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 HikesBridal Veil Falls
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
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Length
- 4.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,000 feet
-
Highest Point
- 1,600 feet
A beautiful waterfall flows out of Lake Serene and cascades below the rugged east wall of Mount Index at the end of a trail on the west side of Bridal Veil Creek. Take time to see and enjoy a stunning view of Bridal Veil Falls and climb flights of steps paralleling the falls.
Clear Lost Trail to Lost Lake Lookout
South Cascades > White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley
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Length
- 14.0 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 3,897 feet
-
Highest Point
- 6,316 feet
This trek to a former lookout site ambles past lakes, up through quiet forest, and into the popular Goat Rocks Wilderness.
Licorice Fern Trail
Issaquah Alps > Cougar Mountain
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Length
- 3.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 200 feet
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Highest Point
- 700 feet
Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park is the largest “urban wild land” in the United States, with more than 3,000 acres of forest riddled with 38 miles of hiking trails. The Licorice Fern Trail is a great choice for Cougar Mountain veterans looking for a fresh approach to Far Country Falls.
Iceberg Point
Puget Sound and Islands > San Juan Islands
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Length
- 3.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 50 feet
A short loop hike to rock cliffs, with fantastic views out towards the Olympic Peninsula, and back toward other parts of Lopez.
Lime Kiln State Park
Puget Sound and Islands > San Juan Islands
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Length
- 1.35 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 276 feet
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Highest Point
- 207 feet
Lime Kiln State Park is one of the more scenic spots on an already beautiful island. Sometimes called “Whale Watch Park,” it is not uncommon to see orcas or other marine life playing in the water as you wander along the rocky edges of the Salish Sea. The hike described here provides plenty of opportunity for spotting killer whales, while also allowing you to explore the upland environment and see the historic lime kiln.
Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge - Dungeness Spit
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
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Length
- 11.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 130 feet
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Highest Point
- 130 feet
This narrow strip of land just east of Port Angeles in the Strait of Juan de Fuca is a gorgeous place to explore miles upon miles of sandy beach, spy shorebirds wheeling, and even get a little shot of greenery at the beginning and end of your trip. But remember, while the beach is usually a good place for dogs to get some exercise, this particular one is closed to pups, since it’s a National Wildlife Refuge.
CCC Road: Blowout Creek Trailhead
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 7.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 620 feet
-
Highest Point
- 1,520 feet
The Blowout Creek Trailhead offers a more secluded adventure than the CCC Road: Lower Section, despite its route along an old road. Climb a moderate grade alongside Blowout Creek for almost a mile before arriving at the CCC Road Trail, then hike to a beautiful waterfall.
Zig Zag Trail
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
This is not an official Forest Service trail. The route is not maintained and requires route-finding skills to navigate. There is no designated parking area and may lead into a private watershed area where hiking is prohibited.
Paradise Glacier
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
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Length
- 5.6 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,495 feet
-
Highest Point
- 6,409 feet
This trail takes hikers out of the maze of trails at Paradise and up onto one of the many glaciers on Washington's most iconic mountains.
Lookout Mountain Preserve - Camp 2
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 8.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,600 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,767 feet
A trail to the summit of Lookout Mountain from an access point on the southeast corner of Lookout Mountain. This route crosses private property in a couple of sections and is not recommended to access the summit.
Lakeridge Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 1.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 144 feet
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Highest Point
- 220 feet
Deadhorse Canyon forms most of Lakeridge Park. This deep, north-facing gorge provides sanctuary for wildlife and a quite place to walk-off your day or just to stretch your legs.
Twin Lakes
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 6.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,423 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,278 feet
Hike along the Lake Lillian trail to two sparkling lakes, great as both a destination for your hike or as a part of a longer hike to Lake Lillian.
Spring Lake/Lake Desire Park - Echo Mountain
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 3.0 miles, roundtrip
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Highest Point
- 900 feet
Spring Lake – Lake Desire Park is a 390-acre forested site with a bald rocky outcrop, a bog and 3 miles of trails situated between…Spring Lake and Lake Desire! Echo Mountain is the 900-foot-tall rocky outcrop that provides great views of the two lakes and the Cascade foothills.
Wallaby Peak
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 6.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,900 feet
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Highest Point
- 7,995 feet
A peak scramble on the southern end of Kangaroo Ridge. Climbing experience and equipment required.
Big Butte Lookout
Eastern Washington > Palouse and Blue Mountains
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Length
- 1.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 222 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,010 feet
Although the lookout tower has been deconstructed, the hike up Big Butte offers spectacular vistas of the Umatilla National Forest.
Soda Springs
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 4.9 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 2,780 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,880 feet
This moderately difficult trail accesses the William O. Douglas wilderness area. Passing through dense timber near Flat Iron Lake, the way also hosts good campsites for visitors
South Fork Boulder Creek
Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
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Length
- 0.7 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 650 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,200 feet
This short trail connects the Boulder De Roux and Paris Creek trails, and provides hikers a method to link together a much longer hike.
Elsnor Mine
Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
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Length
- 0.95 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 950 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,860 feet
This steep connector trail between the Paris Creek and Boulder De Roux trails takes hikers past remnants of old mining activity in the area.
Tinkham Discovery
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 1.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 30 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,550 feet
Tinkham Discovery Trail is a 0.5-mile family-friendly nature path — wheelchair- and stroller-accessible — that starts in Tinkham Campground. Note that only registered campers can access this hike; there is no day-use parking at the trailhead.
Lillian Ridge
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
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Length
- 4.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 200 feet
-
Highest Point
- 6,100 feet
Enjoy majestic mountain panoramas from this relatively low-effort, high-vista hike on the Olympic Peninsula.
Grand Ridge
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
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Length
- 15.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,100 feet
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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.
Badger Valley
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
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Length
- 8.6 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 2,080 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,400 feet
The Badger Valley Trail is located in the NE corner of Olympic National Park. This trail starts at the Obstruction Point Trailhead and trends down into Badger Valley to end at Grand Lake.
Cathedral Falls
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
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Length
- 1.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 200 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,500 feet
Hike along a lush green valley wall above Goat Creek to Cathedral Falls. Because this part is so infrequently visited, it's possible you won't see another soul on the trail, meaning you'll get to have the incredible falls all to yourself.
Townsend Mountain
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
A nontechnical climb with good views of Merchant, Gunn, and Baring.
Whidbey Institute
Puget Sound and Islands > Whidbey Island
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Length
- 4.5 miles of trails
-
Elevation Gain
- 420 feet
-
Highest Point
- 420 feet
The Whidbey Institute includes a 106-acre conservation forest with 4.5 miles of trails that are hilly but all below 500 feet. This hike is deep in the forest and very quiet. You will see lots of ferns, cedars and Douglas fir trees.
Possession Point State Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Whidbey Island
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Length
- 3.0 miles, roundtrip
Located on the south side of Whidbey Island, this tiny state park includes the short but fun and challenging Dorothy Cleveland Trail, with plenty of elevation gain in the form of switchbacks.
Big Chief Mountain
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
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Highest Point
- 5,858 feet
A hike up to the highest point on the Stevens Pass Ski Area.
Priest Rapids Shoreline Trail
Central Washington > Tri-Cities
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Length
- 6.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 45 feet
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Highest Point
- 538 feet
Enjoy easy walking, wide-open views and plenty of sunshine along the Columbia River shore near Priest Rapids Dam.
Kirkland Watershed Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 1.6 miles of trails
Explore the upland forest areas and hiking trails with interpretive signs at the 73.37-acre Kirkland Watershed Park. There are a few hiking options to choose from Check out the Cochran Springs Creek trail or take a hike to the old reservoir. From the reservoir near the top of the park, there are two more loop options to explore.
Smooth Ridge
Eastern Washington > Palouse and Blue Mountains
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Length
- 9.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,540 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,529 feet
Smooth Ridge offers incredible views into the rugged heart of the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness.