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
4189 HikesPipestone Canyon Rim Trail
North Cascades > Methow/Sawtooth
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Length
- 9.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,500 feet
-
Highest Point
- 3,420 feet
Explore a scenic and incredibly varied landscape near Winthrop where you are almost certainly guaranteed to see some of the region’s abundant wildlife.
Skagit Wildlife Area
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 2.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 0 feet
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Highest Point
- 0 feet
Each year, from fall to spring, this area is a bird paradise, with snow geese and trumpeter and tundra swans overwintering in huge numbers. There are several access points in the wildlife refuge. The Headquarters area has a two mile trail and staff may be able to point you to other appropriate areas to visit.
Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge
South Cascades > Mount Adams Area
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Length
- 2.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 223 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,905 feet
Conboy Lake is now more of a marsh than a lake but it is home to a variety of wildlife. The habitat consists of oak, pine, and aspen forests, wetlands and grassy prairies.
Wallace Falls State Park
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
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Length
- 5.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,300 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,500 feet
An accessible hike for seasoned veterans and neophytes alike, Wallace Falls provides visitors with breathtaking views of the Wallace River and the surrounding falls on a relatively low difficulty, scenic 5.6 mile round-trip. Although well attended and often busy, the trail stands as a true showcase of the diversity and majestic beauty that the Central Cascades can offer to hikers who journey into the heart of this sublime mountain range.
Pearrygin Lake State Park - Rex Derr Trail
North Cascades > Methow/Sawtooth
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Length
- 3.1 miles of trails
The beautiful lake at Pearrygin Lake State Park is the star of the show here, but a 3-mile trail skirting the eastern edge of the park is a lovely diversion for visitors here.
Elliott Bay Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 10.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 350 feet
-
Highest Point
- 65 feet
The Elliott Bay Trail follows the shoreline of Elliott Bay for 5 miles from S Royal Brougham Way near CenturyLink and SafeCo Fields to Smith Cove Park in Magnolia.
Gas Works Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 1.0 miles of trails
Popular year-round, but especially on sunny summer days, Gas Works Park is a popular greenspace with some old remains from an coal gasification plant. A rolling hill on the north side of Lake Union offers a great place to luxuriate in the sun and watch water traffic on the lake.
Cheshiahud Lake Union Loop
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 6.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 439 feet
-
Highest Point
- 77 feet
Named for a Duwamish chief who led a village on Lake Union, this six-mile, mostly-paved urban loop connects pocket parks and multi-use paths around Lake Union in Seattle. If you don't stop for a bite to eat in one of the neighborhoods along the way, Gasworks Park (on the north side of the loop) and Lake Union Park (on the south side) both make great picnic spots with lake views.
Greenbank Farm
Puget Sound and Islands > Whidbey Island
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Length
- 7.0 miles of trails
-
Elevation Gain
- 275 feet
-
Highest Point
- 300 feet
Greenbank Farm was saved from becoming a housing community by partnerships with local land officials and the Trust for Public Land. Thanks to protection from Island County and the Nature Conservancy, hikers can explore the many trails that web the more than 500 acres of fields that surround the expansive property of Greenbank.
Rhododendron Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Whidbey Island
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Length
- 3.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 0 feet
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Highest Point
- 295 feet
A multi-use county park with a short system of rambling trails through native rhododendron forest in central Whidbey Island.
Fort Casey State Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Whidbey Island
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Length
- 2.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 200 feet
-
Highest Point
- 200 feet
This is more of a stroll than a hike, with beach walking. It is of historical interest with interpretive signs along the way. Fort Casey was one of three forts chosen in 1896 to form a triangle for protection of Puget Sound. Fort Worden and Fort Flagler were the other two. All have become state parks. Their use for coastal protection proved to be impractical so their use became a place for instruction and training of troops during both of the world wars.
Fort Ebey State Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Whidbey Island
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Length
- 4.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 520 feet
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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
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Elevation Gain
- 260 feet
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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.
Dugualla Bay Preserve
Puget Sound and Islands > Whidbey Island
Dugualla Bay Preserve (not to be confused with Dugualla Bay State Park just down the road) is a natural area on the northeast area of Whidbey Island. Managed by the Whidbey Camano Land Trust, this is an important section of protected shoreline for salmon recovery.
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
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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.
Anacortes Community Forest Lands - Little Cranberry Lake
Puget Sound and Islands > Whidbey Island
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Length
- 1.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 125 feet
-
Highest Point
- 250 feet
Set off for a hike in the Anacortes Community Forest Lands (ACFL), a 2,800-acre preserve within the city limits of Anacortes.
Guemes Channel and Ship Harbor
Puget Sound and Islands > San Juan Islands
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Length
- 3.2 miles, roundtrip
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
Hansen Ridge
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 15.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,300 feet
-
Highest Point
- 4,100 feet
In summer and fall this is a bikers trail but come winter it makes an excellent snowshoe or cross country ski trail.
Eastside Trail
Mount Rainier Area > SE - Cayuse Pass/Stevens Canyon
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Length
- 26.2 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 3,532 feet
This long route connects the subalpine environs of Chinook Pass and Tipsoo Lake with the deep, lowland forests of the Ohanapecosh area. It is part of the East Side Loop trail, a long loop that hikers can enjoy in lieu of the Wonderland Trail.
Easy Pass
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 7.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,800 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,500 feet
Don’t be fooled by the name — the way to Easy Pass is anything but easy. But the reward for your efforts is an eastside gateway into the stunning North Cascades National Park. At the pass, you’re greeted by trickling streams of snowmelt and views of the peaks of Golden Horn and Mount Hardy to the east. Venturing further west, gaze into the Park, with awe-inspiring glacially carved river valleys, dark gray craggy massifs of Fisher Peak and Mount Logan dotted with snowfields or cloaked by glaciers, and a host of wildflowers.
Nooksack Cirque
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 9.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 640 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,840 feet
This unique, low-elevation hike follows the North Fork Nooksack River to spectacular scenery near the base of Mount Shuksan. This is a great late summer or early fall hike when Ruth Creek is low enough to ford. Keep in mind the limited maintenance this trail sees -- you may be in for a brushbash.