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
4173 HikesNoble Knob
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 950 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,011 feet
This hike up to a former lookout site provides spectacular views of Mount Rainier and the surrounding landscape.
Gobblers Knob
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
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Length
- 11.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,565 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,485 feet
A clear, sparkling lake, up-close views of Mount Rainier, and a historic fire lookout await you on the Gobblers Knob Trail. This route is an eastern approach to the lookout via Westside Road.
Tahoma Creek Suspension Bridge - Emerald Ridge Loop
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
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Length
- 14.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,100 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,600 feet
Ever wanted to hike the Wonderland Trail, but have time for only a sneak peek? Here’s how to enjoy a sampling of the Wonderland’s spectacular scenery — in a single day!
St. Andrews Park - St. Andrews Lake
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
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Length
- 20.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 4,650 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,900 feet
St. Andrews Lake is a lovely high country lake along the Wonderland Trail that can be reached via the Westside Road.
South Puyallup to Klapatche
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
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Length
- 18.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 5,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,900 feet
South Puyallup to Klapatche is a scenic section along the western portion of the Wonderland Trail.
Lake George
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
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Length
- 9.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 930 feet
Ascend the decommissioned portion of the Westside Road to the Lake George Trailhead, and then follow a moderately steep trail through an old-growth Douglas fir and hemlock forest to a secluded and beautiful campground on the shores of a beautiful blue-green mountain lake. Grab a permit at the Longmire Ranger Station and make it an overnight — but bring warm clothes.
Round Pass Trail
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
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Length
- 0.5 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 362 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,885 feet
A lovely alternative to walking the West Side Road, the Round Pass trail heads east to the South Puyallup Trail.
South Puyallup Trail
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
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Length
- 3.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 700 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,200 feet
Known as the South Puyallup Trail, this access point to the Wonderland Trail is a connector 1.7 miles long that wends its way through a mature forest with trees ranging between 100 to 1000 years old.
Press Expedition Traverse
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
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Length
- 44.0 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 6,742 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,600 feet
The Press Traverse is a 44-mile hiking trail that traverses through the heart of Olympic National Park. The original route was pioneered by a group led by James Christie between 1889–1890. Today’s version of the route snakes along rivers, through old-growth rainforests and highlights a blend of human and natural history.
Irely Lake
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
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Length
- 2.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 145 feet
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Highest Point
- 615 feet
A temperate rainforest saunter up from the Quinault River valley floor to a fauna rich lake within the Olympic National Park
Graves Creek
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
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Length
- 7.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,500 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,880 feet
The Graves Creek primitive trail provides access to old growth forests high above the Quinault River Valley and solitude compared to the high use trails along the Quinault River. Expect glimpses of waterfalls across the gorge in spring and signs of wild-life including bear, deer, and elk.
Enchanted Valley via East Fork Quinault River
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
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Length
- 27.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,700 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,035 feet
The East Fork Quinault River Trail is one of the most popular trails on the south portion of the park and hundreds of hikers visit Enchanted Valley to take in the tremendous views and see the famed chalet each year.
Elip Creek
Olympic Peninsula > Olympia
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Length
- 4.6 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 3,100 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,760 feet
Elip Creek is a wild and challenging hike for those seeking an alternate approach to the Skyline Trail. It also makes a fine 21-mile loop by connecting to the Three Lakes and Big Creek trails, a route that climbs to subalpine meadows where picturesque tarns lie in solitude beneath tree studded ridges.
North Fork Quinault River and Halfway House
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
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Length
- 10.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 300 feet
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Highest Point
- 800 feet
The hike to Halfway House follows the first five miles of the North Fork Quinault River along the same route taken by the Press Expedition of 1890. The trail passes through superb lowland rainforest before entering the canyon of the Quinault. Halfway House makes a good picnic spot for day hikers and is also a great camp site for backpackers on a longer journey.
Skyline
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
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Length
- 45.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 4,900 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,700 feet
The trail is closed between the junction with the Lake Beauty Camp Trail and the Elwha River Trail near Low Divide due to damage from the 2023 Low Divide Fire.
This primitive trail spans over 20 miles through Montane and subalpine ecosystems. From the Low Divide Ranger Station to the Three Lakes campsite, the Skyline trail will take you on a steep journey past lakes and to the top of Kimta Peak.
Lower Big Quilcene River
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 12.9 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,890 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,943 feet
The Lower Big Quilcene Trail begins just outside the Buckhorn Wilderness and follows the lower Big Quilcene River along a mostly non-technical tread for approximately 6.5 miles. The moss-lined route starts on an old road bed through younger forest and then winds past large old-growth cedars. In spring and summer, blooming rhododendrons add vibrant color to your journey. This trail is also a great choice during the fall and winter months because the trees provide shelter from precipitation.
Basin Creek
North Cascades > Pasayten
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Length
- 6.5 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 3,450 feet
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Highest Point
- 7,620 feet
The Basin Creek Trail is one of two trails in the Pasayten Wilderness that climb east out of the Chewuch River Valley. The benefits of this trail’s strenuous climb in the minimal shade are the expansive views from the shoulder of Topaz Mt. Beyond the views is the junction with the Windy Peak trail, with optional extensions to summit Windy Peak or continue past Windy Lake and go on to Horseshoe Basin.
Melakwa - Pratt Lake Traverse
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 11.7 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,300 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,700 feet
Take a thru-hike among some of the I-90 corridor's most iconic lakes. Make it a day hike, an overnight, or take as much time as you like and really explore the area.
Lower Tuscohatchie Lake via Denny Creek Trail
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 12.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 4,600 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,680 feet
Lower Tuscohatchie Lake is accessible from multiple different trailheads, offering hikers multiple hiking options for a great weekend getaway or long day hike.
Melakwa Lake
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 8.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,700 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,600 feet
The way to Melakwa Lake is like two different trails: first a wide gentle trail through old growth forest beneath an elevated and noisy Interstate freeway. And second, a rocky steep trail that follows a waterfall and a precipitous gorge upstream to get to a pair of clear alpine lakes flanked by rocky peaks. Is it about the journey or the destination? You decide.
Denny Creek
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 6.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,345 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,642 feet
A popular trail, thanks to its gentle, family friendly grade with amazing destinations. The natural water slide area at Denny Creek is a must visit for families! Keekwulee Falls offers a stunning viewpoint that is easily accessible. Snowshoe Falls maybe a bit elusive and more difficult to see from the trail, but is also a beautiful natural wonder.
McNary Dam Nature Area
Central Washington > Tri-Cities
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Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 20 feet
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Highest Point
- 315 feet
Venture across the Columbia River, just barely into Oregon, and ramble on easy trails where you’ll see and hear a wide variety of birds, mammals and reptiles.
Escure Ranch - Turtle Lake
Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
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Length
- 7.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 211 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,683 feet
Old ranch roads take you past basalt cliffs and endless expanses of shoulder-high grassland to a small lake under a big sky.
Windy Creek
North Cascades > Pasayten
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Length
- 9.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,350 feet
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Highest Point
- 7,930 feet
The Windy Creek Trail provides the shortest approach route to Windy Peak. After the 4.8-mile climb up the Windy Creek Trail, mostly through the recovering forest from the 2006 Tripod Fire, it is only an additional 0.3 mile with a 400-foot climb to reach the expansive 360-degree view from the top.
Boulder Garden Loop
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 2.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 800 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,400 feet
The Boulder Garden Loop offers an opportunity to explore stone giants on a relatively untraveled path, despite its proximity to two of the busiest hiking thoroughfares in the Snoqualmie Pass region. It also is the access route to the Old Mount Si trail, for those who desire a less peopled approach to the Puget Sound region's most well-known hike.
Franklin Falls
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 2.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 400 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,600 feet
Hiking with kids, new to hiking, or just looking for an easy day hike with a spectacular endpoint? Look no further then Franklin Falls! At just 2 miles with 400 feet in elevation gain it is the perfect destination for any hiker looking for something easy and beautiful!
Little Si
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 3.7 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,300 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,550 feet
The small rocky bluff known as Little Si is a moderately-graded trail located in the North Bend area. Although relatively steep inclines bookend this hike, the route is perfect for beginners as well as hiking veterans with opportunities to cut away on the Boulder Garden Loop (at 0.3 miles and 0.5 miles).
Goat Mountain
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 8.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,100 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,600 feet
From the top, you’ll marvel at vistas of icy peaks including Mounts Baker, Shuksan and Sefrit. Big alpine meadows with plenty of huckleberries in the fall!
Shellrock Peak
South Cascades > White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley
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Length
- 9.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,625 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,835 feet
In addition to broad views, Shellrock Peak features some interesting rock formations for the geology buff. Constant elevation changes along the trail, lack of water, and the need for minor off-trail routefinding make solitude likely.
Fourth Creek
Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
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Length
- 3.6 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 1,300 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,600 feet
9.5.25: Bean Creek Basin and Beverly Turnpike are closed until further notice due to the Labor Mountain Fire.
Accessible from the Beverly Turnpike trail or from the Ingalls Creek trail, Fourth Creek is a hiker-only trail that connects Beverly Turnpike with the Ingalls Creek trail and allows hikers to create loops in the popular Teanaway area.