can still have a nice short hike here.
Three Lakes via Laughingwater Creek
Mount Rainier Area > SE - Cayuse Pass/Stevens Canyon
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Length
- 13.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,800 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,000 feet
SR 123 (Cayuse Pass) is closed between the junction with SR 410 to the north and the Mount Rainier National Park boundary (near Ohanapecosh Campground) to the south for the winter season.
The name "Laughingwater Creek" conjures up a nice stroll alongside a bubbling creek, but this trail mostly keeps hikers far above any running water. At several spots early in the hike, it is possible to hear the creek, but not to see it.
Stafford Falls via Deer Creek
Mount Rainier Area > SE - Cayuse Pass/Stevens Canyon
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Length
- 4.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 375 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,250 feet
SR 123 (Cayuse Pass) is closed between the junction with SR 410 to the north and the Mount Rainier National Park boundary (near Ohanapecosh Campground) to the south for the winter season.
The hike to Stafford Falls drops steeply from the road, requiring a climb to return to your vehicle. But after 0.4 miles, it follows crystal-clear Chinook Creek as it cascades down a gentle slope, with small plunges, narrow chutes, beautiful blue-green pools, and a 25-foot punch-bowl waterfall. Such beauty and serenity are seldom this easy to get to.
Deer Creek to Tipsoo Lake
Mount Rainier Area > SE - Cayuse Pass/Stevens Canyon
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Length
- 10.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,850 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,375 feet
SR 123 (Cayuse Pass) is closed between the junction with SR 410 to the north and the Mount Rainier National Park boundary (near Ohanapecosh Campground) to the south for the winter season.
This trail offers passage through magnificent old growth forest, and past sparkling clear streams. It may not be as scenic as other trails in the area, but it requires no parking pass or entrance fee to enjoy the beauty of Mount Rainier.
Carter Falls
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
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Length
- 2.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 660 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,650 feet
The trail is closed until further notice due to the log footbridge crossing the Nisqually River getting dislodged. There is no safe water crossing.
Cougar Rock to Carter Falls is a moderate and readily accessible segment of the Wonderland Trail that packs stunning mountain vistas, river views, waterfalls, wildflowers, old growth, and edible berries into just 1.3 miles of family-friendly hiking in Mount Rainier National Park.
Mount Peak (Pinnacle Peak)
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 1.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,800 feet
There are many names for this short little hike. Mount Pete, Mount Peak, Pinnacle Peak Park, Cal Magnusson Trail.
Hansen Ridge
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 15.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,300 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,100 feet
In summer and fall this is a bikers trail but come winter it makes an excellent snowshoe or cross country ski trail.
Poo Poo Point
Issaquah Alps > Tiger Mountain
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Length
- 7.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,748 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,021 feet
Hike railroad grades dating from the logging era. Cross many small creeks, some seasonal. Pass tall trees draped with moss. Enjoy ferns and, in season, forest wildflowers and wild berries. Reach a viewpoint that's also a favorite launching spot for paragliders.
Chapin Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 0.25 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 13 feet
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Highest Point
- 225 feet
The Chapin Trail is part of the City of Bellevue’s Parks and Open Trails System. The short loop will take you through a charming forested area within a residential neighborhood.
Whatcom Falls Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 4.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 50 feet
There are three and a half miles of trails in Whatcom Falls Park. Many routes wind through the forests, some overlooking the creek gorge and still pools. Some wind through open meadows, while others stay in deep forest.
Garfield Gulch
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 0.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 150 feet
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Highest Point
- 150 feet
Garfield Gulch is a deep ravine located in the north end portion of Tacoma with a short trail.