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 treaty 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
174 HikesIssaquah Alps -- Tiger Mountain
5.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2100 ft.
Highest Point: 2525 ft.
Rating:
Don't expect solitude here- this is perhaps the most heavily used trail on Tiger Mountain, and for good reason. Fortunately, there is plenty of room to share. This close-to-the-city wild land trail provides stunning views, great forestlands, and ample opportunities to see birds and critters. West Tiger- one of the sprawling mountain's four primary peaks (West, Middle, South and East)- is itself a tri-crowned peak. Numbered 1 through 3, the third of the West Tiger peaks offers the best views, despite being the lowest of the triplets.
Issaquah Alps -- Tiger Mountain
7.2 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1748 ft.
Highest Point: 2021 ft.
Rating:
Hike railroad grades dating from the logging era. Cross many small creeks, some of them seasonal. Pass tall trees draped with moss. Enjoy ferns and, in season, forest wildflowers and a few wild berries. Reach a fine viewpoint that's also a favorite launching spot for paragliders.
Issaquah Alps -- Squak Mountain
6.5 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1500 ft.
Highest Point: 1730 ft.
Rating:
If nature excites you, there's plenty here to be excited about. Cool forest, trickling creeks in deep ravines, and a beautiful new trail built by WTA volunteers await you here.
Issaquah Alps -- Tiger Mountain
5.8 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2022 ft.
Highest Point: 2522 ft.
Rating:
A steep trail to the summit of West Tiger 3.
Issaquah Alps -- Tiger Mountain
1.2 miles, roundtrip
Rating:
Aptly named, find excellent views of Seattle from this connector trail on Tiger Mountain.
Issaquah Alps -- Tiger Mountain
5.0 miles, roundtrip
Rating:
Hike from a transmission line on the north side of Tiger Mountain to various trails on the mountain.
Issaquah Alps -- Tiger Mountain
3.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2022 ft.
Highest Point: 2522 ft.
Rating:
What a workout! The Cable Line Trail on Tiger Mountain is not for the weak of heart, nor the weak of knees. A steep, slippery incline awaits you here, climbing over 2,000 feet in just 1.5 miles to the summit of West Tiger 3.
Issaquah Alps -- Tiger Mountain
15.2 miles, one-way
Gain: 2360 ft.
Highest Point: 2500 ft.
Rating:
Do a thru-hike on the main Tiger Mountain Trail, also known as the TMT. Arrange a car shuttle and start at the southern end. Hike north more than fifteen miles over varied terrain and through different types of forest vegetation. Pass a large glacial erratic boulder, and visit some of the most remote places in the Tigers.
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.
Issaquah Alps -- Tiger Mountain
2.9 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 150 ft.
Highest Point: 540 ft.
Rating:
Hike a series of short, nearly level trails that offer views of two lakes and of some swampy areas, and pass one of the largest trees in the Tigers. Appreciate the forest vegetation and wildflowers. Along the way, hear and perhaps see a variety of song birds and waterfowl.
Issaquah Alps -- Cougar Mountain
4.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1200 ft.
Highest Point: 1598 ft.
Rating:
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.
Issaquah Alps -- Cougar Mountain
2.5 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 416 ft.
Highest Point: 1066 ft.
Rating:
Coal Creek Falls is a wonderful destination for any day hiker looking for an easy and/or family friendly trail with a picturesque culmination at Coal Creek Falls. It’s a well maintained trail that meanders beneath a thick canopy and a dense understory with many wildflower species in the spring.
Issaquah Alps
0.5 miles, one-way
Highest Point: 280 ft.
Rating:
This area is managed primarily as important riparian habitat, but there are a couple short trails, one heading into the upland portion of the property and the other following along the river.
Issaquah Alps -- Cougar Mountain
4.75 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 450 ft.
Highest Point: 1380 ft.
Rating:
Hike a loop around Anti-Aircraft Peak in the Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park. Hike past sites associated with coal and clay mining, and a former 1950s-era anti-aircraft missile installation. Enjoy good forest trails, some seasonal wildflowers, and a million-dollar view.
Issaquah Alps -- Squak Mountain
6.6 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1684 ft.
Highest Point: 2024 ft.
Rating:
This forested park, a wilderness with glimpses of Issaquah below, has miles of winding trails alongside bubbling creeks and narrow ravines. There are several trail loop options on this 2,024-foot-high mountain. With multi-use trails and a natural area, hikers have plenty to explore in this quiet sanctuary outside of Issaquah.
Issaquah Alps -- Cougar Mountain
4.2 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 489 ft.
Highest Point: 1122 ft.
Rating:
A moderate, year round loop trail in the Issaquah Alps that is popular with hikers, dog walkers and trail runners. Entering the large parking area at the Red Town trailhead (one of several in this 3,100-acre regional park) it’s hard to imagine that what is today a lush green forest was once a busy coalmine operation. Now all that remains are nearly forgotten place names, a few carefully preserved artifacts and caution signs warning of the hazards of travel off established trails.
Issaquah Alps -- Cougar Mountain
1.5 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 150 ft.
Highest Point: 800 ft.
Rating:
Hike easy, very green trails in the northwest corner of Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park. View artifacts from the coal mining era. As optional hike extensions, look in on Far Country Falls, or check out the ongoing downstream Coal Creek Trail.
Issaquah Alps -- Cougar Mountain
3.0 miles, roundtrip
Rating:
A short amble along a road in Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park.
Issaquah Alps -- Cougar Mountain
1.0 miles, roundtrip
Rating:
A trail off Clay Pit Road with access to Coal Creek Falls, as well as Shy Bear area, Wilderness Peak, and other areas.
Issaquah Alps -- Cougar Mountain
2.5 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 110 ft.
Highest Point: 1270 ft.
Rating:
The Klondike Swamp Trail traverses much of what is special about Cougar Mountain Park, utilizing old logging roads and railroad grades that take you through charming second growth forest. The loop is easily accessed from the Sky Country Trailhead in Bellevue, and offers a nearly level grade for most of the journey.
Issaquah Alps -- Tiger Mountain
8.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2500 ft.
Highest Point: 2948 ft.
Rating:
Hike through some of the nicest second-growth forest in the area, and reach the second highest summit in the Tigers. Then enjoy a superb viewpoint a short distance west of the summit.
Issaquah Alps -- Cougar Mountain
4.0 miles, one-way
Rating:
The CrossTown Trail is made up of a patchwork of segments of trail and sidewalk that wind through the town of Newcastle to deliver hikers into Cougar Mountain Regional Park.
Issaquah Alps -- Tiger Mountain
9.6 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2830 ft.
Highest Point: 2948 ft.
Rating:
If you are bored at the thought of another hike up West Tiger #3, here is an option for a more ambitious hike. First, the route will take you to Poo Poo Point, a knoll on a shoulder of West Tiger Mountain, for the view and perhaps to see paragliders launching into the sky. Then, you'll continue via a sequence of short trails to reach and traverse all three numbered summits of West Tiger Mountain before returning to your trailhead.
Issaquah Alps -- Tiger Mountain
7.8 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2300 ft.
Highest Point: 2757 ft.
Rating:
This is a great close to Seattle option of creating lots of loops and getting your exercise.
Issaquah Alps -- Squak Mountain
7.8 miles, one-way
Gain: 1650 ft.
Highest Point: 2025 ft.
Rating:
Cross one of the three major peaks in the Issaquah Alps. You'll see forest, an historic fireplace, and, if you use Trailhead Direct to do this hike, you won't have to look for parking!
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.
Issaquah Alps -- Squak Mountain
0.3 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 0 ft.
Highest Point: 350 ft.
Rating:
This short, easy, year-round trail meanders under the cool, protective trees of Squak Mountain State Park. It is a treat for kids with fun story boards along the way.
Issaquah Alps -- Squak Mountain
7.7 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2100 ft.
Highest Point: 1800 ft.
Rating:
The Chybinski Loop is located in the Cougar/Squak Mountain Corridor, and has many connecting trails and loop options.
Issaquah Alps
1.4 miles, one-way
Highest Point: 400 ft.
Rating:
The Waterline Trail is part of the extensive trail network in the city of Newcastle. It connects to the May Valley Trail, passes by Lake Boren Park and ends at Newcastle Way with connections on to various other trails.
Issaquah Alps
2.3 miles, roundtrip
Rating:
The Highlands Trail forms a loop around the Highlands neighborhood in the city of Newcastle.