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
62 HikesChinook Trail
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 2.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,340 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,780 feet
The Chinook Trail #180B is a section of the Chinook Trail System, an yet-to-be-realized 300 mile bi-state loop encircling the Columbia River Gorge. The #180B section connects the Tarbell Trail to the Silver Star Trail. Many still refer to this section as the Kloochman Butte Trail.
Coyote Wall - The Labyrinth Loop
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 7.7 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,200 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,250 feet
This year-round hike offers great views of the Columbia River Gorge along with enchanting stands of oak, cascading waterfalls, dramatic basalt outcroppings, and profuse wildflowers in the spring. Often sunny here while raining in Vancouver, it is a great place to hike while waiting for snow to melt at higher elevations.
Beacon Rock State Park - Hamilton Mountain
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 7.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,400 feet
This hike is full of the best things the Columbia Gorge has to offer: easy access and parking, well-maintained trail, wildflowers galore, two waterfalls, and views to knock off your sweaty socks. It’s a long journey at about 7.5 miles, and steep in places, but nothing a healthy dog, child or senior citizen can’t do. You’ll meet all of these smiling folks on this hike during the peak seasons.
Dog Mountain
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 6.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,800 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,948 feet
The stunning views and unparalleled springtime flowers make this one of the most popular hikes in the Gorge. On a good day, you can get a bird’s eye view of Mount Hood and the Columbia River. In the spring the top is carpeted with vibrant yellow balsam root. Although the trail is steep and sometimes crowded, this hike is unquestionably worth the effort.
Captain William Clark Regional Park at Cottonwood Beach - Dike Trail
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 2.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 20 feet
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Highest Point
- 20 feet
Enjoy a hike or glimpse some native species of bird along the Washougal Dike.
Beacon Rock State Park - Beacon Rock
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 2.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 600 feet
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Highest Point
- 848 feet
Beacon Rock's native name is "Che-Che-op-tin," which translates to "the navel of the world." Native Americans weren't far off in their comparison, since the 848-foot basalt column once formed the core, or belly, of an ancient volcano.
She-Who-Watches
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 2.0 miles, roundtrip
Due to vandalism to this native peoples' spiritual center in the 1990s, Washington State Parks closed the pictograph and petroglyph area to public entry. Access is now by guided tour only. Reservations are required; contact Columbia Hills State Park.
Cape Horn
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 7.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,300 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,350 feet
There is an annual closure on Cape Horn for peregrine falcon nesting from February to July. Hikers will need to do an out-and-back instead of a loop when the closure is in effect.
This rugged hike is bound to become a classic, if it isn’t already. The full trail loop provides fantastic views of the Columbia River Gorge, an intimate look at the Cape Horn Falls and a challenging workout as it climbs and descends the rocky slopes of Cape Horn.
Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) Section H - Bridge of the Gods to White Pass
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 147.5 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 27,996 feet
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Highest Point
- 7,800 feet
Offering spectacular views of the three southern volcanoes in Washington, lakes, meadows and wildlife over relatively moderate terrain, Section H is the perfect starting point for the Washington portion of the Pacific Crest Trail.
Beacon Rock State Park - Hadley Trail
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 1.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 175 feet
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Highest Point
- 750 feet
Here's an ADA-accessible forested trail just over half a mile long in Beacon Rock State Park that takes you to a lookout point for Bonneville Dam and the Columbia Gorge. It can also connect you with the Hamilton Mountain Trail from the Beacon Rock Campground.
Augspurger Mountain - North
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 2.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,100 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,667 feet
Find spring wildflowers and one of the best ridge hikes in the Gorge; just be prepared for a difficult drive to get there. While Dog Mountain to the south is crowded, you’ll have these sweeping vistas to yourself. WTA volunteers have put in many hours to improve this trail.
Beacon Rock State Park - Hardy Creek
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
This 1.1-mile trail parallels Hardy Creek as one segment of the Hamilton Mountain loop. It is high up the ridge above the creek, traversing red alder and Douglas-fir forests.
Wind River Arboretum
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 2.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 40 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,200 feet
Visit a historic arboretum on connected paths that form a 2 mile interpretive trail, with the option to do shorter loops.
Bells Mountain
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 15.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,100 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,500 feet
The Bells Mountain trail is a non-motorized, multi-use trail constructed by the Chinook Trail Association (CTA) and managed by Department of Natural Resources (DNR). It is part of a 30-mile stretch of the Chinook Trail that was awarded National Recreation Trail Status in 2005.
Columbia Hills State Park - Crawford Ranch Trail
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 3.4 miles, roundtrip
In spring the hills are alive with blooming balsamroot, lupine, phlox and many other wildflowers. The balsamroot and lupine are the stars of the show at Columbia Hills State Park.
Sams Walker Nature Trail
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 1.1 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 50 feet
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Highest Point
- 100 feet
Take a mile-long stroll along a gravelled trail through abandoned farm fields. This trail is barrier free, and trail maintenance WTA is performing will greatly improve it, making it more wheelchair friendly in the future.
Whistle Punk Trail
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 1.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 174 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,270 feet
In logging's heyday, whistle punks were men tasked with operating the signal that let other loggers know a log had been hooked up and was ready to be moved. Using interpretive signage, this trail illustrates what was like to be on a logging show, from the crew, to the cook, to camp.
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.
Grassy Knoll
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 4.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,048 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,648 feet
Take a short, heart-rate-elevating climb to a former fire lookout site with extensive views of the Columbia River Gorge, Oregon, and the Silver Star Scenic Area.
Lyle Cherry Orchard
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 6.5 miles of trails
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Elevation Gain
- 1,050 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,100 feet
This little-known gem of a hike on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge offers spectacular views of the Columbia River, amazing spring wildflowers and an old garry oak forest of gnarled old trees. This stunning preserve is owned by the Friends of the Columbia Gorge and tops out in an old cherry orchard with a few surviving trees.
Augspurger Trail
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 15.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 4,400 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,000 feet
The Augspurger Mountain Trail offers a great loop option to the popular Dog Mountain Trail. The two trails share the same trailhead, but the Augspurger trail heads off to the west. The way is more gentle, and a 1.5 mile connector trail links the two together. Along the way, enjoy bouncy balsamroot blooms in May and fantastic views of the Columbia River Gorge, Mount Hood and more all year round.
Brooks Memorial State Park
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 5.0 miles of trails
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Elevation Gain
- 200 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,856 feet
This state park has trails that wind through a forest of Ponderosa pine and Oregon white oak in the Simcoe Mountains near the Columbia River Gorge. Some trails take you up to meadows with wildflowers in the spring and views of Mount Hood in Oregon on a clear day.
Klickitat Rail Trail - Swale Canyon
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 13.0 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 450 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,550 feet
The Klickitat Rail Trail is a 31-mile rails-to-trails conversion managed by Columbia Hills State Park. This linear park goes from Lyle to Warwick (on the Lyle-Centerville Highway) with several access points along the way. Swale Canyon lies on the eastern end of the trail and offers a quiet canyon, a burbly creek, wildflowers and solitude.
Panther Creek Falls
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 0.16 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 100 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,800 feet
Take a beautiful, very short hike to a lovely waterfall off the beaten path.
Catherine Creek - Universal Access Trail
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 1.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 120 feet
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Highest Point
- 300 feet
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.
Catherine Creek Loop
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 5.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,424 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,332 feet
This route at Catherine Creek takes hikers past a natural arch and into the higher country around the meadows at Catherine Creek.
Three Corner Rock
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 4.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 800 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,550 feet
Trail Closed: This trail is closed until further notice due to forest management practices.
Hike the Pacific Crest Trail to a relatively unknown but landmark lookout site on a rock pinnacle with a view of 5 snow peaks and segments of the Columbia River. Three Corner Rock sits atop of broad, open ridge surrounded by beargrass meadows in the spring.
North Bonneville Heritage Trails
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 12.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 20 feet
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Highest Point
- 40 feet
There are more than 12 miles of trails encircling and interweaving the town of North Bonneville. These range from paved and flat to rougher, dirt trails that are somewhat steep in places. All afford nice exercise and views from the valley of the high peaks above the wide Columbia River.
Weldon Wagon Road
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 5.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,290 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,900 feet
Oregon white oak woodlands with open ridgetop meadows, wildflowers, and views of the White Salmon Valley make this a delightful hike that is off the beaten track.
Pacific Way Trail
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 2.0 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 20 feet
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Highest Point
- 20 feet
Take this wide, graveled path to get a quick dose of nature near home.
