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
3992 HikesMonte Cristo Ghost Town
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 8.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 700 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,800 feet
Hike to an old mining town by heading up a long-closed road along the South Fork Sauk River. This route largely sticks to the old route taken by miners over a century ago.
Twin Lakes - Monte Cristo
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 17.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,939 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,300 feet
Take a nice long walk up the old Monte Cristo Road grade and stop by the townsite on your way. Rougher terrain begins on entering the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness area, and past Silver Lake, the trail becomes difficult to find. Trek along a steep mountain-side before finally cresting the ridge to look down on Twin Lakes and make the steep descent to the camp sites.
Perry Creek
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 10.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,400 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,250 feet
Perry Creek proves you can have it all in a single hike – old-growth forest, wildflowers, waterfalls, meadows, expansive mountain views, even lakes! Tread lightly, though-due to its unparalleled diversity of native plants, the area between the summits of Stillaguamish Peak, Mount Forgotten, and Mount Dickerman is a research natural area that could (in theory) be closed to all uses but scientific study.
Big Four Ice Caves Snowshoe
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 7.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 250 feet
-
Highest Point
- 1,800 feet
Never go into or climb on top of the Ice Caves.
The trail and road to trailhead will be closed May 15 through June 30 for trail work.
While this is a popular location to snowshoe in wintertime, there is high risk in winter from avalanches off the mountain that feeds these caves. Keep to the main trail, and do not venture onto the snowfields at the end of the route.
Sperry Peak
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 6.4 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 3,800 feet
-
Highest Point
- 6,120 feet
Scramble to the top of this peak from Headlee Pass, located off the Mountain Loop Highway.
Heather Lake
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 4.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,034 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,430 feet
After you've explored a few trails with your little one, the Heather Lake trail makes a wonderful next step. It's the perfect place to take children on their first ‘real’ hike. The trail is short, but steep and challenging--it'll give a child a real sense of accomplishment once they reach the lake. The lake itself is a scenic little lake located on the northeastern slope of Mount Pilchuck.
North Fork Skykomish River
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
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Length
- 10.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,000 feet
-
Highest Point
- 4,000 feet
The road to the trailhead is washed out 4.5 miles from the trailhead.
This hike is a tree hugger's paradise. Huge old growth Douglas firs and hemlocks soar into the sky from a lush green forest floor dotted with woodland flowers. The trail gently ascends only 700 feet in the first four miles, and the slope you hike up is laced by many clear flowing streams bridged by old puncheons.
Quartz Creek
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
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Length
- 8.4 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,500 feet
-
Highest Point
- 4,000 feet
The road to the trailhead is washed out 4 miles from the trailhead.
Hike through shady forest, accompanied by the sound of Quartz Creek, little waterfalls, wildflowers and interesting things to see (and eat) on this trail.
Pass Creek
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
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Length
- 7.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,000 feet
-
Highest Point
- 3,250 feet
The road to the trailhead is washed out 4.5 miles from the trailhead.
Pass Creek is an easy access point to the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and provides opportunities for longer loop hikes open to stock when conditions permit.
West Cady Ridge to Benchmark Mountain
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
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Length
- 14.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,700 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,816 feet
The road to the trailhead is washed out 4.5 miles from the trailhead.
Climb through rich, old growth forest to miles of some of the finest ridge walking available in Washington, where alpine meadows and jaw-dropping views abound.
Blanca Lake
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
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Length
- 7.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,300 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,600 feet
The road to the trailhead is washed out 2 miles from the trailhead.
Visit one of the most striking lakes in the Henry M. Jackson wilderness. The vibrant blue of the glacier-fed lake provides the perfect rest stop for hikers who have braved the thirty-odd, steep switchbacks that lead to the lake.
Railroad Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 6.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 325 feet
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Highest Point
- 380 feet
Walk along an old-railroad-track-turned-trail through the city of Bellingham.
Mount St. Helens - Worm Flows Route
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
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Length
- 12.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 5,699 feet
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Highest Point
- 8,364 feet
The Worm Flows Climbing Route, from Marble Mountain Sno-Park, is the most direct route to the summit of Mount St. Helens during the winter season. Ice axe, crampons, and avalanche awareness are necessary when attempting to summit St. Helens in the winter. Skis with climbing skins or snowshoes with cleats are also highly recommended.
Rattlesnake Ledge
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 4.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,160 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,078 feet
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.
Twin Falls
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 2.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 500 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,000 feet
Visit a trio (yes, trio) of waterfalls just off I-90 on this sure-to-please short trail, perfect for families.
North Coast Route
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
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Length
- 30.0 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 200 feet
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Highest Point
- 200 feet
Hike through and alongside coastal forest, rocky cliffs and the wild Pacific coast on a relatively well-maintained route.
Enchanted Valley via East Fork Quinault River
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
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Length
- 27.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,700 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,035 feet
The East Fork Quinault River Trail is one of the most popular trails on the south portion of the park and hundreds of hikers visit Enchanted Valley to take in the tremendous views and see the famed chalet each year.
Point Defiance Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 200 feet
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Highest Point
- 300 feet
As the largest urban park in Pierce County, the network of roads and trails weaving through the forest preserve provides a quiet retreat for joggers, cyclists, and hikers.
Sauk Mountain
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 4.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,200 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,500 feet
A popular trail with great views of the Sauk and Skagit river valleys, Cascade mountain peaks, and on a good clear day, the Olympics and San Juan Islands. There will also be plenty of wildflowers to please photographers and hiking plant nerds alike.
Old Sauk River Trail
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 6.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 150 feet
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Highest Point
- 800 feet
Take a hike within sight and sound of the wild Sauk River--part of the Skagit Wild and Scenic River System established to maintain the free flowing nature of Washington's rivers. You'll wander through a forest of moss-covered maple, cedar and fir, listening for wildlife and the sound of the river.
Mount Aix
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 12.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 4,650 feet
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Highest Point
- 7,766 feet
The Mount Aix trail leads to a lofty world above the tree line, with views in all directions, and access to other trails for wandering in the open. On a clear day, you can see Mount Adams, Mount St. Helens, the Goat Rocks, Mount Rainier, and the Stuart Range, just to mention the more identifiable peaks.
Ahtanum State Forest - Whites Ridge
Central Washington > Yakima
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Length
- 10.9 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,900 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,000 feet
The Whites Ridge trailhead is a forested hike with mountain views located in Ahtanum Forest. It is only open to hikers and equestrians from April 1 to November 30.
Granite Mountain
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 8.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,800 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,629 feet
In winter the trail up Granite Mountain crosses a large avalanche chute early in the hike. Please have experience navigating avalanche terrain and the proper equipment when hiking this trail in the winter
The astounding views from the summit of the Granite Mountain trail come at a price. A nearly-1000-feet-of-elevation-gain-per-mile price. But views of pointed Kaleetan Peak, deep blue Crystal Lake, the climber-dotted Tooth, and Mount Rainier dominating the skyline to the south make it all worth it.
Lake 22
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 5.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,350 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,400 feet
The curiously-named Lake 22 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.
Spectacle Lake
Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
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Length
- 22.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,500 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,600 feet
Spectacle Lake is truly worthy of the name - it's quite a sight to see. Nestled at the base of Chikamin Ridge and just a short jaunt from the Pacific Crest Trail, this lake is one of the true gems of Snoqualmie Pass.
Mount Pilchuck
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 5.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,300 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,327 feet
Road closed: An improvement project on the road accessing Mount Pilchuck has rendered the trail inaccessible until 2024
Despite its intermediate difficulty, hikers flock to Mount Pilchuck for its historic restored fire lookout with grand panoramic views of Mount Baker, Mount Rainier and the Olympics.
Wallace Falls State Park
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
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Length
- 5.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,300 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,500 feet
An accessible hike for seasoned veterans and neophytes alike, Wallace Falls provides visitors with breathtaking views of the Wallace River and the surrounding falls on a relatively low difficulty, scenic 5.6 mile round-trip. Although well attended and often busy, the trail stands as a true showcase of the diversity and majestic beauty that the Central Cascades can offer to hikers who journey into the heart of this sublime mountain range.
Section Line Trail
Issaquah Alps > Tiger Mountain
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Length
- 5.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,022 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,522 feet
A steep trail to the summit of West Tiger 3.
Crystal Lakes
Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River
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Length
- 6.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,300 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,828 feet
Take a short but steep hike on a wide trail to visit two lakes in a beautiful craggy setting. It's only three miles to the upper lake, with 2,300 feet of elevation gain. In season find many wildflowers in the basin near the upper lake, and be alert for wildlife sightings.
Black Canyon
Central Washington > Yakima
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Length
- 8.0 miles of trails
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Elevation Gain
- 1,700 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,224 feet
On this hike you’ll experience the renewal of life after a devastating fire as you climb a canyon through bunch grasses, wildflowers and regenerating stands of aspen to panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and the distant Cascades.