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
3915 HikesSnoqualmie Region -- Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
9.4 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2300 ft.
Highest Point: 4760 ft.
Rating:
Teanaway Butte is a prominent peak and former fire lookout site with stunning views of the Mount Stuart Range, the greater Teanaway area, and Mount Rainier. This hike is best enjoyed as a snowshoe adventure in winter, or a spring hike when other mountain trails are still buried in snow but wildflowers are already blooming in this area.
South Cascades -- Mount St. Helens
5.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 900 ft.
Highest Point: 3400 ft.
Rating:
The Pika Trail is a scenic winter non-motorized connector trail between Swift Trail 244 and June Lake Trail 216B.
Central Cascades -- Stevens Pass - West
5.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 450 ft.
Highest Point: 705 ft.
Rating:
This hike is near private property. Please park respectfully, observe leash laws, keep noise levels to a minimum and pack out all waste.
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.
Olympic Peninsula -- Pacific Coast
1.5 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 200 ft.
Highest Point: 250 ft.
Rating:
1/20/22: Trail closed until further notice.
The furthest northwest tip of the contiguous United State, Cape Flattery provides a dramatic backdrop to a surprisingly accessible hike. It's managed by the Makah Tribe, who provide permits for parking here at Washburn's General Store, The Makah Museum, and many other locations in Neah Bay. As you drive through on the way to the trailhead, be sure to purchase yours -- they're good for the year, and you can also use it for Shi Shi Beach.
Central Cascades -- Stevens Pass - West
Rating:
At one point this may have been a viable recreation option but the land managers have confirmed there is no public access to this trail or this lake at this time. This route leads through private property and the lake itself is off-limits to the public.
Olympic Peninsula -- Northern Coast
6.5 miles of trails
Rating:
Visit a historic marine camping park that boasts saltwater shoreline that abuts Port Townsend Bay. Rife with military history, the trails here travel through beautiful forest and offer insight into the area's past life, including a former military cemetary.
Olympic Peninsula -- Northern Coast
2.5 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 0 ft.
Rating:
On the shore of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, you can walk a fine sandy beach between high bluffs and two access points to reach the Point Wilson Lighthouse at Fort Worden State Park.
Olympic Peninsula -- Kitsap Peninsula
13.0 miles of trails
Gain: 250 ft.
Highest Point: 350 ft.
Rating:
This little gem of a park is located in Kitsap County, at the west end of Newberry Hill Road right before the T to Seabeck Highway.
Olympic Peninsula -- Pacific Coast
6.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 150 ft.
Highest Point: 100 ft.
Rating:
A beautiful hike through an interesting forest, often over boardwalks, ends at the beach with the potential for birdwatching and wildlife viewing. If you plan ahead and get a permit, it's a nice overnight destination.
Central Cascades -- Leavenworth Area
18.0 miles, one-way
Gain: 4500 ft.
Highest Point: 7800 ft.
Rating:
Road closed 1/13/22: Icicle Road is closed at milepost 4 due to snow removal operations. It will reopen when the snow is cleared and it is safe to open the road.
Parking Restriction: Parking allowed at trailheads and only on the right side of Road 7601 between Eightmile Lake and Stuart Lake trailheads. Parking anywhere else along Road 7601 is not allowed.
The Enchantment Lakes are an alpine wonderland of pristine lakes set among polished granite, soaring peaks, blazing larches, and ambling mountain goats. Widely regarded as the crown jewel of hiking in Washington, this trail exceeds even the wildest of superlatives.
Mount Rainier Area -- SW - Longmire/Paradise
Rating:
Just a few miles west of Eatonville, off Highway 7, is Washington's newest state park. Created thanks to a partnership between the Nisqually Tribe, Washington State Parks, and other local agencies, the park provides 1,300 acres of forest, prairie, and riverside trails to recreate in.
Central Cascades -- Stevens Pass - West
5.6 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1300 ft.
Highest Point: 1500 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.
Snoqualmie Region -- Cle Elum Area
5.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 0 ft.
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.
Puget Sound and Islands -- Whidbey Island
2.75 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 300 ft.
Highest Point: 130 ft.
Rating:
Enjoy a series of easy forest trails in this new Island County park. Descend to the beach at both ends of the bluff. Optionally, tide permitting, hike the entire length of the mile-long beach. Either way, finish your hike on more forest trails.
Puget Sound and Islands -- Seattle-Tacoma Area
1.4 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 0 ft.
Highest Point: 15 ft.
Rating:
Hike a trail on top of an elevated berm that leads into a newly restored tidal marsh on Leque Island. Enjoy sights and sounds of hawks, ducks, and other birds, in addition to breathtaking views of the Olympics and North Cascades.
Snoqualmie Region -- Snoqualmie Pass
3.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1330 ft.
Highest Point: 5052 ft.
Rating:
Where can you find unobstructed views of Mount Rainier and the mountains of Snoqualmie Pass, see rare butterfly species, and go berry-picking, all in return for a modest 1330-foot elevation gain? Mount Catherine, of course! This off-the-beaten-path hike to the summit of a wintertime ski destination is one of the most rewarding climbs along the southern wall of Snoqualmie Pass.
Snoqualmie Region -- North Bend Area
2.6 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 500 ft.
Highest Point: 1000 ft.
Rating:
Visit a trio (yes, trio) of waterfalls just off I-90 on this sure-to-please short trail, perfect for families.
Puget Sound and Islands -- Seattle-Tacoma Area
12.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 400 ft.
Highest Point: 500 ft.
Rating:
Tolt-MacDonald Park is an outdoor recreation treasure for all King County residents! With 12 miles of forested and riverside trails, this is a favorite mountain biking and hiking destination. The backcountry area of the park is located on the west side of the Snoqualmie River across the suspension bridge.
Issaquah Alps -- Squak Mountain
6.5 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1500 ft.
Highest Point: 1730 ft.
Rating:
If nature excites you, there's plenty here to be excited about. Cool forest, trickling creeks in deep ravines, and a beautiful new trail built by WTA volunteers await you here.
North Cascades -- Mountain Loop Highway
10.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1600 ft.
Highest Point: 3182 ft.
Rating:
For a more strenuous snowshoe, head out to Deer Creek and the Lake Kelcema trail. From the parking area, the route proceeds up Deer Creek Road (Road 4052). Watch out for tubers and sledders on the lower portion.
Mount Rainier Area -- SW - Longmire/Paradise
1.1 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 200 ft.
Highest Point: 5400 ft.
Rating:
Follow the trails here to views of Mount Rainier's rocky Nisqually River valley and the much-receded Nisqually Glacier.
Snoqualmie Region -- North Bend Area
9.4 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 4000 ft.
Highest Point: 4822 ft.
Rating:
The old trail up Mailbox Peak was the stuff of legend. It inspired potential Rainier climbers, challenged adventurous day hikers, and occasionally Mother Nature used the trail to bite back. The number of injuries and rescues on the old trail prompted the Department of Natural Resources to create a new trail to the top. While still relatively steep, this new route, built in part with help from WTA volunteers offers a more easily navigable way for folks to attain the summit of this formidable peak.
Eastern Washington -- Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
45.0 miles of trails
Gain: 2000 ft.
Highest Point: 4800 ft.
Rating:
The conservation area on the west slopes of Mica Peak afford visitors of all types a healthy workout close to the city of Spokane.
Snoqualmie Region -- Snoqualmie Pass
4.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 200 ft.
Highest Point: 2500 ft.
Rating:
For a nice location in the Central Cascades, try the Iron Horse-John Wayne Trail along the western shore of Lake Keechelus. This is a treat for new snowshoers, especially if it has been recently groomed. Because of its easy accessibility, it can often get crowded on nicer days.
Puget Sound and Islands -- Seattle-Tacoma Area
5.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 500 ft.
Highest Point: 1100 ft.
Rating:
Three waterfalls, multiple viewing areas, and two different trailheads provide great choices for an excursion to Little Mashel Falls. The tallest waterfall plunges over 90 feet.
Issaquah Alps -- Tiger Mountain
2.0 miles, roundtrip
Highest Point: 1150 ft.
Rating:
Begin your hike up High Point Trail in wooded, steep terrain, passing a junction with the Lingering Trail and eventually joining up with the Tiger Mountain Trail.
Issaquah Alps -- Tiger Mountain
1.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 400 ft.
Highest Point: 1250 ft.
Rating:
Take a one-mile detour off the High Point Trail until it rejoins the Tiger Mountain Trail. Intersect with Dwight's Way Trail about three-quarters of a mile in.
Puget Sound and Islands -- Seattle-Tacoma Area
1.2 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 0 ft.
Highest Point: 72 ft.
Rating:
A local part in Port Orchard, Square Lake has a fishing pond, picnic opportunities and the chance to get a breath of fresh air close to home.
Mount Rainier Area -- Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
1.45 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 0 ft.
Highest Point: 791 ft.
Rating:
The expansive acreage of this park allows for a wide variety of activities, including hiking, biking, boating, fishing, swimming, bird and wildlife viewing, even lawn games such as horseshoes! The hiking trail is a lovely loop around Deep Lake.
Central Cascades -- Leavenworth Area
10.0 miles, one-way
Gain: 2700 ft.
Highest Point: 5200 ft.
Rating:
Road closed 1/13/22: Icicle Road is closed at milepost 4 due to snow removal operations. It will reopen when the snow is cleared and it is safe to open the road.
5/15/2021 - Trail inaccessible: The bridge over French Creek 1.5 miles up is broken due to damage from heavy winter snowpack. There is no way to ford the creek and no access to French Creek Trail or beyond
A handful of high lakes nestled in a forested cirque below Granite Mountain deep within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness