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
784 HikesScott Paul Trail
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 8.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,200 feet
A loop hike to the base of Mount Baker or a rugged alternate route to Park Butte: take your pick. Along the way, soak in sweeping views of the North Cascades, gaze at Koma Kulshan’s glistening glaciers, munch on an inexhaustible supply of berries, and marvel at old-growth western hemlock forest.
Mount McCausland
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
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Length
- 7.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,800 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,747 feet
Mount McCausland delivers mountain views, lake views, and even solitude at the summit. The cost? The first three miles of the trail is easy, but the last half mile to the summit is steep and occasionally brushy. Taking a break on that climb is no hardship, though: the hillside is carpeted in berries and the views start early.
Easy Pass
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 7.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,800 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,500 feet
Don’t be fooled by the name – the way to Easy Pass is anything but easy. But the reward for your efforts is an eastside gateway into the stunning North Cascades National Park. At the pass, you’re greeted by trickling streams of snowmelt and views of the peaks of Golden Horn and Mount Henry to the east. Venturing further west, gaze into the Park, with awe-inspiring glacially carved river valleys, dark gray craggy massifs of Fisher Peak and Mount Logan dotted with snowfields or cloaked by glaciers, and a host of wildflowers.
Rachel Lake
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 8.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,600 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,600 feet
From Rachel Lake you can access further adventures at Rampart Lakes, Lila Lakes and Alta Peak. This hike is a popular weekend overnight destination; so don’t expect to be by yourself in high season.
Little Spokane Wildlife Area: Rustler's Gulch - Holly Road Loop
Eastern Washington > Selkirk Range
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Length
- 6.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 850 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,260 feet
Visit Rustler's Gulch to enjoy in year-round wetlands, seasonal wildflowers, and an abundance of wildlife.
Foster and Marsh Island Loop
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 1.5 miles, roundtrip
Take a walk through the grounds of the Washington Park Arboretum, along the edge of Lake Washington, and near the grounds of the old MOHAI building. This is a nice urban romp, perfect for before or after work, or on a day when you just can't get out of the city.
Gem Lake
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 10.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,200 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,857 feet
Gem Lake is nestled at the foot of Wright Mountain and is about two miles beyond the trail junction at Rock Creek trail #1013.1 that intersects with the Snow Lake trail starting at Alpental. Beautiful colors surround the lake in autumn as do the many climbable peaks in the area.
Bandera Mountain
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 8.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,400 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,240 feet
There are two sides to Bandera Mountain – gentle and well groomed on the one hand, rough and untamed on the other. Together, they make for a very satisfying hike along a rocky ridge to a false summit (Little Bandera) with views impressive enough to dissuade most from completing the final half mile of informal trail to the “real” summit.
Beckler Peak
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
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Length
- 7.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,240 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,026 feet
Hike a re-built trail adjacent to the Wild Sky Wilderness. The Beckler Peak trail opened in September of 2011, and with it, the Jennifer Dunn trailhead. The trail takes you through an old-growth forest to summit views of Glacier Peak, Baring, Index, the Monte Cristo Range, and Evergreen Mountain. It's easy to get to and provides great rewards for your effort. The trail has a gentle grade, it is well built, and suitable for kids. Be sure to take water with you, because there is no reliable water along the trail.
Twin Sisters Lakes
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 4.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 900 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,200 feet
A long dirt road provides access to the central trailhead for the William O. Douglas Wilderness Area. The popular, easy forest hike to the Twin Sisters Lakes is a prelude to miles of exploration possible on trails and cross-country through open forest, past meadows, ponds, and lakes.
Cooney Lake
North Cascades > Methow/Sawtooth
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Length
- 17.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,850 feet
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Highest Point
- 7,260 feet
This hike is to a beautiful lake basin filled with larch and expansive views of the peaks above. From a basecamp at the lake, day trips explorations lead to other lakes and views.
High Pass
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 3.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 765 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,965 feet
Discover views similar to Winchester Mountain and hike this seldom-traveled trail with views of Mount Larabee and increased chances of encountering wildlife.
Deming Homestead Eagle Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 0.7 miles of trails
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Elevation Gain
- 0 feet
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Highest Point
- 220 feet
Deming Homestead Eagle Park is an excellent stop along the Nooksack River. Enjoy bald eagle viewing and gorgeous rambly rivers here.
Twanoh State Park
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 2.3 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 375 feet
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Highest Point
- 400 feet
Enjoy an easy hike along a salmon-spawning stream in a lush emerald ravine. Twanoh is derived from the Skokomish people, meaning "gathering place."Twanoh State Park protects 182 acres of prime Hood Canal real estate-a perfect place for hikers and wildlife to gather.
Issaquah - Preston Trail
Issaquah Alps
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Length
- 5.4 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 320 feet
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Highest Point
- 430 feet
This connector trail follows the historic abandoned Seattle Lake Shore & Eastern Railway grade from Issaquah to the town of Preston through the Mountains to Sound Greenway.
Glasses Lake
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
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Length
- 10.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 700 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,682 feet
This is a beautiful small lake tucked immediately under Grizzly Peak and the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). Where Heather Lake is often shared with a number of hiking and camping groups, you are pretty much assured to have lunch by yourself at Glasses. Only a half a dozen trip reports have been filed in the last decade, this is a good predictor of solitude.
Snoqualmie Valley Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 32.0 miles, one-way
Walk along an old railroad grade that climbs gently though forested hillsides. In summer, look for wildflowers: blackberry, elderberry, pea, daisy, buttercup and wild rose.
Thorp Lake
Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
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Length
- 5.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,260 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,700 feet
With a low-key walk that merges into a steep uphill climb, and an optional extension to visit a fire lookout, the trail to Thorp Lake offers a range of hiking experiences crammed into one 2.6-mile trail.
Thorp Mountain Lookout via Thorp Creek
Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
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Length
- 7.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,484 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,884 feet
It’s possible to reach the lookout on top of Thorp Mountain four different ways. But this route offers a nice detour to a little lake, where you can have a snack and size up your objective before continuing on your way.
Goat Peak Lookout
North Cascades > Methow/Sawtooth
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Length
- 3.7 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,400 feet
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Highest Point
- 7,001 feet
Views of majestic peaks and the vibrant golden hues of larches come autumn - Goat Peak Lookout offers both, as well as the commanding views you'd expect of a working fire lookout. Though steep at times, the trail's short length makes it a perfect hike to introduce kids and newer hikers to the grandeur of the Methow and North Cascades.
Mountain Climbers Trail
South Cascades > Mount Adams Area
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Length
- 6.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,600 feet
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Highest Point
- 8,300 feet
Hike through beautiful woods, subalpine meadows and glacial moraines to the Hellroaring Viewpoint. The trail then becomes poorly defined up to Sunrise Camp.
Green to Cedar River Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 5.56 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 50 feet
Enjoy a paved, forested trail through the Maple Valley region, even if you're living carless. This area is serviced by bus routes (143, 168, 912). The trail has off shoots to Lake Wilderness, The Lake Wilderness Arboretum, and the Maple Valley Community Center, as well as others.
Old Mine Trail
Mount Rainier Area > NW - Carbon River/Mowich
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Length
- 3.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 425 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,150 feet
An infrequently-visited trail off the Carbon River Road, the Old Mine Trail follows a short but steep roadbed to a mineshaft. It's a good outing for kids, if they're willing to make the short push up the steep section.
Volunteer Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 3.0 miles of trails
A large, wooded park in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle. With a historic watertower, the Asian Art Museum and the Volunteer Park Conservatory here, there is plenty to see here on your walk.
Spider Gap - Buck Creek Pass Loop
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
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Length
- 34.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 7,650 feet
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Highest Point
- 7,100 feet
Take a long weekend and enjoy some of the best backcountry in the state on this long loop hike. Along the way, you'll see massive wildflower meadows, glaciers, alpine lakes, high mountain passes and supreme views of Glacier Peak.
Leadbetter Point State Park - Dune Forest Loop
Southwest Washington > Long Beach Area
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Length
- 2.9 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 60 feet
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Highest Point
- 35 feet
A walk through the coastal forest and tidal flats of Leadbetter Point State Park, the Dune Forest Loop is a nice way to see this low-lying peninsula, but the conditions on trail are heavily dependent on the tides and recent rainfall. Come prepared to wade through at least a little bit of water, and don’t be surprised to find yourself navigating deeper stuff. Bring a tide table, and try to visit at low tide for the driest conditions.
Mount Margaret
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 5.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,459 feet
Hike up an abandoned road, through a logged area, and into mature forest on the edge of the Alpine Lakes wilderness. What the trail lacks in ruggedness is more than made up for by the quantity of berries that line the trail.
Windy Pass
Central Cascades > Leavenworth Area
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Length
- 15.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 4,325 feet
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Highest Point
- 7,200 feet
Take a side trip from Lake Caroline up to a saddle with gorgeous, sweeping views of the Alpine Lakes wilderness.
Scatter Lake
North Cascades > Methow/Sawtooth
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Length
- 9.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,850 feet
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Highest Point
- 7,047 feet
This is one of the best day hikes for larch-spotting in the fall. In the summer, enjoy the reward of swimming or fishing after a steep climb. Scatter Lake is also an excellent destination for an overnight backpack.
Capitol State Forest - Bob Bammert Grove Loop
Olympic Peninsula > Olympia
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Length
- 1.1 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 300 feet
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Highest Point
- 560 feet
Hike a little more than a mile on a shady lollipop loop trail reserved for hikers near the southern edge of the Capitol State Forest, south of Olympia. Gain 300 feet elevation as you ascend from the confluence of the Mill and Mima Creeks to the high point in the grove of big old hemlock, cedar and fir trees.