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 HikesWildside Connector
Issaquah Alps > Cougar Mountain
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Length
- 1.4 miles, one-way
-
Elevation Gain
- 200 feet
-
Highest Point
- 800 feet
The Wildside Trail runs through the northwest corner of Cougar Mountain Park and offers many connections to other trails.
Wilderness Peak Loop
Issaquah Alps > Cougar Mountain
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Length
- 4.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,200 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,598 feet
Hike trails named in honor of mountaineers Jim Whittaker and Nawang Gombu, of 1963 Mount Everest ascent fame. Wilderness Peak may not be Everest, but it is the highest point in King County's Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park and it does have some wonderful old-growth conifers. This loop offers a diversity of steep forested hillsides, huge mossy boulders, and a low swampy area traversed via a narrow boardwalk.
Gombu Wilderness Cliffs
Issaquah Alps > Cougar Mountain
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Length
- 2.2 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 848 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,639 feet
A hike named after Nawang Gombu, Jim Whittaker's partner in his first ascent of Everest. Connect it with the Whittaker Wilderness Peak trail for a long loop with historical significance.
Whatcom Falls Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 4.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 50 feet
There are three and a half miles of trails in Whatcom Falls Park. Many routes wind through the forests, some overlooking the creek gorge and still pools. Some wind through open meadows, while others stay in deep forest.
Tibbett's Marsh
Issaquah Alps > Cougar Mountain
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Length
- 0.9 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 200 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,400 feet
The Tibbett's Marsh Trail runs through the northern reaches of Cougar Mountain.
Surprise Creek
Issaquah Alps > Cougar Mountain
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Length
- 1.1 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 656 feet
-
Highest Point
- 1,299 feet
This is a short connector trail between Bear Ridge and Shangri-La trails, allowing hikers to create many loops on Cougar Mountain.
Liberty Lake Regional Park - Split Creek Loop
Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
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Length
- 3.6 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 508 feet
-
Highest Point
- 2,487 feet
Meander alongside Liberty Creek, staying close to the water, on a trail that provides a shorter loop option than the full waterfall loop.
Shi Shi Beach and Point of the Arches
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
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Length
- 8.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 200 feet
-
Highest Point
- 200 feet
This stunning Olympic coastal hike is one of the more photographed places in Washington for good reason.
Cape Flattery
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
-
Length
- 1.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 200 feet
-
Highest Point
- 250 feet
The furthest northwest tip of the contiguous United State, Cape Flattery provides a dramatic backdrop to a surprisingly accessible hike. It's managed by the Makah Tribe, who provide permits for parking here in Neah Bay. Be sure to pick one up before your hike. It's good for the year, and you can also use it for Shi Shi Beach.
Schmitz Preserve Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 1.7 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 220 feet
-
Highest Point
- 325 feet
This park, in the middle of West Seattle, has 1.7 miles of hiking trails in a natural forest setting, and offers the opportunity to see old growth conifers that once were common in Puget Sound forests.
West Butte Creek
Eastern Washington > Palouse and Blue Mountains
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Length
- 11.8 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 3,100 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,504 feet
Descend into the heart of the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness from the historic Godman Guard Station, crossing through the Rainbow Creek Research Natural Area.
East Butte Creek
Eastern Washington > Palouse and Blue Mountains
This trail begins at the easily accessible Teepee trailhead and connects to multiple trails within the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness, making it possible to hike as an out-and-back or create longer routes.
Spada Lake - Culmback Dam
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
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Length
- 1.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 150 feet
Culmback Dam and Spada Lake provide lovely retreat off Highway 2, just east of Sultan and up the Sultan Basin Road. Spada Lake is a source of drinking water, so in-water activities are prohibited, but there are hiking trails that circle the lake and nearby just waiting for your exploration.
Sultan River Canyon Trail
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
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Length
- 4.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 900 feet
-
Highest Point
- 1,700 feet
If you don’t mind descending first, then ascending later, the Sultan River Canyon trail is a nice alternative for the shoulder season when snow is still too deep in the mountains. Drop to the sparkling Sultan River, then climb back up on nicely graded switchbacks in the shade.
Mount Spokane State Park - Trail 130
Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
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Length
- 12.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 2,300 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,200 feet
If you're looking for the best workout in the park, you'd be hard-pressed to find something better than this, the longest trail. Circumnavigate the park's namesake peak by following trail 130 "round-the-mountain" for nearly 12 miles of forested trail punctuated by the occasional open meadow, or opt to turn around at any time for a shorter stroll.
Pipestone Canyon Rim Trail
North Cascades > Methow/Sawtooth
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Length
- 9.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,500 feet
-
Highest Point
- 3,420 feet
Explore a scenic and incredibly varied landscape near Winthrop where you are almost certainly guaranteed to see some of the region’s abundant wildlife.
Amabilis Mountain Snowshoe
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 9.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 2,100 feet
-
Highest Point
- 4,570 feet
This route provides both spectacular views and solitude at the summit, but keep in mind trail etiquette. You'll likely share the trail with skiers enjoying the groomed route.
West Fork Methow River
North Cascades > Methow/Sawtooth
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Length
- 15.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,600 feet
-
Highest Point
- 4,280 feet
3.30.26: Hart's Pass Road is closed at the Monument Creek trailhead due to washouts. Hikers can proceed past the closure by foot. The hike's trailhead is a 2.6-mile one-way road walk from the closure.
Take an short and simple walk for a couple of miles up the West Fork Methow River valley, enjoying the sounds of the river along with spring flowers from mid-May to mid-June. Or in late season, take a hike in the early snow, before the road is closed.
Robinson Creek - South
North Cascades > Pasayten
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Length
- 19.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,660 feet
-
Highest Point
- 6,220 feet
3.30.26: Hart's Pass Road is closed at the Monument Creek trailhead due to washouts. Hikers can proceed past the closure by foot. The hike's trailhead is a 1.5-mile one-way road walk from the closure.
The sight and roaring sound of Robinson Creek will accompany you on your forested hike up the valley, following in the footsteps of an early trapper, Billy Robinson. The low starting elevation makes this a popular late spring/early summer day-hike or overnight.
Puyallup Loop Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 3.9 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 541 feet
-
Highest Point
- 351 feet
A roughly 4-mile loop near the city of Puyallup, where locals and visitors can get their exercise and spend some time on trail near an urban center.
Big Creek
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 4.3 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 850 feet
-
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.
Goldmyer Hot Springs
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
-
Length
- 24.0 miles, roundtrip
The way to Goldmyer Hot Springs is a delightful forest walk through deep woods, along the rushing Snoqualmie River, and ultimately to a beautiful privately owned hot springs tucked against the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Because it is privately owned by a non-profit, reservations are strongly recommended and are the only way to assure access to the property and hot springs.
Black Canyon
Central Washington > Yakima
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Length
- 8.0 miles of trails
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,700 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,224 feet
On this hike, you’ll experience the renewal of life after a devastating fire as you climb a canyon through bunch grasses, wildflowers and regenerating stands of aspen to panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and the distant Cascades.
Company Creek
Central Cascades > Entiat Mountains/Lake Chelan
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Length
- 11.0 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 5,400 feet
-
Highest Point
- 6,600 feet
The trail over Hilgard Pass (near the end of the hike) has eroded and is dangerous to use at this time.
A trail that climbs out of the Stehekin River valley and into the Glacier Peak wilderness.
Ebey's Landing
Puget Sound and Islands > Whidbey Island
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Length
- 5.6 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 260 feet
-
Highest Point
- 260 feet
Perched on a bluff overlooking majestic Puget Sound is the unique acreage of Ebey’s Landing. In addition to the Bluff Trail, visitors can experience the seaport town of Coupeville, observe working farms, and get their fill of wildlife viewing, all in a tiny National Park on Whidbey Island.
North Twentymile Peak
North Cascades > Pasayten
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Length
- 12.8 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 4,387 feet
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Highest Point
- 7,437 feet
On this little used trail, hikers can see history, both natural and man-made. Large sections of the forest are recovering from the 2006 Tripod Complex Fire, and the two lookouts on the summit provide a glimpse of the 1920's and 1940's construction.
Backbone Ridge
South Cascades > White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley
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Length
- 6.6 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,750 feet
-
Highest Point
- 2,900 feet
This is a nice woods trail, but views don't reward the hiker until she or he arrives at Stevens Canyon Road in Mount Rainier National Park. Trail starts alongside a grassy rock slab and works its way to the top of the ridge.
Independence Ridge
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
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Length
- 2.6 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 40 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,500 feet
A connector trail in the Mount St. Helens area linking Independence Pass with the Boundary Trail. Views from here include Spirit Lake and the north side of the volcano.
Carbon River Rain Forest Nature Trail
Mount Rainier Area > NW - Carbon River/Mowich
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Length
- 0.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 20 feet
-
Highest Point
- 1,780 feet
The Fairfax Bridge (3 miles south of Carbonado) is closed to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic until further notice due to safety concerns. The bridge closure renders this hike inaccessible.
The Carbon River Rain Forest Nature Trail is a pleasant and easy stroll that offers two short segments which can be combined to create a 0.6 mile roundtrip walk. Both paths penetrate primeval rain forest where giant ferns, maples, and spruce tower above charming cedar puncheon bridges and babbling brooks. This hike is great in any season, and takes on particular wildness in winter. Interpretive signs and photo opportunities abound.
Elk Bench
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
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Length
- 2.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 600 feet
-
Highest Point
- 3,100 feet
This short trail is located near Coldwater Lake and connects visitors to the Science and Learning Center at Coldwater to the Lakes Trail and the Mount Margaret backcountry.