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
4223 HikesMink Lake
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
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Length
- 5.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,450 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,100 feet
The forest to Mink Lake is beautiful, packed full of Queen's Cup, lilies and bunchberry flowers in bloom. Depending on the season, you may see Western Coralroot orchids and Indian Pipe, or Beargrass, Anenomes and violets around the lake.
Lunch Lake
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
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Length
- 14.72 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,965 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,926 feet
Lunch Lake is a popular stop or overnight camping area along the Seven Lakes Basin Loop in Olympic National Park. Visitors here will need an overnight permit to stay here, attainable from Olympic National Park.
Lover's Lane Loop
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
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Length
- 5.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 480 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,000 feet
The Lover's Lane trail follows the Sol Duc river upstream, connecting Sol Duc campground, Sol Duc Falls and the resort.
Mink Lake to Little Divide
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
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Length
- 15.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,500 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,130 feet
Mink Lake and the Little Divide offer miles of delightful hiking and showcase some of what makes the Sol Duc Valley so popular. Because it lacks the stunning scenery of the High Divide, Little Divide gets a fraction of the traffic. The option to loop back to the trailhead and see Deer Lake and Sol Duc Falls makes this an especially attractive and slightly shorter alternative.
High Divide
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
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Length
- 9.63 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 5,111 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,384 feet
High Divide trail makes up a section of the Seven Lakes Basin trail and leads to the Bailey Range Traverse. While campsites exist along this route, it's important to reserve your spot in advance of your visit here.
Ancient Groves
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
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Length
- 0.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 0 feet
This half-mile loop trail goes through old-growth forest with views of the Sol Duc River.
Cat Basin Primitive
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
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Length
- 5.0 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 1,500 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,500 feet
This primitive trail forms a partial loop, connecting the High Divide trail just above Heart Lake with Appleton Pass.
Bogachiel Peak
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
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Length
- 16.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,675 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,474 feet
Bogachiel Peak sits above the dramatic Seven Lakes Basin. While you might expect stunning views here, such is not the case. The treed peak has limited views from the top, but it's a short enough side trip, why not make a stop while you're there?
Aurora Ridge
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
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Length
- 16.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,610 feet
The Aurora Ridge Trail is welcome for those who love solitude, and great views of Lake Crescent, Ediz Hook, Mount Baker, Mount Olympus, and Glacier Peak can all be seen from Sourdough Peak and along the ridge.
Barclay Lake
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
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Length
- 4.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 500 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,423 feet
Barclay Lake offers something for almost everyone: a well-maintained trail that is accessible to beginners and children, stunning mountain views, mycology, camping, a serene alpine lake, and a staging area for challenging adventures in the 106,000-acre Wild Sky Wilderness. Keep your camera charged, as this popular pathway in the shadow of Baring Mountain offers many photo opportunities.
Skookum Flats
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 4.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 525 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,515 feet
Enjoy a gentle walk through shaded forest, often within sight and/or sound of the White River. Skookum Falls can be your destination for a 4.6-mile round trip, or use the south trailhead to choose segments of the 8.5-mile trail (one-way) to hike, bike or run. It’s all good.
North Fork Tieton to Tieton Pass
South Cascades > Goat Rocks
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Length
- 10.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,500 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,600 feet
This trail offers a nice wander through the woods to a low pass. While it's short on views, it offers an extended forested wander where you can creekhop to your heart's content.
Fish Creek
Central Cascades > Entiat Mountains/Lake Chelan
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Length
- 8.9 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 5,650 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,715 feet
Fish Creek connects the shore of Lake Chelan with the Chelan Summit Trail to the east.
American Ridge
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 12.0 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 2,950 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,310 feet
A steep and dusty trail to a long, beautiful ridge where the rambling is fine, often among a band of elk.
Cape Disappointment State Park - North Head Trail
Southwest Washington > Long Beach Area
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Length
- 1.8 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 420 feet
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Highest Point
- 200 feet
Access to Waikiki Beach and North Jetty is restricted until late spring 2026 for construction.
For years, WTA has been coming to Cape Disappointment to work on trails in this area, including this trail, which leads hikers from the iconic North Head lighthouse down to the road that accesses the camping area and beaches at the south end of the park.
Dingford Creek-Myrtle Lake
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 11.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,600 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,800 feet
Hike a rugged trail through second-growth forest and across lively creeks to a high alpine lake.
Lime Kiln Trail
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 7.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 625 feet
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Highest Point
- 750 feet
Here's an unusual hike through a very mossy forest and along a narrow river canyon, past sites that were important in local history. A railroad once ran along the canyon, passing through small communities. Logging was done in the area, and lime once was produced from limestone here, in a kiln that still stands. The railroad and communities are gone now, and much has disappeared over the past eighty years. But a few artifacts still remain and can be seen near the trail.
Jarrell Cove State Park
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
Accessible only by bridge or boat, Jarrell Cove State Park is one of a few state parks on Harstine Island. It offers saltwater access and a campground.
Chelan Lakeshore Trail
Central Cascades > Entiat Mountains/Lake Chelan
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Length
- 17.0 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 4,030 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,700 feet
Looking for an early-season backpack featuring craggy, snow-capped peaks, a sapphire-blue lake, a myriad of wildflowers, and a trail that’s regularly maintained by WTA volunteers? The 17-mile thru-hike on the Chelan Lakeshore Trail might be just the thing for you.
Squire Creek
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 8.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,566 feet
A route-finding bushwhack to beautiful views and berries in the summertime in the North Cascades
Horsetail Falls
Central Washington > Yakima
This small waterfall is just off highway 410, and is visible from the highway, but a paved path is available for those wishing to get a closer look.
Lower Falls Creek Trail
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 3.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 600 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,410 feet
Discover a waterfall utopia with triple the falls and a wonderful place to put down your pack, enjoy some snacks and snap some incredible photos.
Manastash Ridge - Westberg Trail
Central Washington > Yakima
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Length
- 4.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,800 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,560 feet
Named after and built in honor of an Ellensburg wrestling coach, this trail provides the sought-after combination of great workout and big views. But its exposed; you'll want to be up here in spring or fall, because the direct sun of summer and lack of water can make this one a burner (literally).
Mine Creek
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 1.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 100 feet
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Highest Point
- 800 feet
Enjoy excellent river access and picnic opportunities on this short, flat and easy loop trail.
Mount Spokane State Park - Trail 170
Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
This route is a groomed snowmobile trail in the winter that connects directly to the previously-private property of Bear Creek Lodge. The lodge area was purchased by Washington State Parks in 2023.
Boulder River
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 8.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,550 feet
The Boulder River trail is a nice hike that can be done any time of year. Come in winter while the rain is dripping off the mossy trees, photograph the waterfalls filled with spring snowmelt. Take the kids out for a little picnic in the summer, or leaf collecting in the fall. Come anytime midweek for quiet contemplation.
Big Bend Wildlife Area
Central Washington > Grand Coulee
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Length
- 12.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,500 feet
This is a commanding area with many options for hiking and other recreation. Hiking options range from double-track roads to cross-country exploring through the shrub-steppe.
High Rock
South Cascades > White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley
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Length
- 3.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,365 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,685 feet
The trail will be fully closed from July 7 - Aug 22 for restoration work.
Topping out at 5,685 feet, High Rock is dramatically higher than its surroundings. On a clear day, the exposed summit provides outstanding views all around and down. The trail is moderately steep but short, following Sawtooth Ridge 1.6 miles to the summit, where a fire lookout clings to the top.
Marmot Pass
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 11.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,489 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,000 feet
Marmot Pass offers great views and a gentle hike through old-growth forest as well as high meadows. It is a great day hike, but also offers a great starting place for a variety of overnight options.
Mountain Home Ridge
Central Cascades > Leavenworth Area
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Length
- 6.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,111 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,074 feet
Enjoy stunning views of Wedge Mountain, Peshastin, and the foothills on this multi-use trail without venturing far from the heart of Leavenworth.