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
1522 HikesFort Ebey State Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Whidbey Island
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Length
- 4.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 520 feet
-
Highest Point
- 570 feet
There are plenty of interesting things to see at Fort Ebey, and lots of trails to take you there. A beach walk, bluff views, a lake, forest, and history can all be found here. The park has 26 miles of trails, allowing you to put together a very interesting hike, either long or short, that includes most or all of the sights. This loop of approximately four miles will take you on a nice tour.
Ebey's Landing
Puget Sound and Islands > Whidbey Island
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Length
- 5.6 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 260 feet
-
Highest Point
- 260 feet
Perched on a bluff overlooking majestic Puget Sound is the unique acreage of Ebey’s Landing. In addition to the Bluff Trail, visitors can experience the seaport town of Coupeville, observe working farms, and get their fill of wildlife viewing, all in a tiny National Park on Whidbey Island.
Ala Spit
Puget Sound and Islands > Whidbey Island
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Length
- 1.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 10 feet
This trail only takes about 20 minutes to hike out and back with great views of Mount Baker, Mount Erie, Fidalgo Island, Hope Island and the inner part of Puget Sound.
Deception Pass State Park - Headlands / Rosario Head / Lighthouse Point
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,000 feet
-
Highest Point
- 110 feet
On your next trip to Deception Pass State Park, don’t cross over the Deception Pass bridge. Instead, take the road down to Bowman Bay for some fine hiking along the rugged cliffs. Great views of the bridge over Deception and Canoe Pass, calm Lottie Bay, a woodland walk through hemlock, fir and Pacific Madrone, plus the legend of the Maiden of Deception Pass are what await you here.
Tommy Thompson Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 6.6 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 0 feet
-
Highest Point
- 25 feet
This hike is a flat 3.3 mile one-way blacktop trail that starts at The Port of Anacortes and ends at March Point near The Shell and Tesoro Refineries. The trail has great views of Mount Baker, Fidalgo Bay and lots of blue heron, especially when the tides are low.
Guemes Channel and Ship Harbor
Puget Sound and Islands > San Juan Islands
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Length
- 3.2 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 100 feet
-
Highest Point
- 110 feet
Hike shoreline trails in both directions from this Anacortes trailhead. Take in views of distant islands, ferries, seabirds, eagles, historic displays. All on good trails suitable for all ages.
Cap Sante Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 3.2 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 490 feet
-
Highest Point
- 220 feet
Explore roads and trails on, and around, Cap Sante, an impressive rocky headland at the northeast corner of Anacortes. Enjoy views extending from Mount Baker to Mount Rainier, plus the busy harbor.
Washington Park
Puget Sound and Islands > San Juan Islands
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Length
- 2.2 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 280 feet
-
Highest Point
- 250 feet
Washington Park sits at the northwestern tip of Anacortes. When viewed from the sea the area is referred to as Fidalgo Head. The terrain varies from rain forest on the north to open, stony hillsides with few trees on the south.
Barnum Point
Puget Sound and Islands > Whidbey Island
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Length
- 2.75 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 300 feet
-
Highest Point
- 130 feet
Enjoy a series of easy forest trails in this new Island County park. Descend to the beach at both ends of the bluff. Optionally, tide permitting, hike the entire length of the mile-long beach. Either way, finish your hike on more forest trails.
Iverson Spit
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
-
Length
- 1.0 miles, roundtrip
If you've been to Cama Beach and Camano Island State Parks, and you're looking for another diversion on Camano Island, consider Iverson Spit Waterfront Preserve. This delightful area offers some short hiking trails and, of course, ever present views of the Cascade Mountains and shoreline wandering.
Hegg-Benson Trail
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 1.2 miles, roundtrip
The Hegg-Benson Trail, designed and constructed by Skagit Land Trust members and volunteers in 2009-2010, provides a short walk through mossy forest to a picturesque waterfall on Barr Creek in this lovely conservation area.
Rasar State Park
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 3.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 20 feet
-
Highest Point
- 125 feet
Explore a beautiful state park near the Skagit River with an extensive trail network and beautiful campsites.
Northern State Ghost Town
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 50 feet
-
Highest Point
- 182 feet
Once the largest hospital for people with mental health conditions in Washington State, Northern State Mental Hospital was a town unto itself. Parts of the site are still in use and off-limits, but the farm is now a recreation area. It is located just north of the Skagit River near the town of Sedro-Woolley. Stroll along the wide pastoral trails amongst the buildings and cemetery.
Palouse to Cascades Trail - Homestead Valley to Mine Creek Trestle
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 5.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 350 feet
-
Highest Point
- 1,607 feet
Hike a short stint on the Palouse to Cascades Trail, crossing high trestle bridges and roaming through old growth forest with expansive views of nearby peaks, just a short drive away from the city.
Franklin Ghost Town
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 2.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 200 feet
-
Highest Point
- 800 feet
Follow a gentle old railroad grade into the coal-mining ghost town of Franklin, along the Green River near Black Diamond. It’s an easy walk up to the coal cart and sealed mine shaft. Follow the narrow footpath beyond to discover the powerhouse foundation and cemetery.
Ashland Lakes
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 5.4 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 800 feet
-
Highest Point
- 3,000 feet
Hike a trail built mostly of boardwalk planking through peaty bogs beside three quiet little lakes. As you hike, enjoy the many plants and animals that make the lowland bog environment home.
Seawall Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Whidbey Island
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Length
- 0.3 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 50 feet
-
Highest Point
- 50 feet
Experience the beautiful shores of Whidbey Island along this waterfront park's seawall walkway and pebble beach.
Kayak Point Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
Kayak Point Park is a lovely saltwater beach park with a short trail system located along the shores of picturesque Port Susan. It's great for family outings by the shore or an easy night of camping.
Crystal Mountain Loop (Silver King)
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 6.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 2,450 feet
-
Highest Point
- 6,800 feet
This page describes the options for doing a loop hike around the ski slopes, which is the ridge west of Crystal Mountain Boulevard.
Coal Creek Falls
Issaquah Alps > Cougar Mountain
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Length
- 2.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 416 feet
-
Highest Point
- 1,066 feet
Coal Creek Falls is a wonderful destination for any day hiker looking for an easy and/or family friendly trail with a picturesque culmination at Coal Creek Falls. It’s a well maintained trail that meanders beneath a thick canopy and a dense understory with many wildflower species in the spring.
Eagle Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 1.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 50 feet
-
Highest Point
- 90 feet
The Eagle Trail is a grassy urban course on the Stillaguamish River dike from Haller Park to the Dike Road in the City of Arlington. Opened in 2011, it provides an opportunity for nature and wildlife viewing while wandering green space within the city limits and a designated area for dogs to romp and play.
Blue Stilly
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 3.0 miles of trails
-
Elevation Gain
- 0 feet
-
Highest Point
- 30 feet
Blue Stilly Park is located in Snohomish County along the Stillaguamish River. The small park has a baseball diamond, picnic areas, a fire pit and a nature trail.
Alger Alp (South Route)
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
-
Length
- 4.4 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,150 feet
-
Highest Point
- 1,272 feet
Climb Alger Alp for a straightforward day hike or after-work ascent, with a steady climb along an access road through second-growth forest. Soak in the wildflowers and fauna along the way, and views of Skagit Valley, Blanchard Mountain and Samish Bay await you at the summit.
Fire and Ice Trail
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 0.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 100 feet
-
Highest Point
- 4,400 feet
The last 2.7 miles of the Mount Baker Highway/SR 542 (from Heather Meadows to Artist Point) is closed for the winter season.
The Fire and Ice trail is the Mount Baker area's premiere interpretive trail, telling the story of how glaciers and volcanoes shaped this impressive place.
Lake Ann (Rainy Pass)
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 3.4 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 700 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,500 feet
The trail to Lake Ann is a wonderful, short way to see the impressive glaciated valley encircled by the popular Heather - Maple Pass Loop. Lake Ann features views of ridgelines blanketed in wildflowers in summer, a lake ringed with golden larches in fall, and before the highway closes for the season, a dramatic place to experience early winter’s snows.
Castle Rock
Central Washington > Wenatchee
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Length
- 2.1 miles of trails
-
Elevation Gain
- 664 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,673 feet
Another favorite area near Sage Hills and Horse Lake Reserve, Castle Rock property provides access for hikers who want adventure near Wenatchee. This hike will take you to the top of Castle Rock, an iconic feature of the Wenatchee skyline.
Bellevue Botanical Garden
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
-
Length
- 1.7 miles, roundtrip
The Bellevue Botanical Garden (BBG) is a tranquil gem nestled in Wilburton Hill Park. The BBG’s winding pathways, elegant gardens and 150 foot suspension bridge provide hikers and families with a visual cornucopia and gentle refuge from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Narada Falls to Reflection Lakes
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
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Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,150 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,400 feet
Hiking the trail between the Narada Falls viewpoint and Reflection Lakes is pleasant enough. But you can extend the route into a loop featuring an unobstructed view of the Tatoosh Range from a rocky bluff, and an up-close experience of the awe-inspiring whitewater cascades of the Paradise River.
Olallie Lake via Pratt Lake Trail
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 6.9 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 2,446 feet
-
Highest Point
- 3,880 feet
Olallie Lake is a wonderful first-time destination for hikers or backpackers just beginning to discover trails.
Patos Island
Puget Sound and Islands > San Juan Islands
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Length
- 1.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 30 feet
-
Highest Point
- 30 feet
Spanish for Duck Island, Patos Island is a hidden gem in the San Juan Islands. This is largely because of the difficulty in accessing it, but if you make the effort, you won't be sorry!
