Hiking Guide
WTA's hiking guide is the most comprehensive database of hikes in Washington, and comprises content from eight guidebooks, user submitted info, and data compiled by WTA.
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Olympics -- East
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On the shore of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, you can walk a fine sandy beach between high bluffs and two access points to reach the Point Wilson Lighthouse at Fort Worden State Park.
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Olympics -- Coast
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The wide sandy beaches of Kalaloch are the perfect introduction to the wild Olympic Coast. Although the highway is never far, towering bluffs and hidden coves give this area a remote feeling. Perfect for children and Rover too (dogs are allowed on these beaches, but they must be leashed), spend days exploring this area's extensive tide pools and headlands. The hike to Browns Point, a jumbled collection of rock islands and surf-splashed cliffs, makes a fine half-day objective.
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North Cascades -- West Slope
Boulder River (#734)
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A good hike any time of year, the trail is perfect for beating summer heat, enjoying winter rain, savoring autumn color, or being wooed by waterfalls that are swollen with spring rain. One thing about this trail remains constant: the trees. Whatever the season, you'll travel through a forest that has defied time. Boulder River's moss-draped giants represent one of the last remaining large, low-country old-growth forests in the Cascades. Protected within the nearly 49,000-acre Boulder River Wilderness, these ancient trees are as impressive as the wild river they embrace.
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North Cascades -- Mount Baker Highway
Chain Lakes (#682)
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Loop trip nirvana in the North Cascades! Picturesque alpine lakes, gorgeous open ridges, knife-edged mountains and mountain wildlfowers dominate this hike.
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Puget Sound and Islands -- North Sound
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Big trees and wetlands define this new 793-acre wildlife area near Woodinville. This is the headwaters of the Bear Creek watershed, a highly productive salmon stream within the Sammamish River Valley.
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Eastern Washington -- Spokane Area
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Spokane’s Centennial Trail started as a pedestrian- and bike-friendly route along the Spokane River, coinciding with the Washington State Centennial celebration, hence the name. Now, users can follow the Spokane River from Riverside State Park west of Spokane all the way to the Idaho border.
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North Cascades
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This 22.5-mile rail trail follows the abandoned Burlington Northern grade connecting the towns of Sedro Woolley and Concrete, and can be accessed from three trailheads off of the North Cascades Highway.
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North Cascades -- Mountain Loop Highway
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Short, easy trail to the Stillaguamish River and the site of the railroad town of Robe and great views of the Stilliguamish River as it races by. The trail switchbacks through a forest of alder down to a forest of big leaf maple draped with lush mosses, liverwort and licorice fern. The forest floor is thick with fern and colorful salmonberry.
Watch the kids! The Stilliguamish runs swift and deep here, especially during periods of high water flow.
It is not recommended to continue on to the old railroad tunnels due to trail washout, slope slump and rockfall.
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Puget Sound and Islands -- South Sound
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Nisqually is an excellent year-round destination for wildlife viewing and photography.
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Puget Sound and Islands -- North Sound
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Kayak Point Park is a lovely saltwater beach park with a short trail system located along the shores of picturesque Port Susan. It's great for family outings by the shore or an easy night of camping.
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Central Cascades -- Stevens Pass - West
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WTA does not recommend winter use on the Iron Goat Trail due to avalanche danger and lack of parking. The Iron Goat Scenic Interpretive Site is also closed in winter.
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Olympics -- East
Deer Ridge (#846)
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You can easily drive to Deer Park via a snaking gravel road from Port Angeles. So why hike this somewhat steep trail? Here are five good reasons. One: access to Deer Park, since the road is often closed until July. Two: wildflowers that grow along this trail in profusion, both in numbers and varieties. Three: absolute solitude for most of the way. Four: spectacular views of the entire Grey Wolf River valley and its towering peaks. And five: you'll earn it all, something you simply can't do from the seat of your SUV.
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Eastern Washington -- Yakima
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A short, steep and rough ridge-line ascent to a summit with great views up and down the Yakima River Canyon.
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Puget Sound and Islands
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This trail climbs steeply to reach an overlook with views of the San Juan Islands and beyond.
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Puget Sound and Islands
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Short loop trails through fields with views of Mount Baker.
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Puget Sound and Islands
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A short loop trail through a mature forest.
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Puget Sound and Islands -- North Sound
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The trail on the east side of the spit is paved and 0.8 miles one way. There are spectacular views of Mt. Baker, Twin Sisters and other peaks. Activities include beachcombing, birdwatching, and picnicking.
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Puget Sound and Islands
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This park has some short hikes and is located on the outskirts of Antacortes, Washington with great views of the San Juan Islands, Cap Sante Marina, Antacortes refineries and the bay.
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Olympics -- Coast
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Ocean City SP is a 170 acre camping park with almost 3000 feet of shoreline on the Pacific Ocean. Trails through the dune grasses and shore pines lead to the Pacific Ocean.
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Puget Sound and Islands -- Whidbey Island
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From the picnic tables scattered throughout, to the brushed back trails and spacious trail head parking lot, these three connecting trail systems reflect the pride, enthusiasm and commitment of the local volunteers who created and now maintain them.
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Olympics -- Kitsap Peninsula
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A short, level hike through second growth conifers to a wide beach and a brackish estuary.
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Puget Sound and Islands
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This wildlife area is considered one of the best places in Northwest Washington to view falcons, short-eared owls, and shorebirds.
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Central Cascades -- Leavenworth Area
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This trail is the end section of Icicle River Road that is left unplowed in the winter months. It is fun for snowshoers of all ages and skill levels.
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Puget Sound and Islands
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Cowen and Ravenna Parks form a contiguous urban nature area and green space, containing Ravenna Ravine and Ravenna Creek, in the middle of North Seattle. They contain 4.5 miles of trails that traverse a 0.75-mile stretch of Ravenna Ravine.
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North Cascades -- Mountain Loop Highway
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Snoqualmie Pass -- Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
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Spectacular views into Alpine Lakes Wilderness, from the Teanaway backcountry and The Enchantments to the east, Mount Daniel and surrounding peaks to the north, to Snoqualmie mountain ranges to the west. As always, Mount Rainier solemnly guarding the south as always.
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North Cascades -- Mount Baker Highway
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South Cascades -- Columbia Gorge
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Catherine Creek is an area of unique natural beauty and is of great botanical significance. Over ninety species of wildflowers can be found in the area, from grass widow, which blankets the ground as early as February, to western ladies' tresses, which may bloom into July.
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Puget Sound and Islands -- North Sound
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WTA recently constructed this new trail to the top of Guemes Mountain on Guemes Island. The one-mile trail will lead to an incredible viewpoint overlooking nearby islands and ocean straits, the Skagit River delta, and the volcanoes and jagged spires of the North Cascades.
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South Cascades -- Columbia Gorge
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This 8.25 mile loop on the sunny Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge gradually climbs through shaded stands of oak and ponderosa pine, dotted with small, wildflower-strewn meadows, then deposits hikers 1900’ above the river at the top of a basalt ridge with expansive views and carpets of balsamroot and lupine. - UPATED: The user created trail that passed through private lands at the base of the cliff has been closed by the Forest Service. Please respect the Closure.
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