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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Eastern Washington -- Yakima
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Begin with a walk over a bouncy suspension bridge above the trout-rich waters of the Yakima River. This trail meanders up an ever-narrowing canyon, but it also seems to be a path to the past.
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Eastern Washington -- Spokane Area
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Easy trails wander through 410 acres of ponderosa pine forest jutting out into a bend of the "Long Lake" section of the Spokane River. Established as key wildlife habitat along the river, it's a nice little spot right outside Spokane for bird-watching. Keep your eyes peeled for nesting osprey.
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South Cascades
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Puget Sound and Islands -- North Sound
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With two small lakes and numerous branching trails that sport views to Mount Baker and the Puget Sound, this moderate trail through shady forest can be hiked or backpacked year round. Trails circle both of these lakes, and on nice days you’ll find people out fishing or canoeing here.
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Snoqualmie Pass -- North Bend Area
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Twin Falls run year-round for one very good reason: the area around North Bend receives more than 90 inches of rain each year. Seattle--just 35 miles west--gets half that much. The South Fork Snoqualmie River takes that massive amount of rainfall and puts it to use entertaining hikers. The river squeezes into a narrow rocky gorge before tumbling over a very impressive stairstep falls. Then, when the water has been churned into a frothy torrent, it plunges over a 150-foot rock wall, creating the stunning cascade of the Lower Twin Falls.
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Central Cascades -- Stevens Pass - West
Tonga Ridge (#1058)
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Amble aimlessly along an easy ridge on the edge of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Scrounge for berries or lounge in sun-kissed meadows. Then follow a faint path to a long-ago lookout site still flush in stunning alpine views. Come in summer for dazzling floral displays or in autumn for carpets of crimson unfurled along the way. But no matter the season, come during the week, for Sawyer's admirers are legion.
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Central Cascades -- Stevens Pass - West
Surprise Lake (#1060)
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Wedged between craggy Thunder and Spark Plug mountains, these two lakes are set in a truly electrifying environment, flanked by towering evergreens and slopes of shiny granite ledges and talus. But even more stimulating than these aquatic gems is the forest that lines the trail leading to them. It's one of the finest tracts of old growth along the US 2 corridor.
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Central Cascades -- Stevens Pass - East
Spider Meadows (#1511)
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This long but easy valley romp follows boisterous Phelps Creek to a mile-long broad flower-bursting meadow and a giant cirque beneath a formidable wall of towering peaks. But don't expect solitude, for Spider Meadow crawls with backpackers-brigades of them! The valley is large enough to disperse in, though, and Phelps Basin offers a quiet retreat from the meadow's loungers and shutterbugs and their tent cities.
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Snoqualmie Pass -- Snoqualmie Pass
Snow Lake (#1013)
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If there's such a thing as a wilderness superhighway, this is it. The Snow Lake Trail is Washington's most heavily used trail within a designated wilderness area. On any given summer weekend, you can expect to share the area with upward of two hundred hikers. Fortunately, midweek the route is virtually deserted, and after Labor Day the number of weekend hikers drops to more reasonable levels.
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Snoqualmie Pass -- North Bend Area
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Mount Si should be experienced at least once by every hiker. In fact, a significant number of Puget Sound residents do just one hike per year, and these annual hikers almost invariably turn to Mount Si every time. In the early spring, mountain-loving backpackers and climbers use the trail as a tune-up for the coming season. Others come because the trail is one of few that becomes snow-free early in the year. And Si's payoff is incredible: views of the Upper Snoqualmie Valley, the Puget Sound basin, and far beyond.
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North Cascades -- Mountain Loop Highway
Lake 22 (#702)
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Perched in a spectacular basin at the base of Mount Pilchuck's sheer northern face, sparkling Lake Twentytwo is a stunning sight. But there's more to this popular hike than the picturesque lake and its backdrop of waterfalls and avalanche chutes. For much of the way the well-constructed trail follows cascading Twentytwo Creek through an exemplary ancient forest of gargantuan cedars. An excellent hike to acquaint children and neophytes with the natural world-just don't expect to be alone on this favorite of many a Puget Sound hiker.
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Central Cascades -- Stevens Pass - West
Lake Serene (#1068)
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Towering and formidable, Mount Index is perhaps the most awesome and fiercest sight and site along US 2. But softening its stark appearance is Bridal Veil Falls. Emanating from beneath the mountain's austere crags, the tiered and tumbling cataract drapes over granite slabs. To really appreciate this plummeting waterway, however, you'll need to leave your vehicle and hit the trail. And in your journey, discover a secret - there's a beautiful lake perched beneath those rugged spires feeding those falls.
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Central Cascades -- Leavenworth Area
Enchantment Lakes (#1553)
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A high alpine basin full of lakes, larch, mountain goats, and fantastically stark granite that is considered by many to be the best hike in the state. Options abound - plenty of places to camp, side trails, summits, and more ensure that you will be wishing you had marked a few extra days on your backpacking permit!
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Snoqualmie Pass -- North Bend Area
Denny Creek to Melakwa Lake (#1014)
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Denny Creek may be the most family-friendly trail in the region. The popular path leads to a series of waterfalls and to a smooth natural waterslide - a massive rock face over which the creek flows, providing a slippery summertime escape from the heat of the lowlands. Just beyond, hikers will find a couple more falls--most notably the beautiful Keekwulee Falls.
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Central Cascades -- Stevens Pass - West
Blanca Lake (#1052)
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Set in a large cirque in the rugged Monte Cristo peaks and fed by the Columbia Glacier and icy snowfields hanging and clinging to the surrounding steep slopes, Blanca's location is as dramatic as any in the Cascades. But what really strikes all who toil up the steep trail to witness this marvel is the lake's cobalt blue water. Its sheen and tone constantly change, depending on the amount and angle of sunlight shining down on it.
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Eastern Washington -- Spokane Area
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Close enough to Spokane for a quick afternoon hike but far enough away to find a little solitude, Dishman Hills has it all. With grand granite rock, wildflowers and the chance of Morel mushrooms, this area is thriving with life.
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Puget Sound and Islands -- San Juan Islands
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Part hike, part wander, this 20-acre sculpture garden is an outdoor gallery of nature-oriented artwork. There are few paths, but more than 100 pieces of artwork to discover in this special place adjacent to Roche Harbor on San Juan Island and managed by the San Juan Islands Museum of Art.
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Puget Sound and Islands
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The Port Susan Bay Preserve, owned by Nature Conservancy, is a 4,122-acre preserve which encompasses much of the Stillaguamish River estuary. A short mile-long dike trail takes you through tidelands and farmlands to the Stillaguamish River, provide the opportunity to view many varieties of birds and other wildlife.
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Puget Sound and Islands -- San Juan Islands
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Hike a small piece of the new San Juan Islands National Monument! This section of BLM land is one of 75 sections throughout the islands (most are on uninhabited islands) and the site of the Cattle Point Lighthouse. This lighthouse was erected in 1935, but a navigational lantern has stood here since 1888.
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Puget Sound and Islands -- San Juan Islands
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Most people come to Lime Kiln State Park for the whale watching. It's one of the best places in the country to view orcas from land. But don't stop there; venture beyond to see a century-old lighthouse and an historic lime kiln.
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Puget Sound and Islands -- San Juan Islands
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Stroll along the placid bay waters surrounding Bell Point, or peer down at them from the grassy and ledgy slopes of Young Hill. Better yet, combine these fine hikes that lie within San Juan Island National Historical Park's English Camp. Once a British Royal Marine garrison, the grounds are now peacefully administered by the National Park Service for resource protection and heritage preservation.
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North Cascades
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Magnificent old growth forests, stellar views of Mount Baker, turbulent tributaries,
and, of course, a beautiful lake make this trail a great path to travel.
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South Cascades
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Whether you’d like a peaceful break from everyday life or just some exercise, the Salmon Creek Trail is for you. This paved trail takes you through wetlands, around ponds, and across a natural habitat undergoing restoration. Within minutes you can leave city life behind and be immersed in picture-perfect scenery accompanied by the sound of birds. The trail is easily accessible, making it a perfect quick get-away.
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South Cascades -- Columbia Gorge
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This family-friendly classic hike has perhaps the most photo ops per mile than any other hike in the Gorge. You can check out a natural rock arch, see a variety of terrain, take in sweeping views of the Columbia River, and enjoy early-spring wildflower displays.
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South Cascades -- Columbia Gorge
Old Jeep Road (#CO4), Atwood Road (#), Upper Labyrinth Trail (#CO8), Labyrinth Trail (#CO7)
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This year-round hike offers great views of the Columbia River Gorge along with enchanting stands of oak, cascading waterfalls, dramatic basalt outcroppings, and profuse wildflowers in the spring. Often sunny here while raining in Vancouver, it is a great place to hike while waiting for snow to melt at higher elevations.
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South Cascades -- Columbia Gorge
Maui Falls (#Co5), Old Jeep Road (#Co4), Little Moab (#Co3)
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The Maui Loop is more of an adventure than a hike. You get to go up, over and around mogul-like mounds peppered with volcanic rock, explore the upper rim of Coyote Wall, and descend a grassy slope with uninterrupted views of the Colombia River Gorge. In the spring there is a steady progression of wildflowers, making this an especially good early-season hike.
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South Cascades
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Conboy Lake is now more of a marsh than a lake but it is home to a variety of wildlife. The habitat consists of oak, pine, and aspen forests, wetlands and grassy prairies.
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Eastern Washington -- Spokane Area
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Waterfowl and upland bird hunters take advantage of this area in late autumn and winter, but hikers can take advantage of the seasonal road closure (usually closed March through November) to enjoy solitary rambles on the old road. Spring is the best time to visit as you'll likely find the local desert full of migratory songbirds and the lake alive with nesting waterfowl. You might also happen across coyotes, badgers, deer, and snakes.
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Eastern Washington -- Spokane Area
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For being such a small area, this little corner of Riverside State Park has a great plethora of diverse landscapes. First there is the basalt rock at the mouth of Deep Creek. Further along you'll find a carpeted moss-draped forest, and then a forest that opens up to sparse ponderosa pine. There are even some impressive views thrown in on Pine Bluff, looking out to Nine Mile Reservoir, Mount Spokane and the Spokane River.
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Eastern Washington
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WTA has worked on trails in this 552-acre conservation area to help prevent erosion. Over 7 miles of trail wind throughout the property, exploring canyons that embrace year-round springs and climbing ridge tops with views of Liberty Lake, Mount Spokane, and Saltese Flats.
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