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 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
1521 HikesLodgepole Campground
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 0.75 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 20 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,500 feet
Due to seasonal closures, the campground opens and closes at variable times - generally between May and mid-late October.
Take a quick stroll and breathe in the mixed forest smells of lodgepole pine and western larches around this campground loop off Highway 410 near Mount Rainier National Park. Claim a campground reservation and stay for a couple days!
Lookout Mountain Forest Preserve
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 6.5 miles of trails
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Elevation Gain
- 1,000 feet
Several hiking trails exist in the Lookout Mountain Forest Preserve, part of the Whatcom County Park system, including a 2.2-mile loop with a one mile viewpoint spur trail, a quick waterfall trail, and lower loop trail. Alternatively, head up and up to Lookout Mountain on an eight mile service road.
Gold Creek - Devils Slide
Central Washington > Yakima
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Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 800 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,000 feet
Hike an easy mile to a spectacular cliff with a chance to see mountain goats, then continue through forest and meadows to views of Mount Adams, Mount Aix, Nelson Ridge and Mount Rainier.
Salt Creek
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
The Salt Creek Recreation Area just outside of Port Angeles has several small trails in and around the camping area for folks to explore, and connects hikers to the nearby Striped Peak trail.
Post Falls Community Forest and Q'emiln Park
Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
This 500-acre community forest and adjacent 75-acre Q'emiln Park offer numerous hiking trails with many loop possibilities up to about 6 miles, and also rock climbing, picnicking, and swimming.
Seahurst Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 3.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 400 feet
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Highest Point
- 398 feet
Hike good trails though a forested drainage in Burien that has many tall trees and, in season, is very green. In spring look for a few wildflowers. Continue your hike on trails paralleling the beach, both north and south of your trailhead.
Wilmot Gateway Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 0.2 miles of trails
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Elevation Gain
- 40 feet
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Highest Point
- 40 feet
Woodinville's first public community park, Wilmot Gateway Park, offers visitors several activities to spend a day outside.
Silver Shadow Loop
Southwest Washington > Vancouver Area
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Length
- 4.59 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 994 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,250 feet
This loop in Yacolt Burn State Forest makes for a lovely day hike with some great views of the forest and the lowland at the base of the forest. The 3-mile Silver Shadow connector makes this loop possible, and exists thanks to efforts from Washington Trails Association, Back Country Horsemen, Washington Conservation Corps, and DNR.
South Bay Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 4.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 20 feet
-
Highest Point
- 20 feet
Hike along the abandoned Bellingham & Skagit Interurban Railway grade between Fairhaven and Bellingham, which has been reclaimed as pedestrian trail. The gentle grade makes it a good option for new hikers, and excellent views of Bellingham Bay make for great trailside distractions.
Old Village
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 0.8 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 62 feet
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Highest Point
- 70 feet
Looking to walk between Bellingham parks without cars passing by? The Old Village trail passes by several historic Bellingham locations as it connects Maritime Heritage Park with Elizabeth Park.
Fouts Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 0.15 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 0 feet
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Highest Point
- 85 feet
Enjoy a short, paved walking trail surrounding a public playground and picnic area nestled in the heart of Bellingham’s Lettered Streets neighborhood.
Deception Pass State Park - Upland Interpretive Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Whidbey Island
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Length
- 0.25 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 27 feet
-
Highest Point
- 177 feet
This short loop is located above Cranberry Lake and introduces visitors to the coastal forest of Deception Pass State Park.
Linking Trail
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 0.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 0 feet
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Highest Point
- 515 feet
This short trail connects the River Loop and The Trail of Cedars in the Newhalem Campground. If you are staying in the campground, this is a great alternative to walking the hot gravel campground road.
To Know a Tree
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 1.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 0 feet
-
Highest Point
- 480 feet
The short hike follows the river around the Newhalem Creek Campground on a mostly-level trail. The signs along the way denote the common trees and plants of the lush understory and tall trees surrounding the trail.
Placid and Chenamus Lakes
South Cascades > Mount Adams Area
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Length
- 5.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,072 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,061 feet
Family-friendly Placid Lake is a great hike or first backpack for kids; in less than a mile, you are at a sandy beach with shallow water for wading and fishing, huckleberries for snacking and a big campsite for a picnic or camping. Keep going to visit another lake or a high meadow near the Pacific Crest Trail.
Riverfront Trail
Central Washington > Tri-Cities
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Length
- 7.5 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 303 feet
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Highest Point
- 391 feet
A blacktop trail with some gravel and dirt sections that meanders along The Columbia River in the City of Richland. Start or end at Columbia Point Marina Park at the south end or USS Triton Submarine Memorial Park in the north. The trail is seven miles in length with many benches along the way to stop and take a breather and soak up the beauty of the fast moving Columbia.
Washougal River Greenway Trail
Southwest Washington > Vancouver Area
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Length
- 2.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 70 feet
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Highest Point
- 50 feet
Bring your binoculars along on this hike through a birding hotspot, where 116 species have been seen, and watch for other wildlife — like deer — too.
Point Colville
Puget Sound and Islands > San Juan Islands
Enjoy wildflowers, solitude, and gorgeous views of Puget Sound on this lovely little hike down a pretty trail to Watmaugh Bay Beach. The park is located off Watmough Head Road, and the beach is beautiful; perfect for a picnic.
Blankenship Lakes
South Cascades > White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley
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Length
- 7.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,170 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,290 feet
Enjoy a trio of lakes and meadows on this excellent summer destination.
Walking Ebey's Trail System
Puget Sound and Islands > Whidbey Island
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Length
- 8.5 miles of trails
-
Highest Point
- 200 feet
Embrace the pastoral as you walk between central Whidbey Island parks alongside working farmland and wide, open fields.
Cooper River
Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
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Length
- 7.8 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 400 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,800 feet
Kids will love this hike because there’s so much to see: a rushing river, a lush old-growth forest dotted with wildflowers and, if you’re lucky, plenty of wildlife.
W.E. Johnson Park
Central Washington > Tri-Cities
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Length
- 2.0 miles of trails
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Elevation Gain
- 50 feet
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Highest Point
- 370 feet
W.E. Johnson Park is a Richland city park with an interesting mix of riparian, wetlands and shrubsteppe habitat adjacent to the Yakima River.
Lake Lois Habitat Reserve
Olympic Peninsula > Olympia
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Length
- 0.25 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 0 feet
The Lake Lois Habitat Reserve consists of 28.6 acres within the city of Lacey. You can take a hike on the 0.25-mile interpretive loop trail, and try to spot some local wildlife. Relax on the beach or even go fishing in Lake Lois which is fed by Woodland Creek.
Mount Spokane State Park - Hay Ridge Loop
Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
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Length
- 7.9 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,690 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,271 feet
Hike the Hay Ridge Loop on Mount Spokane to a warming hut that's a great option for a picnic in the summertime.
Mount Spokane State Park - Nordic Trails
Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
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Highest Point
- 5,129 feet
Excellent groomed Nordic Trails in winter convert to a nice double track trail for summer use. The trails are Nordic-only in winter (no snowshoeing allowed), but multi-use in summer (hike, bike, & equestrian).
Mount Spokane State Park - Trail 121
Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
A short trail connecting trails 120 and 122 to make larger loops accessed near the main entrance of Mount Spokane State Park.
Mount Spokane State Park - Trail 132
Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
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Length
- 0.5 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 375 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,794 feet
This short trail serves as a connector to form loops of varying distances.
Mount Spokane State Park - Mount Kit Carson Loop Road
Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
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Length
- 13.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,300 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,220 feet
Portions of this route were at one time the original summit road, constructed by Francis Cook beginning in 1909. Now closed to all but park vehicles, the wide trail bed and gentle grade make this an enjoyable hike for families.
Goldendale Observatory State Park
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 0.1 miles, roundtrip
This unique state park houses one of the largest public observatories in the nation. Visitors can peer through the lens of this telescope to view solar shows and magical glimpses of the night sky.
Stimpson Nature Reserve
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 4.9 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 300 feet
-
Highest Point
- 800 feet
Take a stroll through 350 acres of undisturbed old-growth forest and thriving wetland ecosystem at the Stimpson Family Nature Reserve, a quiet place where hikers can experience the intricate grandeur of nature. Interpretive signs encourage adults and children to discover the nature of the reserve.
