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 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
3985 HikesSnoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
22.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1,500 feet
Highest Point: 4,600 feet
Rating:
Spectacle Lake is truly worthy of the name - it's quite a sight to see. Nestled at the base of Chikamin Ridge and just a short jaunt from the Pacific Crest Trail, this lake is one of the true gems of Snoqualmie Pass.
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
4.8 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 350 feet
Highest Point: 1,050 feet
Rating:
Short, easy trail to the Stillaguamish River and the site of the railroad town of Robe and great views of the Stilliguamish River as it races by. The trail switchbacks through a forest of alder down to a forest of big leaf maple draped with lush mosses, liverwort and licorice fern. The forest floor is thick with fern and colorful salmonberry. Watch the kids! The Stilliguamish runs swift and deep here, especially during periods of high water flow. It is not recommended to continue on to the old railroad tunnels due to trail washout, slope slump and rockfall.
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
2.5 miles of trails
Rating:
A set of short trails off Highway 119 between Hoodsport and Lake Cushman. With a trailhead kitted out with picnic tables and a restroom, it's a great spot for a picnic, too!
Central Washington > Yakima
14.0 miles of trails
Gain: 1,140 feet
Highest Point: 2,970 feet
Rating:
For a flat riparian ramble or a great workout to a scenic summit, Snow Mountain Ranch is a walking wonderland just outside of Yakima.
Central Washington > Yakima
20.0 miles, roundtrip
Highest Point: 1,844 feet
Rating:
The Cowiche Canyon Preserve is a small pocket of wildlands near Yakima. It includes both the canyon itself and the canyon’s southerly uplands. There are approximately 20 miles of interconnected trails open to hikers, runners, mountain bikers, and equestrians. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are popular when there is enough snow.
Central Washington > Yakima
20.0 miles of trails
Gain: 1,148 feet
Highest Point: 2,970 feet
Rating:
Many trails at Rocky Top are permanently closed. Hikers can still take the Walk N Roll trail, then cross onto the William O Douglas Trail to Snow Mountain Ranch.
Rocky Top is an extensive system of interconnected mountain bike trails open to hikers. It offers innumerable out-and back and loop options though shrub-steppe on the flanks of Cowiche Mountain as well as a scenic ridge walk on a portion of the William O. Douglas Trail to the summit of the mountain and a connection with the Snow Mountain Ranch trail system.
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
Rating:
On the edge of Maury Island, this 275-acre natural area has the longest undeveloped shoreline along the Puget Sound in King County.
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
7.7 miles of trails
Gain: 400 feet
Highest Point: 800 feet
Rating:
Enjoy a stroll on the main loop trail that goes around Lake Padden or lengthen your trip by exploring some of the short trails at the east end of the park. To find a little solitude take a turn off the beaten path to rise above the south side of the lake on a less-trodden upper trail.
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
10.6 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2,300 feet
Highest Point: 1,750 feet
Rating:
Explore one of the quieter Olympic Peninsula river valleys. Quiet, that is, if you don't count the Duckabush River's constant belching, crashing, and churning as it tumbles over giant boulders and squeezes through narrow rocky clefts.
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
4.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 200 feet
Highest Point: 6,100 feet
Rating:
Hurricane Ridge will be closed to the public from 3/27 through 5/25/23.
Enjoy majestic mountain panoramas from this relatively low-effort, high-vista hike on the Olympic Peninsula.
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
11.5 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 3,489 feet
Highest Point: 6,000 feet
Rating:
Marmot Pass offers great views and a gentle hike through old-growth forest as well as high meadows. It is a great day hike, but also offers a great starting place for a variety of overnight options.
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
12.9 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1,890 feet
Highest Point: 2,943 feet
Rating:
The Lower Big Quilcene Trail begins just outside the Buckhorn Wilderness and follows the lower Big Quilcene River along a mostly non-technical tread for approximately 6.5 miles. The moss-lined route starts on an old road bed through younger forest and then winds past large old-growth cedars. In spring and summer, blooming rhododendrons add vibrant color to your journey. This trail is also a great choice during the fall and winter months because the trees provide shelter from precipitation.
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
3.6 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 490 feet
Highest Point: 880 feet
Rating:
Connecting the Puget and Samish neighborhoods of Bellingham is the Samish Crest Trail, meandering through the Samish Crest Open Space, where hikers will find even more trails to explore.
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
2.6 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 200 feet
Highest Point: 200 feet
Rating:
A fine little park with beach access, camping, a boat launch and trails. A popular park in the summer, this is a great place for a quiet off-season hike. On this loop trail, there are views, a forest walk, birding and beachcombing.
Issaquah Alps
7.0 miles of trails
Gain: 1,100 feet
Rating:
Grand Ridge Park includes 7 miles of WTA-built trail through western red cedar trees, sword ferns, nettles, berries and, at times, slugs. This trail is a little piece of the backcountry close to Seattle and is open to hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians.
North Cascades > Pasayten
12.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1,940 feet
Highest Point: 7,956 feet
Rating:
Horseshoe Mountain is a peak in the Pasayten Wilderness near the Canadian Border, overlooking Horseshoe Basin. With expansive views into Canada and of the eastern Pasayten.
North Cascades > Pasayten
Highest Point: 8,091 feet
Rating:
Arnold Peak is located in the Pasayten Wilderness near the Canadian Border.
North Cascades > Pasayten
33.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2,400 feet
Highest Point: 7,200 feet
Rating:
Trail closed: Wildfire
Hike through alpine meadows and descend into a valley following the West Fork Pasayten River.
North Cascades > Pasayten
50.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 5,000 feet
Highest Point: 7,500 feet
Rating:
In one trip you can traverse over five mountain passes, visit four mountain lakes and groves of larches, and experience some of the most remote edges of the Pasayten Wilderness.
North Cascades > Pasayten
10.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2,800 feet
Highest Point: 6,950 feet
Rating:
Trail closed: Buckskin Ridge trail is closed north of Silver Creek to Robinson Creek junction due to wildfire activity
There are few places where you start your hike at 7,000 feet without any effort. Spectacular views, a dizzying array of wildflowers and larch groves -- this hike is simply gorgeous and a pure Pasayten experience.
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
31.5 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 6,650 feet
Highest Point: 6,300 feet
Rating:
Highway 20 is closed from Ross Dam trailhead (milepost 134) to Early Winters (milepost 178) for the season.
Sample the best the North Cascades has to offer—subalpine lakes, forested valleys and rugged mountain passes—on this multiday trek.
North Cascades > Pasayten
7.9 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2,500 feet
Highest Point: 6,942 feet
Rating:
Trail closed: Wildfire
This lightly used trail connects Robinson Pass and Slate Pass.
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
9.8 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2,710 feet
Highest Point: 6,720 feet
Rating:
Highway 20 is closed from Ross Dam trailhead (milepost 134) to Early Winters (milepost 178) for the season.
Start with a pleasant walk along Bridge & Slate Creeks and then earn your way to the high country with a climb up to the miles of sloping meadows, flowered in July. Finish with a steep climb through the heather to larch fringed Copper Pass with its views to the east/west with scrambles to the north/south.
North Cascades > Pasayten
33.4 miles, roundtrip
Highest Point: 7,300 feet
Rating:
Trail closed: Buckskin Ridge trail is closed north of Silver Creek to Robinson Creek junction due to wildfire activity
Alpine lakes, high ridge traverses, wildflower-filled meadows, and a stroll along the Pasayten River await hikers who elect to visit the Buckskin Ridge Trail.
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
70.3 miles, one-way
Gain: 13,649 feet
Highest Point: 7,100 feet
Rating:
Highway 20 is closed from Ross Dam trailhead (milepost 134) to Early Winters (milepost 178) for the season.
This last leg of the Pacific Crest Trail (or first depending on whether you're north- or southbound) offers breathtaking views as it passes along the eastern edge of the North Cascades and into the Pasayten Wilderness. Make sure to bring your passport to complete your journey in Manning Provincial Park!
North Cascades > Pasayten
10.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 3,200 feet
Highest Point: 7,782 feet
Rating:
When the deeper backcountry is under snow (or just too far away) Burch Mountain can provide a beautiful day hike with views aplenty.
North Cascades > Pasayten
80.0 miles, one-way
Gain: 9,000 feet
Highest Point: 7,800 feet
Rating:
The Boundary Trail is closed between Bunker Hill west to the junction with the PCT due to wildfire activity through at least June 2023. Castle Pass trail is completely closed.
Hiking the Boundary Trail is an adventure on many a hikers’ bucket list. The trail spans the width of the Pasayten Wilderness and is part of the much larger Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail. The combination of stunning scenery and lack of crowds is one of the BT’s most enticing aspects especially in autumn, when colors are changing, temperatures are cooling and bugs are gone. A number of places along the trail are so special that you’ll have the images etched into your memory for years to come.
Olympic Peninsula > Kitsap Peninsula
2.0 miles of trails
Rating:
This 82-acre park sits right on the water, providing visitors with nearly half a mile of shoreline and 2 miles of trails.
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
5.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 360 feet
Highest Point: 1,240 feet
Rating:
Hike a beautiful, flat 2.5 mile walk in the woods along the White Chuck River. The trail has been cleared its entire length thanks to WTA trail crews.
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
11.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 130 feet
Highest Point: 130 feet
Rating:
This narrow strip of land just east of Port Angeles in the Strait of Juan de Fuca is a gorgeous place to explore miles upon miles of sandy beach, spy shorebirds wheeling, and even get a little shot of greenery at the beginning and end of your trip. But remember, while the beach is usually a good place for dogs to get some exercise, this particular one is closed to pups, since it’s a National Wildlife Refuge.