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 HikesLakes Trail
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
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Length
- 9.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 200 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,700 feet
This trail is currently inaccessible due to a road closure
The Lakes Trail offers a nice day hike along a volcano-created lake, or a gateway into the Mount Margaret Backcountry.
Boundary West
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
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Length
- 10.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 2,400 feet
-
Highest Point
- 4,390 feet
This trail is currently inaccessible due to a road closure
This short section of the much longer Boundary Trail (which spans the Dark Divide between Mount St. Helens and Mount Adams) provides a nice day hike amid the unique geology of the St. Helens area.
South Coldwater Trail
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
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Length
- 7.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,400 feet
-
Highest Point
- 4,000 feet
Trail inaccessible: Access to this trail is blocked by a road closure
This early or late-season hike takes you for a ridge walk high above Coldwater Lake, which was not a standing body of water prior to the massive eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980. You'll walk through a serene willow forest, marvel at the power of nature when you encounter twisted hulks of logging machinery, and see plenty of gnarled stumps where tall evergreens once stood.
Hummocks Trail
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
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Length
- 2.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 100 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,500 feet
Trail inaccessible: Access to this trail is blocked by a road closure
Popular because it's the perfect balance between day hike and easy enough for little legs, the Hummocks Trail is a relatively flat loop hike among strange hills that were left by the eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980.
Elk Bench
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
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Length
- 2.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 600 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,100 feet
Trail inaccessible: Access to this trail is blocked by a road closure
This short trail is located near Coldwater Lake and connects visitors to the Science and Learning Center at Coldwater to the Lakes Trail and the Mount Margaret backcountry.
Harry's Ridge
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
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Length
- 8.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 970 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,752 feet
Trail inaccessible: Access to this trail is blocked by a road closure
Named for the curmudgeon who refused to leave his homestead when St. Helens was on the brink of eruption, Harry’s Ridge offers a fascinating panorama of the restless giant, still smoking and belching occasionally, years after her devastating awakening.
Fairhaven Park and Hundred Acre Wood
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 4.5 miles of trails
-
Highest Point
- 360 feet
You don't have to drive far to hike in the forest — start in Fairhaven Park and explore the several miles worth of trail in the Hundred Acre Wood.
Summit Lake
Mount Rainier Area > NW - Carbon River/Mowich
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Length
- 6.1 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,300 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,800 feet
This popular summer trail offers wildflower-filled meadows, a glistening alpine lake, big mountain views and wildlife sighting aplenty.
Cherry Creek Falls
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
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Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 450 feet
-
Highest Point
- 705 feet
Hike along old logging roads to a 25-foot tall waterfall on Cherry Creek just outside of Duvall. Note that access to this area is part of an agreement with nearby homeowners, and part of the trail is on private land, so please remain on the main path, observe leash laws and keep noise to a minimum as a courtesy to homeowners along trail. There are no toilets at the trailhead. Plan ahead.
Hoodsport Trail
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 2.5 miles of trails
A set of short trails off Highway 119 between Hoodsport and Lake Cushman. With a trailhead kitted out with picnic tables and a restroom, it's a great spot for a picnic, too!
Mildred Point
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
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Length
- 7.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 3,135 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,900 feet
A moderately strenuous hike that traverses a forested ridge, climbs to alpine meadows and ends at a 6000 foot viewpoint with a spectacular view of the west side of Mount Rainier. Waterfalls and wildflowers abound.
Gorge Lake Overlook
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 0.53 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 70 feet
This very short trail provides astonishing views of nature’s beauty as well as humanity's technological “improvements” upon it. The first section of this loop is paved, allowing an out-and-back for all family members, while the remaining graveled loop section is never steep nor too challenging.
Barnum Point
Puget Sound and Islands > Whidbey Island
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Length
- 2.75 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 300 feet
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Highest Point
- 130 feet
Enjoy a series of easy forest trails in this new Island County park. Descend to the beach at both ends of the bluff. Optionally, tide permitting, hike the entire length of the mile-long beach. Either way, finish your hike on more forest trails.
Dirty Harry's Balcony
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 4.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,600 feet
-
Highest Point
- 2,600 feet
Get a workout and experience rock work completed by Department of Natural Resources and WTA volunteer crews on this hike. Your reward is a rocky overlook from which you can marvel at Mount Kent, McClellan Butte, and Mount Washington, the behemoths forming the south rim of the west entrance to Snoqualmie Pass.
Shi Shi Beach and Point of the Arches
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
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Length
- 8.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 200 feet
-
Highest Point
- 200 feet
This stunning Olympic coastal hike is one of the more photographed places in Washington for good reason.
Ludlow Falls Interpretive Trail
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 0.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 100 feet
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Highest Point
- 100 feet
This is a lovely trail year-round. If you don’t live in the area, it makes an excellent quick stop if you’re in the vicinity of the Hood Canal Bridge.
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.
Silver Star Mountain
Southwest Washington > Lewis River Region
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Length
- 6.4 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,990 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,390 feet
See beautiful wildflower meadows on the way up to a panoramic view that includes many of the big peaks in both Washington and Oregon.
Weowna Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 3.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 600 feet
-
Highest Point
- 320 feet
Hike an urban park near Bellevue through extensive old-growth forest (yes, really)! Marvel at the many large conifers and deciduous trees. View a small creek in a steep canyon. Listen for, and perhaps see, abundant bird life. And, in season, note a few wildflowers.
Chelan Lakeshore Trail
Central Cascades > Entiat Mountains/Lake Chelan
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Length
- 17.0 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 4,030 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,700 feet
Looking for an early-season backpack featuring craggy, snow-capped peaks, a sapphire-blue lake, a myriad of wildflowers, and a trail that’s regularly maintained by WTA volunteers? The 17-mile thru-hike on the Chelan Lakeshore Trail might be just the thing for you.
Franklin Falls
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 2.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 400 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,600 feet
This trail is closed through the summer of 2023 due to trailhead construction.
Hiking with kids, new to hiking, or just looking for an easy day hike with a spectacular endpoint? Look no further then Franklin Falls! At just 2 miles with 400 feet in elevation gain it is the perfect destination for any hiker looking for something easy and beautiful!
Hall Point
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
This is not an official Forest Service trail. The route is not maintained and requires route-finding skills to navigate.
Zig Zag Trail
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
This is not an official Forest Service trail. The route is not maintained and requires route-finding skills to navigate. There is no designated parking area and may lead into a private watershed area where hiking is prohibited.
Change Peak
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
The route to Change Peak is not an official Forest Service trail. The route is not maintained and requires route-finding skills to navigate.
Nooksack Falls
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 0.1 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 14 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,614 feet
This short trail leads to an observation area overlooking the waterfall on the North Fork Nooksack River.
Wagon Road Trail
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 1.9 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 353 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,604 feet
This trail is closed through the summer of 2023 due to trailhead construction.
This comfortable, easy to follow trail winds through intermittent old growth, occasional remnants of the past, and alongside a sometimes babbling and other times a crashing creek. You will follow the original Snoqualmie Pass Wagon Road, and it is possible to connect with the trail to Franklin Falls for a scenic and delightful 2-mile loop.
Denny Creek
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 6.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,345 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,642 feet
Access to this trail via the Denny Creek road is closed through the summer of 2023 due to trailhead construction.
A popular trail, thanks to its gentle, family friendly grade with amazing destinations. The natural water slide area at Denny Creek is a must visit for families! Keekwulee Falls offers a stunning viewpoint that is easily accessible. Snowshoe Falls maybe a bit elusive and more difficult to see from the trail, but is also a beautiful natural wonder.
Sunset Hill Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 0.25 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 90 feet
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Highest Point
- 290 feet
A small park tucked into the Crown Hill neighborhood of Ballard.
Tronsen Ridge
Central Cascades > Blewett Pass
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Length
- 8.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,800 feet
In a word, Tronsen Ridge is dynamic. It’s a place that evolves with each new season, showcasing the variance of Washington state as few trails can. Hike here in June and you’ll be met with bouquets of wildflowers dominating it’s many meadows. Come October, long after the flowers have died off, and you’ll find yourself bound-in by walls of golden larches. Winter offers something altogether different -- an austere, muffled environment with views of the western and eastern faces of the state.
Melakwa Lake
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 8.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 2,700 feet
-
Highest Point
- 4,600 feet
The trailhead and trail are closed from 5/30/2023 for parking lot construction. The closure is expected to last through November 2023.
The way to Melakwa Lake is like two different trails: first a wide gentle trail through old growth forest beneath an elevated and noisy Interstate freeway. And second, a rocky steep trail that follows a waterfall and a precipitous gorge upstream to get to a pair of clear alpine lakes flanked by rocky peaks. Is it about the journey or the destination? You decide.