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
4216 HikesCap Sante Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 3.2 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 490 feet
-
Highest Point
- 220 feet
Explore roads and trails on, and around, Cap Sante, an impressive rocky headland at the northeast corner of Anacortes. Enjoy views extending from Mount Baker to Mount Rainier, plus the busy harbor.
Washington Park
Puget Sound and Islands > San Juan Islands
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Length
- 2.2 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 280 feet
-
Highest Point
- 250 feet
Washington Park sits at the northwestern tip of Anacortes. When viewed from the sea the area is referred to as Fidalgo Head. The terrain varies from rain forest on the north to open, stony hillsides with few trees on the south.
Barnum Point
Puget Sound and Islands > Whidbey Island
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Length
- 2.75 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 300 feet
-
Highest Point
- 130 feet
Enjoy a series of easy forest trails in this new Island County park. Descend to the beach at both ends of the bluff. Optionally, tide permitting, hike the entire length of the mile-long beach. Either way, finish your hike on more forest trails.
Iverson Spit
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
-
Length
- 1.0 miles, roundtrip
If you've been to Cama Beach and Camano Island State Parks, and you're looking for another diversion on Camano Island, consider Iverson Spit Waterfront Preserve. This delightful area offers some short hiking trails and, of course, ever present views of the Cascade Mountains and shoreline wandering.
Hegg-Benson Trail
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
-
Length
- 1.2 miles, roundtrip
The Hegg-Benson Trail, designed and constructed by Skagit Land Trust members and volunteers in 2009-2010, provides a short walk through mossy forest to a picturesque waterfall on Barr Creek in this lovely conservation area.
Northern State Ghost Town
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 50 feet
-
Highest Point
- 182 feet
Once the largest hospital for people with mental health conditions in Washington State, Northern State Mental Hospital was a town unto itself. Parts of the site are still in use and off-limits, but the farm is now a recreation area. It is located just north of the Skagit River near the town of Sedro-Woolley. Stroll along the wide pastoral trails amongst the buildings and cemetery.
Franklin Ghost Town
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 2.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 200 feet
-
Highest Point
- 800 feet
Follow a gentle old railroad grade into the coal-mining ghost town of Franklin, along the Green River near Black Diamond. It’s an easy walk up to the coal cart and sealed mine shaft. Follow the narrow footpath beyond to discover the powerhouse foundation and cemetery.
Ashland Lakes
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 5.4 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 800 feet
-
Highest Point
- 3,000 feet
Hike a trail built mostly of boardwalk planking through peaty bogs beside three quiet little lakes. As you hike, enjoy the many plants and animals that make the lowland bog environment home.
UW Bothell - Cascadia Community College Wetlands
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
-
Length
- 1.0 miles, one-way
-
Elevation Gain
- 32 feet
-
Highest Point
- 36 feet
This short connector trail runs through the UW Bothell-Cascadia Community College campus, with views of a large reclaimed wetland area.
Seawall Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Whidbey Island
-
Length
- 0.3 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 50 feet
-
Highest Point
- 50 feet
Experience the beautiful shores of Whidbey Island along this waterfront park's seawall walkway and pebble beach.
Cora Lake via Big Creek Trail
South Cascades > White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley
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Length
- 3.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,170 feet
-
Highest Point
- 4,600 feet
With an average gradient of 13%, Big Creek Trail (#252) to Cora Lake — and beyond! — is a workout for some hikers despite its modest length, but it’s well worth the effort. You’ll be rewarded with waterfalls, a placid lake, enormous old trees and sweeping views of the surrounding cliffs and Mount Rainier.
Explorer Falls
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 5.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 950 feet
-
Highest Point
- 1,000 feet
Explorer Falls is in the watershed for the City of Everett.
Cutthroat Lakes via Walt Bailey Trail
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 6.8 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 2,300 feet
-
Highest Point
- 4,700 feet
Great views await you at the summit of Bald Mountain or Cutthroat Lakes if you can stand the rough, rocky, and rooty trail that you must brave to get there. Fortunately, lots of lakes and berries keep you busy along the way, and the ever-changing surroundings on this CCC-built, WTA-maintained trail make for a great day hike along the popular Mountain Loop Highway.
Crystal Mountain Loop (Silver King)
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 6.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 2,450 feet
-
Highest Point
- 6,800 feet
This page describes the options for doing a loop hike around the ski slopes, which is the ridge west of Crystal Mountain Boulevard.
Bearpaw Mountain Lake
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 1.6 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 650 feet
Bearpaw Lake is a small fishing lake near the Damfino Lakes Trail, which is the shortest route to the exquisite High Divide.
Eagle Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 1.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 50 feet
-
Highest Point
- 90 feet
The Eagle Trail is a grassy urban course on the Stillaguamish River dike from Haller Park to the Dike Road in the City of Arlington. Opened in 2011, it provides an opportunity for nature and wildlife viewing while wandering green space within the city limits and a designated area for dogs to romp and play.
Blue Stilly
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 3.0 miles of trails
-
Elevation Gain
- 0 feet
-
Highest Point
- 30 feet
Blue Stilly Park is located in Snohomish County along the Stillaguamish River. The small park has a baseball diamond, picnic areas, a fire pit and a nature trail.
Lake Sammamish State Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
-
Length
- 1.5 miles of trails
A beach, forests, wetlands, and the potential to spot wildlife; Lake Sammamish State Park has it all. And people have been appreciating what the area has to offer for generations -- the land around the lake is culturally significant as a gathering place for several Native American tribes.
Larch Lake
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
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Length
- 24.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 4,591 feet
-
Highest Point
- 6,413 feet
There are two ways to get to Larch Lake: either up the Chiwaukum Creek trail to a junction with the trail to Larch Lake, or via Alpine Lakes High Camp (reservations required). The coordinates provided are for the Chiwaukum Creek Trail route.
Lake Ann (Rainy Pass)
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 3.4 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 700 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,500 feet
The trail to Lake Ann is a wonderful, short way to see the impressive glaciated valley encircled by the popular Heather - Maple Pass Loop. Lake Ann features views of ridgelines blanketed in wildflowers in summer, a lake ringed with golden larches in fall, and before the highway closes for the season, a dramatic place to experience early winter’s snows.
Silver Peak
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 5.6 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 2,100 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,605 feet
At 5605 feet of elevation, Silver Peak is the tallest mountain guarding the southern wall of Snoqualmie Pass. Silver Peak has more than 2000 feet of prominence and provides commanding, panoramic views of the eastern end of Snoqualmie Pass and the surrounding mountains and lakes.
Castle Rock
Central Washington > Wenatchee
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Length
- 2.1 miles of trails
-
Elevation Gain
- 664 feet
-
Highest Point
- 1,673 feet
Another favorite area near Sage Hills and Horse Lake Reserve, Castle Rock property provides access for hikers who want adventure near Wenatchee. This hike will take you to the top of Castle Rock, an iconic feature of the Wenatchee skyline.
Crystal Mountain Resort Snowshoe Trails
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 4.5 miles of trails
There are 6 designated snowshoe trails at Crystal Mountain Resort forming a network in Bullion Basin.
Mount Storm King
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
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Length
- 4.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 2,065 feet
-
Highest Point
- 2,600 feet
Hikers flock to Mount Storm King for that signature shot, standing on a rocky outcropping above Lake Crescent. But it's a grind to get there, and the climb to the summit can be dangerous in bad weather. Luckily, there are several outcroppings about halfway to the top offering similar views. It's still a steep hike to get to them, but at least it's shorter.
Sawtooth Lakes Loop
North Cascades > Methow/Sawtooth
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Length
- 24.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 5,200 feet
-
Highest Point
- 8,000 feet
This is a classic multi-day backpack ideal in larch season.
Bellevue Botanical Garden
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
-
Length
- 1.7 miles, roundtrip
The Bellevue Botanical Garden (BBG) is a tranquil gem nestled in Wilburton Hill Park. The BBG’s winding pathways, elegant gardens and 150 foot suspension bridge provide hikers and families with a visual cornucopia and gentle refuge from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Thorp Lake
Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
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Length
- 5.8 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,260 feet
-
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.
Narada Falls to Reflection Lakes
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
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Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,150 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,400 feet
Hiking the trail between the Narada Falls viewpoint and Reflection Lakes is pleasant enough. But you can extend the route into a loop featuring an unobstructed view of the Tatoosh Range from a rocky bluff, and an up-close experience of the awe-inspiring whitewater cascades of the Paradise River.
Elk Ridge Trail
Issaquah Alps > Taylor Mountain
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Length
- 1.6 miles, one-way
-
Elevation Gain
- 500 feet
-
Highest Point
- 1,200 feet
This trail is closed between Oct. 15 and April 15 to protect it from rain damage.
Enjoy a short hike through lush greenery on this newly renovated trail.
Sherwood Trail
Issaquah Alps > Taylor Mountain
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Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 250 feet
-
Highest Point
- 1,250 feet
This trail is closed between Oct. 15 and April 15 to protect it from rain damage.
Starting out along Carey Creek, the Sherwood Trail climbs to a high point on the eastern edge of Taylor Mountain.
