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
4264 HikesMailbox Peak
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 9.4 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 4,000 feet
-
Highest Point
- 4,822 feet
While still relatively steep, this new route up Mailbox Peak, built in part with help from WTA volunteers, offers a safer and more easily navigable way for folks to summit this formidable peak than the old trail.
Mount Defiance
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 11.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,584 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,584 feet
Hike trails though sub-alpine forest and across boulder fields and, in season, enjoy a multitude of wildflowers. Pass a beautiful mountain lake. Ascend to a 5584-foot summit and enjoy incredible views of Cascade peaks and nearby lakes.
Keystone Ridge
Central Cascades > Entiat Mountains/Lake Chelan
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Length
- 8.4 miles, roundtrip
Hike up a steep, dry ridgeline in the Entiat with 360 degree views of the Columbia River, the wine country of eastern Washington, and wildflowers galore.
Granite Creek
Snoqualmie Region > Cle Elum Area
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Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,600 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,600 feet
This steep trail goes from Forest Road 4517-117 to the Cle Elum Ridge Trail. Hike up switchbacks beneath a forest of ponderosa pine and fir trees to reach some spectacular views of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Be sure to bring waterproof shoes, as the creek comes over the trail in places.
Horse Lake Reserve
Central Washington > Wenatchee
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Length
- 5.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 700 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,410 feet
Horse Lake Reserve is a 1,500-acre reserve located just west of Wenatchee, open to the public from April 1 through November 31.
Grand Valley Loop
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
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Length
- 7.9 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,080 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,450 feet
The Grand Valley Loop is a great option, combining a ridge walk with sections along both Grand Creek Valley and Badger Valley.
Grand Ridge
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
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Length
- 15.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,100 feet
-
Highest Point
- 6,625 feet
Grand Ridge is the highest continuous trail in the Olympic Mountains. On a clear day it is among the most beautiful places in Washington; the 360 degree view includes the interior of the Olympics, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Canada, and the Cascades.
Ancient Lakes
Central Washington > Potholes Region
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Length
- 12.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 625 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,200 feet
View one of the best examples of a recessional-cataract canyon. Potholes Coulee caught the attention of J Harlen Bretz in the early 20th century, which led to his “outrageous hypothesis” of Ice Age flooding.
Sage Hills
Central Washington > Wenatchee
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Length
- 5.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 650 feet
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Highest Point
- 800 feet
Just adjacent to the equally popular Horse Lake Reserve, the Sage Hills is home to great trails for hiking, running, or mountain biking. The rolling hills found at Sage Hills offer wonderful views of the Columbia River, the Wenatchee Valley and the North Cascades. Springtime brings vibrant color to the area with wild sage, yellow arrowleaf balsamroot, Indian paintbrush and purple lupine abound.
Rialto Beach and Hole-in-the-Wall
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
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Length
- 3.3 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 286 feet
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Highest Point
- 71 feet
Mora Road will be closed past Mora Campground between July 8 and Oct 5. Rialto Beach will not be accessible from Mora Road during this time.
Spend a day strolling the rugged Olympic Coast to dramatic sea stacks and natural wonders.
Mount Washington
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 8.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 3,250 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,450 feet
This easy-access day hike delivers comparable — if not superior — panoramic views and lung-busting switchbacks to Mount Si, with significantly less foot traffic.
Mailbox Peak - Old Trail
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 5.4 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 4,000 feet
-
Highest Point
- 4,822 feet
You may have heard Mailbox Peak mentioned in slightly hushed tones, the kind reserved for stories about some legendary storm or a bad accident. What inspires such reverence? The original route, which entails 4,000 feet of climbing in less than three miles. The newer, gentler trail takes twice as much distance to achieve the summit, but nothing will permanently erase the original trail's fearsome reputation.
Mount Teneriffe
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 13.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 3,800 feet
-
Highest Point
- 4,585 feet
Mountains to Sound Greenway did this road to trail conversion in order to create a more sustainable, safer route for hikers to a summit on the I-90 corridor. Hike through second- and third-growth forest, pass a lovely waterfall, and enjoy a slightly less-crowded trail than the nearby Mount Si.
Mount Margaret
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
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Length
- 11.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 2,820 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,780 feet
On maps, Mount Margaret doesn’t seem impressive enough to warrant its namesake Mount Margaret Backcountry. It is not the tallest nor the most majestic peak in the area. However, it is easily summited and it offers clear unobstructed views of Mount Rainier, Mount Adams, and Mount St. Helens (in three different directions), and expansive views of much more, including legendary Spirit Lake.
Margaret's Way and Debbie's View
Issaquah Alps > Squak Mountain
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Length
- 6.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,500 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,730 feet
If nature excites you, there's plenty here to be excited about. Cool forest, trickling creeks in deep ravines, and a beautiful trail built by WTA volunteers await you here.
Killen Creek to High Camp
South Cascades > Mount Adams Area
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Length
- 10.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,300 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,900 feet
Take this remote, flower-filled trail up the north side of Mount Adams to the rocky alpine terrain of giant glaciers.
Dirty Harry's Peak
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 9.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,326 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,662 feet
This trail is popular for training and improved thanks to the Department of Natural Resources and Washington Trails Association volunteers. But note that the true peak lies on a small parcel of private land. Bring a map and know where that boundary is.
Buckhorn Mountain
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 13.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 4,477 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,988 feet
A tough climb on loose, small rock at a very steep grade offering views from the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Glacier Peak, Mount Rainier and The Brothers. Route finding experience required.
Sheep Lake to Sourdough Gap
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 6.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,100 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,400 feet
This is a pleasant hike to a small lake and a notched gap with sweeping views. Sheep Lake is nestled in a subalpine area that explodes with wildflowers in July and August. The lake is a good place to relax and enjoy nature or perhaps take off your boots and go wading. Sourdough Gap is a small saddle in a rocky-edged ridge. The hike from the lake to the gap offers increasingly picturesque views of the south Cascades with every foot of altitude you gain. Once at the gap, you will be rewarded with grand views of Sheep Lake on one side and the Crystal Lakes basin on the other side.
Ptarmigan Ridge
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 9.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,800 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,100 feet
Rarely can hikers approach a climbers’ realm so easily, with minimal elevation gain, and enjoy beautiful views all along the way.
Mount St. Helens - Monitor Ridge
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
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Length
- 10.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 4,500 feet
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Highest Point
- 8,365 feet
Permits are required to summit Mount St. Helens. Find details about acquiring them in the hike description.
The rim is extremely unstable. Please stay well back from the edge.
Mount St. Helens is a peak that should be on every life list. And because it is an active volcano, it is best not to put it off for too long. Climbing to the crater rim is an opportunity to see not only amazing views in every direction, but to see geology raw, unformed and in its making.
Mount Ellinor
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 6.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,300 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,944 feet
Mount Ellinor is the southern-most prominence on the eastern front of the Olympics. This makes its peak easy to point out to your friends when you say, ”I was up there.” Mount Ellinor also gives you two trailheads to choose from. The lower trailhead at 2,600 feet welcomes you to the ascent with an easy grade at the outset. The route from the upper trailhead at 3,500 feet starts out with a nearly immediate upward jolt. The trails merge well before the summit and continue upward at a character-building grade.
Dog Mountain
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 6.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,800 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,948 feet
The stunning views and unparalleled springtime flowers make this one of the most popular hikes in the Gorge. On a good day, you can get a bird’s eye view of Mount Hood and the Columbia River. In the spring the top is carpeted with vibrant yellow balsam root. Although the trail is steep and sometimes crowded, this hike is unquestionably worth the effort.
Lower Mad River Valley
Central Cascades > Entiat Mountains/Lake Chelan
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Length
- 14.9 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 2,500 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,000 feet
Hike along the Lower Mad River in a narrow rocky canyon. The first three miles makes an ideal day trip for hikers of all abilities. Looking for more adventure? The trail continues for almost 15 miles where it meets the Upper Mad River trail. Be prepared to share the trail with bikes, horses, and motorcycles.
Church Mountain
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 8.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,750 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,100 feet
The rewards for this strenuous hike are vast alpine meadows and a wide panorama of North Cascades peaks.
Boundary West
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
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Length
- 10.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,400 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,390 feet
This short section of the much longer Boundary Trail (which spans the Dark Divide between Mount St. Helens and Mount Adams) provides a nice day hike amid the unique geology of the St. Helens area.
Blanca Lake
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
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Length
- 8.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,400 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,600 feet
12.23.25: Trailhead inaccessible due to Beckler River Road (FR 65) being closed due to flood damage.
Visit one of the most striking lakes in the Henry M. Jackson wilderness. The vibrant blue of the glacier-fed lake provides the perfect rest stop for hikers who have braved the thirty-odd, steep switchbacks that lead to the lake.
Yellow Aster Butte
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 7.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,550 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,150 feet
Visitors to this trail must pack out all human waste and not bury it.
Find supreme wildflower gardens and a high-country plateau speckled with shimmering tarns-but that's not all. Spectacular alpine vistas abound too-of Baker, Shuksan, and all those rugged and craggy peaks straddling the 49th parallel. Yellow Aster Butte may be a misnomer (those yellow-petaled delights are actually daisies), but you definitely don't want to miss hiking here.
Sauk Mountain
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 4.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,200 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,500 feet
A popular trail with great views of the Sauk and Skagit river valleys, Cascade mountain peaks, and on a good clear day, the Olympics and San Juan Islands. There will also be plenty of wildflowers to please photographers and hiking plant nerds alike.
Naches Peak Loop
Mount Rainier Area > SE - Cayuse Pass/Stevens Canyon
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Length
- 3.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 600 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,850 feet
This popular hike provides a range of alpine experiences in a short loop. Walk along a hillside above a small valley, pause at a viewpoint overlooking a lake and stroll through grassy meadows with stunning views of Mount Rainier. In season, enjoy an abundance of wildflowers or perhaps a handful of huckleberries.
