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
3979 HikesSnoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
7.4 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 3420 ft.
Highest Point: 3980 ft.
Rating:
The “old” trail that ascends Mount Si’s western flank offers a shorter, steeper, slightly more scenic, and if one dare say it — less crowded — route to the summit, where you can rejoin the rest of the people who flock to one of Snoqualmie Pass’s most popular hiking destinations.
Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
4.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 126 ft.
Rating:
The Fishtrap area is part of the Channeled Scablands of eastern Washington. The deep coulees and canyons were carved by the Great Missoula Floods following the last Ice Age tens of thousands of years ago.
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
2.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 0 ft.
Highest Point: 0 ft.
Rating:
This area will be closed through November 2023.
Each year, from fall to spring, this area is a bird paradise, with snow geese and trumpeter and tundra swans overwintering in huge numbers. There are several access points in the wildlife refuge. The Headquarters area has a two mile trail and staff may be able to point you to other appropriate areas to visit.
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
2.5 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 49 ft.
Highest Point: 15 ft.
Rating:
This area will be closed through November 2023.
Take a waterside walk along Wiley Slough in the Skagit Wildlife area on Fir Island.
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
8.2 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1500 ft.
Rating:
Hurricane Ridge will be closed to the public from 3/27 through 5/25/23.
A hike with great scenery in the high country of Olympic with good opportunity to see the endemic Olympic marmot and wildflowers!
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
4.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 200 ft.
Highest Point: 6100 ft.
Rating:
Hurricane Ridge will be closed to the public from 3/27 through 5/25/23.
Enjoy majestic mountain panoramas from this relatively low-effort, high-vista hike on the Olympic Peninsula.
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
8.6 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2080 ft.
Highest Point: 6400 ft.
Rating:
Hurricane Ridge will be closed to the public from 3/27 through 5/25/23.
The Badger Valley Trail is located in the NE corner of Olympic National Park. This trail starts at the Obstruction Point Trailhead and trends down into Badger Valley to end at Grand Lake.
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
1.8 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 825 ft.
Highest Point: 5020 ft.
Rating:
Hurricane Ridge will be closed to the public from 3/27 through 5/25/23.
PJ Lake is a short but steep primitive trail to a subalpine tarn teeming with jumping trout. The lake’s beautiful color draws anglers, day hikers, and campers alike. However, the trail is so steep that the short mileage to get there is eclipsed by the vertical exertion and lingering leg pain.
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
6.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 800 ft.
Highest Point: 5757 ft.
Rating:
Hurricane Ridge will be closed to the public from 3/27 through 5/25/23.
Whether you’re an expert or a first-timer, Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park is one of the most spectacular places to snowshoe in Washington state—and on clear days you’ll be treated to bird’s-eye views of Mount Olympus in all her winter splendor.
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
3.2 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 650 ft.
Highest Point: 5757 ft.
Rating:
Hurricane Ridge will be closed to the public from 3/27 through 5/25/23.
Whether you need a day hike for the whole family or the perfect trail to round out your first visit to Olympic National Park, Hurricane Hill is the answer. You can even use this trail as the jumpoff (or ending point) to a variety of longer hikes out of the Elwha River Valley.
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
7.9 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2080 ft.
Highest Point: 6450 ft.
Rating:
Hurricane Ridge will be closed to the public from 3/27 through 5/25/23.
The Grand Valley Loop is a great option, combining a ridge walk with sections along both Grand Creek Valley and Badger Valley.
Central Washington > Wenatchee
1.3 miles of trails
Rating:
Another favorite area near Sage Hills and Horse Lake Reserve, Castle Rock property provides safe, legal access for hikers, walkers, and other recreators who want adventure near the town of Wenatchee.
Eastern Washington > Palouse and Blue Mountains
1.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 200 ft.
Highest Point: 500 ft.
Rating:
Hiking to Twin Sisters Rock is the definition of a leg-stretcher. At one mile round trip, it is the perfect way to get a little more than a couple minutes out of the car, but less commitment than a day hike requires.
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
4.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1160 ft.
Highest Point: 2078 ft.
Rating:
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.
Issaquah Alps > Tiger Mountain
3.8 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1760 ft.
Highest Point: 1850 ft.
Rating:
Hike a short but steep trail with many stone steps. Pause at a viewpoint offering a fine view of Mount Rainier, then continue on to Poo Poo Point itself, only 1.9 miles from the trailhead. Enjoy views to the northwest, and perhaps watch paragliders sailing off into the sky.
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
8.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 3150 ft.
Highest Point: 3900 ft.
Rating:
There are many reasons – besides its proximity to Seattle – why Mount Si is the most popular hike in the state: beautiful views, wildlife (some of it not so wild), old growth forest, and a dramatic summit worthy of a more remote peak. Rising dramatically above the Snoqualmie Valley, it serves as a literal and figurative gateway to the Cascades for thousands of hikers.
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
3.7 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1300 ft.
Highest Point: 1550 ft.
Rating:
Companion piece to neighbor and big brother Mount Si, the small rocky bluff known as Little Si is a moderate grade 3.7 mile trail located in the hike rich North Bend area. Although relatively steep inclines bookend this hike, this primarily North/South route is perfect for beginners who are looking to get back in shape, while still accommodating veterans with opportunities to cut away on the Boulder Garden Loop (at .3 miles and .5 miles) to merge with the more challenging Mount Si trail. Expect crowds, even in winter, as New Year’s resolutions (the two Si mountains are sometimes colloquially referred to as the “Resolution Peaks” for the deluge of hikers that appear after January 1st), proximity to the city and a degree of refuge from the elements often divert heavy foot traffic to this mini-mountain to keep it busy year round.
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
8.5 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2000 ft.
Highest Point: 4300 ft.
Rating:
Bruni's Snow Bowl Hut is named for Brunhilde (Bruni) Wislicenus, a passionate mountaineer and wilderness skier who donated a substantial portion of the funds to rebuild the hut after a fire in 2007 burnt the original to the ground. Now, it provides skiers and snowshoers a place to warm up after a bracing 4.5 mile jaunt along forest roads in Tahoma State Forest.
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
3.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 13 ft.
Highest Point: 13 ft.
Rating:
Spend some time in the quiet countryside on a wide gravel trail just a few miles away from the city of Everett.
Issaquah Alps > Squak Mountain
4.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1100 ft.
Highest Point: 1830 ft.
Rating:
Hike a two-mile forest trail on the north side of Squak Mountain to reach the site of a former cabin owned by the Bullitt family. Only the massive fireplace and the foundation remain today. Optionally, extend your hike to Central Peak, the highest point on Squak Mountain (no view,) and make it an interesting loop by returning via the Old Griz and East Side Trails.
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
2.5 miles, roundtrip
Rating:
WTA has done some general trail maintenance in this beautiful neighborhood park. The site is extremely valuable from an ecological standpoint.
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
10.5 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 4073 ft.
Highest Point: 5162 ft.
Rating:
Along with the numerous other I-90 hikes there is no shortage of ‘workout’ on this hike. Like its counterparts, this trail is largely for those interested in heading up, steeply. Moderated with switchbacks at times, and with a gradual traverse when you need it, the rewards here are not without effort. The actual summit is a rock-scramble, but the views and the flower-packed west facing slope near the top can be enjoyed without making the true top. More than a few remaining old-growth trees and a soft tread make this a well-rounded hike whether it is a training hike or your weekend reward.
Issaquah Alps > Cougar Mountain
1.4 miles, one-way
Gain: 200 ft.
Highest Point: 800 ft.
Rating:
The Wildside Trail runs through the northwest corner of Cougar Mountain Park and offers many connections to other trails.
Issaquah Alps
12.0 miles of trails
Gain: 0 ft.
Highest Point: 500 ft.
Rating:
Soaring Eagle Regional Park features 12 miles of trails that are regularly used by hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians. The Pipeline Trail crosses through the park and is wide and flat—in fact, it is quite common to see families with baby strollers out enjoying the trail. Soaring Eagle is also popular for trail running competitions.
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
3.3 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 286 ft.
Highest Point: 71 ft.
Rating:
Construction 3/20 through 4/10/23: No access to main parking lot and limited parking in a nearby lot (no overnight) M-Th. Limited parking from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. in main parking lot F-Su. Restrooms will be closed.
The road to Rialto Beach and access to be the beach will be closed on 3/28/23.
Spend a day strolling the rugged Olympic Coast to dramatic sea stacks and natural wonders.
Southwest Washington > Vancouver Area
6.0 miles of trails
Gain: 308 ft.
Highest Point: 240 ft.
Rating:
The Cougar Trails network contains six miles of moderately trafficked trails on the WSU Vancouver campus. Encompassing a river, a disc golf field, and quiet forested areas, this network is good for all skill levels.
North Cascades > Pasayten
14.2 miles, one-way
Gain: 2160 ft.
Highest Point: 7130 ft.
Rating:
What looks good on paper doesn’t always reflect reality. The Eureka Creek Trail would be part of a fine loop except for the fact the trail is only maintained on the ends and has been abandoned in the middle. It provides access to the Ferguson Lake Trail on the southern end. The northern end accesses Fred’s Lake and Lake Doris.
Central Cascades > Leavenworth Area
8.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2280 ft.
Highest Point: 5580 ft.
Rating:
Set beneath two of Washington’s tallest peaks, Colchuck Lake is an alpine gem. It is a larger cousin to the nearby fabled Enchantment Lakes and offers many of the same payoffs – including groves of larches on its far shore – but can be reached with less than half the effort.
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
7.5 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2000 ft.
Highest Point: 2400 ft.
Rating:
Hamilton Mountain trailhead and trail will be closed 3/16/23 and 3/17/23 and also intermittently on 3/18/23.
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.
Central Cascades > Leavenworth Area
1.5 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 400 ft.
Highest Point: 1450 ft.
Rating:
Largely used as a climbing park, Peshastin Pinnacles also makes an ideal stop on Highway 2 to stretch your legs, or as a destination during a visit to Leavenworth, Wenatchee, Cashmere or Chelan. A short trail system offers a nice zigzag, moderately steep loop tour of the base of the climbing areas, and a picnic area makes for a great way to finish the visit off.