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 HikesHolder Knob
Issaquah Alps > Taylor Mountain
-
Length
- 3.28 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 500 feet
-
Highest Point
- 1,050 feet
A good short day hike with the best views on Taylor Mountain.
Bridal Veil Falls
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
-
Length
- 4.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,000 feet
-
Highest Point
- 1,600 feet
A beautiful waterfall flows out of Lake Serene and cascades below the rugged east wall of Mount Index at the end of a trail on the west side of Bridal Veil Creek. Take time to see and enjoy a stunning view of Bridal Veil Falls and climb flights of steps paralleling the falls.
Iceberg Point
Puget Sound and Islands > San Juan Islands
-
Length
- 3.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 50 feet
A short loop hike to rock cliffs, with fantastic views out towards the Olympic Peninsula, and back toward other parts of Lopez.
Lime Kiln State Park
Puget Sound and Islands > San Juan Islands
-
Length
- 1.35 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 276 feet
-
Highest Point
- 207 feet
Lime Kiln State Park is one of the more scenic spots on an already beautiful island. Sometimes called “Whale Watch Park,” it is not uncommon to see orcas or other marine life playing in the water as you wander along the rocky edges of the Salish Sea. The hike described here provides plenty of opportunity for spotting killer whales, while also allowing you to explore the upland environment and see the historic lime kiln.
Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge - Dungeness Spit
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
-
Length
- 11.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 130 feet
-
Highest Point
- 130 feet
This narrow strip of land just east of Port Angeles in the Strait of Juan de Fuca is a gorgeous place to explore miles upon miles of sandy beach, spy shorebirds wheeling, and even get a little shot of greenery at the beginning and end of your trip. But remember, while the beach is usually a good place for dogs to get some exercise, this particular one is closed to pups, since it’s a National Wildlife Refuge.
Palouse to Cascades Trail - Rattlesnake Lake
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
-
Length
- 11.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 300 feet
-
Highest Point
- 1,100 feet
The Palouse to Cascades Trail in Iron Horse State Park provides access to notable North Bend hikes, views of mountains and waterfalls, and a journey back into Washington’s history. Take in the wildlife and cross soaring bridges as you make a level traverse from Rattlesnake Lake to Change and Hall Creeks 5.5 miles to the east.
Catherine Creek Loop
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
-
Length
- 5.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,424 feet
-
Highest Point
- 1,332 feet
7.21.25: This trail is closed due to the Burdoin Fire.
This route at Catherine Creek takes hikers past a natural arch and into the higher country around the meadows at Catherine Creek.
Woodard Bay Conservation Area
Olympic Peninsula > Olympia
-
Length
- 3.5 miles of trails
With five miles of shoreline in South Puget Sound, the Woodard Bay Conservation Area includes forests, wetlands of freshwater, as well as historic and cultural resources that are a valuable diversion in the area.
Lake Sylvia State Park
Southwest Washington > Long Beach Area
-
Length
- 5.0 miles of trails
-
Elevation Gain
- 30 feet
-
Highest Point
- 170 feet
Just a mile outside the tiny town of Montesano is a quiet, calm lake, fishing, swimming, camping and five miles of hiking trails. Stop by Lake Sylvia State Park for a day or a whole weekend of fun.
Catherine Creek - Universal Access Trail
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
-
Length
- 1.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 120 feet
-
Highest Point
- 300 feet
7.21.25: This trail is closed due to the Burdoin Fire.
Beautiful views, amazing wildflowers, oak woodlands, open grasslands—this short hike is the perfect way to sample the best of the Catherine Creek area. More than 90 varieties of wildflowers bloom here, making this a favorite springtime destination.
Lakeridge Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
-
Length
- 1.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 144 feet
-
Highest Point
- 220 feet
Deadhorse Canyon forms most of Lakeridge Park. This deep, north-facing gorge provides sanctuary for wildlife and a quite place to walk-off your day or just to stretch your legs.
Spring Lake/Lake Desire Park - Echo Mountain
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
-
Length
- 3.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Highest Point
- 900 feet
Spring Lake – Lake Desire Park is a 390-acre forested site with a bald rocky outcrop, a bog and 3 miles of trails situated between…Spring Lake and Lake Desire! Echo Mountain is the 900-foot-tall rocky outcrop that provides great views of the two lakes and the Cascade foothills.
Picture Lake
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
-
Length
- 0.6 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 45 feet
-
Highest Point
- 4,157 feet
Follow a short, ADA-accessible path around Picture Lake, home to one of the most photographed vistas in America. Featuring a backdrop of craggy Mount Shuksan and a foreground of wilflowers ringing a sparkling lake in summer, Picture Lake is pretty as, well, a picture.
Tinkham Discovery
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
-
Length
- 1.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 30 feet
-
Highest Point
- 1,550 feet
Tinkham Discovery Trail is a 0.5-mile family-friendly nature path — wheelchair- and stroller-accessible — that starts in Tinkham Campground. Note that only registered campers can access this hike; there is no day-use parking at the trailhead.
Lillian Ridge
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
-
Length
- 4.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 200 feet
-
Highest Point
- 6,100 feet
Enjoy majestic mountain panoramas from this relatively low-effort, high-vista hike on the Olympic Peninsula.
Cathedral Falls
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
-
Length
- 1.8 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 200 feet
-
Highest Point
- 2,500 feet
Hike along a lush green valley wall above Goat Creek to Cathedral Falls. Because this part is so infrequently visited, it's possible you won't see another soul on the trail, meaning you'll get to have the incredible falls all to yourself.
Whidbey Institute
Puget Sound and Islands > Whidbey Island
-
Length
- 4.5 miles of trails
-
Elevation Gain
- 420 feet
-
Highest Point
- 420 feet
The Whidbey Institute includes a 106-acre conservation forest with 4.5 miles of trails that are hilly but all below 500 feet. This hike is deep in the forest and very quiet. You will see lots of ferns, cedars and Douglas fir trees.
Possession Point State Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Whidbey Island
-
Length
- 3.0 miles, roundtrip
Located on the south side of Whidbey Island, this tiny state park includes the short but fun and challenging Dorothy Cleveland Trail, with plenty of elevation gain in the form of switchbacks.
Priest Rapids Shoreline Trail
Central Washington > Tri-Cities
-
Length
- 6.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 45 feet
-
Highest Point
- 538 feet
Enjoy easy walking, wide-open views and plenty of sunshine along the Columbia River shore near Priest Rapids Dam.
Snoqualmie Falls
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
-
Length
- 1.4 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 250 feet
-
Highest Point
- 450 feet
The 0.7-mile interpretive trail from the upper falls viewpoints to the lower falls viewpoint is family- and pet-friendly, good for beginners, teaches the basics of the flora and fauna near Snoqualmie Pass, informs about local Native American culture, and ends with impressive views of a Washington icon.
Kirkland Watershed Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
-
Length
- 1.6 miles of trails
Explore the upland forest areas and hiking trails with interpretive signs at the 73.37-acre Kirkland Watershed Park. There are a few hiking options to choose from Check out the Cochran Springs Creek trail or take a hike to the old reservoir. From the reservoir near the top of the park, there are two more loop options to explore.
Redlining Heritage Trail - First Hill and Little Saigon
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
-
Length
- 1.97 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 200 feet
-
Highest Point
- 250 feet
A 2 mile loop through one of Seatle's seven hills, exploring a section of the redlining heritage trail.
Boyd Creek Interpretive Trail
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
-
Length
- 0.7 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 0 feet
-
Highest Point
- 906 feet
The road to this trailhead (NF 37) is washed out just a few hundred feet before the trailhead.
The boardwalk on the trail is broken and impassable.
This less-than-a-mile boardwalk hike is a lovely way to get outside and enjoy a little forest time in a cathedral of trees.
Spokane River Centennial State Park - Wilbur Trailhead to Trail 211
Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
-
Length
- 3.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 140 feet
-
Highest Point
- 2,200 feet
This wheelchair-friendly small section of Spokane’s 40-mile Centennial Trail passes through Riverside State Park and additionally showcases some regional history at the site of a former Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp.
Coal Lake
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
-
Length
- 0.6 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 44 feet
-
Highest Point
- 3,420 feet
Visit an alpine lake via a short walk from the trailhead. A washout before the official trailhead adds 0.2 miles each way to your walk.
Loganberry Lane at Kasch Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
-
Length
- 0.9 miles of trails
-
Elevation Gain
- 24 feet
-
Highest Point
- 564 feet
Within a residential neighborhood of south Everett, tucked between expansive public sport fields and a golf course, a network of trails winds through towering trees, thriving native flora and a fragile yet precious wetland ecosystem: Loganberry Lane.
Dosewallips State Park - Steam Donkey Trail
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
-
Length
- 3.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 400 feet
-
Highest Point
- 425 feet
The 3.5 mile Steam Donkey Loop Trail is an especially good choice in spring, with lots of creeklets, views of the Dosewallips River and silent forest. There is a strong chance that you will see wildlife in winter and spring. An elk herd resides in the area, and with the estuary so close, the area is rife with bird-life. As an added bonus for fall hikers, you can search for and pick chanterelle mushrooms.
Bay to Baker Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
-
Length
- 8.5 miles of trails
-
Highest Point
- 100 feet
After a long day at the office, the Bay to Baker Trail offers a convenient dose of nature right in the heart of Bellingham.
Turtleback Mountain Preserve: Turtlehead Summit
Puget Sound and Islands > San Juan Islands
-
Length
- 5.7 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,295 feet
-
Highest Point
- 1,025 feet
Hike a short trail that leads to one of the best viewpoints in the San Juans, with views of other San Juan Islands and of Canada's Gulf Islands. In the distance, Vancouver Island and the Olympic mountains will be visible. Along the way, enjoy an exuberant display of mosses and, in season, wildflowers. Sightings of golden eagles, turkey vultures, and many other birds are likely.
Happy Creek Nature Trail
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
-
Length
- 2.6 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 570 feet
-
Highest Point
- 2,780 feet
Hikers can choose from an easy loop partially along Happy Creek, or a longer hike to Happy Creek Falls, site of an old sawmill that supported the mining in the late 1800's.
