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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

4202 Hikes

Clayton Beach

Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
 
Length
1.2 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
200 feet
Highest Point
220 feet
Rating
Average rating:
3.80
(5 votes)
  • Coast
  • Good for kids
Take a short trail from the Lost Lake Trailhead to Clayton Beach, where you'll find nearly a mile of shoreline to explore.
 
 

Mount Spokane State Park - Middle Trail 140

Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
 
Length
2.0 miles, one-way
Elevation Gain
837 feet
Highest Point
4,921 feet
Rating
Average rating:
0.00
(0 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Fall foliage
  • Mountain views
  • Old growth
  • Summits
  • Wildflowers/Meadows
  • Wildlife
Trail 140 represents the only “bottom to top” trail experience for Mount Spokane’s summit, but is frequently enjoyed in smaller sections to create loops of various distances. Middle Trail 140 is located in the heart of the park, connecting between Smith Gap and Saddle Junction.
 
 

Mount Spokane State Park - Lower Trail 140

Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
 
Length
1.9 miles, one-way
Elevation Gain
1,135 feet
Highest Point
4,135 feet
Rating
Average rating:
0.00
(0 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Fall foliage
  • Mountain views
  • Old growth
  • Summits
  • Wildflowers/Meadows
  • Wildlife
Trail 140 represents the only “bottom to top” trail experience for Mount Spokane’s summit, but is frequently enjoyed in smaller sections to create loops of various distances. Lower Trail 140 is the portion of the trail located adjacent to the park entrance, featuring some fantastic old-growth forest sections.
 
 

Mount Spokane State Park - Upper Trail 140

Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
 
Length
2.2 miles, one-way
Elevation Gain
967 feet
Highest Point
5,846 feet
Rating
Average rating:
3.50
(2 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Fall foliage
  • Mountain views
  • Old growth
  • Summits
  • Wildflowers/Meadows
  • Wildlife
Trail 140 represents the only “bottom to top” trail experience for Mount Spokane’s summit, but is frequently enjoyed in smaller sections to create loops of various distances. Upper Trail 140 in its entirety is only accessible for part of the year since its upper reaches cross into the alpine ski concession, but this is the only summer multi-use trail that leads to the top of the park’s namesake peak.
 
 

Dupont Loop

Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
 
Length
2.5 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
79 feet
Highest Point
243 feet
Rating
Average rating:
3.33
(3 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Good for kids
  • Rivers
  • Wildlife
Spend some time away from the sounds of the city without even needing to leave it on this nature loop.
 
 

Lake Sylvia State Park

Southwest Washington > Long Beach Area
 
Length
5.0 miles of trails
Elevation Gain
30 feet
Highest Point
170 feet
Rating
Average rating:
2.89
(9 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Established campsites
  • Good for kids
  • Lakes
  • Wildlife

12.11.25: The park is closed until further notice due to impacts from heavy rain.

Just a mile outside the tiny town of Montesano is a quiet, calm lake, fishing, swimming, camping and five miles of hiking trails. Stop by Lake Sylvia State Park for a day or a whole weekend of fun.
 
 

Lake Sylvia State Park - Brownie Trail

Olympic Peninsula > Olympia
 
Length
2.7 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
630 feet
Highest Point
460 feet
Rating
Average rating:
0.00
(0 votes)
  • Lakes

12.11.25: Lake Sylvia State Park is closed until further notice due to impacts from heavy rain.

Take a day trip or camp at Lake Sylvia State Park to hike the Brownie Trail, one of 22(!) named multi-use trails in the Montesano City Forest.
 
 

Beacon Rock State Park - Hamilton Mountain

Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
 
Length
7.5 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
2,000 feet
Highest Point
2,400 feet
Rating
Average rating:
4.36
(28 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Fall foliage
  • Mountain views
  • Old growth
  • Ridges/passes
  • Summits
  • Waterfalls
  • Wildflowers/Meadows
  • Wildlife

12.10.26 - Trailhead closed due to landslide. Alternative access via the Equestrian or the Hadley Trailhead.

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.
 
 

Palouse to Cascades Trail - Homestead Valley to Mine Creek Trestle

Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
 
Length
5.5 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
350 feet
Highest Point
1,607 feet
Rating
Average rating:
4.38
(8 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Good for kids
  • Mountain views
  • Old growth
  • Rivers

12.9.25 The Palouse to Cascades Trail is closed from the Cedar Falls Trailhead heading east to Snoqualmie due storm damage and large trail wash out.

Hike a short stint on the Palouse to Cascades Trail, crossing high trestle bridges and roaming through old growth forest with expansive views of nearby peaks, just a short drive away from the city.
 
 

Palouse to Cascades Trail - Cedar Falls to Change Creek

Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
 
Length
11.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
480 feet
Rating
Average rating:
3.25
(4 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Good for kids

12.9.25 The Palouse to Cascades Trail is closed from the Cedar Falls Trailhead heading east to Snoqualmie due storm damage and large trail wash out.

The hike from the Cedar Falls trailhead to the junction with the Change Creek route is one through history. You will walk along a decommissioned railroad passing by the remnants of the line. Starting at the Cedar Falls trailhead, begin your hike just past the outhouse, crossing a paved road, and picking up the gravel path.
 
 

Palouse to Cascades Trail - Rattlesnake Lake

Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
 
Length
11.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
300 feet
Highest Point
1,100 feet
Rating
Average rating:
3.20
(15 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Fall foliage
  • Good for kids
  • Mountain views
  • Waterfalls
  • Wildlife

12.9.25 The Palouse to Cascades Trail is closed from the Cedar Falls Trailhead heading east to Snoqualmie due storm damage and large trail wash out.

The Palouse to Cascades Trail in Iron Horse State Park provides access to notable North Bend hikes, views of mountains and waterfalls, and a journey back into Washington’s history. Take in the wildlife and cross soaring bridges as you make a level traverse from Rattlesnake Lake to Change and Hall Creeks 5.5 miles to the east.
 
 

Palouse to Cascades Trail - Lake Keechelus

Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
 
Length
4.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
200 feet
Highest Point
2,500 feet
Rating
Average rating:
3.67
(6 votes)
  • Good for kids
  • Lakes
  • Mountain views
  • Summits

12.9.25 The trail from Hyak to Easton is closed due to washouts until state parks can repair the trail and safely reopen.

For a nice location in the Central Cascades, try this rail trail along the western shore of Lake Keechelus. This is a treat for new snowshoers, especially if it has been recently groomed. Because of its easy accessibility, it can often get crowded on nicer days.
 
 

Palouse to Cascades Trail - Easton

Snoqualmie Region > Cle Elum Area
 
Rating
Average rating:
0.00
(0 votes)

12.9.25 The trail from Easton to Hyak is closed due to washouts until state parks can repair the trail and safely reopen.

A segment of the cross-state Palouse to Cascades Trail
 
 

Black Diamond Open Space

Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
 
Length
17.0 miles of trails
Highest Point
700 feet
Rating
Average rating:
2.25
(4 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Good for kids
  • Rivers
  • Wildflowers/Meadows
  • Wildlife
The Black Diamond Open space consists of 1,240 forested acres including wetlands, peat bogs, streams and portions of the protected migratory corridor known as the Wildlife Habitat Network. Explore the 17 miles of non-motorized trails only two miles north of Black Diamond and six miles to the south of Maple Valley.
 
 

Fort Worden State Park - Point Wilson

Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
 
Length
2.5 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
0 feet
Rating
Average rating:
3.50
(16 votes)
  • Coast
  • Good for kids
On the shore of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, you can walk a fine sandy beach between high bluffs and two access points to reach the Point Wilson Lighthouse at Fort Worden State Park.
 
 

Puyallup Riverwalk Trail

Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
 
Length
8.4 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
413 feet
Highest Point
73 feet
Rating
Average rating:
0.00
(0 votes)
  • Mountain views
  • Rivers

12.8.25: This trail is closed until further notice due to potential flooding.

Walk along the Puyallup River on a nature walk without ever leaving the city.
 
 

Twin Firs Loop

Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
 
Length
0.5 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
50 feet
Highest Point
2,550 feet
Rating
Average rating:
3.12
(8 votes)
  • Dogs not allowed
  • Good for kids
  • Old growth
This short, family-friendly trail is a great spot for viewing impressive old growth and finding a reprieve from the strong summer sunshine.
 
 

Columbia Plateau Trail - Washtucna Coulee

Central Washington > Tri-Cities
 
Length
7.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
140 feet
Highest Point
940 feet
Rating
Average rating:
3.40
(5 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Wildflowers/Meadows
  • Wildlife
A segment of the Columbia Plateau Trail passes through a former railroad tunnel and along an ice age coulee, past the dried basin of what was once Lake Kahlotus.
 
 

W.E. Johnson Park

Central Washington > Tri-Cities
 
Length
2.3 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
50 feet
Highest Point
370 feet
Rating
Average rating:
4.00
(1 vote)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Good for kids
  • Rivers
  • Wildflowers/Meadows
  • Wildlife
W.E. Johnson Park is a Richland city park with an interesting mix of riparian, wetlands and shrubsteppe habitat adjacent to the Yakima River.
 
 

Lone Fir Loop

North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
 
Length
2.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
100 feet
Rating
Average rating:
3.80
(5 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Good for kids
  • Old growth
  • Rivers
  • Wildlife

Highway 20 is closed between the Ross Dam trailhead (milepost 134) and Silver Star gate (milepost 171) for the winter season.

An easy, short loop hike out of the Lone Fir campground. The first bit is paved before giving way to a dirt trail that follows Early Winters Creek. After a creek crossing (log bridge) it loops back to the campground.
 
 

Cutthroat Pass via Cutthroat Lake

North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
 
Length
11.4 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
2,300 feet
Highest Point
6,800 feet
Rating
Average rating:
3.93
(15 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Fall foliage
  • Mountain views
  • Ridges/passes
  • Wildflowers/Meadows

Highway 20 is closed between the Ross Dam trailhead (milepost 134) and Silver Star gate (milepost 171) for the winter season.

Take this gentle trail to a beautiful alpine lake surrounded by rocky cliffs before heading up some steeper switchbacks to a pass and junction with the iconic Pacific Crest Trail.
 
 

Silver Star Mountain (Okanogan)

North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
 
Elevation Gain
4,500 feet
Highest Point
8,876 feet
Rating
Average rating:
4.50
(2 votes)
  • Mountain views
  • Summits

Highway 20 is closed between the Ross Dam trailhead (milepost 134) and Silver Star gate (milepost 171) for the winter season.

Silver Star mountain provides a rewarding hiking and climbing opportunity right off Highway 20. Its majestic barren rocky spires that raise out of the forested slopes seem beyond reach but in fact the summit block requires a bit of exposed scrambling, after a long hike and a glacier traverse.
 
 

Hock Mountain

North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
 
Length
16.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
5,000 feet
Highest Point
7,750 feet
Rating
Average rating:
3.00
(1 vote)
  • Dogs not allowed
  • Fall foliage
  • Mountain views
  • Old growth
  • Ridges/passes
  • Summits
  • Wildflowers/Meadows
  • Wildlife

Highway 20 is closed between the Ross Dam trailhead (milepost 134) and Silver Star gate (milepost 171) for the winter season.

Hike a valley trail through old growth forest to the base of a peak, then an off trail class 2 scramble to the summit.
 
 

Cutthroat Lake

North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
 
Length
3.8 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
400 feet
Highest Point
4,900 feet
Rating
Average rating:
3.90
(20 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Fall foliage
  • Good for kids
  • Lakes
  • Mountain views

Highway 20 is closed between the Ross Dam trailhead (milepost 134) and Silver Star gate (milepost 171) for the winter season.

This pleasant trail offers an almost level walk to a grassy forested lake set in the rocky basin beneath Cutthroat Peak. This is an easy hike in an area of rugged, steep country and one of the few that are suitable for small children. It is an especially pretty hike in the fall when the larch are turning golden.
 
 

Bridge Creek - McAlester Pass to Stehekin

North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
 
Length
38.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
2,500 feet
Highest Point
4,000 feet
Rating
Average rating:
4.17
(6 votes)
  • Established campsites
  • Fall foliage
  • Lakes
  • Mountain views
  • Rivers
  • Waterfalls
  • Wildflowers/Meadows
  • Wildlife

Highway 20 is closed between the Ross Dam trailhead (milepost 134) and Silver Star gate (milepost 171) for the winter season.

Wildlife is often difficult to spot in the North Cascades, but McAlester Pass is an exception to this. Take a multi-day backpack from Highway 20 into the tiny town of Stehekin, where you can rest easy and gorge yourself on treats from the renowned bakery before making the multiple mile trek out.
 
 

Blue Lake

North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
 
Length
4.4 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
1,050 feet
Highest Point
6,254 feet
Rating
Average rating:
4.46
(85 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Fall foliage
  • Good for kids
  • Lakes
  • Mountain views
  • Wildflowers/Meadows
  • Wildlife

Highway 20 is closed between the Ross Dam trailhead (milepost 134) and Silver Star gate (milepost 171) for the winter season.

At 6254 feet, Blue Lake sits quietly a little over two trail miles from Highway 20. With towering granite peaks, forests, meadows, wildflowers, and of course the beautiful mountain lake surrounded by granite that reaches for the sky, this short hike is easily a classic and should be on your must-hike list. With only 1050 feet of elevation gain this hike is doable for almost everyone. If you’re driving over Highway 20 and don’t have all day, stop for this mountain gem.
 
 

Big Snagtooth

North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
 
Elevation Gain
4,000 feet
Highest Point
8,330 feet
Rating
Average rating:
0.00
(0 votes)

Highway 20 is closed between the Ross Dam trailhead (milepost 134) and Silver Star gate (milepost 171) for the winter season.

A mountain in the North Cascades. Climbing gear and route-finding expertise required to summit.
 
 

Washington Pass Overlook

North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
 
Length
0.25 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
61 feet
Highest Point
5,581 feet
Rating
Average rating:
3.75
(12 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Good for kids
  • Mountain views
  • Ridges/passes

Highway 20 is closed between the Ross Dam trailhead (milepost 134) and Silver Star gate (milepost 171) for the winter season.

This trail is a narrow, paved trail to a lookout on a ledge overlooking Liberty Bell Mountain. This area is worth the trip from the west side, because of spectacular views, and the myriad hiking trails in the area.
 
 

Twisp Pass via Dagger Lake

North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
 
Length
15.2 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
3,320 feet
Highest Point
6,060 feet
Rating
Average rating:
0.00
(0 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Established campsites
  • Fall foliage
  • Lakes
  • Mountain views
  • Ridges/passes
  • Rivers

Highway 20 is closed between the Ross Dam trailhead (milepost 134) and Silver Star gate (milepost 171) for the winter season.

Take a walk in the forest on this trail as it climbs past a shallow lake and continues nearly to treeline at Twisp Pass. The upper half of the trail is flowered in summer and the power of avalanches is evident in the pick-up-sticks debris field shortly before Dagger Lake. At Twisp Pass in an intersection with many informal trails for further exploration.
 
 

Stiletto Spur Trail

North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
 
Length
4.54 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
943 feet
Highest Point
4,359 feet
Rating
Average rating:
0.00
(0 votes)

Highway 20 is closed between the Ross Dam trailhead (milepost 134) and Silver Star gate (milepost 171) for the winter season.

The Stiletto Spur Trail is a connector trail between the McAlester Lake/Twisp junction and the Pacific Crest Trail near Highway 20.