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
4175 HikesOwyhigh Lakes
Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River
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Length
- 7.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,650 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,275 feet
Walk a very pleasant and well-graded trail through old- and new-growth forest. After a moderate elevation gain, the forest opens into meadowlands filled with wildflowers after the snow melts. A pair of shallow but pretty lakes, with a rocky ridge as a backdrop, completes the scene.
Merrill Lake Conservation Area - Old Growth Loop Trail
Southwest Washington > Lewis River Region
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Length
- 1.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 30 feet
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Highest Point
- 50 feet
Merrill Lake Conservation Area is a seasonal campground that includes a short and sweet loop trail around a lake. Along the way are 10 interpretative signs that supplement what hikers see around them.
Umatilla Rim Trail
Eastern Washington > Palouse and Blue Mountains
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Length
- 13.5 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 2,050 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,450 feet
8.22.25: The trail between the Horseshoe Prairie Trailhead to the Ninemile Trailhead is closed on weekdays until further notice.
This trail is located in the Umatilla National Forest in Oregon, but is close enough for a day hike from Washington. The route is a thru-hike in the Blue Mountains.
Glacier Peak Circumnavigation
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
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Length
- 88.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 25,300 feet
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Highest Point
- 7,071 feet
What better way to experience the Glacier Peak Wilderness than by hiking round-the-mountain from old-growth glacier valleys to airy alpine ridgelines? This classic volcanic circumnavigation serves up the miles and elevation gain and is best given at least 5-10 days to complete without accounting for side explorations and bad weather.
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.
Klahhane Ridge
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
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Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,700 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,050 feet
Make a steep ascent through flowerfilled slopes to views of high mountain peaks and pillow lavas that originated on the bottom of the Pacific Ocean.
High Hut
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
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Length
- 5.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,660 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,760 feet
High Hut is the highlight of the Mount Tahoma Trail System. From the warmth of a cozy alpine hut, enjoy some of the best views in the southern Cascades.
Icicle Gorge Nature Loop
Central Cascades > Leavenworth Area
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Length
- 4.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 150 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,800 feet
The Icicle Gorge Trail, one of the most popular trails in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, is a wonderful way to explore the natural beauty of the Icicle Creek Valley. The interpretive loop trail has a gentle grade and scenic views of Icicle Creek, Icicle Gorge, and the surrounding forest that are ideal for families, trail runners, beginner hikers, bird enthusiasts, and those looking to take a nice long walk on a well-defined path.
Cedar River Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 17.4 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 820 feet
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Highest Point
- 600 feet
The Cedar River Trail offers an urban river walk, a more rural river walk along a former rail bed, and a roadside bicycle path connecting the two. Bicycle the entire trail, or select one of many access points to explore the trail on foot.
Holden Lake
Central Cascades > Entiat Mountains/Lake Chelan
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Length
- 8.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,735 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,300 feet
8.27.25: The trail is closed until further notice due to the Martin Fire.
Holden Lake is set in a fantastic glacial basin, with stunning views of Bonanza, the highest non-volcanic peak in Washington State. It can be a hot, brushy bushwhack to the lake, but the views from lakeshore are worth it.
Cutthroat Lake
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 3.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 400 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,900 feet
The Rainy Pass north parking lot will be closed Sept 8–25 for trailhead repairs.
This pleasant trail offers an almost level walk to a grassy forested lake set in the rocky basin beneath Cutthroat Peak. This is an easy hike in an area of rugged, steep country and one of the few that are suitable for small children. It is an especially pretty hike in the fall when the larch are turning golden.
520 Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 4.9 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 164 feet
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Highest Point
- 164 feet
A paved urban trail running from Montlake, across the new 520 bridge and through several eastside communities with excellent views of Union Bay, Foster Island wetlands and Lake Washington.
Colchuck Lake
Central Cascades > Leavenworth Area
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Length
- 8.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,280 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,580 feet
Set beneath two of Washington’s tallest peaks, Colchuck Lake is an alpine gem. It is a larger cousin to the nearby fabled Enchantment Lakes and offers many of the same payoffs – including groves of larches on its far shore – but can be reached with less than half the effort.
Chief Sealth Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 4.3 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 800 feet
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Highest Point
- 330 feet
This urban gem features 4.5 miles of paved trail connecting Jefferson Park and Kubota Gardens, with expansive views all along the way.
Lake Isabel
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
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Length
- 6.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,588 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,851 feet
Lake Isabel is only accessible via bushwhack— hikers can expect to ford a deep and swift-flowing river, and then endure a steep uphill bushwhack to the lake.
Indian Flat
South Cascades > Goat Rocks
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Length
- 3.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 950 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,600 feet
This short and moderately steep trail provides views of Old Scab Mountain and the Bumping River Valley.
LaCrosse Basin
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 18.5 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 5,588 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,400 feet
7.7.25: This trail and FR 24 are closed until further notice due to the Bear Gulch Fire.
Nestled deep within the heart of the Olympics, LaCrosse Basin is steeped in rich history as well as views that never relent.
Rock Creek
North Cascades > Pasayten
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Length
- 7.1 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 1,500 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,900 feet
Enjoy views of peaks and wildflowers along this connector trail between the PCT and the Pasayten Airstrip. This trail features abundant wildlife and a comfortable grade.
Sterling Munro
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 0.1 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 0 feet
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Highest Point
- 515 feet
The Sterling Munro Boardwalk is an accessible trail in North Cascades National Park.
Howard Lake
Central Cascades > Entiat Mountains/Lake Chelan
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Length
- 3.3 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 600 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,180 feet
Just behind the High Bridge Guard Station at the end of the road in Stehekin, a trail leads to a quiet little lake nestled in lush, vibrant forest. This trail is primarily used by hikers heading to the summit of McGregor Mountain, the most prominent peak towering over the Stehekin Valley, but Howard Lake is a nice destination in and of itself, if you don’t have the time or the desire to tackle the 16 mile roundtrip hike up McGregor.
Goode Ridge
Central Cascades > Entiat Mountains/Lake Chelan
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Length
- 10.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 4,400 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,600 feet
A fine trail for those willing to climb to get to great views in a remote part of the North Cascades National Park. Best done as a side trip off an overnight trip from Rainy Pass to Stehekin, or something similar.
Tatoosh Ridge
South Cascades > White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley
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Length
- 6.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,900 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,775 feet
Tatoosh Ridge offers numerous choices, all involving a steep approach. Contentedly amble through a steep slope of wildflowers, with occasional mountain views. Drop into a valley with a pair of alpine lakes, or climb to the site of a former lookout. If you like, do all of the above.
Hummocks Trail
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
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Length
- 2.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 250 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,550 feet
Popular because it's the perfect balance between day hike and easy enough for little legs, the Hummocks Trail goes up, down and around the hummocks, strange hills that were left behind by the eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980, forming a loop from the trailhead.
Home Lake
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 19.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 6,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,330 feet
Access to Home Lake is possible via several trailheads, but any way you slice it, you're in for a long trip.
Hidden Lake (Lake Wenatchee)
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
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Length
- 1.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 220 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,320 feet
Looking for the perfect first hike for young kids? Eaten too much bratwurst in Leavenworth and need a walk in the woods to settle your stomach? Want a moderate flat snowshoe with a beautiful winter destination? The short trail to Hidden Lake adjacent to Lake Wenatchee is the answer to all of these requests.
Moulton Falls
Southwest Washington > Vancouver Area
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Length
- 4.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 90 feet
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Highest Point
- 570 feet
Moulton Falls Trail is an out-and-back hike along the Lewis River. The trail crosses a picturesque footbridge and then follows the Lewis River with the river to the right and a mossy cliff to the left. The wide, hard-surfaced trail is mostly flat, making this a perfect year-round hike for people of all ages.
Marmot Pass
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 11.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,489 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,000 feet
Marmot Pass offers great views and a gentle hike through old-growth forest as well as high meadows. It is a great day hike, but also offers a great starting place for a variety of overnight options.
Rachel Lake
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 7.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,200 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,600 feet
From Rachel Lake you can access further adventures at Rampart Lakes, Lila Lakes and Alta Peak. This hike is a popular weekend overnight destination; so don’t expect to be by yourself in high season.
Talapus and Olallie Lakes
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 6.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,220 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,780 feet
With a moderate grade on a wide trail, the hike to Talapus Lake is the perfect introduction to the outdoors for hikers and beginning backpackers. Upon arrival at Talapus, break out lunch or pitch camp. Either way, you can cool off in the large lake. If you feel like pressing on, Ollalie Lake is just about a mile and a half up trail, where open campsites offer lakeside havens with calm waters and views of a beautiful lake basin.