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
3937 HikesSnoqualmie Region -- North Bend Area
9.4 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 4000 ft.
Highest Point: 4822 ft.
Rating:
The old trail up Mailbox Peak was the stuff of legend. It inspired potential Rainier climbers, challenged adventurous day hikers, and occasionally Mother Nature used the trail to bite back. The number of injuries and rescues on the old trail prompted the Department of Natural Resources to create a new trail to the top. While still relatively steep, this new route, built in part with help from WTA volunteers offers a more easily navigable way for folks to attain the summit of this formidable peak.
Central Cascades -- Entiat Mountains/Lake Chelan
13.0 miles, one-way
Gain: 6250 ft.
Highest Point: 6700 ft.
Rating:
Emerald Park is a long thru trail connecting Lake Chelan to the east and the Entiat River Trail to the west.
Southwest Washington -- Vancouver Area
4.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 90 ft.
Highest Point: 570 ft.
Rating:
Moulton Falls Trail is an out-and-back hike along the Lewis River. The trail crosses a picturesque footbridge and then follows the Lewis River with the river to the right and a mossy cliff to the left. The wide hard-surfaced trail is mostly flat, making this a perfect year round hike for people of all ages.
Central Cascades -- Blewett Pass
6.5 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1900 ft.
Highest Point: 5489 ft.
Rating:
In spring and early summer, the flowers are so profuse and beautiful that you would think that a gardener had planted them. And because this area is usually clear of snow long before many others in the region, hikers can attain Iron Bear Pass, the Teanaway Ridge and views of the Stuart Range and Mount Rainier while much of the Cascade Range is still snowed in.
Central Cascades -- Stevens Pass - West
8.2 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1500 ft.
Rating:
The Greg Ball Trail is a trail envisioned by and honoring one of the greatest trail advocates this state has ever had. Ball was a former board member and director of the WTA. In 1993 he launched the organization’s volunteer trail maintenance program which has since grown into the largest state-based program of its kind. He designed this trail to Wallace Lake and it was finished in his memory by volunteers from WTA and through support from the Spring Trail Trust.
Snoqualmie Region -- North Bend Area
8.5 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 3250 ft.
Highest Point: 4450 ft.
Rating:
This easy-access day hike delivers comparable—if not superior—panoramic views and lung-busting switchbacks to Mount Si, with significantly less foot traffic.
Central Cascades -- Stevens Pass - West
8.6 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2035 ft.
Highest Point: 2930 ft.
Rating:
For those searching for alpine vistas with fewer visitors than on the most popular trails of the I-90 corridor, Greider Lakes is just right. This trailhead is located in the Sultan Basin Watershed.
Central Cascades -- Leavenworth Area
8.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2280 ft.
Highest Point: 5580 ft.
Rating:
Parking Restriction on Road 7601: Parking allowed only on the right side of Road 7601 between Eightmile Lake and Stuart Lake trailheads.
Set beneath two of Washington’s tallest peaks, Colchuck Lake is an alpine gem. It is a larger cousin to the nearby fabled Enchantment Lakes and offers many of the same payoffs – including groves of larches on its far shore – but can be reached with less than half the effort.
Southwest Washington -- Long Beach Area
10.6 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 50 ft.
Highest Point: 35 ft.
Rating:
Enjoy a flat, sandy stroll to the mouth of Willapa Bay on the Long Beach Peninsula.
South Cascades
16.8 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 3409 ft.
Highest Point: 6049 ft.
Rating:
Looking for adventure and solitude? Angry Mountain is the destination for you, though trail conditions may make put you in the mood the mountain is named for. It's a steep, challenging climb from Forest Road 21, but the payoff comes miles later, when you finally gain the ridge crest separating two glaciated valleys.
South Cascades -- White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley
5.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 500 ft.
Highest Point: 6586 ft.
Rating:
This short, easy ridge walk climbs to a small summit with huge Cascade views and a chance to see mountain goats.
Snoqualmie Region -- North Bend Area
4.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1160 ft.
Highest Point: 2078 ft.
Rating:
This is a fine hike on a well maintained, albeit busy trail through a cool forest with views of the Cedar River watershed, Mount Si, Mount Washington, Rattlesnake Lake and Chester Morse Lake.
Olympic Peninsula -- Pacific Coast
4.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 0 ft.
Highest Point: 0 ft.
Rating:
Spend a day strolling the rugged Olympic Coast to dramatic sea stacks and natural wonders.
Olympic Peninsula -- Northern Coast
0.5 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 0 ft.
Rating:
This half-mile loop trail goes through old-growth forest with views of the Sol Duc River.
Olympic Peninsula -- Northern Coast
1.6 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 200 ft.
Highest Point: 1951 ft.
Rating:
Marvel at old-growth trees amid a lush rain forest landscape while visiting one of Olympic National Park’s most beloved attractions: Sol Duc Falls.
Snoqualmie Region -- Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
22.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1500 ft.
Highest Point: 4600 ft.
Rating:
Spectacle Lake is truly worthy of the name - it's quite a sight to see. Nestled at the base of Chikamin Ridge and just a short jaunt from the Pacific Crest Trail, this lake is one of the true gems of Snoqualmie Pass.
Snoqualmie Region -- Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
7.5 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2900 ft.
Highest Point: 5034 ft.
Rating:
Hex Mountain is now located partially on private property please and is inaccessible to vehicles.
Puget Sound and Islands -- Seattle-Tacoma Area
1.0 miles of trails
Rating:
Tucked into the heart of Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood, Cal Anderson is a bustling hub of activity year round. There is about a mile of trail to walk here, but it's also a great place to exercise your dog, meet up with a friend, or just hang out in the sun.
Olympic Peninsula -- Pacific Coast
17.0 miles, one-way
Gain: 2000 ft.
Highest Point: 350 ft.
Rating:
Bring a tide table and a good book on this scenic traverse of the wild Olympic Coast. While much of your hike will be across sandy beaches, there are several places that will require you wait for the tide to go out. Along the way, plan to climb up steep headlands with cable ladders, ropes and your hands and knees. It's a challenge, but a good one.
Olympic Peninsula -- Pacific Coast
9.4 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 100 ft.
Highest Point: 350 ft.
Rating:
The Cape Alava Loop (Ozette Triangle) is two hikes in one: a forest stroll and a walk on the beach. Take the Cape Alava Trail out to the beach and back for a 6.2 mile hike, or continue south along the beach to connect up with the Sand Point Trail for a 9.4 mile loop.
Snoqualmie Region -- Snoqualmie Pass
6.2 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1220 ft.
Highest Point: 3780 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.
Central Cascades -- Stevens Pass - West
14.6 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 3300 ft.
Highest Point: 4900 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.
Central Cascades -- Entiat Mountains/Lake Chelan
2.3 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 250 ft.
Highest Point: 1350 ft.
Rating:
Well-maintained but secluded 2.3 mile loop through savannah and pine forest inside Lake Chelan State Park.
South Cascades -- Mount St. Helens
8.2 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 970 ft.
Highest Point: 4752 ft.
Rating:
Named for the lovable curmudgeon who refused to leave his homestead when St. Helens was on the brink of erupting, Harry’s Ridge offers a fascinating panorama of the restless giant, still smoking and belching occasionally, years after her devastating awakening.
Issaquah Alps -- Tiger Mountain
5.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2100 ft.
Highest Point: 2525 ft.
Rating:
Don't expect solitude here- this is perhaps the most heavily used trail on Tiger Mountain, and for good reason. Fortunately, there is plenty of room to share. This close-to-the-city wild land trail provides stunning views, great forestlands, and ample opportunities to see birds and critters. West Tiger- one of the sprawling mountain's four primary peaks (West, Middle, South and East)- is itself a tri-crowned peak. Numbered 1 through 3, the third of the West Tiger peaks offers the best views, despite being the lowest of the triplets.
Snoqualmie Region -- North Bend Area
6.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 100 ft.
Highest Point: 900 ft.
Rating:
Hikers used to have one option on the Middle Fork Trail; cross the bridge and head upstream along the main Middle Fork Trail. Thanks to work done by WTA and Mountains to Sound Greenway, hikers can now turn right (downstream) on the fine new Pratt Connector Trail. At a junction one-quarter mile in, a boot path leads to Rainy Lake and Preacher Mountain. Just a short drive from civilization, this is a good moderate choice if you're seeking a relaxing, riverside ramble.
Central Cascades -- Leavenworth Area
6.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1800 ft.
Highest Point: 3000 ft.
Rating:
Often free of snow as early as April, this excellent early season hike offers hikers what they have been missing for months: a good chance of sun (this being the sunny side of the Cascades, a bountiful array of wildflowers, and stunning views of Tumwater and Icicle Canyon, the Wenatchee and Icicle rivers and surrounding mountains.
Olympic Peninsula -- Pacific Coast
8.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 200 ft.
Highest Point: 200 ft.
Rating:
This stunning Olympic coastal hike is one of the more photographed places in Washington for good reason.
Olympic Peninsula -- Northern Coast
7.8 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 600 ft.
Highest Point: 1300 ft.
Rating:
Road Closed to Vehicles: The Olympic Hot Springs road is inaccessible to vehicles due to a road washout. Hikers can still access this trail by walking or biking along the closed road from the Madison Falls parking area.
Follow in the footsteps of the intrepid Press Expedition while enjoying the natural beauty, local history and wildlife along the Olympic Peninsula’s Elwha River.
Olympic Peninsula -- Northern Coast
17.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 3200 ft.
Highest Point: 5050 ft.
Rating:
The Sol Duc River Trail is one of Olympic National Park’s most beloved hikes. Thus it is always crowded and a backcountry camping quota is enforced. Roaring waterfalls, lush old growth, and subalpine meadows where elk bugle and bears browse for berries are just some of the many highlights.
