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 HikesCornwall Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
-
Length
- 1.5 miles of trails
-
Elevation Gain
- 0 feet
-
Highest Point
- 78 feet
Located in the heart of Bellingham, this transit-accessible pocket of nature in the city has a little something for everyone.
North Centennial Trail (Snohomish)
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
-
Length
- 4.0 miles, one-way
-
Elevation Gain
- 50 feet
-
Highest Point
- 171 feet
Local, national and world histories intersect on this peaceful farm north of Arlington.
Precipice Top Trail
Issaquah Alps > Cougar Mountain
-
Length
- 0.3 miles, one-way
-
Elevation Gain
- 181 feet
-
Highest Point
- 957 feet
Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park is a mishmash of roads, trails, abandoned Army missile silos, and plenty of wildlife. Not only is Cougar Mountain King County’s largest park, it is one of the largest wildland parks in an urban area in the United States.
River Meadows Park
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
River Meadows Park is a great place for a nice hike that isn't too far out of town, just about 15 minutes outside of Arlington.
Robinson Canyon - Ainsley Canyon
Central Washington > Yakima
-
Length
- 10.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,200 feet
-
Highest Point
- 3,400 feet
This area closes between Dec and May to protect wintering elk herds.
This is a gem of a hike, providing you easy access to the best of the best of the rich L. T. Murray State Wildlife Recreation Area.
Joe Watt Canyon
Snoqualmie Region > Cle Elum Area
-
Length
- 6.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,000 feet
-
Highest Point
- 3,100 feet
This area closes between Dec and May to protect wintering elk herds.
Joe Watt Canyon is a quiet area of the L.T. Murray Wildlife Area that is a great place to spot fields of colorful lupine and the occasional elk heard.
East Rim Waterworks Canyon
Central Washington > Yakima
-
Length
- 3.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 450 feet
The area closes between Dec and May to protect wintering elk herds.
A short, hike alongside a creek on the east side of Washington, just outside of Yakima. Lush brush, including balsamroot, yarrow, and lupine can be found along the way, as you enjoy the dramatic canyon walls.
Point No Point Park
Olympic Peninsula > Kitsap Peninsula
-
Length
- 2.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 100 feet
-
Highest Point
- 0 feet
The trail at Point No Point gives you both a glimpse into the past, as well as a bit of a workout and great views. With 3 acres in the Point No Point County Park and one hiking trail, the Point No Point lighthouse makes a great destination for visitors young and old.
Schafer State Park
Olympic Peninsula > Olympia
-
Length
- 2.0 miles of trails
-
Elevation Gain
- 150 feet
-
Highest Point
- 300 feet
Visit a sweet little state park on the Satsop River, where you can picnic, fish, float and do a little hiking.
Snagtooth Mountain
Southwest Washington > Lewis River Region
-
Length
- 9.6 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 2,800 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,000 feet
This 4.8 mile trail runs from upper Quartz Creek Trail to Boundary Trail. This is an access route to the Boundary Trail (above Forest Road 9341) and to the Quartz Creek Trail #5 below the road.
Mount Spokane State Park - Quartz Mountain
Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
-
Length
- 4.7 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 756 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,129 feet
Mount Spokane State Park has trails for all types, and something for every season. Hike in the summertime to the relocated fire lookout atop Quartz Mountain, or explore the area in a snowy winter wonderland via cross-country skis.
Steptoe Butte State Park Heritage Site
Eastern Washington > Palouse and Blue Mountains
-
Highest Point
- 3,612 feet
The park is closed until further notice due to road washout.
Fans of geology, history and, of course, nature can enjoy this 168-acre day-use park. The top of the butte has magnificent views from above the Palouse Hills, and you can learn more about the area’s unique geology from interpretive panels at the summit.
Coweeman River Trail
Southwest Washington > Long Beach Area
-
Length
- 8.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 0 feet
-
Highest Point
- 30 feet
Walk on a dike next to a usually quiet river through the outskirts of Kelso.
Wallace Falls State Park - Greg Ball Trail to Wallace Lake
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
-
Length
- 8.2 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,500 feet
The Greg Ball Trail is a trail envisioned by and honoring one of the greatest trail advocates this state has ever had. Ball was a former board member and director of the WTA. In 1993 he launched the organization’s volunteer trail maintenance program which has since grown into the largest state-based program of its kind. He designed this trail to Wallace Lake and it was finished in his memory by volunteers from WTA and through support from the Spring Trail Trust.
Wallace Falls State Park - Jay Lake
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
-
Length
- 12.2 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,600 feet
-
Highest Point
- 1,840 feet
Not so scenic but plenty peaceful, Jay Lake is one of a small handful of backcountry camping areas in a state park. Just be sure to get a permit before you head out!
Skagit River Loop Trail
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
-
Length
- 1.8 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 118 feet
-
Highest Point
- 597 feet
This is a lovely little trail tucked behind the North Cascades Visitor Center outside of Newhalem. Learn about the area by exploring inside the Visitor Center, and then see some of the natural wonders for yourself by wandering down the River Loop Trail to the Skagit River.
Mount Finlayson
Puget Sound and Islands > San Juan Islands
-
Length
- 3.6 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 408 feet
-
Highest Point
- 290 feet
With expansive views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca contrasting with deep forest lagoons, the Mount Finlayson loop features the variety of ecosystems that San Juan Island offers in an easy and scenic trail. Options for shorter or longer routes make this a suitable destination for hikers of all ages.
Ginkgo Petrified Forest Interpretive Trails
Central Washington > Potholes Region
-
Length
- 3.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 200 feet
-
Highest Point
- 2,600 feet
One of the largest petrified forests on the planet sits in the center of Washington State. The ancient trees were mineralized into rock during the great lava flows that swept the inland Northwest. In addition to petrified ginkgos (one of the oldest tree species in the world), the "rock forest" includes mineralized Douglas fir, spruce, walnut, and elm.
Seaquest State Park - Silver Lake
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
-
Length
- 3.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 100 feet
-
Highest Point
- 4,390 feet
A forest walk and a wetlands walk-two trails for the price of one! This wide, paved trail loops through meadows and shoreline.
Maintenance Shed Road
South Cascades > White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley
-
Length
- 7.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 400 feet
-
Highest Point
- 4,700 feet
Here is an easy snowshoe on a wide U.S. Forest Service road with spectacular views of Chimney Rock, Coyote Ridge and, at the end, Mount Rainier.
Cabin Creek Snowshoe
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
-
Length
- 2.4 miles, roundtrip
A shorter, less challenging outing near the popular Amabilis Mountain. Be sure to share the trail with skiers.
Hobart - Middle Tiger Railroad Trail
Issaquah Alps > Tiger Mountain
-
Length
- 10.2 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,550 feet
-
Highest Point
- 2,180 feet
Hike the routes of two former logging railroads (the Iverson and the Hobart - Middle Tiger) to reach a remote section of Fifteenmile Creek. Follow a short, steep trail to connect with the Tiger Mountain Trail (TMT.) Return via the TMT and, on the way, look in on the site of a 1925 logging train wreck.
Falls Creek Falls
North Cascades > Methow/Sawtooth
-
Length
- 2.6 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 750 feet
-
Highest Point
- 2,920 feet
Explore an easy, gently graded trail to Falls Creek Falls just outside of Winthrop. The first waterfall is just a quarter-mile from the trailhead and is accessible via a paved trail.
Red Town Creek
Issaquah Alps > Cougar Mountain
-
Length
- 0.2 miles, one-way
-
Elevation Gain
- 22 feet
-
Highest Point
- 855 feet
A very short access trail on Cougar Mountain from the Red Town Trailhead that offers a nice graveled path, and a small waterfall.
Red Cedars
Issaquah Alps > Cougar Mountain
-
Length
- 0.3 miles, one-way
-
Elevation Gain
- 212 feet
-
Highest Point
- 1,007 feet
Access several loop options at the north side of Cougar Mountain with the Red Cedars Trail.
Shoreview and Boeing Creek Parks
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
-
Length
- 1.9 miles of trails
-
Elevation Gain
- 280 feet
-
Highest Point
- 440 feet
This pair of back-to-back urban parks just west of Shoreline Community College offers some very tall trees, small creeks, and a network of (mostly) good trails with a few ups and downs. Wildflowers, ferns, moss, birds: they are all here.
Sultan River Canyon Trail
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
-
Length
- 4.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 900 feet
-
Highest Point
- 1,700 feet
If you don’t mind descending first, then ascending later, the Sultan River Canyon trail is a nice alternative for the shoulder season when snow is still too deep in the mountains. Drop to the sparkling Sultan River, then climb back up on nicely graded switchbacks in the shade.
Mink Lake
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
-
Length
- 5.2 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,450 feet
-
Highest Point
- 3,100 feet
The forest to Mink Lake is beautiful, packed full of Queen's Cup, lilies and bunchberry flowers in bloom. Depending on the season, you may see Western Coralroot orchids and Indian Pipe, or Beargrass, Anenomes and violets around the lake.
Willapa Hills Trail
Southwest Washington > Lewis River Region
-
Length
- 56.5 miles, one-way
The trail is closed at milepost 38.5 west of Lebam due to a washout.
The trail is closed between milepost 48 and 49 at trestle 48 due to erosion.
Once a railroad, this trail can visitors to travel between the towns of Chehalis and South Bend without having to drive! Do note though, the trail is in varying stages of development, so be sure you are prepared for pavement, gravel, dirt, or detours depending on your route.
Deception Pass State Park - West Beach Sand Dunes
Puget Sound and Islands > Whidbey Island
-
Length
- 0.8 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 31 feet
-
Highest Point
- 32 feet
A stroll along the sand dunes of Deception State Park's West Beach offers a glimpse into this important geologic feature. The way is easy and interpretive signs provide information about the interesting seaside vegetation unique to this area.
