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
3891 Hikes
Rock Mountain via Rock Lake
Central Cascades -- Stevens Pass - East
8.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 4050 ft.
Highest Point: 6852.0 ft.
Rating:
There may be an easier way to reach the summit of Rock Mountain but if you are looking to earn your ascent in a shorter amount of time, the Rock Lake trail approach offers you alpine meadows and stunning views of peaks within the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest via this lesser-traveled but steeper route right off Highway near Stevens Pass.
Crow Butte Park
Central Washington -- Tri-Cities
6.0 miles of trails
Gain: 250 ft.
Rating:
Crow Butte Park is located near Patterson, along the Columbia River. The park is operated by the Port of Benton, and it is possible to camp here as well as explore six miles of trail.
Picture Lake
North Cascades -- Mount Baker Area
0.5 miles, roundtrip
Highest Point: 4200.0 ft.
Rating:
Follow a short, ADA-accessible path around Picture Lake, home to one of the most photographed vistas in America. Featuring a backdrop of craggy Mount Shuksan and a foreground of wilflowers ringing a sparkling lake in summer, Picture Lake is pretty as, well, a picture.
Sand Point
Olympic Peninsula -- Pacific Coast
6.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 150 ft.
Highest Point: 100.0 ft.
Rating:
A beautiful hike through an interesting forest, often over boardwalks, ends at the beach with the potential for birdwatching and wildlife viewing. If you plan ahead and get a permit, it's a nice overnight destination.
Elk Lakes
Olympic Peninsula -- Hood Canal
4.9 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 400 ft.
Highest Point: 1200.0 ft.
Rating:
This hiker-only trail makes for a quick way to sample the ecosystem on the east slope of the Olympic mountains. Plus, it's a decent starter backpacking trip for kids and makes for a nice day for birdwatchers.
Poe Mountain via Little Wenatchee Trailhead
Central Cascades -- Stevens Pass - East
6.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 3000 ft.
Highest Point: 6015.0 ft.
Rating:
Three thousand feet in three miles make the Little Wenatchee a substantial albeit relatively short hike for exercise provided. The trail was the primary supply route to the old Poe Mountain lookout, and like many lookout access trails wastes no time in getting to the top. But it is well built, switchbacking up the hill. The first two-thirds of the hike are in light tree cover, so the views come as a surprise when you get to them.
Myrtle Falls
Mount Rainier Area -- SW - Longmire/Paradise
0.8 miles, roundtrip
Rating:
A good, short destination just outside of the main Paradise visitors area, Myrtle Falls is a beauty.
No Name
Issaquah Alps -- Cougar Mountain
0.4 miles, roundtrip
Rating:
A short connector trail between Bear Ridge and Shangri La trails that creates a loop out of the two. Also connect to Red Cedars via the No Name Trail.
Seattle View Trail
Issaquah Alps -- Tiger Mountain
1.2 miles, roundtrip
Rating:
Aptly named, find excellent views of Seattle from this connector trail on Tiger Mountain.
Sunrise Point Trail
Olympic Peninsula -- Northern Coast
0.2 miles, roundtrip
Rating:
A short dead end trail coming off the High Ridge trail at Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park.
Mosquito Meadows
South Cascades -- Dark Divide
2.2 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 350 ft.
Highest Point: 4350.0 ft.
Rating:
This mile-long gentle climb in the Dark Divide brings you to the Boundary Trail, where you can turn left towards Badger Lake or right towards Mount St. Helens.
Hummocks Loop
South Cascades -- Mount St. Helens
9.5 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1800 ft.
Highest Point: 4200.0 ft.
Rating:
Why drive to the top when you can hike? Try this day hike as an introduction to Mount St. Helens for visitors who’ve never been here, or if they haven't been in a long time.
I-90 Trail
Puget Sound and Islands -- Seattle-Tacoma Area
20.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 100 ft.
Highest Point: 120.0 ft.
Rating:
An important route through urban King County, this 10-mile paved trail follows I-90 across Lake Washington, linking Seattle with Bellevue.
Turkey Creek
Eastern Washington -- Palouse and Blue Mountains
8.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2060 ft.
Highest Point: 5300.0 ft.
Rating:
This creekside trail winds through old-growth, connecting the Panjab Trail to the Teepee Trailhead.
Old Gib
Central Cascades -- Leavenworth Area
9.8 miles, one-way
Gain: 900 ft.
Highest Point: 6300.0 ft.
Rating:
A trail that goes from the Estes Butte Lookout site to Carne Mountain. Some parts may be overgrown and blowdown should be expected.
Palouse to Cascades Trail - Crab Creek
Central Washington -- Potholes Region
Rating:
Formerly known as the John Wayne Trail, this is a rail trail whose route crosses Washington, offering a nice short walk from a myriad of trailheads, or a fun, multi-day bikepacking adventure.
Windy Trail
South Cascades -- Mount St. Helens
1.0 miles, one-way
Gain: 200 ft.
Highest Point: 4300.0 ft.
Rating:
A short trail accessible from the Windy Ridge area of Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, the Windy Trail makes it possible for hikers to loop up a variety of trails in the blast zone.
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.
Suntop Lookout
Mount Rainier Area -- Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
2.1 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1100 ft.
Highest Point: 5400.0 ft.
Rating:
Reaching the summit of Suntop can require considerable energy, or it can be a simple short walk, but the views of Mount Rainier and the White River valley below are worth it any way you slice it. Hike either 16 miles or just two, depending on which trail you use.
Skookum Flats
Mount Rainier Area -- Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
7.8 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 300 ft.
Highest Point: 2550.0 ft.
Rating:
Choose between a shorter or longer river walk through old-growth forest to a 250-foot cascading waterfall.
Mount Spokane State Park - Trail 120
Eastern Washington -- Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
2.0 miles, one-way
Rating:
The trails on Mount Spokane interlace, offering opportunities to create long or short hikes. Trail 120 allows hikers to loop onto the Kit Carson Trail and beyond.
City Hall to Pike Place
Puget Sound and Islands -- Seattle-Tacoma Area
2.5 miles, roundtrip
Rating:
A Downtown Seattle walk featuring stairways, art, architecture, history, and views of Puget Sound.
Lyre Conservation Area
Olympic Peninsula -- Northern Coast
2.5 miles, roundtrip
Rating:
A lovely protected space on a half-mile of beach along the Strait of Juan de Fuca. This area is just 20 miles west of Port Angeles -- perfect for a picnic or a short day trip.
Dosewallips State Park - Beach Trail
Olympic Peninsula -- Hood Canal
0.2 miles, roundtrip
Rating:
Accessible only at low-tide, this trail (called the North Tidal Area Trail on the Dosewallips State Park map) is a short, gravelled trail that meanders along the north end of the beach at the state park. While this trail is quite short, and only accessible during a limited time, there are 10 total miles of trail in the state park, found across Highway 101 and departing from the camping area. If you want a longer hike, try the Steam Donkey or the Maple Valley trail.
Crestwoods Park Trail
Puget Sound and Islands -- Seattle-Tacoma Area
Rating:
A close-in hike near Kirkland. The perfect after-work way to unwind.
Moments in Time Interpretive Trail
Olympic Peninsula -- Northern Coast
1.0 miles, roundtrip
Rating:
An interpretive nature trail along the shore of Lake Crescent. The trail leads through forest, a small meadow and lake shore. This trail is accessible to most hikers. This trail was formerly known as the Barnes Point Nature Trail, but is now called the Moments in Time Trail on the National Park Service Lake Crescent Area Trail Brochure.
Sunset Hill Park
Puget Sound and Islands -- Seattle-Tacoma Area
0.25 miles of trails
Rating:
A small park tucked into the Crown Hill neighborhood of Ballard.
Lower Pete's Creek
Olympic Peninsula -- Pacific Coast
2.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1000 ft.
Highest Point: 1500.0 ft.
Rating:
The Lower Pete's Creek trail starts on the same side of the road as the parking area and privy. The Pete’s Creek trail to Colonel Bob is on the opposite side of the road, just behind the “Pete’s Creek Trail” sign. They’re easy to tell apart because Lower Pete's Creek starts flat, and the Pete's Creek trail to Colonel Bob begins climbing right away.
Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) - Hyak to Windy Pass
Snoqualmie Region -- Snoqualmie Pass
Rating:
This short section of the PCT heads south out of Snoqualmie Pass and to Windy Pass, where it is possible to access Mount Catherine, or do a longer loop before heading back towards the trailhead at Snoqualmie Pass.
Tanner Landing Park
Snoqualmie Region -- North Bend Area
1.0 miles, roundtrip
Highest Point: 520.0 ft.
Rating:
A pleasant walk along the Middle Fork Snoqualmie, as well as a large field and wildflowers. Great for a short hike or picnic.