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
699 HikesNorth 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.
North Cascades > Pasayten
14.2 miles, one-way
Gain: 2,160 feet
Highest Point: 7,130 feet
Rating:
What looks good on paper doesn’t always reflect reality. The Eureka Creek Trail would be part of a fine loop except for the fact the trail is only maintained on the ends and has been abandoned in the middle. It provides access to the Ferguson Lake Trail on the southern end. The northern end accesses Fred’s Lake and Lake Doris.
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
3.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1,000 feet
Highest Point: 5,380 feet
Rating:
Short but steep, this trail delivers excellent views of Mount Baker, Mount Shuksan, and Anderson Butte. Similar views can be had from the road to the trailhead, but taking this hike offers solitude--even a hiker’s high--from climbing steeply away from the road and into the mountains.
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
7.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 625 feet
Highest Point: 750 feet
Rating:
Here's an unusual hike through a very mossy forest and along a narrow river canyon, past sites that were important in local history. A railroad once ran along the canyon, passing through small communities. Logging was done in the area, and lime once was produced from limestone here, in a kiln that still stands. The railroad and communities are gone now, and much has disappeared over the past eighty years. But a few artifacts still remain and can be seen near the trail.
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
7.5 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2,200 feet
Highest Point: 5,450 feet
Rating:
Hikers must pack out their waste on this trail and dispose of it in the receptacles at the trailhead
On Park Butte, hike to an historic fire lookout and come face-to-face with Koma Kulshan. Along with unobstructed panoramic views of Mount Baker, the Twin Sisters, and the rest of the North Cascades, the route to Park Butte offers dedicated campsites, wildflower-filled alpine meadows, rushing waterfalls, and a stunning variety of mushroom species.
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
2.2 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 220 feet
Highest Point: 1,938 feet
Rating:
Never go into or climb on top of the Ice Caves.
Mountain Loop Highway is closed from Deer Creek (milepost 24) to Bedal Creek (milepost 36) for the winter.
This is an easy walk on a wide gravel and boardwalk path to views of Big Four Mountain and the caves beneath the snow. Hikers of all ages and abilities can enjoy this trail.
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
7.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 250 feet
Highest Point: 1,800 feet
Rating:
Never go into or climb on top of the Ice Caves.
Mountain Loop Highway is closed from Deer Creek (milepost 24) to Bedal Creek (milepost 36) for the winter.
While this is a popular location to snowshoe in wintertime, there is high risk in winter from avalanches off the mountain that feeds these caves. Keep to the main trail, and do not venture onto the snowfields at the end of the route.
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
5.5 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1,400 feet
Highest Point: 5,100 feet
Rating:
The road to this trailhead is washed out. Closure is anticipated to last until January 2023
If you'd like nose-to-nose access to Mount Baker, this first-rate woodsy walk delivers. Over a relatively short, well-maintained trail with mild elevation gain, you can be glacier-side in no time... if the creek crossings allow.
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
40.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 7,000 feet
Highest Point: 6,000 feet
Rating:
Try a multi-day backpack up the tumbling, boisterous, river-like Thunder Creek from the Colonial Creek Campground to just beyond its headwaters at Park Creek Pass. Backpackers can turn around at Park Creek Pass or do a traverse to Cascade Pass.
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
8.2 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2,150 feet
Highest Point: 4,900 feet
Rating:
The road to Artist Point is closed for the winter season
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.
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
5.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 50 feet
Highest Point: 182 feet
Rating:
Once the largest hospital for mentally ill people in Washington State, Northern State Mental Hospital was a town unto itself. Parts of the site are still in use and off-limits, but the farm is now a recreation area. It is located just north of the Skagit River near the town of Sedro-Woolley. Stroll along the wide pastoral trails amongst the buildings and cemetery.
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
8.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 500 feet
Highest Point: 1,000 feet
Rating:
Magnificent old growth forests, stellar views of Mount Baker, turbulent tributaries, and, of course, a beautiful lake make this trail a great path to travel.
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
8.6 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 700 feet
Highest Point: 1,550 feet
Rating:
The Boulder River trail is a nice hike that can be done any time of year. Come in winter while the rain is dripping off the mossy trees, photograph the waterfalls filled with spring snowmelt. Take the kids out for a little picnic in the summer, or leaf collecting in the fall. Come anytime midweek for quiet contemplation.
North Cascades > Methow/Sawtooth
1.5 miles, roundtrip
Rating:
Pearrygin Lake State Park features miles of groomed trails, both on the state park land and on the adjoining Lloyd Ranch lands. There are miles of options here, from the far afield Crazy Eights and Southpark Loops, to the short loop near the West Campground.
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
7.5 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2,400 feet
Rating:
This community forest is managed as a nature reserve, where hikers will find a wide ranging variety of wildlife, and a retreat from the noise and bustle of city life.
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
9.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1,800 feet
Highest Point: 6,100 feet
Rating:
Rarely can hikers approach a climbers’ realm so easily, with minimal elevation gain, and enjoy beautiful views all along the way.
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
16.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2,700 feet
Highest Point: 3,930 feet
Rating:
The road to Artist Point is closed for the winter season
Part of the scenic Pacific Northwest Trail, rugged 8-mile Swift Creek Trail accesses the Mount Baker Wilderness.
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
2.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 150 feet
Highest Point: 4,300 feet
Rating:
Road closed: The road to Artist Point is closed for the winter
Bring the family for this easy hike at Heather Meadows. Two sparkling alpine lakes, an abundance of wildflowers, an impressive mountainous backdrop and a year-round snowfield make this a hike that will please everybody. What's more, this trail gets a fraction of the foot traffic that the trails at Artist Point get in late summer.
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
7.5 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2,550 feet
Highest Point: 6,150 feet
Rating:
Visitors to this trail must pack out all human waste not bury it.
Find supreme wildflower gardens and a high-country plateau speckled with shimmering tarns-but that's not all. Spectacular alpine vistas abound too-of Baker, Shuksan, and all those rugged and craggy peaks straddling the 49th parallel. Yellow Aster Butte may be a misnomer (those yellow-petaled delights are actually daisies), but you definitely don't want to miss hiking here.
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
5.4 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 800 feet
Highest Point: 3,000 feet
Rating:
Hike a trail built mostly of boardwalk planking through peaty bogs beside three quiet little lakes. Established campsites with fire pits, benches and tent platforms await a weekend of camping with the kids. This trail also makes a pleasant weekday hike for those with creaky knees, as it is not difficult. As you hike, enjoy the many plants and animals that make the lowland bog environment home.
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
8.2 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 3,100 feet
Highest Point: 5,600 feet
Rating:
From the top, you’ll marvel at vistas of icy peaks including Mounts Baker, Shuksan and Sefrit. Big alpine meadows with plenty of huckleberries in the fall!
North Cascades > Methow/Sawtooth
Rating:
Trail closed
The trail is closed approximately 2.5 miles up, as it crosses through a gated private property boundary. There is currently no public access since there are no alternative routes around the private property due to steep terrain and high water crossings.
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
7.2 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2,020 feet
Highest Point: 6,650 feet
Rating:
If ever there was a hike to satisfy all a hiker's desires, this one comes as close as any. A loop hike with many fabulous changing faces throughout the seasons, Heather-Maple Pass features ridgelines blanketed in wildflowers in summer, lakes ringed with golden larches in fall, and before the highway closes for the season, a dramatic place to experience early winter’s snows.
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
10.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1,900 feet
Highest Point: 3,200 feet
Rating:
On a clear day, some of the area’s most notable peaks are visible from the crest of Mallardy Ridge, reached by snowshoeing along an easy-to-follow route.
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
6.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2,500 feet
Highest Point: 4,516 feet
Rating:
Those new to snowshoeing will appreciate the easy access and groomed trails found at Segelsen Creek Sno-Park, along with the mountain views and options for extended exploration.
North Cascades
8.2 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2,800 feet
Highest Point: 5,400 feet
Rating:
A welcome change of pace from some of the busier nearby hikes, this North Cascades ridge hike offers the same stunning views minus the crowds.
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
7.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2,600 feet
Rating:
Hike a trail that WTA is helping restore. The Ridley Creek trail provides access to scenic Mazama Park and views of Mount Baker.
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
10.5 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 3,400 feet
Highest Point: 5,250 feet
Rating:
Mountain Loop Highway is closed from Deer Creek (milepost 24) to Bedal Creek (milepost 36) for the winter.
Perry Creek proves you can have it all in a single hike – old-growth forest, wildflowers, waterfalls, meadows, expansive mountain views, even lakes! Tread lightly, though-due to its unparalleled diversity of native plants, the area between the summits of Stillaguamish Peak, Mount Forgotten, and Mount Dickerman is a research natural area that could (in theory) be closed to all uses but scientific study.
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
18.2 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 5,078 feet
Highest Point: 5,949 feet
Rating:
Some trails go to lakes, some to high viewpoints. This trail is all about the forest, and what a forest it is! Old-growth trees reach for the sky on either side of a brush-free trail, since understory is minimal when the big old trees block out the light. Find fantastic mushrooms here in the fall and forest wildflowers in the spring and early summer.
North Cascades > Methow/Sawtooth
10.6 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2,220 feet
Highest Point: 5,840 feet
Rating:
Hike in to a small lake at the head of a valley with good campsites and many possibilities for exploration. Along the way, see the difference between the 2018 Crescent Mountain Fire impacted forest and the old growth forest.