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
4203 HikesTarbell 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
The Tarbell trail is a 24.75 mile multi-use loop that connects recreation sites and scenic viewpoints in the Yacolt Burn Recreation area.
Tamanous Trail
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 1.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 120 feet
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Highest Point
- 200 feet
The name Tamanous derives from local Native American's who initiated their young in their area by sending them on vision quests, called "Ta-mah-no-ous."
Table Mountain
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 16.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,350 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,417 feet
Table Mountain's dramatic south face and pyramid profile beckon the adventurous hiker ready for a strenuous climb that is good training for summer summit attempts to come. The top features one of the best panoramas of the Columbia River Gorge, as well as views of Mount St. Helens, Rainier, Hood and Adams. Carry a guidebook with good route information as there are a couple of options to the summit and signage may be lacking.
Yacolt Burn State Forest - Sword Fern Trail
Southwest Washington > Lewis River Region
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Length
- 7.1 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,209 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,187 feet
This 2.5 mile long horseshoe trail is part of a nice 8-mile lollipop loop in the Yacolt Burn State Forest. Expect a shaded section of trail and to share the way with mountain bikers.
Swan Creek Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 4.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 325 feet
Featuring a wooded canyon and forested hills, a salmon-bearing stream and new community garden, Swan Creek Park is a 290-acre greenspace which lies on the boundary between East Tacoma and Pierce County. Trails, both paved and soft-surface, as well as those for mountain bikes weave over the property.
Swamp Lake
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 9.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,400 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,000 feet
9.3.25: The trail is closed until further notice due to the Wildcat Fire.
Despite its name, Swamp Lake is a lovely little destination in the William O. Douglas wilderness near Mount Rainier. It's popular with fishermen and backpackers, though it can be extremely buggy in early summer.
Surprise Lake
South Cascades > Goat Rocks
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Length
- 13.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,505 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,260 feet
Most hikers enter the Goat Rocks Wilderness from the western side, but those who come in from the east find the wilderness just as beautiful and wild, and much less crowded. The Surprise Lake Trail is one of the few that enter from the east, and it is also one of the most gentle and scenic.
Surprise and Glacier Lakes
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
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Length
- 11.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,700 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,900 feet
From towering old-growth giants to placid lakes with craggy mountain views, this hike has everything you want in a trail. Put this one on your list of places to explore along Highway 2.
Surprise Creek
Issaquah Alps > Cougar Mountain
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Length
- 1.1 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 656 feet
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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.
Sunrise Peak
South Cascades > Dark Divide
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Length
- 3.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,400 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,892 feet
Visit Sunrise Peak at the right time and you'll see why its name is appropriate. The early morning sun gives Mount Adams a brilliant glow that makes for an enthralling way to kick off your day. Luckily, the enchanting views that this hike offers are available from Sunrise to sunset, and if you prefer hiking in full daylight, you won't miss out on any views.
Sunday Lake
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 6.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 355 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,900 feet
Tucked into a corner of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness is Sunday Lake, a road less traveled that abounds in wildflowers, berries, fauna, historical artifacts, old growth, and alpine littoral habitat. Much more than the gentle woodland saunter implied by the 300-foot elevation change, the route to Sunday Lake requires the fording of Sunday Creek in spring and fall, making it an adventure any day of the week. Campbell Recreation permit required.
Suntop Lookout
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 2.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 473 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,238 feet
Reaching the summit of Suntop can require considerable energy (a 16-mile hike), or it can be a simple 2-mile walk, depending on whether or not the 2 gates are open. Wide views of Mount Rainier and the White River valley below are worth it either way.
Summit Lake
Mount Rainier Area > NW - Carbon River/Mowich
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Length
- 6.1 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,300 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,800 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.
This popular summer trail offers wildflower-filled meadows, a glistening alpine lake, big mountain views and wildlife sighting aplenty.
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
Sunrise Road and White River Road have closed for the winter season.
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.
Sullivan Lakeshore
Eastern Washington > Selkirk Range
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Length
- 8.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 250 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,840 feet
Wander woods reminiscent of eastern hardwood forest, filled with aspen, hemlock and birch along the largest natural lake in the Colville National Forest—plus enjoy one of the best western larch displays in Eastern Washington.
Stirrup Lake
Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
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Length
- 2.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 476 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,586 feet
The trail to Stirrup Lake is a road less traveled and a moderate hike through second-growth forest to a serene alpine lake tucked between Big Muffin and Meadow Mountain, paying tremendous dividends for lovers of huckleberries, wildflowers, and riparian fauna.
Starway
Southwest Washington > Lewis River Region
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Length
- 10.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,950 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,977 feet
This steep hike has it all — wildflowers in spring, huckleberries in fall and a 360-degree panoramic view at the top of the South Cascades.
St. Cloud
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 1.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 0 feet
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Highest Point
- 50 feet
The St. Cloud Day use area features a ½ mile ADA accessible pathway that meanders through an old orchard that was the site of a homestead ranch from the turn of the century.
May Valley Loop
Issaquah Alps > Squak Mountain
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Length
- 6.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,684 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,024 feet
This forested park, a wilderness with glimpses of Issaquah below, has miles of winding trails alongside bubbling creeks and narrow ravines. There are several trail loop options on this 2,024-foot-high mountain. With multi-use trails and a natural area, hikers have plenty to explore in this quiet sanctuary outside of Issaquah.
Spring Creek - Green Mountain
South Cascades > Mount Adams Area
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Length
- 7.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,235 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,107 feet
Hike a 7.5-mile loop from Horseshoe Lake Campground with a side trip to views of South Cascade peaks from the summit of Green Mountain.
Spray Park
Mount Rainier Area > NW - Carbon River/Mowich
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Length
- 8.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,700 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,500 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 Wonderland Trail is inaccessible from Mowich Lake due to the bridge closure.
Since getting to the trailhead involves a significant drive on gravel road, this hike sees fewer boots than trails leaving from Paradise and Sunrise. Spray Falls is attainable by most day hikers, but the gain up to Spray Park is a good test of your fitness level! Your reward on a clear day will be views, views, views of Echo Rock, Observation Rock and Mount Rainier.
Liberty Lake Regional Park - Split Creek Loop
Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
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Length
- 3.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 508 feet
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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.
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
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.
Spectacle Lake
Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
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Length
- 22.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,500 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,600 feet
Spectacle Lake is truly worthy of the name - it's quite a sight to see. Nestled at the base of Chikamin Ridge and just a short jaunt from the Pacific Crest Trail, this lake is one of the true gems of Snoqualmie Pass.
Devils Gulch
Central Washington > Wenatchee
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Length
- 9.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,100 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,800 feet
This hike goes primarily through a network of mountain bike trails. Hiking here is not recommended in the summer, when it can be extremely hot. Please know the rules of right-of-way before hiking here.
Mission Ridge
Central Cascades > Leavenworth Area
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Length
- 14.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,200 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,963 feet
The Mission Ridge trail is primarily used by mountain bikes and dirt bikes, which can make for a nice, compacted trail. But by the same token, parts of the single-track can be a bit narrow and cupped, having been carved out by bikes. This can be a bit hard on the knees and ankles after awhile (especially with the additional weight of a backpack).
Louis Lake
North Cascades > Methow/Sawtooth
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Length
- 9.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,240 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,360 feet
Hike through a fire-devastated forest to an alpine lake set below steep cliffs with a waterfall inlet. Rennie Peak looms to the south and a mature forest shelters many campsites. Come for the day, or camp and explore.
Irely Lake
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
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Length
- 2.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 145 feet
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Highest Point
- 615 feet
The temporary bridge on North Shore Road has been removed for winter. The Graves Creek and North Fork trailheads are currently inaccessible due to both North Shore and South Shore roads being closed.
A temperate rainforest saunter up from the Quinault River valley floor to a fauna rich lake within the Olympic National Park
Elip Creek
Olympic Peninsula > Olympia
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Length
- 4.6 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 3,100 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,760 feet
The temporary bridge on North Shore Road has been removed for winter. The Graves Creek and North Fork trailheads are currently inaccessible due to both North Shore and South Shore roads being closed.
Elip Creek is a wild and challenging hike for those seeking an alternate approach to the Skyline Trail. It also makes a fine 21-mile loop by connecting to the Three Lakes and Big Creek trails, a route that climbs to subalpine meadows where picturesque tarns lie in solitude beneath tree studded ridges.
Three Lakes
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
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Length
- 13.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,850 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,175 feet
The temporary bridge on North Shore Road has been removed for winter. The Graves Creek and North Fork trailheads are currently inaccessible due to both North Shore and South Shore roads being closed.
The Three Lakes Trail is a tour of some of Olympic's finest old growth forests, and is the traditional start of the much longer Queets-Quinault Skyline route. Starting in lowland rainforest, the trail works its way through exemplary stands of montane and then subalpine forests before finally breaking out into meadows dotted with tiny lakes. This is a truly wild and remote corner of the Olympics that leaves a lasting impression on the lucky hiker who experiences its beauty.