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 HikesMelakwa Lake
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 8.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,700 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,600 feet
The way to Melakwa Lake is like two different trails: first a wide gentle trail through old growth forest beneath an elevated and noisy Interstate freeway. And second, a rocky steep trail that follows a waterfall and a precipitous gorge upstream to get to a pair of clear alpine lakes flanked by rocky peaks. Is it about the journey or the destination? You decide.
Heliotrope Ridge
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 5.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,400 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,100 feet
If you'd like nose-to-nose access to Mount Baker, this first-rate woodsy walk delivers. Over a relatively short, well-maintained trail with mild elevation gain, you can be glacier-side in no time... if the creek crossings allow.
Dalles River
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 1.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 150 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,200 feet
Dalles River is a short trail branching off of the Dalles Campground and meandering along the White River. It is known for the fallen 9.5-foot diameter Douglas fir at the trailhead, one of the largest trees in the Snoqualmie Ranger District.
Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) Section L - Rainy Pass to Manning Park
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 60.2 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 15,300 feet
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Highest Point
- 7,100 feet
This last leg of the Pacific Crest Trail (or first depending on whether you're north- or southbound) offers breathtaking views as it passes along the eastern edge of the North Cascades and into the Pasayten Wilderness. Note that as of 2025, hikers are no longer allowed to cross the border into Canada.
Headlee Pass and Vesper Lake
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 7.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,700 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,950 feet
Vesper Lake is squeezed, like a thumbprint in clay, deep in the saddle between the twin summits of Sperry Peak and Vesper Peak. Rarely is a lake situated so close and steeply below two summits like this; its unique setting gives you remarkably up-close (and straight-up) views of mountainous terrain.
Mount Pilchuck
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 5.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,300 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,327 feet
Despite its intermediate difficulty, hikers flock to Mount Pilchuck for its historic restored fire lookout with grand panoramic views of Mount Baker, Mount Rainier and the Olympics.
Burke-Gilman Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 20.0 miles, one-way
This trail is a main thoroughfare through Seattle and beyond. It is popular with cyclists, runners and walkers.
Cashmere Canyons Preserve
Central Cascades > Leavenworth Area
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Length
- 12.0 miles of trails
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Elevation Gain
- 1,800 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,259 feet
Thanks to the generosity of the land owners, this privately-owned area is open to hikers, but managed primarily for wildlife habitat and wilderness conservation. Because of this, dogs and mountain biking are not allowed here, and the area may close at various times throughout the year in order to protect wildlife. Please respect any and all closures.
Granite Creek Trail to Granite Lakes
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 8.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,270 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,070 feet
Granite Creek courses through the gorge between Mailbox Peak and Russian Butte. Ascend through the creek’s ravine, immersed in mountain rainforest, alongside whitewater rapids, waterfalls, wildflowers and mushrooms, while you take in majestic views of the mountains of the Middle Fork Valley. Seasonal treats include berries and fall colors.
Hurricane Hill
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
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Length
- 3.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 650 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,757 feet
Whether you need a day hike for the whole family or the perfect trail to round out your first visit to Olympic National Park, Hurricane Hill is the answer. You can even use this trail as the jumpoff (or ending point) to a variety of longer hikes out of the Elwha River Valley.
Snoqualmie Valley Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 32.0 miles, one-way
Walk along an old railroad grade that climbs gently though forested hillsides. In summer, look for wildflowers: blackberry, elderberry, pea, daisy, buttercup and wild rose.
Coal Creek Trail
Issaquah Alps > Cougar Mountain
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Length
- 6.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 550 feet
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Highest Point
- 600 feet
The Red Cedar (Coal Creek Parkway) trailhead is closed for King County’s Coal Creek Sewer Upgrade Project. Sections of the trail near the trailhead are also closed. Please follow posted trail detours and stay out of fenced construction areas. Other trailheads such as the Forest Drive; Coal Creek Family YMCA; Cinder Mine; and Red Town trailheads are open.
Rich in historical artifacts, lush foliage, wooden bridges, and waterfalls, the well-groomed and well-traveled Coal Creek Trail is a satisfying hike for families, trail runners, history buffs, and avid hikers.
Cross Kirkland Corridor Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 11.5 miles, roundtrip
This trail uses the old North Pacific Railroad grade as a quiet place for Kirkland residents to stretch their legs, and is a part of the partially-completed 42-mile Eastrail.
East Lake Sammamish Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 10.5 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 393 feet
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Highest Point
- 136 feet
This regional trail runs along the eastern shore of Lake Sammamish, connecting Redmond and Issaquah.
Sammamish River Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 9.5 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 317 feet
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Highest Point
- 75 feet
The Sammamish River Trail is a 9.5-mile trail with one end at Marymoor Park in Redmond, passing through Woodinville, and the other end at Blythe Park in Bothell. At Blyth Park, it connects with the Burke-Gilman Trail and continues another 18.8 miles ending at Golden Gardens in Seattle.
Summerland - Panhandle Gap
Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River
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Length
- 12.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,950 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,800 feet
Begin in old-growth forest, climb up to one of Mount Rainier's most spectacular wildflower meadows, then continue along the highest section of the Wonderland Trail to reach the alpine world of Panhandle Gap. Along the way be alert for marmots and goats, and it is not unusual to see a black bear.
Hannegan Pass and Peak
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 10.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,100 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,200 feet
The wide-open trail to Hannegan Pass and Hannegan Peak offers spectacular mountain views, glorious alpine wildflowers, waterfalls and glaciers. Choose to hike to 5050 foot Hannegan Pass (about 8 miles roundtrip) or press on to the 6,200 foot summit of Hannegan Peak — 10.6 miles roundtrip.
Granite Mountain
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 8.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,800 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,629 feet
In winter the trail up Granite Mountain crosses a large avalanche chute early in the hike. Please have experience navigating avalanche terrain and the proper equipment when hiking this trail in the winter.
The astounding views from the summit of the Granite Mountain trail come at a price. A nearly-1000-feet-of-elevation-gain-per-mile price. But views of pointed Kaleetan Peak, deep blue Crystal Lake, the climber-dotted Tooth, and Mount Rainier dominating the skyline to the south make it all worth it.
Mailbox Peak
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 9.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 4,000 feet
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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
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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.
Ancient Lakes
Central Washington > Potholes Region
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Length
- 12.0 miles, roundtrip
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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
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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
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Elevation Gain
- 4,000 feet
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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.