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
1520 HikesA Quiet Place Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
This small park just outside of downtown Kingston is indeed a quiet place. The trails here delve into the forest and loop around the edge of the park.
Chadwick Hill
Puget Sound and Islands > San Juan Islands
At 470 feet, Chadwick Hill is the second-highest point on Lopez Island. The trail up the hill provides a great workout, with many ups and downs to keep you warm in the cool sea breezes.
Cedar Flats Nature Trail
Southwest Washington > Lewis River Region
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Length
- 1.1 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 67 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,380 feet
The Cedar Flats Nature trail is an old growth mixed forest of cedar, Douglas fir, and hemlock. It's a peaceful stroll through deep, quiet forest, perfect for children and grown ups alike.
Cavanaugh Pond Natural Area
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 0.8 miles, roundtrip
Cavanaugh Pond Natural Area is on the banks of the Cedar River near the city of Renton. A short, 0.4-mile, trail extends from the parking area to a beach along the river.
Cattle Point Lighthouse
Puget Sound and Islands > San Juan Islands
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Length
- 0.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 25 feet
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Highest Point
- 25 feet
Hike a small piece of the new San Juan Islands National Monument! This section of BLM land is one of 75 sections throughout the islands (most are on uninhabited islands) and the site of the Cattle Point Lighthouse. This lighthouse was erected in 1935, but a navigational lantern has stood here since 1888.
Camp Long
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 1.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 240 feet
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Highest Point
- 350 feet
Camp Long is a hidden gem, a 68-acre enclave in West Seattle featuring old growth forest, wildlife, a variety of hiking trails, rock climbing, ropes courses, camping, and environmental education.
Camano Ridge Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 5.0 miles of trails
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Elevation Gain
- 250 feet
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Highest Point
- 500 feet
The trail at Camano Forest Preserve winds through a typical evergreen forest with plenty of sword ferns, and maple trees that are lovely in autumn. Originally set aside as Camp Lake and managed by the Department of Natural Resources, it is now managed and maintained by the Friends of Camano Island and Island County.
Burton Acres Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 1.2 miles, roundtrip
The south end of Vashon Island is quieter than the business district, making it a lovely place to take a calming walk with your family. Burton Acres park offers a short but fulfilling hike. The 64-acre park features more than 1.2 miles of trails to explore on a loop route.
Briggs Lake
Puget Sound and Islands > San Juan Islands
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Length
- 3.75 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 375 feet
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Highest Point
- 340 feet
This is a pleasant walk around Briggs Lake on San Juan Island. Don’t let the detailed instructions deter you -- though there are a few intersections to navigate, this is a great way to explore the wooded highlands of San Juan Island, enjoy some lake views, and perhaps catch sight of a bald eagle.
Bradley Lake
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 1.5 miles of trails
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Highest Point
- 440 feet
Bradley Lake Park in Puyallup has a full suite of amenities including a paved walking trail around the lake. The park is equipped with a large parking area, restrooms, two ballfields, a large picnic shelter, open grassy areas and about 1.5 miles of paved, barrier-free trails.
Big Creek Falls
Southwest Washington > Lewis River Region
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Length
- 1.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 300 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,900 feet
The Big Creek Falls trail is closed as of spring 2015
Big Bend/Landsburg Reach Natural Area
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 2.0 miles, roundtrip
Southeast of the Seattle Metro area, in scenic Maple Valley are the Big Bend and Landsburg Reach Natural Areas. These two greenspaces are located along the Cedar River. People walking, biking, or riding their horses along the Cedar River Trail pass through these two areas which are near the end of the long Cedar River Trail.
Bell Point and English Camp
Puget Sound and Islands > San Juan Islands
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Length
- 1.7 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 50 feet
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Highest Point
- 50 feet
English Camp is the historical site of the Royal British Marines’ outpost established in the 1860’s. Part of a joint English-American occupation of San Juan Island while international water boundaries were decided, many of the buildings remain for visitors to explore. The gentle, family-friendly loop trail from English Camp to Bell Point offers hikers peaceful water views and pleasant bird watching.
Beaver Marsh Loop
Southwest Washington > Vancouver Area
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Length
- 1.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 10 feet
Beaver Marsh Park is a 32-acre forested city-owned natural area in Vancouver bisected by Burnt Bridge Creek. The level 0.65-mile trail crosses the creek twice as it loops through the park.
Beaver Lake Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
A few different trails wind through this forest, so visitors can make any number of loop hikes.
Bay View State Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Whidbey Island
The Bay View State Park on Padilla Bay has plenty of activities and amenities.
Balfour Klickitat Day Use Area
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 0.75 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 150 feet
A short, paved loop trail just outside the town of Lyle that offers excellent bird-watching and a quiet walk in the east side of the Gorge.
Young Hill
Puget Sound and Islands > San Juan Islands
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Length
- 2.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 587 feet
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Highest Point
- 665 feet
The hike up Young Hill is a San Juan Island classic. A moderate trail leading to surprisingly expansive views, and the short side trip to the English Camp cemetery offers a chance to observe unique natural and historical features.
White River Falls State Park
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - OR
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Length
- 0.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 250 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,000 feet
Hike down the canyon to the White River and a historic hydroelectric power at White River Falls State Park. Located just east of Tygh Valley in Oregon, the park also has dramatic waterfalls, fishing, desert flowers in the spring and fiery colors in the fall.
Westcott Bay Nature Reserve and Sculpture Park
Puget Sound and Islands > San Juan Islands
Part hike, part wander, this 20-acre sculpture garden is an outdoor gallery of nature-oriented artwork. There are few paths, but more than 100 pieces of artwork to discover in this special place adjacent to Roche Harbor on San Juan Island and managed by the San Juan Islands Museum of Art.
West Port Madison Nature Preserve
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 0.4 miles, roundtrip
This nature preserve has a network of trails that wind through the trees and out to bluffs above Puget Sound.
Upright Head Preserve
Puget Sound and Islands > San Juan Islands
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Length
- 1.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 300 feet
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Highest Point
- 195 feet
A relaxing walk through land once slated for a housing development, the trail around Upright Head Preserve is an easy hike where one can watch ferries travel from one island to the next while waiting for their own. Remnants of roads and utilities make up part of the trail, with the rest on narrow dirt paths through the dense forest.
Turn Point Lighthouse
Puget Sound and Islands > San Juan Islands
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Length
- 6.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 280 feet
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Highest Point
- 300 feet
It doesn’t get better than Stuart Island if you want to combine a quaint little hiking trip with sea kayaking, camping and wildlife watching.
Trillium Community Forest
Puget Sound and Islands > Whidbey Island
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Length
- 7.0 miles of trails
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Elevation Gain
- 100 feet
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Highest Point
- 260 feet
The 721 forested acres of Trillium Community Forest can be explored by the quiet, meandering trails provided for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. Your path is lined with ferns and soaring stands of Douglas-fir trees.
Silver Falls State Park
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - OR
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Length
- 8.7 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 800 feet
Located in Central Oregon, this delightful hike in an extremely popular state park is a great day hike diversion for those hoping to venture deeper into Oregon.
Tooth Rock
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - OR
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Length
- 2.1 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 315 feet
This 2.1 mile loop trail follows a restored section of the historic Columbia River Highway, which was constructed to route around the Tooth Rock (aptly named, for its shape). It then jogs right on a much older road, from the 1850s, before looping back to the beginning.
Ted Olson Nature Preserve Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 0.6 miles, roundtrip
This hike on Bainbridge Island is a great option for a short stroll through the woods.
Starvation Creek Falls
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - OR
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Length
- 0.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 0 feet
A delightful little waterfall tucked off of scenic Interstate 84, Starvation Creek State Park is also the jumping-off point for a handful of other popular hikes in the Columbia River Gorge.
Columbia Hills State Park - Stacker Butte
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,150 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,200 feet
If your car can take the chassis-rattling drive to the Stacker Butte trailhead, you'll be rewarded with one of the most gratifying views-per-mile hikes in Washington. The Columbia Hills Natural Area Preserve boasts spreading views of the east side of the Columbia River Gorge, both in Washington and Oregon, and provides one of the only protected areas for houndstongue hawkweed and Idaho fescue grasslands. These protected plants need mininmal disturbance, so it's especially important to stay on trail and four-legged hiking companions have to stay home from this hike.
Square Lake Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 1.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 0 feet
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Highest Point
- 72 feet
A local part in Port Orchard, Square Lake has a fishing pond, picnic opportunities and the chance to get a breath of fresh air close to home.
