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
4220 HikesBlyth Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
Blyth Park lies along the Sammamish River in the City of Bothell. Hiking trails extend from this more developed area out through the woods and along the river. Some trails are more developed while others are impromptu social trails.
Blandford Canyon
Southwest Washington > Vancouver Area
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Length
- 0.9 miles of trails
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Elevation Gain
- 75 feet
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Highest Point
- 175 feet
A small network of trails connects the neighborhoods of South Cliff and DuBois across Blandford Road in Vancouver. Visit both parks, but do know you’ll have to cross a road to get the full experience.
Billy Goat
North Cascades > Pasayten
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Length
- 9.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,200 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,600 feet
Enjoy the path-less-traveled as you ascend to Billy Goat Pass for spectacular views of the surrounding peaks. Connect to Burch Mountain or the Larch Creek trail as you walk through wildflowers as far as the eye can see.
Big Tree Ridge
Issaquah Alps > Cougar Mountain
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Length
- 1.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 680 feet
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Highest Point
- 770 feet
This is the most direct entry to Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park from Seattle, Issaquah and Bellevue. WTA has done lots of work on Cougar Mountain since 2009, but signage may not be entirely up-to-date.
Big Rock Park - North
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 1.25 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 20 feet
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Highest Point
- 571 feet
Great for kids, this park features a zip line, a boardwalk and several trails wending through a variety of environments. Some of them are even ADA-compliant, so they're wheelchair and stroller accessible.
Yacolt Burn State Forest - Bells Mountain
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 8.9 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 1,100 feet
-
Highest Point
- 1,500 feet
The Bells Mountain trail is a non-motorized, multi-use trail constructed by the Chinook Trail Association (CTA) and managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR). It is part of a 30-mile stretch of the Chinook Trail that was awarded National Recreation Trail Status in 2005.
Beacon Rock State Park - Beacon Rock
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 2.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 600 feet
-
Highest Point
- 848 feet
Beacon Rock's native name is "Che-Che-op-tin," which translates to "the navel of the world." Native Americans weren't far off in their comparison, since the 848-foot basalt column once formed the core, or belly, of an ancient volcano.
Banner Forest
Olympic Peninsula > Kitsap Peninsula
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Length
- 4.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 50 feet
-
Highest Point
- 430 feet
Banner Forest Heritage Park is one square mile of undeveloped forest and wetland on the Kitsap Peninsula with an extensive trail network. An easy grade and well maintained trails invite all ages and abilities to enjoy this prime section of land.
Wynoochee Lake
Olympic Peninsula > Olympia
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Length
- 12.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,100 feet
-
Highest Point
- 950 feet
The trail around Wynoochee Lake is a pleasant stroll through second growth forest with a lush understory. As with many “lakeshore” trails, the trail is not actually near the lakeshore. While the lake is generally out of sight, it does allow the possibility of a hike/canoe biathlon, if you can find a partner with a canoe. Wynoochee Lake is smaller and calmer than some of the lakes in Washington, making this a nice option.
Woods Creek
South Cascades > White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley
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Length
- 1.8 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 296 feet
-
Highest Point
- 1,135 feet
Woods Creek is a 1.5 mile, compact gravel, wheelchair accessible trail that loops through five habitat areas. You can extend this hike, by taking the 1-mile side trail, Old Growth Loop #247A.
White River
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
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Length
- 8.2 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 900 feet
-
Highest Point
- 2,507 feet
The White River gets its name from the glacial flour pouring down from the heights of the Dakobed Range via Foam, Lightning, and Thunder Creeks. The milky blue-white color is a result of suspended rock particles that have been ground down from the peaks over millennia.
West Fork Teanaway River
Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
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Length
- 9.6 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 2,800 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,750 feet
Hiking through a deep canyon with a riparian zone, old-growth, and cliffs, this dramatic trail parallels the river with several crossings. In places, it climbs high above the river to avoid cliffs and other obstructions in the deep, rugged canyon.
West Duwamish Greenbelt Trails
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 10.0 miles of trails
-
Highest Point
- 300 feet
Explore many miles of trails in the West Duwamish Greenbelt - a local park in West Seattle that is best accessed by the various bus lines that service it.
Union Creek
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 4.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 900 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,035 feet
In the wake of the 2017 Norse Peak Fire, the Union Creek area is charred and stark, and yet strangely beautiful at the same time. Walking through the destruction, the signs of life and renewal are plainly seen. But trail washouts restrict passage, and demand caution.
Twin Lakes - Monte Cristo
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 17.2 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 2,939 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,300 feet
The Mountain Loop Highway is closed between Deer Creek and Bedal Campground for the winter season.
Take a nice long walk up the old Monte Cristo Road grade and stop by the townsite on your way. Rougher terrain begins on entering the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness area, and past Silver Lake, the trail becomes difficult to find. Trek along a steep mountain-side before finally cresting the ridge to look down on Twin Lakes and make the steep descent to the camp sites.
Tucannon River Canyon
Eastern Washington > Palouse and Blue Mountains
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Length
- 8.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,200 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,680 feet
A refreshing hike through shady forest along one of the rivers that lends its name to the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness.
Trapper Creek
Southwest Washington > Lewis River Region
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Length
- 13.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,050 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,207 feet
This trail climbs from the Trapper Creek trailhead through an old-growth forest to views of the many mountains of the South Cascades from Observation Peak.
Trail Creek
Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
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Length
- 9.4 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,840 feet
-
Highest Point
- 4,750 feet
Take the Trail Creek Trail through dry forest on the east side of the Cascade Range. A large fire burned through here more than 100 years ago, opening up the forest and offering views through the remaining trees of the surrounding mountains.
Three Corner Rock
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 4.4 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 800 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,550 feet
The trail is closed from the western trailhead on W-2000 Road but can be hiked to Three Corner Rock from CG-1440 Road. Hikers can also hike to Three Corner Rock via the PCT from the east.
Hike the Pacific Crest Trail to a relatively unknown but landmark lookout site on a rock pinnacle with a view of 5 snow peaks and segments of the Columbia River. Three Corner Rock sits atop of broad, open ridge surrounded by beargrass meadows in the spring.
Yacolt Burn State Forest - Tarbell Trail
Southwest Washington > Lewis River Region
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Length
- 24.75 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 4,756 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,120 feet
The Tarbell trail is a 24.75 mile multi-use loop that connects recreation sites and scenic viewpoints in the Yacolt Burn Recreation area.
Yacolt Burn State Forest - Sword Fern Trail
Southwest Washington > Lewis River Region
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Length
- 7.1 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,209 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,187 feet
This 2.5 mile long horseshoe trail is part of a nice 8-mile lollipop loop in the Yacolt Burn State Forest. Expect a shaded section of trail and to share the way with mountain bikers.
Swift Creek
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 16.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 2,700 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,930 feet
Part of the scenic Pacific Northwest Trail, rugged 8-mile Swift Creek Trail accesses the Mount Baker Wilderness.
Swan Creek Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 4.8 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 325 feet
Featuring a wooded canyon and forested hills, a salmon-bearing stream and new community garden, Swan Creek Park is a 290-acre greenspace which lies on the boundary between East Tacoma and Pierce County. Trails, both paved and soft-surface, as well as those for mountain bikes weave over the property.
Sunday Lake
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 6.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 355 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,900 feet
Tucked into a corner of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness is Sunday Lake, a road less traveled that abounds in wildflowers, berries, fauna, historical artifacts, old growth, and alpine littoral habitat. Much more than the gentle woodland saunter implied by the 300-foot elevation change, the route to Sunday Lake requires the fording of Sunday Creek in spring and fall, making it an adventure any day of the week. Campbell Recreation permit required.
Suntop Lookout
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 2.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 473 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,238 feet
Reaching the summit of Suntop can require considerable energy (a 16-mile hike), or it can be a simple 2-mile walk, depending on whether or not the 2 gates are open. Wide views of Mount Rainier and the White River valley below are worth it either way.
Strawberry Mountain
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
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Length
- 10.7 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,280 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,900 feet
Former lookout sites are ideal for views, and Strawberry Mountain is right up there with the best of them. See peaks in two states, the blast zone of an active volcano, and a few sapphire lakes set into the dramatic landscape. That is, of course, if you can bear the drive to get there.
St. Cloud
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 1.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 0 feet
-
Highest Point
- 50 feet
The St. Cloud Day use area features a ½ mile ADA accessible pathway that meanders through an old orchard that was the site of a homestead ranch from the turn of the century.
Nisqually Vista Loop
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
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Length
- 1.1 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 200 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,400 feet
Follow the trails here to views of Mount Rainier's rocky Nisqually River valley and the much-receded Nisqually Glacier.
Beacon Rock State Park - Hamilton Mountain
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 7.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 2,000 feet
-
Highest Point
- 2,400 feet
4.9.26: The first 1/4-mile of trail is closed due to a landslide. Access to the trail is available via the Hadley trailhead. Park at the Hamilton Mountain trailhead and hike to the Hadley trailhead as parking at the latter is very limited.
This hike is full of the best things the Columbia Gorge has to offer: easy access and parking, well-maintained trail, wildflowers galore, two waterfalls, and views to knock off your sweaty socks. It’s a long journey at about 7.5 miles, and steep in places, but nothing a healthy dog, child or senior citizen can’t do. You’ll meet all of these smiling folks on this hike during the peak seasons.
Icicle Ridge
Central Cascades > Leavenworth Area
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Length
- 6.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,800 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,000 feet
Often free of snow as early as April, this excellent early season hike offers hikers what they have been missing for months: a good chance of sun (this being the sunny side of the Cascades, a bountiful array of wildflowers, and stunning views of Tumwater and Icicle Canyon, the Wenatchee and Icicle rivers and surrounding mountains.