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
4250 HikesSilver Star Mountain - Ed's Trail
Southwest Washington > Lewis River Region
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Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,240 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,390 feet
There are two routes up the north side of Silver Star Mountain that in good conditions can be combined to form a sort of loop. Along the way, hikers will be delighted with a diverse array of wildflowers, a natural arch, volcanic views and fine hiking. But some sections of Ed's Trail are very exposed, and require agility and flexibility to navigate.
Snoquera Falls Loop
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 3.9 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 975 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,100 feet
With a trailhead so easily accessible, there's no excuse not to visit Snoquera Falls. Best in early spring, this lush, forested trail features a pretty fantail cascade plunging down a sheer, rocky wall.
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.
Cavanaugh Pond Natural Area
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 0.8 miles, roundtrip
Cavanaugh Pond Natural Area is on the banks of the Cedar River near the city of Renton. A short, 0.4-mile, trail extends from the parking area to a beach along the river.
South Cle Elum Yard
Snoqualmie Region > Cle Elum Area
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Length
- 0.25 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 0 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,923 feet
A very short trail in Cle Elum that offers a little history of the railroad through Washington state.
Lake Whatcom Park - Chanterelle Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 4.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,314 feet
Enjoy a steep trail to a summit east of Lake Whatcom with gorgeous views of Puget Sound and the surrounding mountains.
Willapa National Wildlife Refuge - Leadbetter Point Loop
Southwest Washington > Long Beach Area
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Length
- 3.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 105 feet
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Highest Point
- 43 feet
Wander a loop around the Long Beach peninsula, crossing between Willapa National Wildlife Refuge and Leadbetter Point State Park, to see thousands of shorebirds during spring and fall.
Willapa National Wildlife Refuge - Bay Loop Trail
Southwest Washington > Long Beach Area
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Length
- 1.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 72 feet
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Highest Point
- 335 feet
Wander along shoreline and through a coastal forest to savor the Long Beach peninsula.
Willapa National Wildlife Refuge - Weather Beach Trail
Southwest Washington > Long Beach Area
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Length
- 1.0 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 40 feet
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Highest Point
- 43 feet
Wander across the Long Beach peninsula on the Weather Beach Trail to see thousands of shorebirds during spring and fall.
Willapa National Wildlife Refuge - Bearberry Trail
Southwest Washington > Long Beach Area
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Length
- 1.3 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 15 feet
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Highest Point
- 25 feet
Wander across the Long Beach peninsula to see thousands of shorebirds during spring and fall and enjoy the coastal forest along the way.
South Tiger Summit
Issaquah Alps > Tiger Mountain
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Length
- 6.1 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,600 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,100 feet
The South Tiger Summit Trail starts on the South Tiger Traverse Trail, passes the south summit of South Tiger Mountain and ends at the north summit. The trail was built in 2023 after the area was logged in years 2018 and 2019.
Grass Lake Nature Park
Olympic Peninsula > Olympia
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Length
- 1.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 194 feet
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Highest Point
- 220 feet
A peaceful walk around the wetlands, this is the perfect stroll for someone who wants to experience a little chunk of nature. The tract of wetlands is well-preserved despite being close to town, making the park an attraction for bird-watchers and plant-lovers in the city of Olympia.
Humpback Mountain
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 4.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,600 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,174 feet
An unmaintained trail that climbs steeply up the shoulder of Humpback Mountain to an infrequently visited summit on a massive pile of boulders.
Surprise and Glacier Lakes
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
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Length
- 11.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,700 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,900 feet
From towering old-growth giants to placid lakes with craggy mountain views, this hike has everything you want in a trail. Put this one on your list of places to explore along Highway 2.
Bullitt Fireplace Trail
Issaquah Alps > Squak Mountain
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Length
- 4.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,100 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,830 feet
Hike a 2-mile forest trail on the north side of Squak Mountain to reach the site of a former cabin owned by the Bullitt family. Only the massive fireplace and foundation remain today.
Whipple Creek Hollow Natural Area
Southwest Washington > Vancouver Area
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Length
- 0.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 100 feet
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Highest Point
- 316 feet
This natural area contains 40 acres of beautiful riparian forest just north of Vancouver.
Redmond Watershed Preserve
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 4.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 400 feet
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Highest Point
- 580 feet
Explore 800 acres of wooded area right in Redmond’s backyard.
Heather Lake
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,034 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,430 feet
Hike to a small scenic lake on the flanks of Mount Pilchuck. The trail is a bit rough, but its ease of access, short mileage and modest elevation gain make this one of the easier hikes on the Mountain Loop Highway
Grand Park via Lake Eleanor
Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River
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Length
- 8.7 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,460 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,630 feet
7.6.26: FR 73 is closed until further notice due to a washout.
The classic approach (via Sunrise) to this sea of meadows and wildflowers at the base of Mount Rainier is long and tough, putting Grand Park out of reach for most casual dayhikers. Instead, try this "backdoor" approach via Lake Eleanor to enjoy this stunning destination.
Snow Lakes
Central Cascades > Leavenworth Area
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Length
- 14.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 4,300 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,500 feet
The Snow Lakes trail is known mostly as the long, gradual way into the Enchantments; but it is a worthwhile - if deceptively grueling - destination in its own right. The narrow isthmus between the lakes offers a majestic view across the water to the towering heights of McClellan Peak.
Mirror and Cottonwood Lakes
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 2.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 650 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,200 feet
Nestled in a quiet basin only a stone’s throw from Snoqualmie Pass, pristine Mirror Lake is a destination to be enjoyed by the whole family. Rarely can you find such lovely sites with so little effort, but here, a short trek will take you through forests, across delicate streams and past brightly colored wildflowers. Humming with butterflies, birds, bees and babbling streams, this trail is not to be missed.
Henskin Lake
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 6.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,550 feet
This is a beautiful hike that "has it all," from wonderful wildflowers and a deep forest, to wild creeks and an alpine lake. You will even see an abandoned gold mine along the way!
Poe Mountain via Little Wenatchee Trailhead
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
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Length
- 6.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,015 feet
Three thousand feet in three miles make the Little Wenatchee a substantial albeit relatively short hike for exercise provided. The trail was the primary supply route to the old Poe Mountain lookout, and like many lookout access trails wastes no time in getting to the top. But it is well built, switchbacking up the hill. The first two-thirds of the hike are in light tree cover, so the views come as a surprise when you get to them.
Poe Mountain via Irving Pass
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
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Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,800 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,015 feet
One of about six former lookout sites in the Stevens Pass area, Poe Mountain boasts two different trails to the summit; Irving Pass was the recommended route, since you spend a significant amount of the hike on the ridge with awesome views both north and south, though the August 2022 fire has caused significant damage, so it is now more of a toss up.
Goat Lake
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 10.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,400 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,161 feet
A nice hike with plenty of variety. Beautiful forest, a rushing creek, waterfalls of all shapes and sizes, history, and of course a large blue-green lake surrounded by snowy peaks. At 10.4 miles, it can be either a day-hike or a quick early season overnight. You won’t be alone, though – this is a popular trail with both hikers and backpackers.
South Puyallup to Klapatche
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
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Length
- 18.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 5,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,900 feet
South Puyallup to Klapatche is a scenic section along the western portion of the Wonderland Trail.
Thorp Mountain via Knox Creek
Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
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Length
- 4.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,734 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,854 feet
This short, steep in places, route to Thorp Mountain has flowers, berries, and views along the way. The big payoff is the grand vista from the lookout, as befits its location as the highest point for many miles in all directions.
Willapa National Wildlife Refuge - Porter Point Loop
Southwest Washington > Long Beach Area
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Length
- 2.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 371 feet
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Highest Point
- 285 feet
Porter Point Loop offers tremendous views of Willapa Bay from the ridge above and the estuary-lined trail below, with incredible birdwatching opportunities.
Big Four Ice Caves
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 2.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 220 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,938 feet
Never go into or climb on top of the Ice Caves.
This is an easy walk on a wide gravel and boardwalk path to views of Big Four Mountain and the caves beneath the snow. Hikers of all ages and abilities can enjoy this trail.
Cutthroat Pass via the Pacific Crest Trail
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 10.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,800 feet
Cutthroat Pass is a stunner no matter which way you access it. This way, you'll enjoy a wider, more well-maintained trail, and you're more likely to share it with Pacific Crest Trail thru-hikers.