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
1637 Hikes
Blue Lake
South Cascades -- Dark Divide
5.2 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 900 ft.
Highest Point: 5200.0 ft.
Rating:
This short, hiker-only trail in the Dark Divide connects hikers to an arresting, appropriately named blue lake jumping with fish. If you can get past its quiet shores, it's a short jaunt to connect with the Craggy Peak trail and miles of ridgeline hiking that the Dark Divide Roadless Area affords.
Lewisville Regional Park
Southwest Washington -- Lewis River Region
2.8 miles, one-way
Gain: 77 ft.
Rating:
As Clark County's oldest park, Lewisville Regional Park is a delightful place for families to visit and get a shot of history, since the park was developed by The Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the Great Depression.
Lake Serene
Central Cascades -- Stevens Pass - West
8.2 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2000 ft.
Highest Point: 2521.0 ft.
Rating:
Lake Serene and Bridal Veil Falls compete for attention on this 7.2 mile trip. Either would be a worthy destination by themselves and combined they are a great day on the trail.
Bullion Basin
Mount Rainier Area -- Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
4.6 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1900 ft.
Highest Point: 6300.0 ft.
Rating:
A relatively steep and rocky connector trail running between the Crystal Mountain resort area up through Bullion Basin to the Pacific Crest Trail with mountain and meadow views.
Greider Lakes
Central Cascades -- Stevens Pass - West
8.6 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2035 ft.
Highest Point: 2930.0 ft.
Rating:
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.
Nannie Ridge-Sheep Lake
South Cascades -- Goat Rocks
9.3 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2056 ft.
Highest Point: 5842.0 ft.
Rating:
A steep climb rewards you with huckleberries, stunning mountain views, wildflower meadows and a charming alpine lake along the Pacific Crest Trail.
Stairway to Heaven
Central Washington -- Wenatchee
9.7 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 900 ft.
Rating:
Stairway to Heaven is a single track hiking and mountain biking trail in the foothills of Wenatchee. It climbs gently through fields of flowers and Ponderosa pine up to the summit of Twin Peaks. Enjoy views of the canyons and Wenatchee Valley down below.
Greenwater and Echo Lakes
Mount Rainier Area -- Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
14.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1900 ft.
Highest Point: 4100.0 ft.
Rating:
Visit a trail where rushing rivers, placid lakes, and wild forests abound.
Mount Grant Preserve
Puget Sound and Islands -- San Juan Islands
4.6 miles of trails
Gain: 900 ft.
Highest Point: 900.0 ft.
Rating:
Mount Grant Preserve is a trail system in development on San Juan Island. Currently, the trails to the top offer the most elevation gain available on San Juan Island, so you'll love this one if you're looking to get high up.
Moran State Park - Cold Springs and North Trail Loop to Mount Constitution
Puget Sound and Islands -- San Juan Islands
11.4 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2940 ft.
Highest Point: 2409.0 ft.
Rating:
Take a tour of Mount Constitution using one of the longer loops on Orcas Island. There's plenty of elevation gain, plenty of miles, and plenty to see along the way.
Turtleback Mountain Preserve: Turtlehead Summit
Puget Sound and Islands -- San Juan Islands
5.7 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1295 ft.
Highest Point: 1025.0 ft.
Rating:
Hike a short trail that leads to one of the best viewpoints in the San Juans, with views of other San Juan Islands and of Canada's Gulf Islands. In the distance, Vancouver Island and the Olympic mountains will be visible. Along the way, enjoy an exuberant display of mosses and, in season, wildflowers. Sightings of golden eagles, turkey vultures, and many other birds are likely.
Moran State Park - Cascade Falls
Puget Sound and Islands -- San Juan Islands
3.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 200 ft.
Highest Point: 690.0 ft.
Rating:
Enjoy 40 feet of the tallest waterfall in the San Juans during a visit to Moran State Park. Cascade Creek flows through not just Cascade Falls, but a few other fallls as well as it pours into a ravine on its way to the ocean. This trail also features towering trees, many other waterfalls, and connects to other trails in the park.
Peach Preserve Shore
Puget Sound and Islands
1.5 miles, roundtrip
Rating:
A birder or botanist’s dream, this nature preserve boasts a diversity of ecosystems, all accessed via an easy and short trail which ends at a 2,000-foot section of protected beach.
Point Colville
Puget Sound and Islands -- San Juan Islands
Rating:
Enjoy wildflowers, solitude, and gorgeous views of Puget Sound on this lovely little hike down a pretty trail to Watmaugh Bay Beach. The park is located off Watmough Head Road, and the beach is beautiful; perfect for a picnic.
Otto Preserve
Puget Sound and Islands -- San Juan Islands
2.0 miles of trails
Gain: 150 ft.
Highest Point: 250.0 ft.
Rating:
This is a pleasant walk through the forest for nature lovers of all ages. There is a large, grassy area for picnics or play time and a resource center that provides educational opportunities. Getting here requires a five minute ferry ride on the Lummi Island Ferry.
Obstruction Pass State Park
Puget Sound and Islands -- San Juan Islands
1.9 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 305 ft.
Highest Point: 225.0 ft.
Rating:
Moran State Park might have mountains and lakes, but Obstruction Pass has quiet, open forest, secluded campgrounds, and the largest public beach on Orcas Island. Take a quiet walk here and soak in the peaceful shoreline.
Moran State Park - Mountain Lake
Puget Sound and Islands -- San Juan Islands
3.9 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 50 ft.
Highest Point: 950.0 ft.
Rating:
The loop around Mountain Lake is the perfect way to spend a relaxing day on Orcas Island. If part of your crew is interested in the more challenging Mount Constitution, this is a good way to while away the time that they're trekking to the top.
Mount Finlayson
Puget Sound and Islands -- San Juan Islands
3.6 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 408 ft.
Highest Point: 290.0 ft.
Rating:
With expansive views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca contrasting with deep forest lagoons, the Mount Finlayson loop features the variety of ecosystems that San Juan Island offers in an easy and scenic trail. Options for shorter or longer routes make this a suitable destination for hikers of all ages.
Twin Lakes and Mount Pickett
Puget Sound and Islands -- San Juan Islands
7.6 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 915 ft.
Highest Point: 1749.0 ft.
Rating:
This loop hike is about the journey through beautiful vegetation including some old forests — with the added bonus of two sweet, small lakes.
Coho Preserve
Puget Sound and Islands -- San Juan Islands
0.75 miles, roundtrip
Rating:
The preserve has a short trail that wanders through mature trees along a salmon spawning creek and offers access to this beautiful 24-acre park where visitors are likely to see a variety of bird species.
Bell Point and English Camp
Puget Sound and Islands -- San Juan Islands
1.7 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 50 ft.
Highest Point: 50.0 ft.
Rating:
English Camp is the historical site of the Royal British Marines’ outpost established in the 1860’s. Part of a joint English-American occupation of San Juan Island while international water boundaries were decided, many of the buildings remain for visitors to explore. The gentle, family-friendly loop trail from English Camp to Bell Point offers hikers peaceful water views and pleasant bird watching.
Frazer Homestead Preserve
Puget Sound and Islands -- San Juan Islands
2.6 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 80 ft.
Highest Point: 210.0 ft.
Rating:
The walk to Frazer Homestead Preserve is mellow and straightforward, an easy hike through forests and small meadows. Here, you can spot old homesteads along the hillsides, including the site of the infamous pig fatality that started the otherwise bloodless Pig War.
Upright Head Preserve
Puget Sound and Islands -- San Juan Islands
1.2 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 300 ft.
Highest Point: 195.0 ft.
Rating:
A relaxing walk through land once slated for a housing development, the trail around Upright Head Preserve is an easy hike where one can watch ferries travel from one island to the next while waiting for their own. Remnants of roads and utilities make up part of the trail, with the rest on narrow dirt paths through the dense forest.
Moran State Park - Sunrise Rock
Puget Sound and Islands -- San Juan Islands
1.4 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 280 ft.
Highest Point: 660.0 ft.
Rating:
Sunrise (or sunset) offer a time of introspection. In Moran State Park, find this time to mull over life atop Sunrise Rock.
Turtleback Mountain Preserve: Ship Peak Loop
Puget Sound and Islands -- San Juan Islands
3.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 860 ft.
Highest Point: 931.0 ft.
Rating:
Explore beautiful Turtleback Mountain Preserve and take in of the most breathtaking views on Orcas Island. Ship Peak, is a moderate loop full of views and a summit starting at the south end of the preserve.
Guemes Mountain
Puget Sound and Islands -- San Juan Islands
2.4 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 550 ft.
Highest Point: 688.0 ft.
Rating:
A collaboration between Skagit Land Trust and Washington Trails Association created this 1.2-mile trail up Guemes Mountain, offering views of the surrounding San Juan Islands. A treat year round, you'll also see unique prairie habitat and forest, in addition to those gorgeous views.
Chadwick Hill
Puget Sound and Islands -- San Juan Islands
Rating:
At 470 feet, Chadwick Hill is the second-highest point on Lopez Island. The trail up the hill provides a great workout, with many ups and downs to keep you warm in the cool sea breezes.
Moran State Park - Cascade Lake
Puget Sound and Islands -- San Juan Islands
2.7 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 200 ft.
Highest Point: 480.0 ft.
Rating:
Cascade Lake provides recreation opportunities for every kind of outdoor enthusiast. The main day-use area offers a picnic area, kitchen shelters, boat launches and rentals, a swimming beach, and fishing. One of the main attractions though is the loop trail that circles the lake. Walk along the shore of the lake and enjoy secluded viewpoints and tall trees.
Young Hill
Puget Sound and Islands -- San Juan Islands
2.2 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 587 ft.
Highest Point: 665.0 ft.
Rating:
The hike up Young Hill is a San Juan Island classic. A moderate trail leading to surprisingly expansive views, and the short side trip to the English Camp cemetery offers a chance to observe unique natural and historical features.
King Sisters Preserve
Puget Sound and Islands -- San Juan Islands
1.4 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 59 ft.
Highest Point: 135.0 ft.
Rating:
King Sisters Preserve is a short, flat walk that runs parallel to San Juan Valley Road on San Juan Island. It is easy and non-technical, and is a nice place to walk your dog on leash if you are staying nearby.