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
4173 HikesMonogram Lake
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 11.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 4,675 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,719 feet
This gem of an alpine lake, situated in a cirque beneath the glaciated summit of Little Devil Peak, is ringed by verdant meadows and frequented by resident wildlife.
Gothic Basin
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 9.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,840 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,200 feet
Rough and tumble is the trail, just like the miners that constructed this path. Becoming progressively more rugged, the ascent to Gothic Basin offers tremendous rewards at its end. Early on, one simply meanders alongside the relentless South Fork of the Sauk River, then turns into a forested, increasingly steep bee-line to the basin with waterfalls, flowers, and views of the surrounding mountains to keep one distracted once you leave the forest.
Guye Peak
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 3.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,172 feet
A class 3 or 4 scramble to the summit of a peak near Alpental. Climbing gear and expertise recommended.
Cedar Butte
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 3.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 900 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,880 feet
Take a short hike up a forested butte near Rattlesnake Lake, just 1.75 miles each way with 900 feet of elevation gain. Reach a summit with views toward the north, from Mount Si to Mailbox Peak, and several other peaks in between. Some hikers judge Cedar Butte to be a better viewpoint than the much-visited West Tiger 3 summit, and it requires less effort and has smaller crowds, so when you are ready for a change of scene check it out.
Tatie Peak and Grasshopper Pass
North Cascades > Pasayten
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Length
- 9.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,200 feet
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Highest Point
- 7,386 feet
Hike on the Pacific Crest Trail in a section where its name describes its location. From the trail high on the ridge, the views abound. In the three passes are flowers in the summer and golden larch in the fall. A side trip up Tatie Peak provides 360 degree views of the North Cascades.
Cape Disappointment State Park - Cape Disappointment Lighthouse
Southwest Washington > Long Beach Area
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Length
- 2.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 500 feet
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Highest Point
- 220 feet
Breathe in the sea spray on this anything-but-disappointing hike out to the scenic Cape Disappointment Lighthouse, which offers a trail through a coastal forest and glimpses of the powerful Pacific Ocean.
The Enchantments
Central Cascades > Leavenworth Area
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Length
- 18.0 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 4,500 feet
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Highest Point
- 7,800 feet
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.
Greider Lakes
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
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Length
- 8.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,035 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,930 feet
For those searching for alpine vistas with fewer visitors than on the most popular trails of the I-90 corridor, Greider Lakes is just right. This trailhead is located in the Sultan Basin Watershed.
Crystal Lakes
Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River
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Length
- 6.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,300 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,828 feet
Take a short but steep hike on a wide trail to visit two lakes in a beautiful craggy setting. It's only three miles to the upper lake, with 2,300 feet of elevation gain. In season find many wildflowers in the basin near the upper lake, and be alert for wildlife sightings.
Mount Pilchuck
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 5.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,300 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,327 feet
Despite its intermediate difficulty, hikers flock to Mount Pilchuck for its historic restored fire lookout with grand panoramic views of Mount Baker, Mount Rainier and the Olympics.
Blanca Lake
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
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Length
- 8.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,400 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,600 feet
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.
Kettle Crest Trail
Eastern Washington > Okanogan Highlands/Kettle River Range
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Length
- 44.0 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 8,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 7,140 feet
9.4.25: Kettle Crest South is closed until further notice due to the Snow Peak Fire.
The Kettle Crest Trail is the granddaddy of long-distance, high-country routes in Eastern Washington. Over the course of its 44 miles, it presents a virtual highlight reel of dry-side beauty, from sage-scented meadows to subalpine parkland.
Graves Creek
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
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Length
- 7.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,500 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,880 feet
South Shore Road is closed. Use North Shore Road but note that it will be closed July 9-Sept 22. There will be no access to Graves Creek trailhead at this time (unless South Shore Road has been repaired) and permits for backpacking in this area will not be available.
The Graves Creek primitive trail provides access to old growth forests high above the Quinault River Valley and solitude compared to the high use trails along the Quinault River. Expect glimpses of waterfalls across the gorge in spring and signs of wild-life including bear, deer, and elk.
Priest Rapids Wildlife Area
Central Washington > Tri-Cities
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Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 50 feet
The Priest Rapids Wildlife Area is a unit of 3,202 acres in the Columbia Basin Wildlife Area.
Dishman Hills Conservation Area - Flying L Trail
Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
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Length
- 2.2 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 660 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,788 feet
The Phillips Creek trailhead and Flying L Trail provide eastside access to the Glenrose Unit of the Dishman Hills Conservation Area from the Spokane Valley.
Pacific Northwest Trail
Puget Sound and Islands
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Length
- 1200.0 miles, one-way
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Highest Point
- 7,580 feet
9.8.25: The PNT is closed from Sherman Pass (mile 474) to 13.9 miles westbound (mile 487.9) due to the Snow Peak Fire.
The Pacific Northwest Trail is a 1,200-mile linear trail that stretches from Glacier National Park in Montana to Cape Alava on the Pacific Ocean in the Olympic National Park.
Pacific Northwest Trail - Pasayten Traverse
North Cascades > Pasayten
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Length
- 119.0 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 21,071 feet
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Highest Point
- 7,490 feet
This 119-mile section of the 1200-mile Pacific Northwest Trail traverses the entirety of the Pasayten Wilderness.
Panther Lake Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 0.9 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 36 feet
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Highest Point
- 283 feet
Trade the sounds of the city for birdsong and enjoy some quiet time outside just a short distance from the center of Federal Way.
Lake Sylvia State Park - Brownie Trail
Olympic Peninsula > Olympia
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Length
- 2.7 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 630 feet
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Highest Point
- 460 feet
Take a day trip or camp at Lake Sylvia State Park to hike the Brownie Trail, one of 22(!) named multi-use trails in the Montesano City Forest.
McNary Dam Nature Area
Central Washington > Tri-Cities
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Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 20 feet
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Highest Point
- 315 feet
Venture across the Columbia River, just barely into Oregon, and ramble on easy trails where you’ll see and hear a wide variety of birds, mammals and reptiles.
360 Trails
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 2.85 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 200 feet
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Highest Point
- 373 feet
This patch of community forest on the north end of the Key Peninsula has a vast network of trails that are open to hikers, equestrians and mountain bikers. Take the Main Loop to explore the network, with many offshoot trails to extend and craft your own hike.
North Fork Tieton to Tieton Pass
South Cascades > Goat Rocks
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Length
- 10.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,500 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,600 feet
This trail offers a nice wander through the woods to a low pass. While it's short on views, it offers an extended forested wander where you can creekhop to your heart's content.
Evans Creek Preserve
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 4.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 325 feet
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Highest Point
- 480 feet
Evans Creek Preserve features a WTA-built trail system in an ecologically diverse enclave. Wetlands, meadows, and hillside forest can be found in this 179-acre farmstead-turned-suburban nature preserve that will thrill both the hiker and the birdwatcher. Not only that, this gem has ADA-accessible trails and is reachable by public transportation.
Annette Lake
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 7.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,800 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,600 feet
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.
Whiskey Dick Wildlife Area
Central Washington > Yakima
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Length
- 8.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,750 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,850 feet
Bask in a wide variety of wildflowers—including a rare species of cactus, Simpson’s hedgehog, with its hot pink blossoms—chunks of petrified wood, and panoramic views of the Columbia Basin, under usually sunny, blue skies.
High Divide - Seven Lakes Basin Loop
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
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Length
- 19.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 4,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,120 feet
Stunning views, stargazing, backcountry lakes and plentiful wildlife await you on this classic 19-mile loop on the Olympic Mountains’ stunning Seven Lakes Basin and High Divide Trail.
Denny Creek
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 6.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,345 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,642 feet
The Denny Creek Trail will be closed between the second creek crossing at milepost 1 to Melakwa Lake for trail maintenance between Aug 8 and Oct 31.
A popular trail, thanks to its gentle, family friendly grade with amazing destinations. The natural water slide area at Denny Creek is a must visit for families! Keekwulee Falls offers a stunning viewpoint that is easily accessible. Snowshoe Falls maybe a bit elusive and more difficult to see from the trail, but is also a beautiful natural wonder.
Tunnel Creek
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 9.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,450 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,050 feet
9.6.25; The trail is closed until further notice due to the Tunnel Creek Fire.
Tunnel Creek Trail has two trailheads. Nearly all hikers access the trail from the north side where for the first three miles the moderately easy grade is often within earshot of Tunnel Creek. After crossing the South Fork of Tunnel Creek, the route rises at a steeper but manageable grade past Harrison Lakes to 5050 Pass and some nearby viewpoints. The south side trailhead is on the Dosewallips Road. This segment’s notoriously steep grade to 5050 Pass means it is seldom used. Try it and you’ll find out why.
Blue Lake
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 4.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,050 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,254 feet
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.
Lake Ann (Mount Baker Highway)
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 8.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,150 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,900 feet
Enjoy up-close, breathtaking views of Mount Shuksan’s west face, along with views of Fisher Chimney, the upper and lower Curtis Glacier, as well as Mount Baker from the trail to Lake Ann. The lake in a rocky basin, in the midst of this spectacular scenery. On some days you can hear ice echoing through the valley as it crashes down the face of Mount Shuksan. This is a late season hike, as snow can linger here into August.