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
4255 HikesSmooth Ridge
Eastern Washington > Palouse and Blue Mountains
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Length
- 9.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,540 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,529 feet
Smooth Ridge offers incredible views into the rugged heart of the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness.
Goat Lake
South Cascades > Goat Rocks
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Length
- 12.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,600 feet
Travel deep into the Goat Rocks Wilderness and enjoy stunning views of Mount Adams, Mount St. Helens, Jordan Basin, and Goat Lake.
Pacific Northwest Trail - Pasayten Traverse
North Cascades > Pasayten
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Length
- 119.0 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 21,071 feet
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Highest Point
- 7,490 feet
7.23.26: The PNT is closed from the Pacific Crest Trail/Castle Pass east to Quartz Mountain near Pevee Pass due to the Ptarmigan Fire; there is a PCT re-route available.
This 119-mile section of the 1200-mile Pacific Northwest Trail traverses the entirety of the Pasayten Wilderness.
Rampart Ridge - Rampart Lakes
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 11.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,200 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,100 feet
7.23.26: Hikers are asked to avoid the area until further notice due to the Three Queens Fire.
Rampart Lakes is a pretty collection of pothole lakes with a maze of social trails lacing them together. Though doable as a day hike, it is better enjoyed as an overnight destination, with nearby Alta Mountain and Lila Lake making excellent side trips.
Mineral Creek
Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
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Length
- 5.4 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 2,570 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,900 feet
7.23.26: Hikers are asked to avoid the area until further notice due to the Three Queens Fire.
A quiet but sometimes rough trail that provides access to the Pacific Crest Trail from Salmon La Sac.
Lake Lillian
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 9.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,300 feet
7.23.26: Hikers are asked to avoid the area until further notice due to the Three Queens Fire.
The Alpine Lakes Wilderness may be reached from numerous trail heads along the I-90 corridor. This little trail-gem sparkles, hidden in Snoqualmie Pass. It varies in terrain from abandoned logging road, through clear cut, all the way up to pristine alpine lake(s) nestled into a glacier scoured cirque. Seasonal changes make this medium difficulty hike worth returning to time and time again.
Little Kachess
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 9.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,400 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,620 feet
7.23.26: Hikers are asked to avoid the area until further notice due to the Three Queens Fire.
The Little Kachess Trail is a rough rollercoaster of a hike that bounds along the western shore of Little Kachess Lake. Not to be confused with a lakeside stroll, this moderately strenuous trail climbs and drops repeatedly in an attempt to avoid cliffs while providing occasional access to the lakeshore.
Yacolt Burn State Forest - Tarbell Trail
Southwest Washington > Lewis River Region
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Length
- 24.75 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 4,756 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,120 feet
7.23.26: The Tarbell trail is closed from the Grouse Vista trailhead to its intersection to the Sturgeon Rock trail until further notice. The trail is still accessible from other access points like the Yacolt Burn trailhead.
The Tarbell trail is a 24.75 mile multi-use loop that connects recreation sites and scenic viewpoints in the Yacolt Burn Recreation area.
Wildcat Cove and Clayton Beach
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 2.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 272 feet
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Highest Point
- 171 feet
Walk in a coastal forest south of Bellingham to enjoy scenic Wildcat Cove and then to Clayton Beach, with views into the San Juan Islands from the shoreline of Samish Bay.
The Brothers
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 18.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 6,050 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,866 feet
A scramble and climbing route to the summit of a mountain in the Olympic range. Climbing gear and expertise required.
Big Creek
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 4.3 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 850 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,850 feet
This low-key loop in the shadow of Mount Ellinor makes for a great respite on a hot summer day or a low-country winter ramble when it's rainy.
Noble Knob
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 950 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,011 feet
This hike up to a former lookout site provides spectacular views of Mount Rainier and the surrounding landscape.
Gem Lake
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 10.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,800 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,857 feet
The trail will be closed Sept 14-25 for construction.
Gem Lake is nestled at the foot of Wright Mountain and is about two miles beyond the trail junction at Rock Creek trail #1013.1 that intersects with the Snow Lake trail starting at Alpental. Beautiful colors surround the lake in autumn as do the many climbable peaks in the area.
Upper Wildcat Lake
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 15.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 4,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,920 feet
The trail will be closed Sept 14-25 for construction.
A lake located above the extremely popular Snow Lake; Upper Wildcat offers backpacking opportunities for the route-finding enthusiasts in the summer months.
Snow Lake
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 7.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,800 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,400 feet
The trail will be closed Sept 14-25 for construction.
Within a stone’s throw of Seattle, the Snow Lake trail delivers splendorous alpine scenery – crystal clear waters, towering peaks — on a rather exposed and rocky hike. Just don’t expect to have the trail to yourself; it's Washington's most heavily-used trail in a wilderness area!
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.
Shriner Peak
Mount Rainier Area > SE - Cayuse Pass/Stevens Canyon
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Length
- 8.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,434 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,834 feet
Gorgeous weather and late-season color make this one of the most beautiful autumn hikes in Mount Rainier National Park. This hike is a tough climb, but the payoff is great views and lots of solitude.
Crystal Peak
Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River
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Length
- 8.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,100 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,595 feet
Check the weather before heading out for this hike, and if it’s going to be clear, bring a camera. From the summit, it’s possible to see six (yes, six!) volcanoes spanning two states. Baker, Glacier, Adams, Rainier, St. Helens and Hood wait patiently for you to climb the more-than-moderately steep path to the summit of Crystal Peak, where you can take in beautiful snow-capped majesty from the top.
Willow Lake Trail
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 23.5 miles, one-way
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Highest Point
- 2,880 feet
7.22.26: The trail is closed from Deerlick Camp to the junction with the Lake Hozomeen trail until further notice due to the Border 1 Fire.
The Willow Lake Trail is part of the East Bank Trail in the North Cascades National Park. Willow Lake is a small lake along the route and sits on the north end of Ross Lake.
Snowgrass Flat
South Cascades > Goat Rocks
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Length
- 8.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,600 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,800 feet
Enjoy a hike to a beautiful subalpine meadow in the Goat Rocks Wilderness. A good destination all on its own, it can also provide a jumping off point for a longer trip.
Walupt Lake and Walupt Creek
South Cascades > Goat Rocks
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Length
- 8.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,000 feet
Used largely as part of the Nannie Peak Loop, Walupt Lake and Creek are a nice little hike in their own right. While not big on views, the flat grade of this trail makes it a good outing for families, since the river partway through the route offers a good turnaround point if little legs get tired. If you want to keep exploring, head up to where this trail terminates at the Pacific Crest Trail, and see if you can meet some thru-hikers.
Friday Harbor Biological Laboratories Preserve
Puget Sound and Islands > San Juan Islands
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Length
- 4.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 440 feet
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Highest Point
- 100 feet
Two hikes exist here: One, an old road through the woods; and the other, winding along narrow tread on grassy hillsides and exposed bedrock alongside the Puget Sound. Connecting these two makes a great loop.
Gobblers Knob
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
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Length
- 12.3 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,565 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,485 feet
A clear, sparkling lake, up-close views of Mount Rainier, and a historic fire lookout await you on the short but steep Gobblers Knob Trail. This route is an eastern approach to the lookout via Westside Road.
Storybrook Park (Maplewood-McLeod Open Space)
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 0.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 72 feet
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Highest Point
- 144 feet
Wander through a true neighborhood park in Bellingham with a creek, playground and art to enjoy.
Larrabee State Park - Wildcat Cove
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 0.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 110 feet
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Highest Point
- 93 feet
Walk in a coastal forest south of Bellingham to enjoy scenic Wildcat Cove, with views into the San Juan Islands from the shoreline of Samish Bay.
Wenberg County Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 0.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 75 feet
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Highest Point
- 450 feet
Dip into a forested lollipop loop in a shoreline park on Lake Godwin in Snohomish County.
Riverside State Park - Trail 25
Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
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Length
- 25.0 miles of trails
7 Mile Rd will be closed between 9 Mile Rd (Hwy 291) and the 7 Mile bridge for sewer installation. This work is expected to complete in Sept. The trail may be accessed from other access points.
Trail 25 is the main artery that runs through Riverside State Park. Loop options abound here, as do out-and-backs, or just short wanderings.
Riverside State Park - Deep Creek Canyon
Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
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Length
- 5.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 968 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,165 feet
7 Mile Rd will be closed between 9 Mile Rd (Hwy 291) and the 7 Mile bridge for sewer installation. This work is expected to complete in Sept.
Take advantage of the diversity of Riverside State Park's Trail 25 by doing this close-to-town loop that includes both forested canyon and scenic overlooks.
Spokane River Centennial State Park - Wilbur Trailhead to Trail 211
Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
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Length
- 3.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 140 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,200 feet
7 Mile Rd will be closed between 9 Mile Rd (Hwy 291) and the 7 Mile bridge for sewer installation. This work is expected to complete in Sept.
This wheelchair-friendly small section of Spokane’s 40-mile Centennial Trail passes through Riverside State Park and additionally showcases some regional history at the site of a former Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp.
Spokane River Centennial State Park Trail
Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
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Length
- 37.0 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 600 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,200 feet
7 Mile Rd will be closed between 9 Mile Rd (Hwy 291) and the 7 Mile bridge for sewer installation. This work is expected to complete in Sept. The trail may be accessed from other access points.
This route started as a pedestrian- and bike-friendly route along the Spokane River, coinciding with the Washington State Centennial celebration, hence the name. Now, users can follow the Spokane River from Riverside State Park west of Spokane all the way to the Idaho border.