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
1654 Hikes
Rachel Lake
Snoqualmie Region -- Snoqualmie Pass
8.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1600 ft.
Highest Point: 4600.0 ft.
Rating:
From Rachel Lake you can access further adventures at Rampart Lakes, Lila Lakes and Alta Peak. This hike is a popular weekend overnight destination; so don’t expect to be by yourself in high season.
Navaho Peak
Snoqualmie Region -- Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
13.7 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 4223 ft.
Highest Point: 7223.0 ft.
Rating:
From Navaho Pass, the trail to Navaho Peak is siren-like, pulling you towards the summit long after you realize how tired you are. But for peak-baggers, or those simply interested in getting a gorgeous view from a relatively easy-to-navigate peak, the views are worth the extra effort.
Lake 22
North Cascades -- Mountain Loop Highway
5.4 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1350 ft.
Highest Point: 2400.0 ft.
Rating:
The curiously-named Lake Twentytwo is the center of an oasis of alpine wetland nestled on the northern shoulder of Mount Pilchuck. The hike to the lake combines the best of mountain rainforests, old-growth, wetlands, and mountain views, yet it is readily accessible. In winter the route lends itself to snowshoeing.
Umtanum Creek Canyon
Central Washington -- Yakima
6.5 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 500 ft.
Highest Point: 1800.0 ft.
Rating:
Take a pleasant hike up a spectacular canyon with towering basalt formations, a rushing creek, and a chance to see bighorn sheep. Whether you go in spring or fall, the canyon is filled with brilliant color.
Heybrook Lookout
Central Cascades -- Stevens Pass - West
2.6 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 850 ft.
Highest Point: 1700.0 ft.
Rating:
Heybrook Lookout is a short and moderately steep hike through a fern and moss covered forest to a fun, staircase-ridden lookout with great views of the nearby mountains. If you are introducing someone to hiking, limited on time, or trying to add on another hike or activity in the area, this is the hike for you.
Round Mountain
South Cascades
5.2 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1700 ft.
Highest Point: 5970.0 ft.
Rating:
This short and sweet little hike to Round Mountain offers nice views, and a good half-day hike for those looking to explore the Goat Rocks Wilderness while staying at a nearby resort. Alternatively, you can tack it onto a longer day, make it a thru-hike, or even a side trip while hiking the PCT. For such a low-key destination, it’s remarkably accessible.
Anacortes Community Forest Lands - Sugarloaf
Puget Sound and Islands -- Whidbey Island
2.5 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 890 ft.
Highest Point: 1275.0 ft.
Rating:
While it’s not quite as tall as nearby Mount Erie, Sugarloaf makes a great summit—this one doesn’t have a parking lot at the top.
Guemes Channel and Ship Harbor
Puget Sound and Islands -- San Juan Islands
3.2 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 100 ft.
Highest Point: 110.0 ft.
Rating:
Hike shoreline trails in both directions from this Anacortes trailhead. Take in views of distant islands, ferries, seabirds, eagles, historic displays. All on good trails suitable for all ages.
Cutthroat Lakes via Walt Bailey Trail
North Cascades -- Mountain Loop Highway
6.8 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2300 ft.
Highest Point: 4700.0 ft.
Rating:
Great views await you at the summit of Bald Mountain or Cutthroat Lakes if you can stand the rough, rocky, and rooty trail that you must brave to get there. Fortunately, lots of lakes and berries keep you busy along the way, and the ever-changing surroundings on this CCC-built, WTA-maintained trail make for a great day hike along the popular Mountain Loop Highway.
Mount Margaret
Snoqualmie Region -- Snoqualmie Pass
5.5 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2000 ft.
Highest Point: 5459.0 ft.
Rating:
Hike up an abandoned road, through a logged area, and into mature forest on the edge of the Alpine Lakes wilderness. What the trail lacks in ruggedness is more than made up for by the quantity of berries that line the trail.
Twin Falls
Snoqualmie Region -- North Bend Area
2.6 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 500 ft.
Highest Point: 1000.0 ft.
Rating:
Visit a trio (yes, trio) of waterfalls just off I-90 on this sure-to-please short trail, perfect for families.
Verlot Nature Trail
North Cascades -- Mountain Loop Highway
0.5 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 13 ft.
Highest Point: 1035.0 ft.
Rating:
The Verlot Nature Trail connects the Verlot Campground with Turlo Campground.
Mount Si
Snoqualmie Region -- North Bend Area
8.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 3150 ft.
Highest Point: 3900.0 ft.
Rating:
There are many reasons – besides its proximity to Seattle – why Mount Si is the most popular hike in the state: beautiful views, wildlife (some of it not so wild), old growth forest, and a dramatic summit worthy of a more remote peak. Rising dramatically above the Snoqualmie Valley, it serves as a literal and figurative gateway to the Cascades for thousands of hikers.
Bayview Trail
Puget Sound and Islands -- Seattle-Tacoma Area
2.5 miles, roundtrip
Rating:
The Bayview Trail is a segment of paved trail that runs along a powerline corridor in a residential area in Marysville.
Ashland Lakes
North Cascades -- Mountain Loop Highway
5.4 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 800 ft.
Highest Point: 3000.0 ft.
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.
Dingford Creek-Hester Lake
Snoqualmie Region -- North Bend Area
10.8 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2600 ft.
Highest Point: 3900.0 ft.
Rating:
Hike a rugged trail through second-growth hemlock forest. You'll cross several lively creeks and see waterfalls on your way to a high alpine lake well-stocked with trout.
Icicle Gorge Nature Loop
Central Cascades -- Leavenworth Area
4.2 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 150 ft.
Highest Point: 2800.0 ft.
Rating:
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.
Lake Ethel
Central Cascades -- Stevens Pass - East
9.5 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 3500 ft.
Highest Point: 5735.0 ft.
Rating:
Lake Ethel is a beautiful lake in the Chiwaukum Mountains of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, just east of Stevens Pass. Lake Ethel is one of the ‘Scottish Lakes’, which includes nearby Lake Donald, Loch Eileen and Lake Julius. The entire Scottish Lakes area is great for solitude. From Lake Ethel there are numerous options to extend your trip for backpacking or long day hikes.
Talapus and Olallie Lakes
Snoqualmie Region -- Snoqualmie Pass
6.2 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1220 ft.
Highest Point: 3780.0 ft.
Rating:
With a moderate grade on a wide trail, the hike to Talapus Lake is the perfect introduction to the outdoors for hikers and beginning backpackers. Upon arrival at Talapus, break out lunch or pitch camp. Either way, you can cool off in the large lake. If you feel like pressing on, Ollalie Lake is just about a mile and a half up trail, where open campsites offer lakeside havens with calm waters and views of a beautiful lake basin.
Kendall Katwalk
Snoqualmie Region -- Snoqualmie Pass
12.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2600 ft.
Highest Point: 5400.0 ft.
Rating:
If the name Kendall Katwalk conjures up an image of a narrow pathway blasted out of a steeply sloped rock face, that’s part of it. But the whole package includes old growth forest, gorgeous wildflowers, and stunning views into the Alpine Lakes Wilderness from both sides of the pass below Kendall Peak, where the Katwalk begins.
Little Si
Snoqualmie Region -- North Bend Area
3.7 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1300 ft.
Highest Point: 1550.0 ft.
Rating:
Companion piece to neighbor and big brother Mount Si, the small rocky bluff known as Little Si is a moderate grade 4.7 mile trail located in the hike rich North Bend area. Although relatively steep inclines bookend this hike, this primarily North/South route is perfect for beginners who are looking to get back in shape, while still accommodating veterans with opportunities to cut away on the Boulder Garden Loop (at .3 miles and .5 miles) to merge with the more challenging Mount Si trail. Expect crowds, even in winter, as New Year’s resolutions (the two Si mountains are sometimes colloquially referred to as the “Resolution Peaks” for the deluge of hikers that appear after January 1st), proximity to the city and a degree of refuge from the elements often divert heavy foot traffic to this mini-mountain to keep it busy year round.
Discovery Park Loop Trail
Puget Sound and Islands -- Seattle-Tacoma Area
2.8 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 140 ft.
Highest Point: 325.0 ft.
Rating:
Seattle's Discovery Park Loop Trail is a designated National Recreation Trail, 2.8 miles long with an elevation change of just 140 feet. It passes through both forest and open meadows, offers extensive views, good prospects for bird watchers, and it can be hiked or jogged year-round.
Upper Twin Lake
Central Cascades -- Leavenworth Area
5.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 300 ft.
Highest Point: 2850.0 ft.
Rating:
This is an ideal ‘multi-modal’ kid hike, featuring a two mile bike ride, followed by an easy and quite pretty half mile hike. We did the bike and hike with our kids when they were four and six, and they enjoyed it.
Capitol State Forest - Porter Falls
Olympic Peninsula -- Olympia
2.2 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 450 ft.
Rating:
Hike along a gentle grade as it climbs along Porter Creek and crosses it, traveling west on the other side, keeping the road you arrived on in view. As you reach the confluence of Porter Creek and the West Fork of Porter Creek, you also reach the waterfall, your destination.
Gold Creek - Alaska Lake
Snoqualmie Region -- Snoqualmie Pass
14.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2024 ft.
Highest Point: 4624.0 ft.
Rating:
While the trail near Gold Creek Pond is a great spot for hikers of all ages, the trail back towards Alaska Lake is a more rugged experience. Starting flat, it heads into the heart of the Central Cascades on an old road for four miles, where it then crosses an impressive old avalanche path before heading straight uphill to remote Alaska Lake.
Pyramid Mountain
Central Cascades -- Entiat Mountains/Lake Chelan
18.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 3600 ft.
Highest Point: 8260.0 ft.
Rating:
Trail access limited 8/19/21: This trailhead is inaccessible due to the Twentyfive Mile Fire.
Pyramid Mountain is a scenic trail that starts high and stays high. From the trailhead ad 6200 feet, hikers will continue along ridgelines and shallow valleys before making the final ascent to Pyramid Mountain at 8260 feet.
Glasses Lake
Central Cascades -- Stevens Pass - East
10.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 700 ft.
Highest Point: 4682.0 ft.
Rating:
This is a beautiful small lake tucked immediately under Grizzly Peak and the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). Where Heather Lake is often shared with a number of hiking and camping groups, you are pretty much assured to have lunch by yourself at Glasses. Only a half a dozen trip reports have been filed in the last decade, this is a good predictor of solitude.
Mount Ellinor
Olympic Peninsula -- Hood Canal
6.2 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 3300 ft.
Highest Point: 5944.0 ft.
Rating:
Mount Ellinor is the southern-most prominence on the eastern front of the Olympics. This makes its peak easy to point out to your friends when you say, ”I was up there.” Mount Ellinor also gives you two trailheads to choose from. The lower trailhead at 2,600 feet welcomes you to the ascent with an easy grade at the outset. The route from the upper trailhead at 3,500 feet starts out with a nearly immediate upward jolt. The trails merge well before the summit and continue upward at a character-building grade.
Spider Gap
Central Cascades -- Entiat Mountains/Lake Chelan
1.2 miles, one-way
Gain: 1650 ft.
Highest Point: 7040.0 ft.
Rating:
Spider Gap is the pass in the ridge between Spider Meadow and Lyman Lakes. Start out on the Phelps Creek Trail to its end in Spider Meadow. The Spider Gap Trail climbs steeply from here for 1.2 miles, topping out at the ridge and connecting to the Lyman Lakes Trail.
Buck Creek Falls Loop
South Cascades -- Mount Adams Area
3.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 770 ft.
Highest Point: 1090.0 ft.
Rating:
A short, family-friendly loop that can be done all year round. You'll meander through douglas fir, western redcedar, bigleaf maple, and other deciduous trees, along a creek, and end at a lovely waterfall, perfect for picnicking.