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
3897 Hikes
Wallace Falls - Lake Loop
Central Cascades -- Stevens Pass - West
9.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1544 ft.
Highest Point: 1844.0 ft.
Rating:
This fine loop trail gives you scenery, mileage, and some elevation gain, with the bonus of being hikeable year-round. Start by wandering along the Wallace River as it tumbles down from the famous falls. Get your pictures of the falls, then continue your hike by including the large forested Wallace Lake. Return through a green shag carpet of moss, sword ferns and hemlock, following the North Fork Wallace River as it rushes to meet the main Wallace River and your return trail.
Rooster Mountain
Snoqualmie Region -- North Bend Area
14.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 4500 ft.
Highest Point: 5340.0 ft.
Rating:
Trail Closed: The Snoqualmie Lake trailhead and trail will be closed beginning October 18 for trailhead expansion and toilet installation. The 5640 road that leads to the trailhead will also be closed for road improvements to facilitate construction. It is anticipated that the construction will occur for about a month. This timeline will be updated as the Forest Service progress’s through the project.
Once a popular I-90 guidebook staple, Rooster Mountain trail is actually an unofficial trail up an old road bed. The Forest Service does not maintain it. Route-finding skills to tackle this overgrown, ghostly Cascades excursion. There are far easier and more rewarding peaks in the area, but if you are looking for a challenging trail off the beaten path, quite literally in this case, Rooster Mountain may be just the hike for you.
Quartz Creek/Lake Blethen
Snoqualmie Region
11.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2550 ft.
Highest Point: 3700.0 ft.
Rating:
Trail Closed: The Snoqualmie Lake trailhead and trail will be closed beginning October 18 for trailhead expansion and toilet installation. The 5640 road that leads to the trailhead will also be closed for road improvements to facilitate construction. It is anticipated that the construction will occur for about a month. This timeline will be updated as the Forest Service progress’s through the project.
Less of a trail than a road walk, the route up Quartz Creek offers quiet and solitude in the Middle Fork Valley.
Nordrum Lake
Snoqualmie Region -- North Bend Area
19.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 4172 ft.
Highest Point: 3675.0 ft.
Rating:
Trail Closed: The Snoqualmie Lake trailhead and trail will be closed beginning October 18 for trailhead expansion and toilet installation. The 5640 road that leads to the trailhead will also be closed for road improvements to facilitate construction. It is anticipated that the construction will occur for about a month. This timeline will be updated as the Forest Service progress’s through the project.
A steep and seldom traveled trail settled in what is now Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Nordrum Lake provides giant old-growth conifers, rivers, streams, waterfalls – and quite a workout! This narrow path cuts off the Taylor River/Snoqualmie Lake trail after about 6.5 miles, and doesn’t stop climbing until you reach the lake at about 3675’. But don’t worry, the giant cedars and firs provide shade throughout the entirety of the hike, keeping you cool on even the hottest of summer days.
Snoqualmie Lake
Snoqualmie Region -- North Bend Area
18.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1900 ft.
Highest Point: 3147.0 ft.
Rating:
Trail Closed: The Snoqualmie Lake trailhead and trail will be closed beginning October 18 for trailhead expansion and toilet installation. The 5640 road that leads to the trailhead will also be closed for road improvements to facilitate construction. It is anticipated that the construction will occur for about a month. This timeline will be updated as the Forest Service progress’s through the project.
Visit this large, quiet lake in the heart of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Snoqualmie is accessible both via Highway 2 and the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Road. From the trailhead on Highway 2, it's 7.3 miles to Snoqualmie Lake, and from the Middle Fork Road, it's 9.2 miles. You can even make this a thru-hike if you can arrange a pick-up at the other end.
Taylor River - Otter Falls
Snoqualmie Region -- North Bend Area
11.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 650 ft.
Highest Point: 1750.0 ft.
Rating:
Trail Closed: The Snoqualmie Lake trailhead and trail will be closed beginning October 18 for trailhead expansion and toilet installation. The 5640 road that leads to the trailhead will also be closed for road improvements to facilitate construction. It is anticipated that the construction will occur for about a month. This timeline will be updated as the Forest Service progress’s through the project.
Lose yourself in second-growth forest as you traverse an old logging road that heads into quiet wilderness just an hour from the urban sprawl of Puget Sound. Enjoy the sounds of water rushing and birds singing. Explore mossy boulders and cross multiple burbling creeks, even do a small amount of cross-country travel on the way to the piece de resistance – a 1,200 foot waterfall that streams into tiny Lipsy Lake before draining to the Taylor River.
Gotchen Creek
South Cascades -- Mount Adams Area
2.9 miles, one-way
Gain: 1000 ft.
Highest Point: 4600.0 ft.
Rating:
Gotchen Creek Trail is a 2.9-mile, high-elevation, single-track in the middle of Gotchen Meadow, south of Mount Adams and the Mount Adams Wilderness. This trail intersects with Cold Springs Trail (#72) and Morrison Creek Trail (#39) and crosses Hole-in-the-Ground Creek.
Pressentin Park
North Cascades -- North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
2.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 10 ft.
Highest Point: 327.0 ft.
Rating:
Park Closed: Due to a renovation project Pressentin Park will be closed until March 31 2022.
This county park consists of 40 acres of old homestead land in Marblemount. The park is for day use only and includes a picnic shelter, fishing and hiking trails.
Main Fork Dosewallips River
Olympic Peninsula -- Hood Canal
15.0 miles, one-way
Gain: 4800 ft.
Highest Point: 5847.0 ft.
Rating:
The Main Fork Dosewallips Trail is a major artery in the Olympic National Park trail system and offers access to remote areas deep within the park. As such, this route is most often traveled by through-hikers or multi-night backpackers on a loop tour of flowery meadows and high passes.
Olympic Hot Springs
Olympic Peninsula -- Northern Coast
4.8 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 600 ft.
Highest Point: 2084.0 ft.
Rating:
Road Closed: The Olympic Hot Springs Trailhead is inaccessible due to a road washout. Hikers can access the trail from the Madison Falls parking area by walking 7.8 miles each way along the road.
Hike to some remote hot springs on the Olympic Peninsula.
Oyster Dome
Puget Sound and Islands -- Bellingham Area
5.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1050 ft.
Highest Point: 2025.0 ft.
Rating:
Oyster Dome is a rocky promontory on the western slope of Blanchard Mountain, the grandest member of the Chuckanut Mountain range, an extension of the Cascades that rises directly from the ocean. The sheer cliffs of Oyster Dome offer year-round access to commanding views of the San Juans, Skagit River flats, Olympic Mountains, and Samish Bay.
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.
Noble Knob
Mount Rainier Area -- Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
5.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 950 ft.
Highest Point: 6011.0 ft.
Rating:
This hike up to a former lookout site provides spectacular views of Mount Rainier and the surrounding landscape.
Lake Ann
Snoqualmie Region -- Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
8.2 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2200 ft.
Highest Point: 6500.0 ft.
Rating:
Discover a pleasant alpine lake alternative to nearby, crowded Lake Ingalls. Tranquil Lake Ann can't boast the same dramatic view of jagged Mount Stuart, but it has its fair share of scenery, especially during fall when the larches around it turn to gold.
Goldmyer Hot Springs
Snoqualmie Region -- North Bend Area
24.0 miles, roundtrip
Rating:
The way to Goldmyer Hot Springs is a delightful forest walk through deep woods, along the rushing Snoqualmie River, and ultimately to a beautiful privately owned hot springs tucked against the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Because it is privately owned by a non-profit, reservations are strongly recommended and are the only way to assure access to the property and hot springs.
Gem Lake
Snoqualmie Region -- Snoqualmie Pass
10.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2200 ft.
Highest Point: 4857.0 ft.
Rating:
Gem Lake is nestled at the foot of Wright Mountain and is about two miles beyond the trail junction at Rock Creek trail #1013.1 that intersects with the Snow Lake trail starting at Alpental. Beautiful colors surround the lake in autumn as do the many climbable peaks in the area.
Summit Lake
Mount Rainier Area -- NW - Carbon River/Mowich
6.1 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1300 ft.
Highest Point: 5800.0 ft.
Rating:
This popular summer trail offers wildflower-filled meadows, a glistening alpine lake, big mountain views and wildlife sighting aplenty.
Blue Lake
North Cascades -- North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
4.4 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1050 ft.
Highest Point: 6254.0 ft.
Rating:
At 6254 feet, Blue Lake sits quietly a little over two trail miles from Highway 20. With towering granite peaks, forests, meadows, wildflowers, and of course the beautiful mountain lake surrounded by granite that reaches for the sky, this short hike is easily a classic and should be on your must-hike list. With only 1050 feet of elevation gain this hike is doable for almost everyone. If you’re driving over Highway 20 and don’t have all day, stop for this mountain gem.
Tahoma Creek
Mount Rainier Area -- SW - Longmire/Paradise
Rating:
Trail closed: The Tahoma Creek Trail is washed out, difficult to navigate and travels through a hazardous area.
Swauk Forest Discovery Trail
Central Cascades -- Blewett Pass
2.45 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 660 ft.
Highest Point: 4530.0 ft.
Rating:
This popular summer trail offers a wonderful place to learn about woodland ecosystems with 25 different interpretive stops. Wandering just under three miles through woods and meadows near the summit of Blewett Pass, With five log benches throughout providing fascinating views. It also gives insight into an area recovering after a burn towards the end of the trail.
Seattle Park
Mount Rainier Area -- NW - Carbon River/Mowich
11.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1500 ft.
Highest Point: 6400.0 ft.
Rating:
Venture into Seattle Park, a wilder, more remote version of more popular Spray Park, and enjoy verdant meadows and rugged scenery.
Lake Wapiki
South Cascades -- Mount Adams Area
7.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1600 ft.
Highest Point: 5250.0 ft.
Rating:
Just a half mile off the Lemei Lake Trail is a gorgeous blue lake nestled in an old volcanic crater. Surrounded by trees, this is a sheltered refuge perfect for an overnight in Indian Heaven.
Tieton Meadows
South Cascades
9.8 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2900 ft.
Highest Point: 3600.0 ft.
Rating:
This horse/hiker trail used to access Bear Creek Mountain, but years of underuse and neglect has rendered it nearly impossible to follow.
Margaret Lake
Snoqualmie Region -- Snoqualmie Pass
6.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1500 ft.
Highest Point: 5100.0 ft.
Rating:
Logging paid for most of the trails in the Cascades, so sometimes hikers must expect to hike the terrain that provided that rich stock of timber. This trail starts on an old logging road, leads through old clearcuts—now nicely regrown as lush berry meadows and forest stands—and enters lush old second-growth forest. It’s a great way to experience both the natural and human history of the area, while enjoying some remarkable wild country around a pristine alpine lake.
Blowout Mountain
Snoqualmie Region
4.6 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 650 ft.
Highest Point: 5450.0 ft.
Rating:
This trail takes you to Blowout Mountain through a forested area. The views from the mountain are spectacular.
Curly Creek Falls
Southwest Washington -- Lewis River Region
0.4 miles, roundtrip
Highest Point: 1285.0 ft.
Rating:
Visit two waterfalls plunging to the Lewis River on this family friendly accessible trail.
East Creek
North Cascades -- North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
18.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 4500 ft.
Highest Point: 6500.0 ft.
Rating:
East Creek is an unmaintained trail with lots of potential. At it's full length this old forgotten trail extends nearly 15 miles to the Pacific Crest Trail. It makes for a great out and back with lots of solitude.
White River Snowshoe
Mount Rainier Area -- Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
10.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1100 ft.
Highest Point: 3800.0 ft.
Rating:
The White River Snowshoe follows the Mather Memorial Highway (SR 410) through a snowy river valley in Mount Rainier National Park. What is a bustling highway in summer becomes a quiet snowshoe ramble in the winter.
Winchester Mountain
North Cascades -- Mount Baker Area
3.4 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1300 ft.
Highest Point: 6521.0 ft.
Rating:
The trail up to Winchester Mountain is less than two miles long and only 1300 feet of elevation gain, with access to a lookout at 6500 feet with outstanding 360 degree views. What’s the catch? The road.
Naches Peak Loop
Mount Rainier Area -- SE - Cayuse Pass/Stevens Canyon
3.2 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 600 ft.
Highest Point: 5850.0 ft.
Rating:
This popular hike provides a range of alpine experiences in a short loop. Walk along a hillside above a small valley, pause at a viewpoint overlooking a lake, and stroll through grassy meadows with stunning views of Mount Rainier. In season enjoy an abundance of wildflowers or perhaps a handful of huckleberries.