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 treaty 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
3944 HikesPuget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
4.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 20 ft.
Highest Point: 20 ft.
Rating:
Hike along the abandoned Bellingham & Skagit Interurban Railway grade between Fairhaven and Bellingham, which has been reclaimed as pedestrian trail. The gentle grade makes it a good option for new hikers, and excellent views of Bellingham Bay make for great trailside distractions.
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
1.5 miles, roundtrip
Rating:
Take a walk through the grounds of the Washington Park Arboretum, along the edge of Lake Washington, and near the grounds of the old MOHAI building. This is a nice urban romp, perfect for before or after work, or on a day when you just can't get out of the city.
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
6.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2100 ft.
Highest Point: 5200 ft.
Rating:
You’ve done Sauk Mountain and marveled at the fabulous views, now hike down to the delightful little lake you see from the top! The trail is a bit rough and overgrown, but the lake is a quiet alternative to the busy trail above.
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
6.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1345 ft.
Highest Point: 3642 ft.
Rating:
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.
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
5.3 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 0 ft.
Highest Point: 1100 ft.
Rating:
Washington State has a plethora of amazingly beautiful trails for the avid hiker to tread, but how many take you through an old train tunnel more than two miles long? The Snoqualmie Tunnel is part of the 250-mile Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail (formerly the John Wayne Trail and Iron Horse State Park) and this section is a must do for everyone! Views for most of your trip will be determined by the power of your headlamp, but there will be some sights on the other side. The attraction of this hike is the mysterious, dramatic tunnel itself. However, note that the tunnel is closed November 1st through May 1st, so plan your trip accordingly.
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
25.0 miles of trails
Highest Point: 10080 ft.
Rating:
Paradise provides a gateway to Washington's most iconic mountain, trails to get your heart pumping or just stretch your legs, and in winter, fantastic snowshoe and skiing opportunities for people of all ages.
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
7.2 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1800 ft.
Highest Point: 4400 ft.
Rating:
A relatively short and easy hike within a stone’s throw of Seattle, Snow Lake delivers splendorous alpine scenery – crystal clear waters, towering peaks – at a mere pittance of sweat and toil. Just don’t expect to have the trail to yourself – Snow Lake is Washington's most heavily-used trail in a wilderness area!
Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River
36.5 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 12000 ft.
Highest Point: 6500 ft.
Rating:
A beautiful loop trail on the north side of Mount Rainier, this is a shorter, but no less lovely, option to the Wonderland Trail.
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
12.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2600 ft.
Highest Point: 5400 ft.
Rating:
If the name Kendall Katwalk conjures up an image of a narrow pathway blasted out of a steeply sloped rock face, that’s part of it. But the whole package includes old growth forest, gorgeous wildflowers, and stunning views into the Alpine Lakes Wilderness from both sides of the pass below Kendall Peak, where the Katwalk begins.
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
15.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 4200 ft.
Highest Point: 6854 ft.
Rating:
A very challenging hike to a lookout in the Mountain Loop Area. Hike a road, then along a trail to gorgeous Goat Flats. From there, the route kicks up in difficulty as it accesses Tin Can Gap. The final push, up ladders rebarred into rock is exposed, and surefootedness is an absolute must at the lookout.
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
Rating:
The Silesia Creek Trail is currently closed due to the Chilliwack Complex
The trail to Twin Lakes is actually an extremely rough forest road that is, in theory, driveable for high-clearance vehicles. If you elect to drive it, you'll have immediate access to the trails to Winchester Lookout, High Pass and Silesia Creek. If you park at the Yellow Aster Butte Trailhead (a popular option, which makes parking difficult on nice days), you have a 2.5 mile road walk to arrive at the lakes.
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
27.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 4983 ft.
Highest Point: 5753 ft.
Rating:
Backpack on primitive trails to Dodger Point Camp in the heart of Olympic National Park for unparalleled views of high, snowy peaks towering above deep forested valleys.
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
31.0 miles, one-way
Gain: 3200 ft.
Highest Point: 5000 ft.
Rating:
Miles of riverside rambling, alpine wandering, a beautiful lonely lake, and high desert hiking, as well as all the planning and logistics that goes into a long-distance hike – this will satisfy your thruhiking cravings (at least for a month or so).
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
29.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 3500 ft.
Highest Point: 5000 ft.
Rating:
Dutch Miller Gap is a lovely spot, but takes a drive on rough road and a long hike to access.
Central Cascades
15.0 miles, one-way
Gain: 5061 ft.
Highest Point: 4688 ft.
Rating:
The Williams Lake Trail leads to a sweet lake at the base of La Bohn Peak off the Dutch Miller Gap Trail. From the junction, the trail climbs about a mile through sub-alpine forests and meadows stuffed with huckleberries, terminating at Williams Lake.
Central Cascades > Leavenworth Area
8.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2280 ft.
Highest Point: 5580 ft.
Rating:
Set beneath two of Washington’s tallest peaks, Colchuck Lake is an alpine gem. It is a larger cousin to the nearby fabled Enchantment Lakes and offers many of the same payoffs – including groves of larches on its far shore – but can be reached with less than half the effort.
Central Cascades > Leavenworth Area
6.6 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1300 ft.
Highest Point: 4650 ft.
Rating:
Along a moderate trail into the glorious Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area, past burnt Ponderosa Pines, chattering mountain streams, plenteous wildflowers and tall mountain peaks, hikers will find beautiful Eightmile Lake and its rocky, tree lined shore.
Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
6.0 miles, one-way
Rating:
Hike a trail that connects the beautiful Waptus River trail to the popular Pete Lake trail. Along the way, pass three other trail junctions, leading to further adventures.
Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
3.8 miles, one-way
Gain: 2600 ft.
Highest Point: 5400 ft.
Rating:
The Tired Creek is a quiet, steep trail that departs the Pete Late trail 1.2 miles from the trailhead. It's less-traveled than the Pete Lake trail, so you'll get solitude, but also might have to contend with a little less maintenance than on other trails in the area.
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
Rating:
Blyth Park lies along the Sammamish River in the City of Bothell. Hiking trails extend from this more developed area out through the woods and along the river. Some trails are more developed while others are impromptu social trails.
Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
11.96 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 3354 ft.
Highest Point: 6300 ft.
Rating:
A beautiful granite basin housing two sparkling lakes and big views. Explorations abound with nearly a dozen lakes to look down upon or explore around.
Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
7.43 miles, one-way
Gain: 2696 ft.
Highest Point: 5142 ft.
Rating:
This short connector trail leads hikers from the Pacific Crest Trail to Waptus Pass.
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
7.5 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 3000 ft.
Highest Point: 6280 ft.
Rating:
Here's a great backdoor access to Mount Townsend. You’ll likely have company at the summit, but this route offers solitude to get there, along with some sweeping views, plus steeps to work those quads! Consider why it's so infrequently used -- a sign at the trailhead warns of grades up to 40% in places! It's short, but there's nothing sweet about it.
Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River
4.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 600 ft.
Highest Point: 7006 ft.
Rating:
Unlike many of the trails out of Sunrise Visitor Center that lead you closer to the hulking presence of Mount Rainier, Dege Peak walks you just far enough away from the mountain to get a little perspective. With stunning 360-degree views ranging from nearby Cowlitz Chimneys to the far-off peaks of Mount St. Helens, Mount Adams, Glacier Peak and Mount Baker, this perch above Sourdough Ridge is terrific for an easy alpine stroll on a clear day.
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
3.8 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1250 ft.
Highest Point: 4875 ft.
Rating:
Follow a tumbling, churning, whitewater creek upstream as it thunders through a narrow gorge of glacier-polished rock on your way to a waterfall that drops 301 feet in a single plunge. Admire numerous small waterfalls and cascades and two significant ones, all in less than two miles. This is the Comet Falls trail.
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
6.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2150 ft.
Highest Point: 5850 ft.
Rating:
Follow tumbling, churning, Van Trump Creek upstream past spectacular Bloucher Falls and Comet Falls, to an alpine meadow featuring views of Mount Rainier and easy wandering. For an added treat, hike two extra miles for a stunning view of the barren Kautz Creek valley from Mildred Point.
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
14.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 3200 ft.
Highest Point: 6280 ft.
Rating:
Who doesn’t love a secret passageway? While the hordes gain Townsend from Quilcene side, sneak up on them from behind, then continue to Silver Lake for lovely camping and wandering opportunities.
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - OR
1.2 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 100 ft.
Highest Point: 611 ft.
Rating:
Multnomah Falls is one of the most beautiful (and popular) in the Columbia River Gorge. And that's saying something, since the Oregon side of the Gorge flows with more than 70 cascades of varying heights. Of course, all that flowing water has made it famous, and its proximity to Portland and Vancouver mean Multnomah is one of the most crowded of these waterfalls as well.
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
12.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 3300 ft.
Highest Point: 6151 ft.
Rating:
Alta Mountain is a rocky summit featuring 360 degree views of Rainier, Hibox, and the Chikamins. It can be done as a long day hike, but is more easily enjoyed as a side trip from an overnight at Lila Lake, Rampart Lakes, or even Rachel Lake.
Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
7.6 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2360 ft.
Highest Point: 6160 ft.
Rating:
Get a great workout and some incredible views on this steep, dry trail in the Teanaway.