Washington Trails Association
Trails for everyone, forever
Washington Trails AssociationTrails for everyone, forever
Has all that hiking left a hole in your stomach? Fill it with some of Washington's most delicious baked goods! By Joseph Gonzalez
Here at WTA, we love a good trail. We also love a good donut. Lucky for us, Washington is full of great trails and delicious bakeries. Some options are obvious — Mighty-O, Top Pot, and Legendary are practically mainstays in western Washington. However, those are just the tip of the proverbial croissant. Trail aficionados with keen eyes and hungry stomachs always know the best choices closest to their favorite trail heads.
Baked goods make fabulous trail foods. They’re delicious, and relatively lightweight for how much energy they provide to keep you fueled on trail. Bakeries and donut shops almost always serve coffee, which make them the perfect pitstop en route to your hike.
Fresh, regionally sourced goods don’t just taste good, they support the local economy for many communities that rely on outdoor recreation.
Here are the spots the WTA staff dream about when hunger strikes:
Delicious, traditional baked pastries are found at the Bavarian Bakery. Photo by Acadia Rice Photography.
Leavenworth — Bavarian Bakery
Background: This bakery is nestled in the Bavarian-styled town of Leavenworth. The menu offers a variety of German bakes, ranging from sweets to beer bread. All products are house made and use natural ingredients.
Try the: Salted pretzels. How much more of a German bake can you get?
Nearby trails to consider: Hikers hoping for water features and stunning mountain views will appreciate hiking Blackbird Island at Waterfront Park.
So many delicious cookies, so little time. Photo by Joseph Gonzalez.
Sultan — Sultan Bakery
Background: Sultan Bakery is an incredible hometown spot for Highway 2 travelers. They offer a variety of sandwiches, hot soups and breakfast items. Keep in mind that their menu changes daily! Arrive early to secure your favorite baked good before they run out. Beware (or revel): their portions are notoriously large.
Try the: If you like cinnamon and apple, Sultan Bakery’s apple cup is a must-order. The Lemon Drop Cheesecake and Chocolate Toffee Mousse Cake are also popular.
Nearby trails to consider: Wallace Falls State Park is in nearby Gold Bar and is one of the most popular state parks in the area.
Robust, delicious sandwiches. Photo by Anjou.
Cashmere — Anjou
Background: This small production bakery is family-owned and inspired by European tradition mixed with American practices. They focus on naturally leavened products, including both sweet and savory items.
Try the: Croissant with a cappuccino. Their croissants are laminated to perfection, and their coffee is some of the best in the area.
Nearby trails to consider: Wenatchee Confluence State Park - Horan Natural Area is down the road in Wenatchee and boasts riparian wildlife viewing and flora.
Spokane — The Grain Shed
Background: The Grain Shed makes all of their bread and beer from 100% locally grown grain. Organic grains are prioritized. Menu items include baked bread, pizzas, a variety of refreshing beers and more.
Try the: Sandwiches! If in doubt, employees are well-versed in all things bread and are happy to make suggestions. Thirsty? Try the “Fish are Friends IPA” (100% salmon safe).
Nearby trails to consider: Riverside State Park is just across the river in Spokane and features a fun swinging bridge as well as neat geological features.
The maple bars are particularly renown, but the rest are delicious as well. Photo by Joseph Gonzalez.
Renton — Chuck’s Donuts
Background: Chuck’s is a Renton staple. They’re open 3 am - 2 pm, but closed on Sundays. Be sure to arrive early to get your favorite donut before they sell-out!
Try the: The maple bars are regarded as the best in the entire state.
Nearby trails to consider: Squak Mountain offers a variety of trails to choose from, including the popular Margaret’s Way and Debbie’s View, which on clear days offer views of Mount Rainier.
Extra donut holes never hurt. Photo by Tynesha Campbell.
Puyallup — Luke’s Donuts
Background: Luke’s is a classic old-school donut joint that serves ice cream and espresso. They even serve vegan donuts!
Try the: Apple fritter, maple bacon bars and bear claws are superb here. Look for the colored dot on the pastry to learn what the filling is inside.
Nearby trails to consider: The Puyallup Loop Trail links six City of Puyallup parks together to make a fun circuit. Hikers with larger appetites can continue up the lahar valley to Mount Rainier proper, which has a few delicious hikes of its own.
Stehekin — Stehekin Pastry Company
Background: The Stehekin Pastry Company is a destination as iconic and fun as the North Cascades themselves. The bakery itself is incredibly remote, but well-worth the visit for anyone hiking in North Cascades National Park or visiting the northern shores of Lake Chelan. They’re open May through October.
Try the: Cinnamon rolls and sticky buns. Everything is good here, especially after a long day on trail.
Nearby trails to consider: The Pacific Crest Trail runs nearby, and the section from Stehekin to Rainy Pass is delightful. Hikers hoping for something more digestible will appreciate the Rainbow Falls Mist Trail, which offers a 300+ foot waterfall with a modest hike.
Cinnamon Twisp's "Cinnamon Twisp" in its natural environment: the North Cascades. Photo by Cinnamon Twisp.
Twisp — Cinnamon Twisp Bakery
Background: Cinnamon Twisp doesn’t just have a sweet name — it’s been around since 1994, and some WTA staff consider it a Methow Valley institution. Vegan and gluten-free options are available, and many of the ingredients are grown by local farmers. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Try the: The “Cinnamon Twisp”! If you’re feeling savory, be sure to check out their specialty sandwiches.
Nearby trails to consider: The Twisp River Rearing Ponds are great for a snowshoe or a hike, and are great for wildlife viewing.
Sweet confections aplenty. Photo by the Little Dipper Café and Bakery.
Winthrop — The Little Dipper Café and Bakery
Background: The Little Dipper offers a variety of quiches, salads and baked goods. Plus, everything is made from scratch! Just be mindful of their limited store hours.
Try the: Gluten-free/vegan cheesecake bars or their rotating cakes and cupcakes!
Nearby trails to consider: Pearrygin Lake State Park is a great visit yearround. Visitors can enjoy hiking, fat-biking and snowshoeing!
Port Angeles — New Day Eatery
Background: New Day Eatery’s menu specializes in dishes with dietary restrictions in mind, offering a variety of vegan and gluten-free options.
Try the: Fun drink options, like the blueberry hibiscus smoothie or the orange creamsicle mocha! Don’t miss the gluten-free champagne snickerdoodle cake.
Nearby trails to consider: The Olympic Discovery Trail is a long (70 miles now, but 130 miles once complete) multi use greenway that stretches from Port Townsend to the Olympic coast.
Twister Donuts will have you spinning — just look at those fritters! Photo by Joseph Gonzalez.
Olympia — Twister Donuts
Background: Twister Donuts is a family business with big personality. Their donut menu isn’t just big — the donuts themselves are over the top! They also boast the only donut drive-thru in Olympia.
Try the: Special fritters, but only if you’re ready for the sugar. Options include peanut butter and chocolate, maple bacon and chocolate, cream cheese and caramel, and chocolate and oreo!
Nearby trails to consider: Capitol State Forest is a great destination for all trail users — hikers, runners, horseback riders and mountain bikers.
Anacortes — Donut House
Background: Whether you plan to hike in Anacortes proper, or you’re just stopping by for a quick bite before hopping on a ferry, the Donut House has big, flavor-forward donuts to help fuel your journey.
Try the: Cake donuts and blueberry fritters!
Nearby trails to consider: Sharpe Park and Deception Pass State Park are popular destinations with views of the Puget Sound.
Bellingham — LaFeen's Family Pride Donuts and Ice Cream
Background: LaFeen’s has been in business since 1984. It is Bellingham’s longest running donut shop!
Try the: “Best apple fritters in the state,” says WTA CEO Jaime Loucky. If that isn’t a ringing endorsement, we don’t know what is.
Nearby trails to consider: Fragrance Lake is a great choice for those along Chuckanut Drive who are looking for old-growth and water features, but anywhere in Larrabee State Park is a good choice. Keep your eye out for projects WTA has completed over the years.
Despi Delite offers a variety of fun takes on donuts. Photo by Tynesha Campbell.
Everett — Despi Delite
Background: Despi has two locations: one in the Beacon Hill neighborhood of Seattle, and another in Everett, just off of I-5. They’ve been whipping up tasty donuts, cakes, and Filipino breads for over 20 years!
Try the: Cookie monster donut or the cherry danish for a fun morning.
Nearby trails to consider: Seward Park in Seattle is great for birding and even has a paved trail for cyclists. Spencer Island near Everett has brackish water, making it a tremendous area for wildlife and hiking.
A slice of veggie quiche is a great savory option to balance the sweetness you're sure to enjoy. Photo by Tynesha Campbell.
Cle Elum — Cle Elum Bakery
Background: Cle Elum Bakery is a cute coffee and pastry shop in historic downtown Cle Elum. It was established in 1906 and specializes in traditional baking.
Try the: The persians and maple nut donuts are popular, but some say the apple fritter here is one of the best in the state.
Nearby trails to consider: The Palouse to Cascades Trail is a 250+ mile long multi use trail that stretches east to west across the state. It’s popular with cyclists, walkers and runners alike and offers plenty of length to work up your appetite.
Roslyn — Red Bird Cafe
Background: Red Bird Cafe is nestled in the mountain town of Roslyn, and specializes in East Coast hoagies and traditional breakfasts.
Try the: Generously glazed cinnamon rolls or loaded reuben sandwiches (the vegan beet-reuben is delicious too).
Nearby trails to consider: Spectacle Lake lives up to its name during the warmer months, but Hex Mountain has fun hiking and snowshoeing year round.
Centralia — Dawn’s Delectables
Background: Dawn’s Delectables sits in historic downtown Centralia and features a coffee, sandwich and dessert menu made from scratch.
Try the: Signature Carrot Cake or German chocolate cake!
Nearby trails to consider: The Willapa Hills Trail connects the towns of Chehalis and South Bend and is great for hikers, runners and bikers.
Vancouver — Bleau Door Bakery
Background: Bleau Door Bakery has been providing Vancouver with fresh baked breads, espresso and unique sandwiches since 2011. This French themed eatery even offers beignets!
Try the: Bleu Door cookies, honey pecan sticky buns or daily made breads!
Nearby trails to consider: Whipple Creek Park is a heavily forested area great for hiking and horseback riding. Keep an eye out for WTA’s recent work there when you visit!
Bingen — Columbia Gorge Bakery
Background: This bakery is entirely gluten free (and offers vegan options as well). It’s one of the few gluten free bakeries in the region and boasts a menu of breads, sandwiches, bagels and even pizza crust. Keep in mind they’re only open Fridays and Saturdays (with call to order/pickup available Tuesday-Thursday).
Try the: Bagels and mini pies. Gluten free consumers know that finding a deliciously fresh gluten-free bagel can be challenging, and Columbia Gorge Bakery does them right.
Nearby trails to consider: Catherine Creek - Natural Arch is a family-friendly hike. It’s jam packed with photo opportunities, including the arch itself, which is more prominent when trees are leafless.
Voodoo Donuts appreciates presentation and creativity go a long way. Photo by Tynesha Campbell.
Portland — Voodoo Doughnut
Background: Voodoo offers more than 50 artisan donut flavors, including 25 vegan options. Their claim to fame is introducing the first bacon maple bar, as well as a variety of other unique flavor combinations.
Try the: The Homer, the bacon maple bar and the dirt donuts!
Nearby trails to consider: The Columbia River Renaissance Trail connects several parks and historic sites along the shores of the Columbia River.
Doe Donuts' "Doe" and "Portland Fog" flavors are two of their best. Photo by Joseph Gonzalez.
Portland — Doe Donuts
Background: Doe Donuts specializes in artisanal vegan donuts and ice creams, with everything made from scratch with local ingredients.
Try the: The Portland Fog is a staple and sells out quickly.
Nearby trails to consider: The North Trail at Vancouver Lake offers unhindered views of the Columbia River and sandy beaches. Perfect for a picnic!
The Danish at the Blue Scorcher are divine. Photo by Joseph Gonzalez.
Astoria — Blue Scorcher Bakery and Cafe
Background: Blue Scorcher is a worker-owned cooperative with a mission to create memorable seasonal foods while building a strong community. Their all vegetarian menu includes breads and baked goods that are made in house, and their coffee beans are local and organic from Astoria Coffee Co.
Try the: The cardamom almond roll is delicate and delicious, as are their variety of danishes.
Nearby trails to consider: Cape Disappointment State Park is great for visitors hoping to do coastal hiking, lighthouse chasers and historic buffs alike.
Now that your hiking appetite is whet, leave a trip report with a photo of your baked goods on trail! Use the hashtag #WashingtonTrailTreats so the rest of us can daydream!
