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
4215 HikesWest McMillan Spire via Goodell Creek
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 16.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 9,800 feet
-
Highest Point
- 8,000 feet
The route to West McMillan Spire is a strenuous Class 3 and involved exposed scrambling. Gear and experience recommended.
Trail of the Cedars
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 0.3 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 0 feet
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Highest Point
- 515 feet
A short, self guided nature trail near Newhalem. See a wide variety of native plants and animals along this hike that is great for kids.
To Know a Tree
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 1.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 0 feet
-
Highest Point
- 480 feet
The short hike follows the river around the Newhalem Creek Campground on a mostly-level trail. The signs along the way denote the common trees and plants of the lush understory and tall trees surrounding the trail.
Thornton Lakes and Trappers Peak
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 9.7 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 3,789 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,832 feet
Incredible views and beautiful alpine lakes are your reward if you can ascend this steep trail in the North Cascades. At the top, you can choose between taking in sweeping panoramic views of North Cascades National Park and the Pickets Range, or relaxing near the lowest of the Thornton Lakes, both of which make a rewarding destination.
Sterling Munro
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 0.1 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 0 feet
-
Highest Point
- 515 feet
The Sterling Munro Boardwalk is an accessible trail in North Cascades National Park.
Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) Section I - White Pass to Snoqualmie Pass
South Cascades > White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley
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Length
- 99.0 miles, one-way
-
Elevation Gain
- 17,771 feet
-
Highest Point
- 6,530 feet
Starting in well-protected sub-alpine wilderness and descending into heavily-logged, privately-owned land, this stretch of the PCT offers a dramatic illustration of the effects of public land protection and private industry on Washington's landscape.
Little Wenatchee River
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
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Length
- 3.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 250 feet
-
Highest Point
- 2,500 feet
This trail travels along the valley floor of the Little Wenatchee River for several miles before switchbacking up 1500 feet through intermittent slide alder and mature forest to Meander Meadows. While the trail does receive occasional brushing, the lower section can be challenging.
Cady Creek
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
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Length
- 5.2 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,300 feet
-
Highest Point
- 4,300 feet
A trail that can help hikers create multiple loops in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, the the Cady Creek trail is a steep ascent from the brushy and mucky Cady Creek valley bottom.
Poe Mountain via Little Wenatchee Trailhead
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
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Length
- 6.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,000 feet
-
Highest Point
- 6,015 feet
Three thousand feet in three miles make the Little Wenatchee a substantial albeit relatively short hike for exercise provided. The trail was the primary supply route to the old Poe Mountain lookout, and like many lookout access trails wastes no time in getting to the top. But it is well built, switchbacking up the hill. The first two-thirds of the hike are in light tree cover, so the views come as a surprise when you get to them.
Meander Meadows
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
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Length
- 12.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,980 feet
-
Highest Point
- 4,992 feet
Follow the Little Wenatchee River all the way to its headwaters high on the Cascade crest. From mile-high, miles-long alpine meadows, the river meanders. And so will you upon reaching these heavenly flower gardens. The hike in is a long approach and is warm at times across brushy avalanche slopes, but it is worth every ounce of sweat expended and every annoying fly swatted.
Lake Sally Ann
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
-
Elevation Gain
- 2,530 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,528 feet
A beautiful little lake just off the Pacific Crest Trail near Stevens Pass. Several trails lead to it, and it is a great destination for a multi-night backpacking trip.
Kodak Peak
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
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Length
- 18.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 420 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,121 feet
Kodak Peak is a side trip deep in the Glacier Peak Wilderness for those on the Pacific Crest Trail. As it's name implies it has amazing views and perhaps more than a few blueberries in season.
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!
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.
Heybrook Lookout
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
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Length
- 2.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 980 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,800 feet
Heybrook Lookout is a short and moderately steep hike through a fern and moss covered forest to a fun, staircase-ridden lookout with great views of the nearby mountains. If you are introducing someone to hiking, limited on time, or trying to add on another hike or activity in the area, this is the hike for you.
Garfield Ledges
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 2.2 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 830 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,860 feet
Built with the help of Washington Trails Association and Mountains to Sound Greenway crews, the trail to Garfield Ledges will offer visitors expansive views of the Middle Fork valley and a short but steep workout.
Lake Serene
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
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Length
- 8.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,521 feet
Lake Serene and Bridal Veil Falls compete for attention on this hike. Either would be a worthy destination by themselves and combined they are a great day on the trail.
Naches Peak Loop
Mount Rainier Area > SE - Cayuse Pass/Stevens Canyon
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Length
- 3.2 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 600 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,850 feet
9.5.25: This trail is closed until further notice due to the Wildcat Fire.
SR 410 (Chinook Pass) is closed between Crystal Mountain Boulevard (12 mi north of summit) and Morse Creek (5 mi east of summit) for the winter season.
This popular hike provides a range of alpine experiences in a short loop. Walk along a hillside above a small valley, pause at a viewpoint overlooking a lake and stroll through grassy meadows with stunning views of Mount Rainier. In season, enjoy an abundance of wildflowers or perhaps a handful of huckleberries.
Little Si
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 3.7 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,300 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,550 feet
The small rocky bluff known as Little Si is a moderately-graded trail located in the North Bend area. Although relatively steep inclines bookend this hike, the route is perfect for beginners as well as hiking veterans with opportunities to cut away on the Boulder Garden Loop (at 0.3 miles and 0.5 miles).
Mount Si
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 8.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,150 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,900 feet
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.
Oyster Dome
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,050 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,025 feet
Oyster Dome is a rocky promontory on the western slope of Blanchard Mountain, the grandest member of the Chuckanut Mountain range, an extension of the Cascades that rises directly from the ocean. The sheer cliffs of Oyster Dome offer year-round access to commanding views of the San Juans, Skagit River flats, Olympic Mountains, and Samish Bay.
Luther Burbank Park
Puget Sound and Islands
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Length
- 3.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 120 feet
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Highest Point
- 120 feet
Luther Burbank Park is a waterfront park at the North end of Mercer Island, offering three miles of family- and pet-friendly trails with waterfront access, wetlands, and recreational activities.
Tronsen Ridge
Central Cascades > Blewett Pass
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Length
- 8.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,000 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,800 feet
This trail is closed until further notice due to damage from the Labor Mountain Fire.
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.
Navaho Peak
Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
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Length
- 13.7 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 4,223 feet
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Highest Point
- 7,223 feet
This trail is closed until further notice due to damage from the Labor Mountain Fire.
From Navaho Pass, the trail to Navaho Peak is siren-like, pulling you towards the summit long after you realize how tired you are. But for peak-baggers, or those simply interested in getting a gorgeous view from a relatively easy-to-navigate peak, the views are worth the extra effort.
Navaho Pass
Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
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Length
- 11.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,000 feet
-
Highest Point
- 6,000 feet
This trail is closed until further notice due to damage from the Labor Mountain Fire.
Navaho Pass is an excellent introduction to the Teanaway area. Rife with wildflowers, fascinating geology, and just enough elevation gain to keep it interesting, this hike has just about everything that the Teanaway is known for.
Miller Peak
Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
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Length
- 8.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,200 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,400 feet
This trail is closed until further notice due to damage from the Labor Mountain Fire.
Miller Peak is an excellent, challenging day hike, which gains 3200 feet to the high point. But all that climbing affords you breathtaking views of the Stuarts, and much of the Teanaway area, as well as Mount Rainier.
Carter Falls
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
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Length
- 2.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 660 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,650 feet
The log footbridge crossing the Nisqually River has been dislodged. There is no safe water crossing.
Cougar Rock to Carter Falls is a moderate and readily accessible segment of the Wonderland Trail that packs stunning mountain vistas, river views, waterfalls, wildflowers, old growth, and edible berries into just 1.3 miles of family-friendly hiking in Mount Rainier National Park.
Friday Harbor Biological Laboratories Preserve
Puget Sound and Islands > San Juan Islands
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Length
- 4.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 440 feet
-
Highest Point
- 100 feet
Two hikes exist here: One, an old road through the woods; and the other, winding along narrow tread on grassy hillsides and exposed bedrock alongside the Puget Sound. Connecting these two makes a great loop.
Blind Island
Puget Sound and Islands > San Juan Islands
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Length
- 0.2 miles of trails
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Elevation Gain
- 50 feet
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Highest Point
- 20 feet
Sailing and hiking in the San Juan Islands is always special. It can be even more so when you are alone on an island all your own.
Dragonfly Loop
Puget Sound and Islands > San Juan Islands
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Length
- 2.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 60 feet
-
Highest Point
- 100 feet
Come enjoy a short loop trail through second-growth woods with meadowland views. This is a wonderful, low-key bird watching area.