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 HikesBoulder Creek
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 24.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 5,000 feet
-
Highest Point
- 6,500 feet
High ridge traverse from Gold Hill Mine to North American Mine, connects East Creek to Canyon Creek.
East Creek
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 18.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 4,500 feet
-
Highest Point
- 6,500 feet
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.
Cherry Creek Falls
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
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Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 450 feet
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Highest Point
- 705 feet
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. Plan ahead.
Nada Lake
Central Cascades > Leavenworth Area
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Length
- 10.6 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 3,600 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,200 feet
The Snow Lakes trail is known mostly as the long, gradual way into the Enchantments; but Nada Lake (and nearby Snow Lake) is a worthwhile — if deceptively grueling — destination in its own right. The narrow isthmus between the lakes offers a majestic view across the water to the towering heights of McClellan Peak.
Poo Poo Point
Issaquah Alps > Tiger Mountain
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Length
- 7.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,748 feet
-
Highest Point
- 2,021 feet
Hike railroad grades dating from the logging era. Cross many small creeks, some seasonal. Pass tall trees draped with moss. Enjoy ferns and, in season, forest wildflowers and wild berries. Reach a viewpoint that's also a favorite launching spot for paragliders.
Owyhigh Lakes
Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River
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Length
- 7.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,650 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,275 feet
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.
Mary E. Theler Wetlands Nature Preserve
Olympic Peninsula > Kitsap Peninsula
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Length
- 3.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 50 feet
-
Highest Point
- 50 feet
Much of the trail system will be inaccessible through Sept 5.
Located at the head of Hood Canal, Theler Wetlands consists of more than 3 miles of accessible walking trails within 139 acres of protected salt marsh and estuary wetlands. If they’re open, you and your family can discover the displays and hands-on exhibits that teach more about the wetlands ecosystem.
Merrill Lake Conservation Area - Old Growth Loop Trail
Southwest Washington > Lewis River Region
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Length
- 1.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 30 feet
-
Highest Point
- 50 feet
Merrill Lake Conservation Area is a seasonal campground that includes a short and sweet loop trail around a lake. Along the way are 10 interpretative signs that supplement what hikers see around them.
Umatilla Rim Trail
Eastern Washington > Palouse and Blue Mountains
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Length
- 13.5 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 2,050 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,450 feet
8.22.25: The trail between the Horseshoe Prairie Trailhead to the Ninemile Trailhead is closed on weekdays until further notice.
This trail is located in the Umatilla National Forest in Oregon, but is close enough for a day hike from Washington. The route is a thru-hike in the Blue Mountains.
Silver Peak
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 5.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,100 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,605 feet
FR 9070 will be closed between Aug 30 and Sept 14.
At 5605 feet of elevation, Silver Peak is the tallest mountain guarding the southern wall of Snoqualmie Pass. Silver Peak has more than 2000 feet of prominence and provides commanding, panoramic views of the eastern end of Snoqualmie Pass and the surrounding mountains and lakes.
Mount Catherine
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 3.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,330 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,052 feet
FR 9070 will be closed between Aug 30 and Sept 14.
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.
Mirror Lake via the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT)
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 7.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,180 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,195 feet
FR 9070 will be closed between Aug 30 and Sept 14.
This short dayhike on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is a nice alternate route to quiet Mirror Lake, or just a lovely forest hike on a quiet section of a rocky and rooty trail. You could consider it as a first-time backpacking destination, too, since the trail is never particularly steep here.
Cold Creek Loop via Tinkham and Silver Peaks
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 8.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,600 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,500 feet
FR 9070 will be closed between Aug 30 and Sept 14.
This loop takes you past two clear and calm lakes, up a steep, brushy trail to the beautifully manicured Pacific Crest Trail, then west under the blocky granite summit of Tinkham Peak and the shining pyramid of Silver Peak before dropping to Windy Pass.
Glacier Peak Circumnavigation
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
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Length
- 88.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 25,300 feet
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Highest Point
- 7,071 feet
What better way to experience the Glacier Peak Wilderness than by hiking round-the-mountain from old-growth glacier valleys to airy alpine ridgelines? This classic volcanic circumnavigation serves up the miles and elevation gain and is best given at least 5-10 days to complete without accounting for side explorations and bad weather.
Hurricane Hill
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
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Length
- 3.2 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 650 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,757 feet
Whether you need a day hike for the whole family or the perfect trail to round out your first visit to Olympic National Park, Hurricane Hill is the answer. You can even use this trail as the jumpoff (or ending point) to a variety of longer hikes out of the Elwha River Valley.
Klahhane Ridge
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
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Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,700 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,050 feet
Make a steep ascent through flowerfilled slopes to views of high mountain peaks and pillow lavas that originated on the bottom of the Pacific Ocean.
High Hut
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
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Length
- 5.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,660 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,760 feet
High Hut is the highlight of the Mount Tahoma Trail System. From the warmth of a cozy alpine hut, enjoy some of the best views in the southern Cascades.
Icicle Gorge Nature Loop
Central Cascades > Leavenworth Area
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Length
- 4.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 150 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,800 feet
The Icicle Gorge Trail, one of the most popular trails in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, is a wonderful way to explore the natural beauty of the Icicle Creek Valley. The interpretive loop trail has a gentle grade and scenic views of Icicle Creek, Icicle Gorge, and the surrounding forest that are ideal for families, trail runners, beginner hikers, bird enthusiasts, and those looking to take a nice long walk on a well-defined path.
Cedar River Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 17.4 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 820 feet
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Highest Point
- 600 feet
The Cedar River Trail offers an urban river walk, a more rural river walk along a former rail bed, and a roadside bicycle path connecting the two. Bicycle the entire trail, or select one of many access points to explore the trail on foot.
Holden Lake
Central Cascades > Entiat Mountains/Lake Chelan
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Length
- 8.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,735 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,300 feet
8.27.25: The trail is closed until further notice due to the Martin Fire.
Holden Lake is set in a fantastic glacial basin, with stunning views of Bonanza, the highest non-volcanic peak in Washington State. It can be a hot, brushy bushwhack to the lake, but the views from lakeshore are worth it.
Cutthroat Lake
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 3.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 400 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,900 feet
The Rainy Pass north parking lot will be closed Sept 8–25 for trailhead repairs.
This pleasant trail offers an almost level walk to a grassy forested lake set in the rocky basin beneath Cutthroat Peak. This is an easy hike in an area of rugged, steep country and one of the few that are suitable for small children. It is an especially pretty hike in the fall when the larch are turning golden.
520 Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 4.9 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 164 feet
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Highest Point
- 164 feet
A paved urban trail running from Montlake, across the new 520 bridge and through several eastside communities with excellent views of Union Bay, Foster Island wetlands and Lake Washington.
Colchuck Lake
Central Cascades > Leavenworth Area
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Length
- 8.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,280 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,580 feet
Set beneath two of Washington’s tallest peaks, Colchuck Lake is an alpine gem. It is a larger cousin to the nearby fabled Enchantment Lakes and offers many of the same payoffs – including groves of larches on its far shore – but can be reached with less than half the effort.
Chief Sealth Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 4.3 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 800 feet
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Highest Point
- 330 feet
This urban gem features 4.5 miles of paved trail connecting Jefferson Park and Kubota Gardens, with expansive views all along the way.
Lake Isabel
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
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Length
- 6.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,588 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,851 feet
Lake Isabel is only accessible via bushwhack— hikers can expect to ford a deep and swift-flowing river, and then endure a steep uphill bushwhack to the lake.
Indian Flat
South Cascades > Goat Rocks
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Length
- 3.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 950 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,600 feet
This short and moderately steep trail provides views of Old Scab Mountain and the Bumping River Valley.
LaCrosse Basin
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 18.5 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 5,588 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,400 feet
7.7.25: This trail and FR 24 are closed until further notice due to the Bear Gulch Fire.
Nestled deep within the heart of the Olympics, LaCrosse Basin is steeped in rich history as well as views that never relent.
Rock Creek
North Cascades > Pasayten
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Length
- 7.1 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 1,500 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,900 feet
Enjoy views of peaks and wildflowers along this connector trail between the PCT and the Pasayten Airstrip. This trail features abundant wildlife and a comfortable grade.
Sterling Munro
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 0.1 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 0 feet
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Highest Point
- 515 feet
The Sterling Munro Boardwalk is an accessible trail in North Cascades National Park.