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
4203 HikesLittle Lake Forest
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Highest Point
- 900 feet
The trails and trailhead are closed for construction. Trails are expected to reopen in February 2026.
The Little Lake Forest was acquired by King County Parks in 2018. A small forested lake sits in the middle of this 155-acre park, and a gravel access road leads to the northern shore of the lake.
Spruce Railroad Trail
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
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Length
- 5.0 miles, one-way
-
Elevation Gain
- 250 feet
-
Highest Point
- 700 feet
12.24.25: A portion of the trail west of Camp David Junior Road is closed due to a landslide.
Hop aboard the Spruce Railroad Trail for a scenic and historic hike along the sparkling shores of massive Lake Crescent. With a microclimate of warmer and drier conditions than areas just a few miles away, this trail is a good hiking choice on an overcast afternoon.
Cama Beach Historical State Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 3.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 250 feet
-
Highest Point
- 275 feet
1.15.26: The lower part of the park (including road and trail access to the beach) is closed until further notice due to safety concerns.
Enjoy the easy, forested trail to Cranberry Lake - an extensive wetland created by energetic beavers - plus trails along the high bluffs with views out to Saratoga Passage and Whidbey Island. Optionally, explore a trail to the eastern edge of the park. To finish up, visit the Historic District and vintage beach cabins.
Alger Alp (South Route)
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 4.4 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,150 feet
-
Highest Point
- 1,272 feet
Climb Alger Alp for a straightforward day hike or after-work ascent, with a steady climb along an access road through second-growth forest. Soak in the wildflowers and fauna along the way, and views of Skagit Valley, Blanchard Mountain and Samish Bay await you at the summit.
Bullion Basin
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 5.8 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 2,200 feet
-
Highest Point
- 6,300 feet
A relatively steep and rocky connector trail running between the Crystal Mountain resort area up through Bullion Basin to the Pacific Crest Trail with mountain and meadow views.
Latourell Falls
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - OR
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Length
- 3.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 540 feet
-
Highest Point
- 600 feet
The popular Latourell Falls in Guy W. Talbot State Park offers hikers several loop options, a family friendly one-mile roundtrip accessible walk to the Lower Falls and historic bridge, or a 2 mile loop to also take in the 134-foot Upper Falls, the third tallest in the Columbia Gorge.
Melmont Ghost Town
Mount Rainier Area > NW - Carbon River/Mowich
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Length
- 7.6 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 400 feet
-
Highest Point
- 1,360 feet
A great exploratory hike to an old coal mining ghost town, with views of the underside of the Fairfax bridge.
Lookout Mountain Lookout
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 9.4 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 4,500 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,719 feet
To get panoramic views of the North Cascades without fighting the crowds at Cascade Pass or Hidden Lake Lookout, look no further than Lookout Mountain, an arduous climb that often gets overlooked by hikers heading to North Cascades National Park. From the fire lookout on the summit, enjoy 360-degree views of Mount Baker, Mount Shuksan, and a panoply of other North Cascades giants.
Collin Creek Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 3.4 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 256 feet
-
Highest Point
- 587 feet
The Collin Creek Trail is a part of a large network of trails in and around the Redmond Watershed Preserve.
Snow Peak
Eastern Washington > Okanogan Highlands/Kettle River Range
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Length
- 10.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 875 feet
-
Highest Point
- 6,400 feet
From spring flowers to summer berries to fall colors to winter vistas, this trail through the Columbia Highlands has something new to offer each season of the year. In the warmer months, try the circumnavigation of Sherman Peak plus the bonus excursion out to picturesque Snow Peak cabin. Plan ahead and rent the cabin, which is reservable for $55 per night for up to four people, year-round.
Preacher's Slough to Blue Slough
Southwest Washington > Long Beach Area
-
Length
- 7.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 614 feet
-
Highest Point
- 103 feet
Walking along this old railroad bed offers insight into the history, ecology, and biology of the Chehalis River Surge Plain. Surge plains are rare, and the interpretive trail along this route helps highlight the important part they play in a healthy ecosystem.
Coyote Wall
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
Trail closed until further notice due to wildfire.
Thanks to an extensive planning process in this popular area, this formerly user-created trail has been re-routed and improved to make it enjoyable for hikers and mountain bikers, and sustainable for the land it is on.
Coyote Wall - The Labyrinth Loop
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 7.7 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,200 feet
-
Highest Point
- 1,250 feet
This year-round hike offers great views of the Columbia River Gorge along with enchanting stands of oak, cascading waterfalls, dramatic basalt outcroppings, and profuse wildflowers in the spring. Often sunny here while raining in Vancouver, it is a great place to hike while waiting for snow to melt at higher elevations.
Snow Lake
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 7.2 miles, roundtrip
-
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!
Artist Point Snowshoe
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 4.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,000 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,100 feet
Artist Point is the top competitor for best viewpoint in the state. The beautifully shaped Mount Shuksan is the star of the area, with a gorgeous summit pyramid and several impressive glaciers. This relatively easy snowshoe is an excellent winter destination with a virtual guarantee of good snow coverage.
Port of Skagit Trails
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 10.0 miles of trails
-
Elevation Gain
- 0 feet
This small network of trails between Anacortes and Burlington offers a nice outing for kids and adults alike.
Sycamore Access Trail
Issaquah Alps > Squak Mountain
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Length
- 3.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,200 feet
-
Highest Point
- 1,400 feet
Hike the steep Sycamore Access Trail on the northeast side of Squak Mountain. Enjoy the mixed forest and a few small streams. Continue farther on the East Ridge Trail and, optionally, extend your hike to make it an interesting loop across the higher slopes of Squak Mountain.
Bessemer Mountain
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 13.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 4,100 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,028 feet
Not every hike is pristine or an easy trek, and Bessemer fits this definition. This trail is almost completely a logging road, much of which is still active. If you are still reading, let me say it is not without its charms. The forest is recovering, views of the Snoqualmie region are fantastic, and due to its low elevation it is accessible virtually year-round.
Basin Creek
North Cascades > Pasayten
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Length
- 6.5 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 3,450 feet
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Highest Point
- 7,620 feet
The Basin Creek Trail is one of two trails in the Pasayten Wilderness that climb east out of the Chewuch River Valley. The benefits of this trail’s strenuous climb in the minimal shade are the expansive views from the shoulder of Topaz Mt. Beyond the views is the junction with the Windy Peak trail, with optional extensions to summit Windy Peak or continue past Windy Lake and go on to Horseshoe Basin.
Franklin Falls - Winter
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 7.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 800 feet
-
Highest Point
- 2,600 feet
The Franklin Falls Sno-Park is closed for the 2025-2026 season. See description for details on the winter hike.
This popular summer trail off I-90 changes quite a bit during the winter months. Note that there is considerable avalanche danger at the falls. (During the 2025-2026 winter season, the Franklin Falls Sno-Park will be closed, making the hike around 7 miles roundtrip.)
Eagle Creek
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - OR
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Length
- 11.7 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,870 feet
-
Highest Point
- 1,346 feet
1.6.26: The trail is closed until further notice due to storm damage.
Cliff diving and drone usage are prohibited along the Eagle Creek Trail.
Hike a gently-graded trail for miles up the Eagle Creek valley. It's a beautiful walk, though quite exposed in some places; those with small children or a fear of heights may want to skip this one.
Denman Falls
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
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Length
- 15.5 miles, roundtrip
A little-known, yet spectacular waterfall, Denman Falls offers a relatively easy hike to it, if you can bear the 7.25 mile approach.
Mount Ararat
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
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Length
- 12.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 4,000 feet
-
Highest Point
- 6,010 feet
1.7.26: The Kautz Creek trail is closed at 1 mile (Kautz Creek crossing) until further notice due to significant trail damage. There is no bypass route.
Fine, in your face views, of Mount Rainier await hikers willing to hoof it 4,000 vertical feet up to the top of Mount Ararat from the Kautz Creek parking area.
Mirror Lakes
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
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Length
- 14.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 3,900 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,400 feet
1.7.26: The Kautz Creek trail is closed at 1 mile (Kautz Creek crossing) until further notice due to significant trail damage. There is no bypass route.
Just a short jaunt from the cabin at Indian Henry's Hunting Grounds is Mirror Lakes, a beautiful little tarn that — in the right weather — reflects Rainier's west-facing slopes beautifully.
Iron Mountain
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
1.7.26: The Kautz Creek trail is closed at 1 mile (Kautz Creek crossing) until further notice due to significant trail damage. There is no bypass route.
Climb a peak near Mount Rainier for infrequently seen views of Washington's most famous peak. Climbing experience and equipment required.
Kautz Creek Snowshoe
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
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Length
- 8.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 2,800 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,300 feet
1.7.26: The trail is closed at 1 mile (Kautz Creek crossing) until further notice due to significant trail damage. There is no bypass route.
Kautz Creek is a rewarding snowshoe trek for those willing to put in the effort. You’ll find sweeping views of the Tatoosh Range and Mount Rainier, but those come only after enduring four steadily uphill, largely view-free miles.
South Fork Hoh River - Big Flat
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
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Length
- 7.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 150 feet
-
Highest Point
- 850 feet
The South Fork Hoh Trail penetrates a wild and remote wilderness and offers hikers solitude just a short distance from the crowded main Hoh Rain Forest. The easy trail stays in the bottomland among groves of towering spruce and grassy maple glades.
Hoh River Trail to Five Mile Island
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
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Length
- 10.6 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 300 feet
-
Highest Point
- 800 feet
A classic hike in any season, but come in winter and you’ll find that the hordes of tourists, hikers, and climbers who use this trail in the summer have dwindled to just a trickle.
Hoh River Trail to Elk Lake
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
-
Length
- 33.0 miles, roundtrip
Beautiful multi-day hike that shows off the beauty of the Hoh Rainforest. Hike on relatively level ground until the last two miles, which climb to Elk Lake Campground, a good place to start a day hike to the glacier.
Hoh River Trail to Blue Glacier
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
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Length
- 37.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,700 feet
-
Highest Point
- 4,300 feet
Hike the Hoh River to the Blue Glacier through lush rainforest. The biodiversity on this hike is seldom seen on such an accessible backpacking trip. Just be sure to check in with the ranger station before overnighting — while there are lots of campsites, it's a popular place, and you'll need to reserve in advance.