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
4201 HikesCoal Mines Trail
Snoqualmie Region > Cle Elum Area
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Length
- 5.5 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 453 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,375 feet
The Coal Mines trail is a mellow hike from Cle Elum, through Roslyn and onto Ronald with views of many different coal mining remains. This trail is great for hiking, biking, horseback riding and running.
French Cabin Creek
Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
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Length
- 3.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,800 feet
This short trail guides hikers through open forest to a junction with the Kachess Ridge Trail, where you can continue on to Thorp Lookout or just a little longer wander along the ridge.
Snow Lake
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 7.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,800 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,400 feet
A relatively short and easy hike within a stone’s throw of Seattle, Snow Lake delivers splendorous alpine scenery – crystal clear waters, towering peaks – at a mere pittance of sweat and toil. Just don’t expect to have the trail to yourself – Snow Lake is Washington's most heavily-used trail in a wilderness area!
Snoqualmie Mountain
Snoqualmie Region
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Length
- 3.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,105 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,278 feet
A scramble to the summit of a peak near Alpental. Proper gear and expertise recommended.
Mount Roosevelt
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 12.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,500 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,835 feet
A climb off I-90 near Melakwa Lake. Gear and climbing experience required.
Guye Peak
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 3.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,172 feet
A class 3 or 4 scramble to the summit of a peak near Alpental. Climbing gear and expertise recommended.
Source Lake - Winter Route
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,100 feet
This trail has an avalanche chute early on in the trail. Be familiar with navigating avalanche terrain and go prepared if you hike this trail in winter.
Rock Creek - Red Pass Loop
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 17.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 5,600 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,400 feet
This is a long distance day hike that includes unmaintained trails. You should be an experienced route finder willing to hike trails less traveled, and prepared for a lonely hike. You may need crampons and ice axe.
Lower Wildcat Lake
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
Lower Wildcat Lake offers an opportunity to get deeper into the backcountry past Snow Lake, while still on a formal trail.
Gem Lake
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 10.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,800 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,857 feet
Gem Lake is nestled at the foot of Wright Mountain and is about two miles beyond the trail junction at Rock Creek trail #1013.1 that intersects with the Snow Lake trail starting at Alpental. Beautiful colors surround the lake in autumn as do the many climbable peaks in the area.
Avalanche Mountain
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 8.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,400 feet
A winter scramble to the summit of a mountain in Snoqualmie Pass. Technical experience and equipment required.
Wright Mountain
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 10.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,920 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,330 feet
A scramble up a peak above Gem Lake. Climbing gear and experience required.
Mount Townsend - Winter
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 13.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,500 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,500 feet
Hiking Mount Townsend in the winter can be challenging. Depending on how much snow is present, it could require route-finding skills and the ability to evaluate slopes for avalanche risk. Go prepared with gear and a plan B.
Skyline
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
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Length
- 45.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 4,900 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,700 feet
The temporary bridge on North Shore Road has been removed for winter. The Graves Creek and North Fork trailheads are currently inaccessible due to both North Shore and South Shore roads being closed.
This primitive trail spans over 20 miles through Montane and subalpine ecosystems. From the Low Divide Ranger Station to the Three Lakes campsite, the Skyline trail will take you on a steep journey past lakes and to the top of Kimta Peak.
Faraway Rock
Mount Rainier Area > SE - Cayuse Pass/Stevens Canyon
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Length
- 1.3 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 300 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,220 feet
Stevens Canyon Road is closed for the winter season.
The overlook at Faraway Rock is a short jaunt along the Mazama Ridge Trail up from Stevens Canyon Road and Reflection Lakes along the Wonderland Trail. This viewpoint showcases glistening Lake Louise below and the towering Tatoosh Ridge to the south.
Crystal Peak
Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River
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Length
- 8.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,100 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,595 feet
SR 410 (Chinook Pass) is closed between Crystal Mountain Boulevard (12 mi north of summit) and Morse Creek (5 mi east of summit) for the winter season.
Check the weather before heading out for this hike, and if it’s going to be clear, bring a camera. From the summit, it’s possible to see six (yes, six!) volcanoes spanning two states. Baker, Glacier, Adams, Rainier, St. Helens and Hood wait patiently for you to climb the more-than-moderately steep path to the summit of Crystal Peak, where you can take in beautiful snow-capped majesty from the top.
Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
This garden comprises 22 acres of native forest intermingled with numerous other plant species, most notably rhododendrons.
Margaret Lake
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 6.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,800 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,100 feet
Logging paid for most of the trails in the Cascades, so sometimes hikers must expect to hike the terrain that provided that rich stock of timber. This trail starts on an old logging road, leads through old clearcuts—now nicely regrown as lush berry meadows and forest stands—and enters lush old second-growth forest. It’s a great way to experience both the natural and human history of the area, while enjoying some remarkable wild country around a pristine alpine lake.
Cutthroat Pass via the Pacific Crest Trail
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 10.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,800 feet
Cutthroat Pass is a stunner no matter which way you access it. This way, you'll enjoy a wider, more well-maintained trail, and you're more likely to share it with Pacific Crest Trail thru-hikers.
Snow Lakes
Central Cascades > Leavenworth Area
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Length
- 14.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 4,300 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,500 feet
The Snow Lakes trail is known mostly as the long, gradual way into the Enchantments; but it 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.
Mount Spokane State Park - Entrance Loop
Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
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Length
- 1.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 417 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,570 feet
This loop connecting Trails 120, 121 and 122 at Mount Spokane State Park is short and sweet, with enough elevation gain to make it a bit spicy, too!
Lake Sawyer Regional Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 15.0 miles of trails
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Highest Point
- 300 feet
A quiet park where locals and visitors can enjoy a placid lake, birdwatching and relaxing.
Maplewood Heights Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 1.25 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 300 feet
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Highest Point
- 500 feet
Short forested lollipop trail in the Renton Highlands that crosses a creek and has several access points.
Dingford Creek-Myrtle Lake
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 11.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,600 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,800 feet
Hike a rugged trail through second-growth forest and across lively creeks to a high alpine lake.
Larrabee State Park - Rock Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 2.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,200 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,820 feet
Cleator Road is closed through Nov. 21.
The Rock Trail is one of WTA's signature projects, built from scratch thanks to WTA’s partnerships with various organizations, including Larrabee State Park and Chuckanut Conservancy. A dedicated group of enthusiastic WTA volunteers worked countless hours here, carving a connector trail out of the steep, rugged hillside from the top of Cleator Road to the South Lost Lake Trail. The Rock Trail provides hikers and trail runners a steep climb, gorgeous views, and a peek at the area's fascinating geology.
Two Dollar Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 3.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 550 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,100 feet
Cleator Road is closed through Nov. 21.
The Two Dollar Trail is one of three approaches to Fragrance Lake. It is popular with runners, bikers and hikers alike because of its good surface throughout. It traverses a west facing ridge through a forest of cedar, Douglas fir, hemlock, bigleaf maple and red maple with views out to the Salish Sea. The trail wanders through a groundcover of salal, Oregon grape and a variety of ferns and a small waterfall whose configuration changes with the seasons.
Washtucna Coulee - Kahlotus Railroad Grade
Central Washington > Tri-Cities
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Length
- 8.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 30 feet
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Highest Point
- 900 feet
The Washtucna Coulee - Kahlotus Railroad Grade will take you past the dried basin of the ancient Lake Kahlotus and through to the eerie former railroad tunnel in Devils Canyon.
Chimacum Ridge Community Forest
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
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Length
- 4.7 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 330 feet
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Highest Point
- 486 feet
Nearly 5 miles of easy hiking on trails and forest roads, with mountain and valley views.
North Fork Sauk River
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 18.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 5,078 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,949 feet
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.
Red Mountain Lookout
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 2.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 700 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,800 feet
This seldom-used trail within Glacier Peak Wilderness leads through an old-growth forest with magnificent, large trees to the site of an old fire lookout build in the 1930s.