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
3898 Hikes
Heather Lake
North Cascades -- Mountain Loop Highway
4.6 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1034 ft.
Highest Point: 2430.0 ft.
Rating:
After you've explored a few trails with your little one, the Heather Lake trail makes a wonderful next step. It's the perfect place to take children on their first ‘real’ hike. The trail is short, but steep and challenging--it'll give a child a real sense of accomplishment once they reach the lake. The lake itself is a scenic little lake located on the northeastern slope of Mount Pilchuck.
Crescent Lake
Central Cascades -- Stevens Pass - West
2.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 18 ft.
Highest Point: 86.0 ft.
Rating:
An oxbow lake near the Snoqualmie River provides bird habitat and a little bit of wandering.
Che-che-op-tin Trail
Southwest Washington -- Columbia River Gorge - WA
1.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 10 ft.
Highest Point: 25.0 ft.
Rating:
Hike around a paved trail in a former cattle ranch at the base of the core of an ancient volcano.
Fullbright Park
Central Washington -- Yakima
1.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 500 ft.
Highest Point: 1484.0 ft.
Rating:
Fullbright Park is available for private reservations, but if no one has reserved the park, the trails here are open to the public and a nice place to stretch your hiking muscles.
Old Ellensburg
Central Cascades -- Blewett Pass
3.6 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 500 ft.
Highest Point: 5700.0 ft.
Rating:
Beginning at Forest Road 9712 and ending at the Forest Boundary, the Old Ellensburg Trail comprises one third of the three trails used to make a popular loop around Mount Lillian.
Eagle Landing Park
Puget Sound and Islands -- Seattle-Tacoma Area
0.75 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 147 ft.
Highest Point: 217.0 ft.
Rating:
A small neighborhood park, through a wooded area which leads to an overlook of Puget Sound.
Canyon Lake
Central Cascades -- Entiat Mountains/Lake Chelan
12.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 3800 ft.
Highest Point: 6400.0 ft.
Rating:
A rewarding hike on an unmaintained trail takes you past peaks and across meadows to a stunning lake.
Upper Wildcat Lake
Snoqualmie Region -- Snoqualmie Pass
17.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 4000 ft.
Highest Point: 4920.0 ft.
Rating:
A lake located above the extremely popular Snow Lake; Upper Wildcat offers backpacking opportunities for the route-finding enthusiasts in the summer months.
Peach Preserve Shore
Puget Sound and Islands
1.5 miles, roundtrip
Rating:
A birder or botanist’s dream, this nature preserve boasts a diversity of ecosystems, all accessed via an easy and short trail which ends at a 2,000-foot section of protected beach.
High Ridge Trail
Olympic Peninsula -- Northern Coast
0.8 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 213 ft.
Highest Point: 5412.0 ft.
Rating:
The High Ridge Trail gets lots of visitors in summer, since it starts near the beginning of the parking lot at the Visitors Center on top of Hurricane Ridge. Beginning as a paved trail and gradually turning into a dirt trail, it connects with the Sunrise Trail. It'll give you a good workout, and you'll have plenty of company in summer.
West Tiger 2
Issaquah Alps -- Tiger Mountain
7.8 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2300 ft.
Highest Point: 2757.0 ft.
Rating:
This is a great close to Seattle option of creating lots of loops and getting your exercise.
Baker River
North Cascades -- Mount Baker Area
5.2 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 300 ft.
Highest Point: 900.0 ft.
Rating:
Take a mellow walk on a trail that wanders among large old trees and huge mossy boulders. The trail alongside Baker River takes you on a path of gentle up and downs, splashing your way through stream crossings and past open areas filled with young alder, huckleberry and salmonberry. On a quiet spring day, your chances of seeing wildlife are excellent.
Owyhigh Lakes
Mount Rainier Area -- NE - Sunrise/White River
7.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1650 ft.
Highest Point: 5275.0 ft.
Rating:
Road Closed: The road accessing this trailhead is closed for the 2020/2021 winter season.
Walk a very pleasant and well-graded trail through old- and new-growth forest. After a moderate elevation gain, the forest opens into meadowlands filled with wildflowers after the snow melts. A pair of shallow but pretty lakes, with a rocky ridge as a backdrop, completes the scene.
Thunder Creek
Eastern Washington -- Selkirk Range
5.1 miles, one-way
Gain: 2000 ft.
Rating:
With its lush old growth forest, Thunder Creek is arguably the best of the feeder trails leading to the Shedroof Divide and the heart of the Salmo Priest Wilderness.
Judge Jack Tanner Park
Puget Sound and Islands -- Seattle-Tacoma Area
1.0 miles of trails
Rating:
Judge Jack Tanner Park features barbeques and areas for families to enjoy views of Puget Sound and the surrounding vistas. Come for a picnic or just to relax, or take Ruston Way -- the hard-surface trail running through the middle of the park -- for a longer stroll along the waterfront.
Jane Weber Evergreen Arboretum
Southwest Washington -- Vancouver Area
Rating:
These gardens are owned and operated by a non-profit who is dedicated to the maintenance of both the gardens and a historic house. Visitors can wander the paths and enjoy the tapestry of trees and flowers as well as marvel at the John Stanger home, which was built in 1867.
Appaloosa Trail
Southwest Washington -- Vancouver Area
3.0 miles, one-way
Rating:
A connector trail that goes from the west side of the 25-mile Tarbell Trail Loop to the east side and one of the latest of the Department of National Resources (DNR) trail projects in the historic Yacolt Burn State Forest of southwest Washington.
Fairy Dell Trail
Puget Sound and Islands -- Seattle-Tacoma Area
0.5 miles, one-way
Rating:
This short trail heads down a forested ravine to a tidal inlet.
Behren's Woods
Southwest Washington -- Vancouver Area
Rating:
Behrens Woods is a small, two-acre, mostly undeveloped park, located in the Bella Vista neighborhood of Vancouver.
Battle Point Park Trail
Puget Sound and Islands -- Seattle-Tacoma Area
3.5 miles of trails
Rating:
There are over three miles of trails in this community park. Visitors can stop by for a quick dose of nature or do the full loop for a longer walk.
Gold Creek County Park
Puget Sound and Islands -- Seattle-Tacoma Area
2.0 miles of trails
Rating:
Woodinville has struck gold with this park. Tucked away in the wine country, Gold Creek offers a multitude of hiking experiences on well-maintained trails.
Melakwa - Pratt Lake Traverse
Snoqualmie Region -- North Bend Area
11.7 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2300 ft.
Highest Point: 4700.0 ft.
Rating:
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.
Swakane Canyon
Central Washington -- Wenatchee
6.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1470 ft.
Highest Point: 2980.0 ft.
Rating:
This is a nice two season hike on an old road with views of the Columbia River valley from Badger Mountain to Wenatchee. Enroute you may see spring flowers, unique rock formations, and animals like deer, coyotes, snakes and hawks.
Crystal Lake
North Cascades -- Mountain Loop Highway
4.4 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 350 ft.
Highest Point: 4500.0 ft.
Rating:
A relatively easy hike to a tranquil mountain lake.
Blankenship Lakes
South Cascades
7.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1170 ft.
Highest Point: 5290.0 ft.
Rating:
Enjoy a trio of lakes and meadows on this excellent summer destination.
Boulder Creek - Gallagher Head Lake
Snoqualmie Region -- Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
9.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2100 ft.
Highest Point: 5606.0 ft.
Rating:
With options on which way you want to hike, this destination offers great backpacking opportunities and beautiful views.
No Name Ridge - Thorp Mountain
Snoqualmie Region -- Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
9.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1000 ft.
Highest Point: 5854.0 ft.
Rating:
With wide open views at the top, Thorp Mountain is a worthwhile destination, even if the steep ascent to the peak might seem challenging.
Lake Easton State Park
Snoqualmie Region -- Cle Elum Area
5.0 miles, roundtrip
Rating:
Lake Easton State Park is not a wilderness park, but it is scenic and peaceful. You can put together a five-mile loop hike on the park trails and on a section of the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail, if you don't mind walking on roads for a bit through the town of Easton. This hike makes for a good leg stretcher when you need a break from I-90.
Cherry Creek Falls
Central Cascades -- Stevens Pass - West
5.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 450 ft.
Highest Point: 705.0 ft.
Rating:
Hike along old logging roads to a 25-foot tall waterfall on Cherry Creek just outside of Duvall. Note that access to this area is part of an agreement with nearby homeowners, and part of the trail is on private land, so please remain on the main path, observe leash laws and keep noise to a minimum as a courtesy to homeowners along trail. There are no toilets at the trailhead. Please plan ahead.
Bottle Beach State Park
Olympic Peninsula -- Pacific Coast
0.7 miles, one-way
Rating:
With 6,000 feet of shoreline and an ADA accessible trail, visitors can travel along the coast and keep an eye out for the numerous species that fill the air.