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
4235 HikesTenmile Falls
Central Cascades > Entiat Mountains/Lake Chelan
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Length
- 5.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,300 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,600 feet
6.9.26: Holden Village is closed to vehicles and hikers due to storm damage through summer 2026. Stehekin remains open.
Hike a short trail out of Holden Village to see gorgeous falls up close. The 2015 Wolverine Fire hit this area hard and you can see the devastation; if it's windy, be aware these trees could topple. A new viewing platform at the falls opened in 2018.
Spider Meadow and Phelps Basin
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
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Length
- 13.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,900 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,400 feet
6.1.26: Chiwawa River Road (FR 6200) is closed beyond Atkinson Campground to vehicles until further notice due to storm damage.
This long but easy valley romp follows boisterous Phelps Creek to a mile-long broad flower-bursting meadow and a giant cirque beneath a formidable wall of towering peaks. But don't expect solitude, for Spider Meadow crawls with backpackers-brigades of them! The valley is large enough to disperse in, though, and Phelps Basin offers a quiet retreat from the meadow's loungers and shutterbugs and their tent cities.
Spider Gap - Buck Creek Pass Loop
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
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Length
- 34.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 7,650 feet
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Highest Point
- 7,100 feet
6.1.26: Chiwawa River Road (FR 6200) is closed beyond Atkinson Campground to vehicles until further notice due to storm damage.
Take a long weekend and enjoy some of the best backcountry in the state on this long loop hike. Along the way, you'll see massive wildflower meadows, glaciers, alpine lakes, high mountain passes and supreme views of Glacier Peak.
Spider Gap
Central Cascades > Entiat Mountains/Lake Chelan
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Length
- 1.2 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 1,650 feet
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Highest Point
- 7,040 feet
6.1.26: Chiwawa River Road (FR 6200) is closed beyond Atkinson Campground to vehicles until further notice due to storm damage.
Spider Gap is the pass in the ridge between Spider Meadow and Lyman Lakes. Start out on the Phelps Creek Trail to its end in Spider Meadow. The Spider Gap Trail climbs steeply from here for 1.2 miles, topping out at the ridge and connecting to the Lyman Lakes Trail.
Daroga State Park
Central Washington > Wenatchee
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Length
- 2.5 miles of trails
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Elevation Gain
- 50 feet
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Highest Point
- 765 feet
Daroga State Park is a recreational oasis in Central Washington, providing riverside access for a host of outdoor activities. Bring the family for a full day along the Columbia River — everyone is sure to find something that will bring them joy.
Beacon Rock State Park - Hamilton Mountain
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 7.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,400 feet
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.
Goat Peak Lookout
North Cascades > Methow/Sawtooth
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Length
- 3.7 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,400 feet
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Highest Point
- 7,001 feet
Views of majestic peaks and the vibrant golden hues of larches come autumn - Goat Peak Lookout offers both, as well as the commanding views you'd expect of a working fire lookout. Though steep at times, the trail's short length makes it a perfect hike to introduce kids and newer hikers to the grandeur of the Methow and North Cascades.
Eagle Creek
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - OR
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Length
- 11.7 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,870 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,346 feet
Cliff diving and drone usage are prohibited along the Eagle Creek Trail.
Hike a gently-graded trail for miles up the Eagle Creek valley. It's a beautiful walk, though quite exposed in some places; those with small children or a fear of heights may want to skip this one.
Cama Beach Historical State Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 3.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 250 feet
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Highest Point
- 275 feet
Enjoy the easy, forested trail to Cranberry Lake - an extensive wetland created by energetic beavers - plus trails along the high bluffs with views out to Saratoga Passage and Whidbey Island. Optionally, explore a trail to the eastern edge of the park. To finish up, visit the Historic District and vintage beach cabins.
Snoqualmie Falls
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 1.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 250 feet
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Highest Point
- 450 feet
The 0.7-mile interpretive trail from the upper falls viewpoints to the lower falls viewpoint is family- and pet-friendly, good for beginners, teaches the basics of the flora and fauna near Snoqualmie Pass, informs about local Native American culture and ends with impressive views of a Washington icon.
Bayview Loop Trail
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 1.3 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 20 feet
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Highest Point
- 760 feet
The Bayview Loop trail fittingly follows the perimeter of the Bayview Campground along the west bank of Baker Lake. It's a short and relatively flat hike great for all ages.
Emerald Park
Central Cascades > Entiat Mountains/Lake Chelan
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Length
- 13.0 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 6,250 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,700 feet
2.5.26: Railroad Creek Road is closed until further notice due to storm damage.
Emerald Park is a long thru trail connecting Lake Chelan to the east and the Entiat River Trail to the west.
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 wildlife refuge near Port Angeles is co-managed by the Jamestown S'kallam Tribe and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Ladder Creek Falls
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 0.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 150 feet
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Highest Point
- 744 feet
Meander along this path to a loud and misty falls near Newhalem which offer a great respite from heat on hot summer afternoons.
Poo Poo Point - Chirico Trail
Issaquah Alps > Tiger Mountain
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Length
- 3.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,760 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,850 feet
Hike a short but steep trail with many stone steps. Pause at a viewpoint offering a fine view of Mount Rainier, then continue on to Poo Poo Point itself, only 1.9 miles from the trailhead. Enjoy views to the northwest, and perhaps watch paragliders sailing off into the sky.
Jolly Mountain
Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
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Length
- 13.9 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 4,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,440 feet
Rising close to 4,000 feet out of the Cle Elum River Valley to meet the Yellow Hill Trail, the Jolly Mountain Trail presents a vigorous climb to a rambunctious ridgeline and perky panoramic summit with breathtaking mountain range views for miles of West Teanaway, the Enchantments, Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Glacier Peak, Mount Rainier and Mount Adams that you are likely to have all to yourself.
Margaret Lake
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 6.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,800 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,100 feet
Logging paid for most of the trails in the Cascades, so sometimes hikers must expect to hike the terrain that provided that rich stock of timber. This trail starts on an old logging road, leads through old clearcuts—now nicely regrown as lush berry meadows and forest stands—and enters lush old second-growth forest. It’s a great way to experience both the natural and human history of the area, while enjoying some remarkable wild country around a pristine alpine lake.
Ira Spring Trail - Mason Lake
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 7.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,420 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,320 feet
Sun drenched ridgelines, blooming trillium, and sparkling alpine waters define this fitting tribute to one of Washington’s greatest trail advocates.
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.
Bandera Mountain
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 8.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,400 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,240 feet
There are two sides to Bandera Mountain — gentle and well-groomed on the one hand, rough and untamed on the other. Together, they make for a very satisfying hike along a rocky ridge to a false summit (Little Bandera) with views impressive enough to dissuade most from completing the final half mile of informal trail to the "real" summit.
Annette Lake
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 7.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,800 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,600 feet
Waterfalls, wildflowers, sheltering forests, mountain views and an alpine lake are offered on this well-maintained trail. At the lake, enjoy the sights and relax for a while. If you backpacked in, stay at the campsites for a sunrise and sunset on the lake.
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.
Baker River
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 5.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 300 feet
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Highest Point
- 900 feet
Take a mellow walk on a trail that wanders among large old trees and huge mossy boulders. The trail alongside Baker River takes you on a path of gentle up and downs, splashing your way through stream crossings and past open areas filled with young alder, huckleberry and salmonberry. On a quiet spring day, your chances of seeing wildlife are excellent.
Gorge Lake Overlook
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 0.53 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 70 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,125 feet
This very short trail provides astonishing views of nature’s beauty as well as humanity's technological “improvements” upon it. The first section of this loop is paved, allowing an out-and-back for all family members, while the remaining graveled loop section is never steep nor too challenging.
Trail of the Cedars
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 0.3 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 0 feet
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Highest Point
- 515 feet
A short, self guided nature trail near Newhalem. See a wide variety of native plants and animals along this hike that is great for kids.
Margaret's Way and Debbie's View
Issaquah Alps > Squak Mountain
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Length
- 6.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,500 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,730 feet
If nature excites you, there's plenty here to be excited about. Cool forest, trickling creeks in deep ravines, and a beautiful trail built by WTA volunteers await you here.
Melmont Ghost Town
Mount Rainier Area > NW - Carbon River/Mowich
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Length
- 7.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 400 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,360 feet
A great exploratory hike to an old coal mining ghost town, with views of the underside of the Fairfax bridge.
Lake Dorothy - Lake Bear - Lake Deer
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
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Length
- 11.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,600 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,800 feet
The Miller River Road is washed out 4 miles from the trailhead.
Day-hikers and backpackers alike visit Lake Dorothy, a very large and beautiful lake less than two miles from the trailhead. Once there, they either rest and play for the day, or continue on to Bear and Deer Lakes, a pair of very pretty smaller lakes deeper in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. The very ambitious press on to remote Snoqualmie Lake. Lake Dorothy can be crowded on summer weekends, but the other lakes see fewer visitors.
Little Huckleberry Mountain
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,800 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,781 feet
Climb to the top of Little Huckleberry Mountain, where you will be greeted with excellent views of Mount Adams and other Cascade peaks. Though steep at times, the summit and the huckleberries you’ll find along the way make this hike worthwhile.
Mount Spokane State Park - Quartz Mountain
Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
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Length
- 4.7 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 756 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,129 feet
Mount Spokane State Park has trails for all types, and something for every season. Hike in the summertime to the relocated fire lookout atop Quartz Mountain, or explore the area in a snowy winter wonderland via cross-country skis.