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
1774 HikesOlympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
6.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 800 feet
Rating:
This beach walk demonstrates the successful rehabilitation of a former dumpsite into a popular hiking destination, with views of the Strait of San Juan de Fuca and ample opportunities for wildlife viewing.
Eastern Washington > Palouse and Blue Mountains
3.4 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 470 feet
Highest Point: 2,600 feet
Rating:
The trailhead for this section of the Palouse to Cascades Trail is found just south of Spokane and west of Tekoa.
Snoqualmie Region > Cle Elum Area
22.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 160 feet
Highest Point: 1,820 feet
Rating:
With Mount Stuart peeking over the ridge, take a walk, or ride, through agricultural Kittitas County with its irrigated farming & ranching. Two railroad tunnels and an abandoned farm display some history of the region.
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
5.3 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 0 feet
Highest Point: 1,100 feet
Rating:
Washington State has a plethora of amazingly beautiful trails for the avid hiker to tread, but how many take you through an old train tunnel more than two miles long? The Snoqualmie Tunnel is part of the 250-mile Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail (formerly the John Wayne Trail and Iron Horse State Park) and this section is a must do for everyone! Views for most of your trip will be determined by the power of your headlamp, but there will be some sights on the other side. The attraction of this hike is the mysterious, dramatic tunnel itself. However, note that the tunnel is closed November 1st through May 1st, so plan your trip accordingly.
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
5.5 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1,077 feet
Highest Point: 1,607 feet
Rating:
Hike a short stint on the Palouse to Cascades Trail, crossing high trestle bridges and roaming through old growth forest with expansive views of nearby peaks, just a short drive away from the city.
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
11.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 480 feet
Rating:
The hike from the Cedar Falls trailhead to the junction with the Change Creek route is one through history. You will walk along a decommissioned railroad passing by the remnants of the line. Starting at the Cedar Falls trailhead, begin your hike just past the outhouse, crossing a paved road, and picking up the gravel path.
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
11.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 300 feet
Highest Point: 1,100 feet
Rating:
The Palouse to Cascades Trail in Iron Horse State Park provides access to notable North Bend hikes, views of mountains and waterfalls, and a journey back into Washington’s history. Take in the wildlife and cross soaring bridges as you make a level traverse from Rattlesnake Lake to Change and Hall Creeks 5.5 miles to the east.
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
4.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1,260 feet
Highest Point: 1,190 feet
Rating:
The year-round, dog-friendly day hike to Fragrance Lake in the Chuckanut Recreation Area is popular with college students and faculty from Western Washington University in nearby Bellingham, and with day visitors and car campers at Larrabee State Park. On a sunny weekend afternoon you could easily lose count of the number of smiles and “hullos” you’ll exchange!
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
7.4 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 3,420 feet
Highest Point: 3,980 feet
Rating:
The “old” trail that ascends Mount Si’s western flank offers a shorter, steeper, slightly more scenic, and if one dare say it — less crowded — route to the summit, where you can rejoin the rest of the people who flock to one of Snoqualmie Pass’s most popular hiking destinations.
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
2.5 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 49 feet
Highest Point: 15 feet
Rating:
This area will be closed through November 2023.
Take a waterside walk along Wiley Slough in the Skagit Wildlife area on Fir Island.
Central Washington > Wenatchee
1.3 miles of trails
Rating:
Another favorite area near Sage Hills and Horse Lake Reserve, Castle Rock property provides safe, legal access for hikers, walkers, and other recreators who want adventure near the town of Wenatchee.
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
4.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1,160 feet
Highest Point: 2,078 feet
Rating:
This is a fine hike on a well maintained, albeit busy trail through a cool forest with views of the Cedar River watershed, Mount Si, Mount Washington, Rattlesnake Lake and Chester Morse Lake.
Issaquah Alps > Tiger Mountain
3.8 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1,760 feet
Highest Point: 1,850 feet
Rating:
Hike a short but steep trail with many stone steps. Pause at a viewpoint offering a fine view of Mount Rainier, then continue on to Poo Poo Point itself, only 1.9 miles from the trailhead. Enjoy views to the northwest, and perhaps watch paragliders sailing off into the sky.
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
8.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 3,150 feet
Highest Point: 3,900 feet
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.
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
3.7 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1,300 feet
Highest Point: 1,550 feet
Rating:
Companion piece to neighbor and big brother Mount Si, the small rocky bluff known as Little Si is a moderate grade 3.7 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.
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
8.5 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2,000 feet
Highest Point: 4,300 feet
Rating:
Bruni's Snow Bowl Hut is named for Brunhilde (Bruni) Wislicenus, a passionate mountaineer and wilderness skier who donated a substantial portion of the funds to rebuild the hut after a fire in 2007 burnt the original to the ground. Now, it provides skiers and snowshoers a place to warm up after a bracing 4.5 mile jaunt along forest roads in Tahoma State Forest.
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
3.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 13 feet
Highest Point: 13 feet
Rating:
Spend some time in the quiet countryside on a wide gravel trail just a few miles away from the city of Everett.
Issaquah Alps > Squak Mountain
4.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1,100 feet
Highest Point: 1,830 feet
Rating:
Hike a two-mile forest trail on the north side of Squak Mountain to reach the site of a former cabin owned by the Bullitt family. Only the massive fireplace and the foundation remain today. Optionally, extend your hike to Central Peak, the highest point on Squak Mountain (no view,) and make it an interesting loop by returning via the Old Griz and East Side Trails.
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
2.5 miles, roundtrip
Rating:
WTA has done some general trail maintenance in this beautiful neighborhood park. The site is extremely valuable from an ecological standpoint.
Issaquah Alps > Cougar Mountain
1.4 miles, one-way
Gain: 200 feet
Highest Point: 800 feet
Rating:
The Wildside Trail runs through the northwest corner of Cougar Mountain Park and offers many connections to other trails.
Issaquah Alps
12.0 miles of trails
Gain: 0 feet
Highest Point: 500 feet
Rating:
Soaring Eagle Regional Park features 12 miles of trails that are regularly used by hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians. The Pipeline Trail crosses through the park and is wide and flat—in fact, it is quite common to see families with baby strollers out enjoying the trail. Soaring Eagle is also popular for trail running competitions.
Southwest Washington > Vancouver Area
6.0 miles of trails
Gain: 308 feet
Highest Point: 240 feet
Rating:
The Cougar Trails network contains six miles of moderately trafficked trails on the WSU Vancouver campus. Encompassing a river, a disc golf field, and quiet forested areas, this network is good for all skill levels.
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.
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
7.5 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2,000 feet
Highest Point: 2,400 feet
Rating:
Hamilton Mountain trailhead and trail will be closed 3/16/23 and 3/17/23 and also intermittently on 3/18/23.
This hike is full of the best things the Columbia Gorge has to offer: easy access and parking, well-maintained trail, wildflowers galore, two waterfalls, and views to knock off your sweaty socks. It’s a long journey at about 7.5 miles, and steep in places, but nothing a healthy dog, child or senior citizen can’t do. You’ll meet all of these smiling folks on this hike during the peak seasons.
Central Cascades > Leavenworth Area
1.5 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 400 feet
Highest Point: 1,450 feet
Rating:
Largely used as a climbing park, Peshastin Pinnacles also makes an ideal stop on Highway 2 to stretch your legs, or as a destination during a visit to Leavenworth, Wenatchee, Cashmere or Chelan. A short trail system offers a nice zigzag, moderately steep loop tour of the base of the climbing areas, and a picnic area makes for a great way to finish the visit off.
Southwest Washington > Lewis River Region
56.5 miles, one-way
Rating:
The trail is closed between milepost 32 and 33 at trestles 32 and 32.5 west of the Pluvius area due to construction.
The trail is closed at milepost 38.5 west of Lebam due to a washout.
The trail is closed between milepost 48 and 49 at trestle 48 due to erosion.
Once a railroad, this trail allows visitors to travel between the towns of Chehalis and South Bend without having to drive! This makes an excellent outing, whether you want a quick jaunt or a longer bike ride, though the trail is in varying stages of development, so be sure you are prepared for pavement, gravel, or possibly dirt, depending on your route.
Central Washington > Yakima
20.0 miles of trails
Gain: 1,148 feet
Highest Point: 2,970 feet
Rating:
80 acres of trails at Rocky Top are permanently closed. Many trails — including Orange and Green Harvester and Horse trails — are no longer accessible.
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.
Central Washington > Yakima
20.0 miles, roundtrip
Highest Point: 1,844 feet
Rating:
The Uplands, Rocky Top and Snow Mountain Ranch trails are currently closed due to muddy conditions.
Some trails in Rocky Top have been permanently closed, including Orange Harvester, Green Harvester and Horse trails.
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
14.0 miles of trails
Gain: 1,140 feet
Highest Point: 2,970 feet
Rating:
Closed until further notice due to muddy conditions.
For a flat riparian ramble or a great workout to a scenic summit, Snow Mountain Ranch is a walking wonderland just outside of Yakima.
Southwest Washington > Lewis River Region
4.5 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 320 feet
Highest Point: 500 feet
Rating:
Just east of Centralia, Seminary Hill offers hilltop wandering and views of Centralia, Chehalis and the Chehalis or Skookumchuck River Valley.