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 treaty 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
3897 Hikes
Yellow Aster Butte
North Cascades -- Mount Baker Area
7.5 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2550 ft.
Highest Point: 6150.0 ft.
Rating:
Campfires are not allowed in this area.
Find supreme wildflower gardens and a high-country plateau speckled with shimmering tarns-but that's not all. Spectacular alpine vistas abound too-of Baker, Shuksan, and all those rugged and craggy peaks straddling the 49th parallel. Yellow Aster Butte may be a misnomer (those yellow-petaled delights are actually daisies), but you definitely don't want to miss hiking here.
Wynoochee Lake
Olympic Peninsula -- Olympia
12.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1100 ft.
Highest Point: 950.0 ft.
Rating:
The trail around Wynoochee Lake is a pleasant stroll through second growth forest with a lush understory. As with many “lakeshore” trails, the trail is not actually near the lakeshore. While the lake is generally out of sight, it does allow the possibility of a hike/canoe biathlon, if you can find a partner with a canoe. Wynoochee Lake is smaller and calmer than some of the lakes in Washington, making this a nice option.
Woodard Bay Conservation Area
Olympic Peninsula -- Olympia
3.5 miles of trails
Rating:
With five miles of shoreline in South Puget Sound, the Woodard Bay Conservation Area includes forests, wetlands of freshwater, as well as historic and cultural resources that are a valuable diversion in the area.
Williams Creek
North Cascades -- Methow/Sawtooth
14.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 3600 ft.
Highest Point: 6500.0 ft.
Rating:
To see beautiful Williams Lake, set in a meadow basin with pockets of larch trees, a hiker must earn it. The shallow gradient trail takes 7 miles to gain 3600 feet and is mostly on a fire-scorched, sun-baked south facing slope where the sparse shade offers a welcome respite from the heat.
Whistle Punk Trail
Southwest Washington -- Columbia River Gorge - WA
1.5 miles, roundtrip
Highest Point: 1200.0 ft.
Rating:
In logging's heyday, whistle punks were men tasked with operating the signal that let other loggers know a log had been hooked up and was ready to be moved. Using interpretive signage, this trail illustrates what was like to be on a logging show, from the crew, to the cook, to camp.
Whipple Creek Park
Southwest Washington -- Vancouver Area
3.1 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 110 ft.
Highest Point: 200.0 ft.
Rating:
A deep-forest experience without the drive. Whipple Creek Park is a 300-acre green oasis in the midst of farmlands to the west of the Clark County Fairgrounds. This hike loops through colossal Douglas fir trees and waist-high sword ferns to provide a primordial experience where you are dwarfed by nature. There is a small meadow for a picnic and the remnants of a grist mill to explore. This hike is a great way to escape urban life and be immersed in a peaceful forest environment.
West Fork Foss River and Lakes
Central Cascades -- Stevens Pass - West
14.6 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 3300 ft.
Highest Point: 4900.0 ft.
Rating:
Visit any of several beautiful alpine lakes, in rocky basins. The day can be as easy as a 3.6 roundtrip hike to Trout Lake, or as strenuous as the nearly 15-mile hike to Big Heart Lake as you like. Good options exist both for day-hikers and for backpackers.
West Crater
South Cascades -- Mount St. Helens
1.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 430 ft.
Highest Point: 4131.0 ft.
Rating:
Hike to a small lava dome with an associated summit crater in southern Washington.
West Butte
Eastern Washington -- Palouse and Blue Mountains
11.8 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 3100 ft.
Highest Point: 5504.0 ft.
Rating:
Area Closure: This trail is closed due to the risks associated with wildfires in the Umatilla National Forest. This temporary closure will be lifted once it is safe to do so. Please respect this closure.
Descend into the heart of the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness from the historic Godman Guard Station, crossing through the Rainbow Creek Research Natural Area.
Wallace Falls State Park
Central Cascades -- Stevens Pass - West
5.6 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1300 ft.
Highest Point: 1500.0 ft.
Rating:
An accessible hike for seasoned veterans and neophytes alike, Wallace Falls provides visitors with breathtaking views of the Wallace River and the surrounding falls on a relatively low difficulty, scenic 5.6 mile round-trip. Although well attended and often busy, the trail stands as a true showcase of the diversity and majestic beauty that the Central Cascades can offer to hikers who journey into the heart of this sublime mountain range.
Vancouver Lake - North Trail
Southwest Washington -- Vancouver Area
2.5 miles, roundtrip
Highest Point: 10.0 ft.
Rating:
A gentle meandering barrier-free path leads through a mature cottonwood forest just west of Vancouver Lake. Although you can't see the lake through all the trees, there are other sights and sounds to enjoy along this route. Most notably the vibrant greens of the understory in spring, beautiful fall yellows and quite a few species of birds nearly all year.
Upper Lena Lake
Olympic Peninsula -- Hood Canal
14.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 3900 ft.
Highest Point: 4600.0 ft.
Rating:
The trail to Lena Lake is a pretty, and popular, weekend destination. But hearty hikers and backpackers who venture to Upper Lena Lake will leave the crowds behind and experience a little bit of nirvana.
Twisp Pass
North Cascades -- Methow/Sawtooth
9.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2460 ft.
Highest Point: 6064.0 ft.
Rating:
Twisp Pass is a stunner in summer and autumn. Though it is a bit of a drive to get there from almost anywhere in the state, it's well worth it!
Twin Sisters Lakes
Mount Rainier Area -- Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
4.4 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 900 ft.
Highest Point: 5200.0 ft.
Rating:
8/10/21 Trail Closed: This trail is closed until further notice due to the Schneider Springs Fire
A long dirt road provides access to the central trailhead for the William O. Douglas Wilderness Area. The popular, easy forest hike to the Twin Sisters Lakes is a prelude to miles of exploration possible on trails and cross-country through open forest, past meadows, ponds, and lakes.
John Tursi Trail
Puget Sound and Islands -- Bellingham Area
2.2 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 600 ft.
Rating:
Discover the natural history of South Fidalgo Island on this beautiful forested trail. The trail traverses past meadows and rocky balds, a red rock quarry, a miner’s shack, the “rock” of artist Morris Graves’ lore, and views of Pass Lake, Campbell Lake, and Mount Erie.
Tunnel Creek - Dosewallips Trailhead
Olympic Peninsula -- Hood Canal
6.4 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 4550 ft.
Highest Point: 5050.0 ft.
Rating:
Tunnel Creek Trail has two trailheads.The south side trailhead is on the Dosewallips Road, but its notoriously steep grade to 5050 Pass means it is seldom used. Try it and you’ll find out why.
Tunnel Creek
Olympic Peninsula -- Hood Canal
9.4 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2450 ft.
Highest Point: 4500.0 ft.
Rating:
Tunnel Creek Trail has two trailheads. Nearly all hikers access the trail from the north side where for the first three miles the moderately easy grade is often within earshot of Tunnel Creek. After crossing the South Fork of Tunnel Creek, the route rises at a steeper but manageable grade past Harrison Lakes to 5050 Pass and some nearby viewpoints. The south side trailhead is on the Dosewallips Road. This segment’s notoriously steep grade to 5050 Pass means it is seldom used. Try it and you’ll find out why.
Tubal Cain Mine to Buckhorn Lake
Olympic Peninsula -- Hood Canal
12.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2000 ft.
Highest Point: 5200.0 ft.
Rating:
Although best known for its namesake mine and the nearby aircraft wreckage, the Tubal Cain trail also offers a pleasant and scenic route to Marmot Pass, a gateway to further wanderings.
Middle Fork Snoqualmie River
Snoqualmie Region -- North Bend Area
12.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 200 ft.
Highest Point: 1100.0 ft.
Rating:
This long, meandering hike heads upstream along the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River, offering a long day hike, or a great beginning backpacking experience.
Trapper Creek
Southwest Washington -- Lewis River Region
9.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 3000 ft.
Highest Point: 4607.0 ft.
Rating:
This trail climbs from the trailhead on Forest Road 5401 through an old-growth forest to views of the many mountains of the South Cascades from Observation Peak.
Section Line Trail
Issaquah Alps -- Tiger Mountain
5.8 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2022 ft.
Highest Point: 2522.0 ft.
Rating:
Temporary closure: Effective on Tuesday July 6 2021 portions of this trail and others that access privately owned forest lands surrounding the summits of West Tiger Mountain will be temporarily closed until further notice while road work and timber harvesting occur. For your safety please respect the closure area.
A steep trail to the summit of West Tiger 3.
Tiger Mountain Trail
Issaquah Alps -- Tiger Mountain
15.2 miles, one-way
Gain: 2360 ft.
Highest Point: 2500.0 ft.
Rating:
Temporary closure: Effective on Tuesday July 6 2021 portions of this trail and others that access privately owned forest lands surrounding the summits of West Tiger Mountain will be temporarily closed until further notice while road work and timber harvesting occur. For your safety please respect the closure area.
Do a thru-hike on the main Tiger Mountain Trail, also known as the TMT. Arrange a car shuttle and start at the southern end. Hike north more than fifteen miles over varied terrain and through different types of forest vegetation. Pass a large glacial erratic boulder, and visit some of the most remote places in the Tigers.
High Point Trail
Issaquah Alps -- Tiger Mountain
2.0 miles, roundtrip
Highest Point: 1150.0 ft.
Rating:
Begin your hike up High Point Trail in wooded, steep terrain, passing a junction with the Lingering Trail and eventually joining up with the Tiger Mountain Trail.
Three Lakes
Olympic Peninsula -- Pacific Coast
13.8 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2850 ft.
Highest Point: 3175.0 ft.
Rating:
The Three Lakes Trail is a tour of some of Olympic's finest old growth forests, and is the traditional start of the much longer Queets-Quinault Skyline route. Starting in lowland rainforest, the trail works its way through exemplary stands of montane and then subalpine forests before finally breaking out into meadows dotted with tiny lakes. This is a truly wild and remote corner of the Olympics that leaves a lasting impression on the lucky hiker who experiences its beauty.
The Brothers
Olympic Peninsula -- Hood Canal
18.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 6050 ft.
Highest Point: 6866.0 ft.
Rating:
A scramble and climbing route to the summit of a mountain in the Olympic range. Climbing gear and expertise required.
Talapus and Olallie Lakes
Snoqualmie Region -- Snoqualmie Pass
6.2 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1220 ft.
Highest Point: 3780.0 ft.
Rating:
With a moderate grade on a wide trail, the hike to Talapus Lake is the perfect introduction to the outdoors for hikers and beginning backpackers. Upon arrival at Talapus, break out lunch or pitch camp. Either way, you can cool off in the large lake. If you feel like pressing on, Ollalie Lake is just about a mile and a half up trail, where open campsites offer lakeside havens with calm waters and views of a beautiful lake basin.
Swift Creek
North Cascades -- Mount Baker Area
16.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2700 ft.
Highest Point: 3930.0 ft.
Rating:
Part of the scenic Pacific Northwest Trail, rugged 8-mile Swift Creek Trail accesses the Mount Baker Wilderness.
Swan Creek Park
Puget Sound and Islands -- Seattle-Tacoma Area
4.8 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 325 ft.
Rating:
Featuring a wooded canyon and forested hills, a salmon-bearing stream and new community garden, Swan Creek Park is a 290-acre greenspace which lies on the boundary between East Tacoma and Pierce County. Trails, both paved and soft-surface, as well as those for mountain bikes weave over the property.
Surprise and Glacier Lakes
Central Cascades -- Stevens Pass - West
11.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2700 ft.
Highest Point: 4900.0 ft.
Rating:
From towering old-growth giants to placid lakes with craggy mountain views, this hike has everything you want in a trail. Put this one on your list of places to explore along Highway 2.
Suiattle River Trail
North Cascades -- Mountain Loop Highway
13.8 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 900 ft.
Highest Point: 2500.0 ft.
Rating:
Trail Closed: The Suiattle River Road is closed just west of the Downey Creek Bridge until October 6 2021 due to forest fire damage.
The trail winds its way above the Suiattle River through old-growth forest and some mature forest recovering from an old burn from the 1920’s. The vegetation in the upper Suiattle watershed includes a wonderful mixture of west-of-the-crest/east-fo-the-crest species.
