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 HikesHeadlee Pass and Vesper Lake
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 7.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 2,700 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,950 feet
The Mountain Loop Highway is closed between Deer Creek and Bedal Campground for the winter season.
Vesper Lake is squeezed, like a thumbprint in clay, deep in the saddle between the twin summits of Sperry Peak and Vesper Peak. Rarely is a lake situated so close and steeply below two summits like this–its unique setting gives you remarkably up-close (and straight-up) views of mountainous terrain. And all that comes after the former mining trail that provides incredible scenery along the way.
Glacier Basin
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 12.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 2,159 feet
The Mountain Loop Highway is closed between Deer Creek and Bedal Campground for the winter season.
This strenuous hike out of Monte Cristo features everything from smooth incline to rough rock scrambles. There is tough but absolutely beautiful trail along the way and it gets even better once you reach your destination.
Vesper Peak
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 8.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 4,000 feet
-
Highest Point
- 6,214 feet
The Mountain Loop Highway is closed between Deer Creek and Bedal Campground for the winter season.
Vesper Peak is definitely not for the novice hiker, but for those thirsting for one step beyond hiking into backcountry adventure, it's a good leaping off point. The smooth, low angle granite of Vesper's upper reaches make for relatively easy off-trail travel and beginning routefinding.
Sperry Peak
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 6.4 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 3,800 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,120 feet
The Mountain Loop Highway is closed between Deer Creek and Bedal Campground for the winter season.
Scramble to the top of this peak from Headlee Pass, located off the Mountain Loop Highway.
Silver Lake - Monte Cristo
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 13.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,791 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,405 feet
The Mountain Loop Highway is closed between Deer Creek and Bedal Campground for the winter season.
Visit the remains of an old mining town in a basin surrounded by high peaks. Climb to Silver Lake nestled under the steep side of Silvertip Peak with good camping and good views of surrounding peaks.
Perry Creek
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 10.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 3,400 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,250 feet
The Mountain Loop Highway is closed between Deer Creek and Bedal Campground for the winter season.
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.
Old Government
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 4.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 300 feet
-
Highest Point
- 2,400 feet
The Mountain Loop Highway is closed between Deer Creek and Bedal Campground for the winter season.
This is a pleasant, short, lowland forest walk, accessed in Barlow Pass, the popular jumping-off point for locations like Monte Cristo and Gothic Basin.
Mount Forgotten
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 13.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 4,300 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,005 feet
The Mountain Loop Highway is closed between Deer Creek and Bedal Campground for the winter season.
Mount Forgotten is an appealing target for the peculiarly determined hiker-turned-climber. Its sheer wall of a summit is very striking and easily instills visions of alpinism in those headed to Mount Forgotten Meadows, but the route takes a roundabout journey that requires not so much vertiginous daring-do as it does oodles of patience. The views from the top are spectacular, particularly the unobstructed view straight up Glacier Peak.
Mount Dickerman
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 8.2 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 3,950 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,760 feet
The Mountain Loop Highway is closed between Deer Creek and Bedal Campground for the winter season.
If the best views come to those who earn them, Mount Dickerman offers the fairest vantage along the Mountain Loop. You’ll huff and puff through 4,000 feet of elevation on your way to the summit; in return, you’ll get a superb panorama of nearly every peak in the Mountain Loop. In late summer, it also rewards the intrepid with a bounty of mountain blueberries.
Monte 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
The Mountain Loop Highway is closed between Deer Creek and Bedal Campground for the winter season.
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.
Gothic Basin
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 9.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,840 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,200 feet
The Mountain Loop Highway is closed between Deer Creek and Bedal Campground for the winter season.
Rough and tumble is the trail, just like the miners that constructed this path. Becoming progressively more rugged, the ascent to Gothic Basin offers tremendous rewards at its end. Early on, one simply meanders alongside the relentless South Fork of the Sauk River, then turns into a forested, increasingly steep bee-line to the basin with waterfalls, flowers, and views of the surrounding mountains to keep one distracted once you leave the forest.
Goat Lake
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 10.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,400 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,161 feet
The Mountain Loop Highway is closed between Deer Creek and Bedal Campground for the winter season.
A nice hike with plenty of variety. Beautiful forest, a rushing creek, waterfalls of all shapes and sizes, history, and of course a large blue-green lake surrounded by snowy peaks. At 10.4 miles, it can be either a day-hike or a quick early season overnight. You won’t be alone, though – this is a popular trail with both hikers and backpackers.
Big Four Ice Caves
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 2.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 220 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,938 feet
Never go into or climb on top of the Ice Caves.
The Mountain Loop Highway is closed between Deer Creek and Bedal Campground for the winter season.
This is an easy walk on a wide gravel and boardwalk path to views of Big Four Mountain and the caves beneath the snow. Hikers of all ages and abilities can enjoy this trail.
Bedal Peak
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 7.3 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 4,500 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,554 feet
The Mountain Loop Highway is closed between Deer Creek and Bedal Campground for the winter season.
A scramble up a peak off the Mountain Loop Highway. Route finding gear and previous experience required.
Barlow Point
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 2.4 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 800 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,200 feet
The Mountain Loop Highway is closed between Deer Creek and Bedal Campground for the winter season.
From Barlow Point’s rocky promontory, hikers can take in views of Mount Dickerman, Big Four, and Stillaguamish Peak.
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
The Mountain Loop Highway is closed between Deer Creek and Bedal Campground for the winter season.
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.
St'auk Mountain
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Highest Point
- 4,715 feet
The Mountain Loop Highway is closed between Deer Creek and Bedal Campground for the winter season.
A scramble to a wooded summit near Barlow Pass. Climbing experience and route-finding skills required.
Beacon Rock State Park - Hamilton Mountain
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 7.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,400 feet
This hike is full of the best things the Columbia Gorge has to offer: easy access and parking, well-maintained trail, wildflowers galore, two waterfalls, and views to knock off your sweaty socks. It’s a long journey at about 7.5 miles, and steep in places, but nothing a healthy dog, child or senior citizen can’t do. You’ll meet all of these smiling folks on this hike during the peak seasons.
Greenwater Trail to Lost Lakes
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 12.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,700 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,000 feet
Take the trail less traveled by and visit some quiet lakes near Mount Rainier. Or, continue on to extensive views afforded by Noble Knob.
Huckleberry Creek
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 8.6 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 3,835 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,778 feet
This lesser known trail starts in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and then enters the northeast corner of the park, is snow-free early in the season and goes through some amazing old growth.
Nason Ridge
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
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Length
- 21.9 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,800 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,200 feet
Hike a trail that traverses Nason Ridge. Along the way, you'll enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding summits, as well as access to an old fire lookout.
Wilderness Peak Loop
Issaquah Alps > Cougar Mountain
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Length
- 4.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,200 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,598 feet
Hike trails named in honor of mountaineers Jim Whittaker and Nawang Gombu, of 1963 Mount Everest ascent fame. Wilderness Peak may not be Everest, but it is the highest point in King County's Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park and it does have some wonderful old-growth conifers. This loop offers a diversity of steep forested hillsides, huge mossy boulders, and a low swampy area traversed via a narrow boardwalk.
Dupont Loop
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 2.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 79 feet
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Highest Point
- 243 feet
Spend some time away from the sounds of the city without even needing to leave it on this nature loop.
Cherry Creek Falls
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
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Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 450 feet
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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.
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.
Snow Lake
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 7.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,800 feet
-
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!
Heart O' the Forest
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
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Length
- 4.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 500 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,900 feet
This trail is a really nice accompaniment to your morning coffee, but bring a thermos -- it's long enough that the coffee might get cold by the time you reach the end!
Adventure Trail
Issaquah Alps > Tiger Mountain
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Length
- 1.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 300 feet
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Highest Point
- 800 feet
Part of a series of lowland loop trails from the Tradition Plateau trailhead area of Tiger Mountain.
Big Tree Trail
Issaquah Alps > Tiger Mountain
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Length
- 1.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 110 feet
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Highest Point
- 530 feet
The Big Tree Trail is a short (0.5 mile) trail on Tiger Mountain's Tradition Plateau. It passes one of the largest Douglas firs still standing in the Tigers, and also passes a short section of some of the best true swamp you will find in the area, with lots of hanging moss and standing water.
Swamp Trail
Issaquah Alps > Tiger Mountain
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Length
- 1.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 75 feet
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Highest Point
- 520 feet
Take your young hikers out on a half-mile trail through the swampy area north of Tradition Lake. It could even be their first hike! The trail is solidly-constructed, with good footing, no mud and it's almost all level. It's designed with the young visitors in mind. But hey, it's OK if you older folks enjoy it, too!