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 HikesHarold Engles Memorial Cedars
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 1.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 200 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,800 feet
This is a half-mile loop hike past giant cedar trees preserved by Harold Engles, a famous Forest Ranger.
Harmony Falls
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
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Length
- 2.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 650 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,060 feet
An infrequently-used but surprisingly charming trail leading to the site of a former waterfall, and offering the only access to Spirit Lake.
Beacon Rock State Park - Bridge Trail
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 0.9 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 215 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,855 feet
This approximately one mile trail provides a link between the East Hardy Ridge Trail and the Upper Hardy Creek Trail to providing multiple loop options in the backcountry of Beacon Rock State Park. With its majestic bridge across Hardy Creek, lush evergreen forest and enchanting stream crossings, it is a worthy destination in itself.
Hansville Greenway
Olympic Peninsula > Kitsap Peninsula
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Length
- 2.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 100 feet
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Highest Point
- 180 feet
Providing a cool forest walk even on warm summer day, Hansville Greenway is an extensive network of trails encompassing the community of Hansville on the Kitsap peninsula.
Hamma Hamma Beaver Pond
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 0.9 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 390 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,033 feet
This trail is listed in Audubon's Olympic Loop of The Great Washington State Birding Trail. The trail drops fairly steeply from the trailhead to begin a 0.7 mile loop around the lake. There are several benches along the way for resting while bird watching.
Guillemot Cove
Olympic Peninsula > Kitsap Peninsula
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Length
- 2.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 360 feet
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Highest Point
- 360 feet
Enjoy breathtaking views of the Olympics from a secluded cove with many different types of seabirds and wildlife. Try to keep your feet dry while exploring a series of trails amid the historic 184-acre Guillemot Cove Nature Reserve.
Greenwater Trail to Lost Lakes
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 12.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,700 feet
-
Highest Point
- 4,000 feet
Take the trail less traveled by and visit some quiet lakes near Mount Rainier. Or, continue on to extensive views afforded by Noble Knob.
Greenbrier Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 1.9 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 105 feet
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Highest Point
- 236 feet
Come visit this WTA-built trail, a nearly 2-mile hike through palustrine forest and wetlands, mostly flat with some rolling hills. Great for walkers, kids, and dogs.
Green Mountain - Tin Mine Trail
Olympic Peninsula > Kitsap Peninsula
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Length
- 4.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 600 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,200 feet
At just four miles roundtrip, Tin Mine is a nice year-round hike that features history and is kid-friendly. There’s also lots of beaver ponds along the way and seasonal cascades as well.
Green Mountain
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 8.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,300 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,500 feet
In a state with so many places offering a day's walk to big, peaky views, Green Mountain still makes the short-list of Washington's all-time finest hikes. From woods to meadows to panoramic views and even a historic lookout, it just doesn't get much better than this.
Grass Lake Nature Park
Olympic Peninsula > Olympia
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Length
- 1.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 194 feet
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Highest Point
- 220 feet
A peaceful walk around the wetlands, this is the perfect stroll for someone who wants to experience a little chunk of nature. The tract of wetlands is well-preserved despite being close to town, making the park an attraction for bird-watchers and plant-lovers in the city of Olympia.
Grand Ridge Park
Issaquah Alps
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Length
- 7.0 miles of trails
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Elevation Gain
- 1,100 feet
Grand Ridge Park includes 7 miles of WTA-built trail through western redcedar trees, sword ferns, nettles, berries and, at times, slugs. This trail is a little piece of the backcountry close to Seattle and is open to hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians.
Government Meadows
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 1.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 200 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,860 feet
How to get to Government Meadows? There are many ways and all are easier than that of the Longmire Party in 1853. The grassy, large meadow with water and the Urich Cabin are a popular rest spot for Pacific Crest Trail through hikers. At dusk & dawn, deer and elk may be seen grazing in the meadows, except on weekends, when the noise of the motorized transports with an accent of gunshots fills the air.
Gold Creek Pond
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 1.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 10 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,000 feet
Gold Creek Pond is closed to visitation for a restoration project.
Gold Creek Pond is an ADA-accessible paved loop hike around a picturesque mountain pond atop Snoqualmie Pass.
Gold Creek County Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 2.0 miles of trails
Woodinville has struck gold with this park. Tucked away in the wine country, Gold Creek offers a multitude of hiking experiences on well-maintained trails.
Goat Lake
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 10.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,400 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,161 feet
A nice hike with plenty of variety. Beautiful forest, a rushing creek, waterfalls of all shapes and sizes, history, and of course a large blue-green lake surrounded by snowy peaks. At 10.4 miles, it can be either a day-hike or a quick early season overnight. You won’t be alone, though – this is a popular trail with both hikers and backpackers.
Glacier Basin
Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River
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Length
- 6.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,600 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,900 feet
Floods in 2006 severely damaged the Glacier Basin trail, but after four years of work, WTA completed a new trail in Glacier Basin at Mount Rainier National Park in the summer of 2011. Since then, hikers of all stripes have had the pleasure of enjoying a brand-new route to one of the mountain's most iconic glaciers on an easy-to-hike trail.
Garfield Ledges
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 2.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 830 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,860 feet
Built with the help of Washington Trails Association and Mountains to Sound Greenway crews, the trail to Garfield Ledges will offer visitors expansive views of the Middle Fork valley and a short but steep workout.
Frontier Park Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
Frontier park is a 71-acre park situated between Puyallup and Graham.
Franklin Falls
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 2.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 400 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,600 feet
Hiking with kids, new to hiking, or just looking for an easy day hike with a spectacular endpoint? Look no further then Franklin Falls! At just 2 miles with 400 feet in elevation gain it is the perfect destination for any hiker looking for something easy and beautiful!
Fragrance Lake
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 4.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,260 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,190 feet
The year-round, dog-friendly day hike to Fragrance Lake in the Chuckanut Recreation Area is popular with college students and faculty from Western Washington University in nearby Bellingham, and with day visitors and car campers at Larrabee State Park. On a sunny weekend afternoon you could easily lose count of the number of smiles and “hullos” you’ll exchange!
Fort Steilacoom Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 4.1 miles of trails
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Elevation Gain
- 154 feet
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Highest Point
- 376 feet
Bird watching, historical sites and Rainer and Olympic views.
Fishtrap Lake - North and South Loop
Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
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Length
- 8.0 miles of trails
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Elevation Gain
- 126 feet
The Fishtrap area is part of the Channeled Scablands of Eastern Washington. The deep coulees and canyons were carved by the Great Missoula Floods following the last Ice Age tens of thousands of years ago.
Federation Forest State Park
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 150 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,800 feet
This park is closed for the winter each year between Oct 1 and March 31.
Green, mossy old growth trees and miles of level hiking are the main attractions at Federation Forest State Park. More than 12 miles of trails wind through the forest and hikers can put together loops to fit their hiking needs.
Roslyn Urban Forest - Ewok Trail
Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
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Length
- 7.3 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,380 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,650 feet
Zigzag through Roslyn Urban Forest and up to a ridge overlooking the Yakima River Basin, with views extending as far as the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.
Evergreen Mountain Lookout
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
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Length
- 2.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,425 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,587 feet
A short but stiff climb through an old burn, old growth forest, and alpine meadows to a restored fire lookout standing sentinel over the western flanks of the Wild Sky Wilderness.
Evans Creek Preserve
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 4.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 325 feet
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Highest Point
- 480 feet
Evans Creek Preserve features a WTA-built trail system in an ecologically diverse enclave. Wetlands, meadows, and hillside forest can be found in this 179-acre farmstead-turned-suburban nature preserve that will thrill both the hiker and the birdwatcher. Not only that, this gem has ADA-accessible trails and is reachable by public transportation.
Entiat River
Central Cascades > Entiat Mountains/Lake Chelan
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Length
- 15.25 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 2,690 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,760 feet
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.
Enchanted Valley via East Fork Quinault River
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
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Length
- 27.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,700 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,035 feet
The temporary bridge on North Shore Road has been removed for winter. The Graves Creek and North Fork trailheads are currently inaccessible due to both North Shore and South Shore roads being closed.
The East Fork Quinault River Trail is one of the most popular trails on the south portion of the park and hundreds of hikers visit Enchanted Valley to take in the tremendous views and see the famed chalet each year.
Elk Lakes
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 4.9 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 400 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,200 feet
7.30.25: This trail is closed until further notice due to the Hamma Fire.
This hiker-only trail makes for a quick way to sample the ecosystem on the east slope of the Olympic mountains. Plus, it's a decent starter backpacking trip for kids and makes for a nice day for birdwatchers.
