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
4225 HikesBullion Basin
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 5.8 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 2,200 feet
-
Highest Point
- 6,300 feet
A relatively steep and rocky connector trail running between the Crystal Mountain resort area up through Bullion Basin to the Pacific Crest Trail with mountain and meadow views.
Latourell Falls
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - OR
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Length
- 3.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 540 feet
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Highest Point
- 600 feet
The popular Latourell Falls in Guy W. Talbot State Park offers hikers several loop options, a family friendly one-mile roundtrip accessible walk to the Lower Falls and historic bridge, or a 2 mile loop to also take in the 134-foot Upper Falls, the third tallest in the Columbia Gorge.
Melmont Ghost Town
Mount Rainier Area > NW - Carbon River/Mowich
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Length
- 7.6 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 400 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,360 feet
A great exploratory hike to an old coal mining ghost town, with views of the underside of the Fairfax bridge.
Lookout Mountain Lookout
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 9.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 4,500 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,719 feet
To get panoramic views of the North Cascades without fighting the crowds at Cascade Pass or Hidden Lake Lookout, look no further than Lookout Mountain, an arduous climb that often gets overlooked by hikers heading to North Cascades National Park. From the fire lookout on the summit, enjoy 360-degree views of Mount Baker, Mount Shuksan, and a panoply of other North Cascades giants.
Collin Creek Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 3.4 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 256 feet
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Highest Point
- 587 feet
The Collin Creek Trail is a part of a large network of trails in and around the Redmond Watershed Preserve.
Snow Peak
Eastern Washington > Okanogan Highlands/Kettle River Range
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Length
- 10.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 875 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,400 feet
From spring flowers to summer berries to fall colors to winter vistas, this trail through the Columbia Highlands has something new to offer each season of the year. In the warmer months, try the circumnavigation of Sherman Peak plus the bonus excursion out to picturesque Snow Peak cabin. Plan ahead and rent the cabin, which is reservable for $55 per night for up to four people, year-round.
Preacher's Slough to Blue Slough
Southwest Washington > Long Beach Area
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Length
- 7.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 614 feet
-
Highest Point
- 103 feet
Walking along this old railroad bed offers insight into the history, ecology, and biology of the Chehalis River Surge Plain. Surge plains are rare, and the interpretive trail along this route helps highlight the important part they play in a healthy ecosystem.
Port of Skagit Trails
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 10.0 miles of trails
-
Elevation Gain
- 0 feet
This small network of trails between Anacortes and Burlington offers a nice outing for kids and adults alike.
Sycamore Access Trail
Issaquah Alps > Squak Mountain
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Length
- 3.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,200 feet
-
Highest Point
- 1,400 feet
Hike the steep Sycamore Access Trail on the northeast side of Squak Mountain. Enjoy the mixed forest and a few small streams. Continue farther on the East Ridge Trail and, optionally, extend your hike to make it an interesting loop across the higher slopes of Squak Mountain.
Bessemer Mountain
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 13.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 4,100 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,028 feet
Not every hike is pristine or an easy trek, and Bessemer fits this definition. This trail is almost completely a logging road, much of which is still active. If you are still reading, let me say it is not without its charms. The forest is recovering, views of the Snoqualmie region are fantastic, and due to its low elevation it is accessible virtually year-round.
Basin Creek
North Cascades > Pasayten
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Length
- 6.5 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 3,450 feet
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Highest Point
- 7,620 feet
The Basin Creek Trail is one of two trails in the Pasayten Wilderness that climb east out of the Chewuch River Valley. The benefits of this trail’s strenuous climb in the minimal shade are the expansive views from the shoulder of Topaz Mt. Beyond the views is the junction with the Windy Peak trail, with optional extensions to summit Windy Peak or continue past Windy Lake and go on to Horseshoe Basin.
Eagle Creek
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - OR
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Length
- 11.7 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,870 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,346 feet
1.6.26: The trail is closed until further notice due to storm damage.
Cliff diving and drone usage are prohibited along the Eagle Creek Trail.
Hike a gently-graded trail for miles up the Eagle Creek valley. It's a beautiful walk, though quite exposed in some places; those with small children or a fear of heights may want to skip this one.
Denman Falls
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
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Length
- 15.5 miles, roundtrip
A little-known, yet spectacular waterfall, Denman Falls offers a relatively easy hike to it, if you can bear the 7.25 mile approach.
Mount Ararat
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
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Length
- 12.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 4,000 feet
-
Highest Point
- 6,010 feet
1.7.26: The Kautz Creek trail is closed at 1 mile (Kautz Creek crossing) until further notice due to significant trail damage. There is no bypass route.
Fine, in your face views, of Mount Rainier await hikers willing to hoof it 4,000 vertical feet up to the top of Mount Ararat from the Kautz Creek parking area.
Mirror Lakes
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
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Length
- 14.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,900 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,400 feet
1.7.26: The Kautz Creek trail is closed at 1 mile (Kautz Creek crossing) until further notice due to significant trail damage. There is no bypass route.
Just a short jaunt from the cabin at Indian Henry's Hunting Grounds is Mirror Lakes, a beautiful little tarn that — in the right weather — reflects Rainier's west-facing slopes beautifully.
Iron Mountain
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
1.7.26: The Kautz Creek trail is closed at 1 mile (Kautz Creek crossing) until further notice due to significant trail damage. There is no bypass route.
Climb a peak near Mount Rainier for infrequently seen views of Washington's most famous peak. Climbing experience and equipment required.
Kautz Creek Snowshoe
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
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Length
- 8.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,800 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,300 feet
1.7.26: The trail is closed at 1 mile (Kautz Creek crossing) until further notice due to significant trail damage. There is no bypass route.
Kautz Creek is a rewarding snowshoe trek for those willing to put in the effort. You’ll find sweeping views of the Tatoosh Range and Mount Rainier, but those come only after enduring four steadily uphill, largely view-free miles.
South Fork Hoh River - Big Flat
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
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Length
- 7.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 150 feet
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Highest Point
- 850 feet
The South Fork Hoh Trail penetrates a wild and remote wilderness and offers hikers solitude just a short distance from the crowded main Hoh Rain Forest. The easy trail stays in the bottomland among groves of towering spruce and grassy maple glades.
Hoh River Trail to Elk Lake
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
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Length
- 33.0 miles, roundtrip
Beautiful multi-day hike that shows off the beauty of the Hoh Rainforest. Hike on relatively level ground until the last two miles, which climb to Elk Lake Campground, a good place to start a day hike to the glacier.
Hoh Lake
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
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Length
- 28.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 6,235 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,532 feet
Hoh Lake is a quiet spot in the wilderness of Olympic National Park that is accessible via a steep ascent from the Hoh River Trail or a long approach on the High Divide Trail.
Spruce Nature Trail (Hoh)
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
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Length
- 1.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 230 feet
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Highest Point
- 706 feet
Enjoy an easy 1.2-mile loop near the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center. Pair it with the Hall of Mosses for a couple of nice, flat exploratory leg-stretchers in the Hoh. Both make for an interesting introduction to the area, and will be a hit with the kids!
Skate Creek Park
South Cascades > White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley
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Length
- 4.0 miles, roundtrip
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Highest Point
- 1,200 feet
Skate Creek Road (FR 52) is closed for the winter. It will reopen in the spring.
This 178-acre area just outside of Packwood has nearly 4 miles of trails for hikers to wander.
Silver Creek Trail
South Cascades > White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley
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Length
- 4.5 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 1,200 feet
-
Highest Point
- 4,080 feet
Skate Creek Road (FR 52) is closed for the winter. It will reopen in the spring.
This lesser known hike connects two forest service roads via a gentle trail that takes visitors through a shady forest of old growth.
Deception Pass State Park - West Beach Sand Dunes
Puget Sound and Islands > Whidbey Island
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Length
- 0.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 31 feet
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Highest Point
- 32 feet
1.7.26: Approx 150 feet of the northeast corner of the trail has washed out and is no longer accessible.
A stroll along the sand dunes of Deception State Park's West Beach offers a glimpse into this important geologic feature. The way is easy and interpretive signs provide information about the interesting seaside vegetation unique to this area.
Hoffman Hill Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 3.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 116 feet
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Highest Point
- 320 feet
Tucked away in the neighborhood of Hoffman Hill, this trail this is the longest continuous trail in DuPont.
Riverfront Trail
Central Washington > Tri-Cities
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Length
- 7.5 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 303 feet
-
Highest Point
- 391 feet
A blacktop trail with some gravel and dirt sections that meanders along the Columbia River in Richland. Start or end at Columbia Point Marina Park at the south end or USS Triton Submarine Memorial Park in the north. The 7-mile trail has many benches along the way to take a breather and soak up the beauty of the fast-moving Columbia.
Wynn-Jones Preserve
Olympic Peninsula > Kitsap Peninsula
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Length
- 1.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 25 feet
-
Highest Point
- 96 feet
Enjoy a quiet mile-long ramble among towering trees just outside of Port Orchard.
Grand Ridge Park
Issaquah Alps
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Length
- 7.0 miles of trails
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Elevation Gain
- 1,100 feet
Grand Ridge Park includes 7 miles of WTA-built trail through western redcedar trees, sword ferns, nettles, berries and, at times, slugs. This trail is a little piece of the backcountry close to Seattle and is open to hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians.
Seward Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 2.4 miles, roundtrip
Whether you're a naturalist looking for flora and fauna, a training trail runner, a dog owner looking for a nice walk, a parent with an energetic child or just a busy urban dweller seeking an break from the city, Seward Park is the place for you.
South Kitsap Regional Park
Olympic Peninsula > Kitsap Peninsula
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Length
- 6.0 miles of trails
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Elevation Gain
- 200 feet
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Highest Point
- 200 feet
The network of hiking trails offer longer rambles for adults as well as a short interactive loop for kids.
