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
3904 Hikes
Douglas Creek Canyon - North
Central Washington -- Wenatchee
4.4 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 200 ft.
Highest Point: 1700.0 ft.
Rating:
A gorgeous hike through a shrub steppe ecosystem, Douglas Creek Canyon is a vibrant oasis in the desert.
Goat Island Mountain
Mount Rainier Area -- NE - Sunrise/White River
13.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 3700 ft.
Highest Point: 7288.0 ft.
Rating:
Road Closed: The road accessing this trailhead is closed for the 2020/2021 winter season.
The route to the top of Goat Island Mountain is not on true trail but is more of a scramble.
Palouse to Cascades Trail - Thorp Trailhead
Snoqualmie Region -- Cle Elum Area
22.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 160 ft.
Highest Point: 1820.0 ft.
Rating:
With Mount Stuart peeking over the ridge, take a walk, or ride, through agricultural Kittitas County with its irrigated farming & ranching. Two railroad tunnels and an abandoned farm display some history of the region.
Catherine Creek - Tracy Hill Loop
Southwest Washington -- Columbia River Gorge - WA
6.1 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1715 ft.
Highest Point: 1870.0 ft.
Rating:
The Tracy Hill Loop at Catherine Creek is a popular route, but the eastern-most portion of it crosses a parcel of tribal land not open to the public. Visitors are encouraged to use the WTA-built Catherine Creek loop, which starts and ends from the main parking area for Catherine Creek.
Robinson Creek - Robinson Mountain
North Cascades -- Pasayten
19.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 3660 ft.
Highest Point: 6220.0 ft.
Rating:
The sight and roaring sound of Robinson Creek will accompany you on your forested hike up the valley, following in the footsteps of an early trapper, Billy Robinson. The low starting elevation makes this a popular late spring/early summer day-hike or overnight.
Robinson Mountain
North Cascades -- Methow/Sawtooth
11.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 6166 ft.
Highest Point: 8726.0 ft.
Rating:
A challenging summit of a peak in the North Cascades. Route-finding experience required.
Monte Cristo
South Cascades -- Mount Adams Area
5.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 400 ft.
Highest Point: 4177.0 ft.
Rating:
Like its neighbor, the nearby Monte Carlo trail, the 4.1 mile-long Monte Cristo trail ventures into the small Monte Cristo range in the south Cascades outside of Willard. From it, hikers see a myriad of wildflowers in the spring, and the occasional views of the south Cascade range.
Carlton Ridge
South Cascades -- White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley
8.8 miles, one-way
Gain: 2400 ft.
Highest Point: 5600.0 ft.
Rating:
This 9-mile, rugged trail trail delivers hikers into the remote William O. Douglas Wilderness at mile 3.5 and offers excellent views of Mount Rainier. It's also a great way to access the deep woods off of Highway 12, where you can loop hike to your heart's content.
Badger Peak
South Cascades -- Dark Divide
7.5 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1700 ft.
Highest Point: 5664.0 ft.
Rating:
If you can stand the bugs, this is a very pleasant, well-shaded hike with a very rewarding view at the top. It's a short hike, doable in a day for most hikers.
Wallace Falls State Park
Central Cascades -- Stevens Pass - West
5.6 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1300 ft.
Highest Point: 1500.0 ft.
Rating:
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.
Blanchard Hill - Alternate Incline Trail
Puget Sound and Islands -- Bellingham Area
4.2 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1000 ft.
Highest Point: 1890.0 ft.
Rating:
A short but steep backdoor connector trail on the lower east side of Chuckanut Mountain, the Alternate Incline offers access to Lily and Lizard Lakes, North Butte, Oyster Dome and even the Pacific Northwest Trail from the spacious Blanchard Hill upper trailhead parking lot.
Reflection and Louise Lakes Snowshoe
Mount Rainier Area -- SW - Longmire/Paradise
7.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 560 ft.
Highest Point: 5100.0 ft.
Rating:
The trek to Reflection and Louise Lakes is a quintessential Mount Rainier snowshoeing experience -- the bright, flat expanse of snow and ice covered mountain lakes, subalpine meadows that offer opportunities for romping, stupendous views of The Mountain and the Tatoosh Range, and the south end of the Mazama Ridge beckoning you to follow.
Mazama Ridge Snowshoe
Mount Rainier Area -- SW - Longmire/Paradise
6.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 900 ft.
Highest Point: 5700.0 ft.
Rating:
Mazama Ridge at Mount Rainier's Paradise area offers an especially scenic intermediate-level snowshoe route in the midst of snow-covered alpine meadows.
Annette Lake
Snoqualmie Region -- Snoqualmie Pass
7.5 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1800 ft.
Highest Point: 3600.0 ft.
Rating:
Waterfalls, wildflowers, sheltering forests, mountain views and an alpine lake are offered on this well-maintained trail. At the lake, enjoy the sights and relax for a while. If you backpacked in, stay at the campsites for a sunrise and sunset on the lake.
Blanca Lake
Central Cascades -- Stevens Pass - West
7.5 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 3300 ft.
Highest Point: 4600.0 ft.
Rating:
Visit one of the most striking lakes in the Henry M. Jackson wilderness. The vibrant blue of the glacier-fed lake provides the perfect rest stop for hikers who have braved the thirty-odd, steep switchbacks that lead to the lake.
Granite Mountain
Snoqualmie Region -- Snoqualmie Pass
8.6 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 3800 ft.
Highest Point: 5629.0 ft.
Rating:
In winter the trail up Granite Mountain crosses a large avalanche chute early in the hike. Please have experience navigating avalanche terrain and the proper equipment when hiking this trail in the winter
The astounding views from the summit of the Granite Mountain trail come at a price. A nearly-1000-feet-of-elevation-gain-per-mile price. But views of pointed Kaleetan Peak, deep blue Crystal Lake, the climber-dotted Tooth, and Mount Rainier dominating the skyline to the south make it all worth it.
Ira Spring Trail - Mason Lake
Snoqualmie Region -- Snoqualmie Pass
6.5 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2420 ft.
Highest Point: 4320.0 ft.
Rating:
Sun drenched ridgelines, blooming trillium, and sparkling alpine waters define this fitting tribute to one of Washington’s greatest trail advocates.
Lake 22
North Cascades -- Mountain Loop Highway
5.4 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1350 ft.
Highest Point: 2400.0 ft.
Rating:
The curiously-named Lake Twentytwo is the center of an oasis of alpine wetland nestled on the northern shoulder of Mount Pilchuck. The hike to the lake combines the best of mountain rainforests, old-growth, wetlands, and mountain views, yet it is readily accessible. In winter the route lends itself to snowshoeing.
Lake Lillian
Snoqualmie Region -- Snoqualmie Pass
9.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2000 ft.
Highest Point: 5300.0 ft.
Rating:
The Alpine Lakes Wilderness may be reached from numerous trail heads along the I-90 corridor. This little trail-gem sparkles, hidden in Snoqualmie Pass. It varies in terrain from abandoned logging road, through clear cut, all the way up to pristine alpine lake(s) nestled into a glacier scoured cirque. Seasonal changes make this medium difficulty hike worth returning to time and time again.
Melakwa Lake
Snoqualmie Region -- Snoqualmie Pass
8.5 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2700 ft.
Highest Point: 4600.0 ft.
Rating:
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.
Scorpion Mountain via Johnson Ridge
Central Cascades -- Stevens Pass - West
8.6 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2500 ft.
Highest Point: 5540.0 ft.
Rating:
Scorpion Mountain offers a 360-degree view of the Central Cascades, and the huckleberries and blueberries make this a much underrated fall hike.
Teneriffe Falls
Snoqualmie Region -- North Bend Area
5.6 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1585 ft.
Highest Point: 2370.0 ft.
Rating:
You'll work up a sweat on this easy to moderate hike to the spectacular Teneriffe Falls. Go in the spring when the tread is snow-free and the waterfall is flowing at full volume. Along the way, you'll be rewarded with views of the surrounding Snoqualmie valley and nearby peaks.
Snow Lake
Snoqualmie Region -- Snoqualmie Pass
7.2 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1800 ft.
Highest Point: 4400.0 ft.
Rating:
Multiple avalanche chutes cross the Snow Lake Trail, posing danger for hikers in the winter. If there is snow present at the trailhead, hikers should have experience navigating avalanche territory and the appropriate safety gear.
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!
Bandera Mountain
Snoqualmie Region -- North Bend Area
8.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 3400 ft.
Highest Point: 5240.0 ft.
Rating:
There are two sides to Bandera Mountain – gentle and well groomed on the one hand, rough and untamed on the other. Together, they make for a very satisfying hike along a rocky ridge to a false summit (Little Bandera) with views impressive enough to dissuade most from completing the final half mile of informal trail to the “real” summit.
Wilderness Peak Loop
Issaquah Alps -- Cougar Mountain
4.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1200 ft.
Highest Point: 1598.0 ft.
Rating:
Hike trails named in honor of mountaineers Jim Whittaker and Nawang Gombu, of 1963 Mount Everest ascent fame. Wilderness Peak may not be Everest, but it is the highest point in King County's Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park and it does have some wonderful old-growth conifers. This loop offers a diversity of steep forested hillsides, huge mossy boulders, and a low swampy area traversed via a narrow boardwalk.
Chybinski Loop
Issaquah Alps -- Squak Mountain
7.7 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2100 ft.
Highest Point: 1800.0 ft.
Rating:
The Chybinski Loop is located in the Cougar/Squak Mountain Corridor, and has many connecting trails and loop options.
Granite Creek Trail to Granite Lakes
Snoqualmie Region -- North Bend Area
8.8 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2270 ft.
Highest Point: 3070.0 ft.
Rating:
Granite Creek courses through the gorge between Mailbox Peak and Russian Butte. Ascend through the creek’s ravine, immersed in mountain rainforest, alongside whitewater rapids, waterfalls, wildflowers, and mushrooms, while you take in majestic views of the mountains of the Middle Fork valley. Seasonal treats include berries and fall colors.
Skyline Trail Loop
Mount Rainier Area -- SW - Longmire/Paradise
5.5 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1450 ft.
Highest Point: 6800.0 ft.
Rating:
The Skyline Trail is the main route for hiking out of Paradise, Mount Rainier’s south side hub and most popular destination, providing visitors a unique opportunity to experience the breathtaking beauty of Washington’s grandest mountain. Even before the historic Paradise Inn was constructed in 1916, the Paradise valley has long been one of the state’s most beloved hiking destinations because of its southern exposure, giving it a longer season than its north side counterpart, Sunrise. In peak season (July and August) your trip along the Skyline Trail will be filled with views of cascading waterfalls, mighty glaciers and subalpine meadows brimming with colorful splashes of lupines, mountain heather, scarlet paintbrush, cascade asters and bistort.
Royal Basin - Royal Lake
Olympic Peninsula -- Hood Canal
16.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2650 ft.
Highest Point: 5700.0 ft.
Rating:
You will see plenty in the first 7.2 miles of this trip that take you to the shores of Royal Lake, but you should plan your hike to have the time –and energy -- to enjoy the wildflower-dotted alpine basin and its milky blue tarns in Upper Royal Basin about three-quarters of a mile past the lake.
Iron Goat Trail
Central Cascades -- Stevens Pass - West
6.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 700 ft.
Highest Point: 2800.0 ft.
Rating:
Take a hike through railroad history. The old tunnels, rusting relics, cement snow sheds and the big red caboose should appeal to kids of all ages, and the complex history of the railroad and those who built it, as well as the avalanche that wiped everything away will appeal to history buffs.