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
3901 Hikes
Monte Carlo via Middle Fork Camp
South Cascades -- Mount Adams Area
6.3 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1860 ft.
Highest Point: 4040.0 ft.
Rating:
The Monte Cristo Range just north of Willard offers quiet forest, and miles of solitary rambling. There are a myriad of ways to access this trail network, including this one, which starts in the middle of the mountains.
Mount Grant Preserve
Puget Sound and Islands -- San Juan Islands
4.6 miles of trails
Gain: 900 ft.
Highest Point: 900.0 ft.
Rating:
Mount Grant Preserve is a trail system in development on San Juan Island. Currently, the trails to the top offer the most elevation gain available on San Juan Island, so you'll love this one if you're looking to get high up.
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.
Rattlesnake Mountain
Snoqualmie Region -- North Bend Area
10.5 miles, one-way
Gain: 2520 ft.
Highest Point: 3500.0 ft.
Rating:
If you've hiked to Rattlesnake Ledges and beyond from Rattlesnake Lake, this is a delightful alternative. Thanks to the handiwork of various groups in the outdoor community, hikers can now reach Rattlesnake Mountain from the west, starting from a trailhead at Snoqualmie Point.
Lake Whatcom Park - Chanterelle Trail
Puget Sound and Islands -- Bellingham Area
4.8 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1000 ft.
Highest Point: 1314.0 ft.
Rating:
Enjoy a steep trail to a summit east of Lake Whatcom with gorgeous views of Puget Sound and the surrounding mountains.
Pratt River Trail
Snoqualmie Region -- North Bend Area
13.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1500 ft.
Highest Point: 2240.0 ft.
Rating:
This entry describes the most direct approach to the Pratt River Trail, which starts by fording the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River.
Pratt Connector to Pratt River Trail
Snoqualmie Region -- North Bend Area
6.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 100 ft.
Highest Point: 900.0 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.
Cape Alava Loop (Ozette Triangle)
Olympic Peninsula -- Pacific Coast
9.4 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 100 ft.
Highest Point: 350.0 ft.
Rating:
The Ozette Indian Reservation is closed to the public. Hiking north past the campsites at Cape Alava is prohibited.
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.
Nooksack Cirque
North Cascades -- Mount Baker Area
9.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 640 ft.
Highest Point: 2840.0 ft.
Rating:
This unique, low-elevation hike follows the North Fork Nooksack River to spectacular scenery near the base of Mount Shuksan. This is a great late summer or early fall hike when Ruth Creek is low enough to ford. Keep in mind the limited maintenance this trail sees -- you may be in for a brushbash.
Middle Fork Snoqualmie River
Snoqualmie Region -- North Bend Area
12.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 200 ft.
Highest Point: 1100.0 ft.
Rating:
4/2/2021: Trail closed - this trail remains closed to hikers. A contractor is working on a reroute and heavy machinery poses a danger to hikers
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.
Red Town Meadow & Trails
Issaquah Alps -- Cougar Mountain
1.5 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 150 ft.
Highest Point: 800.0 ft.
Rating:
Hike easy, very green trails in the northwest corner of Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park. View artifacts from the coal mining era. As optional hike extensions, look in on Far Country Falls, or check out the ongoing downstream Coal Creek Trail.
Kubota Gardens
Puget Sound and Islands -- Seattle-Tacoma Area
2.0 miles of trails
Rating:
A beautiful destination along the Chief Sealth Trail, Kubota Garden is gorgeous oasis where Northwest native plants thrive in the style of Japanese garden, thanks to horticultural pioneer Fujitaro Kubota.
Anacortes Community Forest Lands - Sugarloaf
Puget Sound and Islands -- Whidbey Island
2.5 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 890 ft.
Highest Point: 1275.0 ft.
Rating:
While it’s not quite as tall as nearby Mount Erie, Sugarloaf makes a great summit—this one doesn’t have a parking lot at the top.
South Fork Cascade River
North Cascades -- North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
9.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1800 ft.
Highest Point: 2000.0 ft.
Rating:
A hidden gem revealed! The South Fork Cascade Trail was in the Mineral Park Fire of 2003, but recent efforts by WTA crews and other volunteer organizations have helped reopen a section of it, and continue to repair it.
Dirty Harry's Peak
Snoqualmie Region -- Snoqualmie Pass
9.2 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 3326 ft.
Highest Point: 4662.0 ft.
Rating:
This trail is popular for training and improved thanks to the Department of Natural Resources and Washington Trails Association volunteers. But note that the true peak lies on a small parcel of private land. Bring a map and know where that boundary is.
CCC Road: Blowout Creek Trailhead
Snoqualmie Region -- North Bend Area
7.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 620 ft.
Highest Point: 1520.0 ft.
Rating:
The Blowout Creek Trailhead offers a more secluded adventure than the CCC Road: Lower Section, despite its route along an old road. Climb a moderate grade alongside Blowout Creek for almost a mile before arriving at the CCC Road Trail, then hike to a beautiful waterfall.
Snoquera Falls Loop
Mount Rainier Area -- Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
3.9 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 975 ft.
Highest Point: 3100.0 ft.
Rating:
With a trailhead so easily accessible, there's no excuse not to visit Snoquera Falls. Best in early spring, this lush, forested trail features a pretty fantail cascade plunging down a sheer, rocky wall.
Rampart Ridge Loop
Mount Rainier Area -- SW - Longmire/Paradise
4.5 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1300 ft.
Highest Point: 4080.0 ft.
Rating:
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!
Palouse to Cascades Trail - Cedar Falls to Change Creek
Snoqualmie Region -- North Bend Area
11.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 480 ft.
Rating:
The hike from the Cedar Falls trailhead to the junction with the Change Creek route is one through history. You will walk along a decommissioned railroad passing by the remnants of the line. Starting at the Cedar Falls trailhead, begin your hike just past the outhouse, crossing a paved road, and picking up the gravel path.
Burch Mountain - Eagle Rock
Central Washington -- Wenatchee
3.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 500 ft.
Highest Point: 4522.0 ft.
Rating:
Enjoy this wooded trail leading to a ridge featuring a rock outcropping overlooking the town of Wenatchee.
Talus Loop
Snoqualmie Region -- North Bend Area
4.5 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1400 ft.
Highest Point: 2100.0 ft.
Rating:
Get a different view of the perennially-popular Mount Si on the Talus Loop Trail. Just under 4 miles long, the Talus Trail explores the eastern slopes of the mountain. You'll hike briefly with the crowds headed to the haystack, then peel off and enjoy a much quieter forest walk, along with a good workout.
Happy Creek Nature Trail
North Cascades -- North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
2.6 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 570 ft.
Highest Point: 2780.0 ft.
Rating:
Hikers can choose from an easy loop partially along Happy Creek, or a longer hike to Happy Creek Falls, site of an old sawmill that supported the mining in the late 1800's.
Green Lantern Trail
Puget Sound and Islands -- Seattle-Tacoma Area
2.8 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 33 ft.
Highest Point: 463.0 ft.
Rating:
The Green Lantern Trail mostly follows the shores of Silver Lake in South Everett, perfect for those looking to stretch their legs and experience the outdoors without having to leave the city. With a multitude of attractions including passing through three parks with water access this trail is ready to please! Disc golfers, beach-goers, kids, birders and fishermen alike may all find something here.
Twin Lakes - Monte Cristo
North Cascades -- Mountain Loop Highway
17.2 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2939 ft.
Highest Point: 5300.0 ft.
Rating:
Take a nice long walk up the old Monte Cristo Road grade and stop by the townsite on your way. Rougher terrain begins on entering the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness area, and past Silver Lake, the trail becomes difficult to find. Trek along a steep mountain-side before finally cresting the ridge to look down on Twin Lakes and make the steep descent to the camp sites.
McNary National Wildlife Refuge
Central Washington -- Tri-Cities
2.0 miles, roundtrip
Highest Point: 350.0 ft.
Rating:
This National Wildlife Refuge consists of a chain of wetland marshes adjacent to the confluence of the Snake and Columbia Rivers.
Elowah and Upper McCord Creek Falls
Southwest Washington -- Columbia River Gorge - OR
3.5 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 620 ft.
Highest Point: 660.0 ft.
Rating:
The trail to the bottom of Elowah Falls is closed until further notice due to a massive landslide
This hike is actual a twofer, forking to two paths each leading to a waterfall – go up to Upper McCord Creek’s twin waterfalls, or down to the towering Elowah Falls. Each waterfall has its own character and it is worth visiting both of them.
Oneonta Gorge
Southwest Washington -- Columbia River Gorge - OR
3.2 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 425 ft.
Highest Point: 385.0 ft.
Rating:
This lovely trail loops around Oneonta Gorge and takes you behind Ponytail Falls.
Boulder Lake
North Cascades -- Mountain Loop Highway
6.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1960 ft.
Highest Point: 4980.0 ft.
Rating:
Boulder Lake is a brilliant, azure gem set deep within a stunning cirque of metamorphic cliffs, but to reach it you will need perseverance.
Diablo Lake
North Cascades -- North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
7.6 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1400 ft.
Highest Point: 1950.0 ft.
Rating:
Diablo Overlook will be closed on June 14 to provide a safe staging area for operations
Follow the Diablo Lake Trail up and across talus slopes on the flanks of Sourdough Mountain to impressive cascading waterfalls and stunning views of Ross Lake and Colonial, Pyramid, Davis Peaks, as well as Jack Mountain.
Entiat River
Central Cascades -- Entiat Mountains/Lake Chelan
15.25 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2690 ft.
Highest Point: 5760.0 ft.
Rating:
A long, rambling gateway into the eastern side of Glacier Peak Wilderness, the Entiat River Trail culminates at its namesake glacier with Mount Maude, Seven Fingered Jack and Mount Fernow towering above. Ravaged by wildfires over the years, the majority of the trail is exposed, dry and dusty. Both flora and fauna are slowly returning and the revealed panorama of bordering peaks makes for an extraordinary wilderness corridor.
