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 HikesKeeney Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 0.25 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 9 feet
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Highest Point
- 386 feet
Small local park with large firs and a loop trail.
Leecher Mountain Lookout
North Cascades > Methow/Sawtooth
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Length
- 2.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 531 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,996 feet
"Lightning" Bill Austin from the Goat Peak Lookout had a brief stint here in 2014, but was moved back to Goat Peak before the end of the summer. Hikers to Leecher may or may not find into a ranger staffing the lookout at the summit, but the views from the 40-foot tower are sublime either way.
Nisqually John Canyon
Eastern Washington > Palouse and Blue Mountains
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Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,400 feet
Canyon hike starting at the Snake River.
Ice Cave - Natural Bridges Nature Trails
South Cascades > Mount Adams Area
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Length
- 0.85 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 186 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,152 feet
The Ice Cave and Natural Bridges are two short nature trails near the Peterson Prairie Campground in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest that are fascinating to children and not as well known as they deserve to be. This is also a popular area to cross country ski and snowshoe in winter.
Taylor River Connector
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 1.0 miles, (type not yet set)
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Elevation Gain
- 148 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,140 feet
The Taylor River Connector is a short connector trail that leads from the Middle Fork River parking area to the vehicle bridge over the Taylor River. Cross this bridge and walk a few feet down the road to access the Garfield Ledges trailhead.
Bygone Byways Interpretive Trail
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
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Length
- 1.3 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 712 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,843 feet
The Bygone Byways Interpretive Trail is an easy loop trail that follows the Great Northern Railway. The trail is entirely ADA-accessible and has several interpretive signs about the natural and cultural history of the area.
Jakle's Lagoon
Puget Sound and Islands > San Juan Islands
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Length
- 1.4 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 210 feet
-
Highest Point
- 158 feet
Take this short one-mile stroll around an interpretive trail near the base of Mount Finlayson on San Juan Island.
Gloyd Seeps - South
Central Washington > Potholes Region
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Length
- 3.2 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 179 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,140 feet
The Gloyd Seeps Wildlife Area is part of the Columbia Basin Wildlife Area. This southern unit is disconnected from the main Gloyd Seeps area to the north. This is a popular fishing access off of Highway 17 with a short trail running along the edge of Rocky Ford Creek.
Sucia Island State Park
Puget Sound and Islands > San Juan Islands
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Length
- 10.0 miles of trails
-
Elevation Gain
- 223 feet
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Highest Point
- 223 feet
Far to the north, between the Strait of Georgia and the waters surrounding the San Juan Islands is a funny-shaped little island with a wealth of hiking trails on its relatively small square acreage.
Ferry County Rail Trail
Eastern Washington > Okanogan Highlands/Kettle River Range
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Length
- 30.3 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 1,374 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,461 feet
A relatively new feature to northeast Washington’s extensive recreational repertoire, the Ferry County Rail Trail is a 25+-mile long, multi-use, non-motorized rail trail.
Lewis and Clark Discovery Trail
Southwest Washington > Long Beach Area
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Length
- 8.2 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 15 feet
-
Highest Point
- 45 feet
This 8.2-mile trail from the center of Ilwaco along Long Beach provides a nice outing for those wanting to experience the area on foot. The route takes you through forested hills and features nice views of the ocean from the Beard's Hollow Overlook, and then beach and dune walking to the town of Long Beach.
Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail - Mosier Twin Tunnels
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - OR
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Length
- 9.4 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 730 feet
-
Highest Point
- 540 feet
After it was deemed impractical for cars, the old Columbia River Highway was closed to traffic, and opened to hikers and bikers! The winding route of this historic highway hearkens back to a time when roads were designed for Sunday drives, and the twists and turns of the highway make for a diverting hike or bike along the scenic Columbia River Gorge.
North Bonneville Heritage Trails
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 12.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 20 feet
-
Highest Point
- 40 feet
There are more than 12 miles of trails encircling and interweaving the town of North Bonneville. These range from paved and flat to rougher, dirt trails that are somewhat steep in places. All afford nice exercise and views from the valley of the high peaks above the wide Columbia River.
Lake Chelan State Park - Little Bear Trail
Central Cascades > Entiat Mountains/Lake Chelan
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Length
- 2.3 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 250 feet
-
Highest Point
- 1,350 feet
Well-maintained but secluded 2.3 mile loop through savannah and pine forest inside Lake Chelan State Park.
Point Robinson Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 0.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 100 feet
A series of very short trails at Point Robinson lead to and around a lighthouse on Maury Island whose mate is across the Sound at Alki Point.
Morgan Tidelands
Puget Sound and Islands > Whidbey Island
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Length
- 2.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 0 feet
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Highest Point
- 0 feet
Enjoy this 2.5 mile long beach hike thanks to a donation from the Morgan Family to Whidbey Camano Land Trust.
Pressentin Park
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 2.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 10 feet
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Highest Point
- 327 feet
This county park consists of 40 acres of old homestead land in Marblemount. The park is for day use only and includes a picnic shelter, fishing and hiking trails.
McLellan Conservation Area
Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
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Length
- 3.42 miles of trails
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Elevation Gain
- 400 feet
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.
Danville-Georgetown Trail System
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 2.7 miles of trails
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Elevation Gain
- 70 feet
-
Highest Point
- 660 feet
The Danville-Georgetown Open Space is a greenspace habitat offering a multi-use trail network through a working forest in King County's Maple Valley. The Danville-Georgetown Open Space is named after the historical railroad line that traveled through the site and the former Georgetown mining town.
Raging River Natural Area
Issaquah Alps
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Length
- 0.5 miles, one-way
-
Highest Point
- 280 feet
This area is managed primarily as important riparian habitat, but there are a couple short trails, one heading into the upland portion of the property and the other following along the river.
Mercerdale Hillside Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 1.5 miles of trails
-
Elevation Gain
- 300 feet
Stairs are the attraction at Mercerdale. The main stairway here includes 302 wooden steps climbing from Bicentennial Park to 74th Place SE, and several other locations offer plenty of ways to get your heart rate up.
Bob Heirman Wildlife Preserve
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 3.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 82 feet
-
Highest Point
- 92 feet
If you just need some quiet time in nature and are not looking for a big workout, this little walk will be perfect. There is good access to the Snohomish River where you can find a place to throw a line in the water plus some good birding opportunities near the small lakes.
Island Crest Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 1.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 150 feet
-
Highest Point
- 325 feet
Hike good trails in this very green, forested park on Mercer Island. Enjoy moss, ferns and bird life. And see whether the missing suspension bridge has returned.
CrossTown Trail - Newcastle
Issaquah Alps > Cougar Mountain
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Length
- 4.0 miles, one-way
The CrossTown Trail is made up of a patchwork of segments of trail and sidewalk that wind through the town of Newcastle to deliver hikers into Cougar Mountain Regional Park.
Sierra Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 1.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 0 feet
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Highest Point
- 0 feet
This innovative park in Edmonds is a delight for the senses of both blind and sighted visitors. The trail through the park was landscaped with trees and shrubs that provide a wide range of textures and fragrances as well as visual beauty.
Seattle Chinese Garden
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 2.0 miles of trails
Located near South Seattle Community College, the Seattle Chinese Garden provides a peaceful retreat from the busyness of the city.
Tam O'Shanter - Viewpoint Open Space Trails
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 1.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 150 feet
-
Highest Point
- 320 feet
Hike easy forest trails connecting two adjoining urban parks. Appreciate the tall deciduous trees and some large conifers, plus ferns and small creeks. In season, look for forest wildflowers. Try to identify some of the wild birds, and enjoy the antics of the squirrels that always are present.
Squibbs Creek
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 0.6 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 140 feet
-
Highest Point
- 700 feet
The Squibbs Creek Trail is part of the City of Bellevue’s Parks and Open Trails System. Take a walk through the old growth trees in the Horizon Heights Open Space.
Paramount Open Space
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 0.95 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 120 feet
-
Highest Point
- 380 feet
This Shoreline city park seems to be little-known outside its immediate neighborhood, but it's worth a visit. The park is minimally developed, and it offers a variety of trails through open grassy areas and forested areas.
North Creek Forest
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
The 64-acre North Creek Forest meets the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife’s definition of a priority habitat. The trail system in the North Creek Forest is still being established as of 2019.
