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
4217 HikesWhatcom Falls Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 4.0 miles, roundtrip
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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.
Two Dollar Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 3.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 550 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,100 feet
The Two Dollar Trail is one of three approaches to Fragrance Lake. It is popular with runners, bikers and hikers alike because of its good surface throughout. It traverses a west facing ridge through a forest of cedar, Douglas fir, hemlock, bigleaf maple and red maple with views out to the Salish Sea. The trail wanders through a groundcover of salal, Oregon grape and a variety of ferns and a small waterfall whose configuration changes with the seasons.
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.
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
The Tarbell trail is a 24.75 mile multi-use loop that connects recreation sites and scenic viewpoints in the Yacolt Burn Recreation area.
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.
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.
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.
Snoqualmie Mountain
Snoqualmie Region
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Length
- 3.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,105 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,278 feet
A scramble to the summit of a peak near Alpental. Proper gear and expertise recommended.
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
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Length
- 1.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 200 feet
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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.
Snoquera Falls Loop
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 3.9 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 975 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,100 feet
With a trailhead so easily accessible, there's no excuse not to visit Snoquera Falls. Best in early spring, this lush, forested trail features a pretty fantail cascade plunging down a sheer, rocky wall.
Schmitz Preserve Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 1.7 miles, roundtrip
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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
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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.
Discovery Park Beach and Highlands Loop
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 5.1 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 380 feet
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Highest Point
- 345 feet
Hike through the relatively uncrowded southeast corner of a park in Seattle. Head up to the South Meadow for the views, then go down to the beaches and get up close to the West Point Lighthouse. Come back up to the park highlands for a close look at old buildings in the Fort Lawton Historic District.
Spada Lake - Culmback Dam
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
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Length
- 1.0 miles, roundtrip
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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
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Elevation Gain
- 900 feet
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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
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Elevation Gain
- 2,300 feet
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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.
Panjab Trail
Eastern Washington > Palouse and Blue Mountains
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Length
- 5.6 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 2,500 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,600 feet
Wildflowers, wildlife, and great views of Eastern Washington’s wild Blue Mountains: the Panjab Loop Trail offers it all.
Box Spring Canyon
Central Washington > Yakima
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Length
- 9.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 900 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,300 feet
The adjacent shooting range will have live-fire shooting training on various dates in March - June. Please be extra aware of your surroundings when hiking on trails during this time.
This is part of the William O. Douglas Trail, which runs from Davis High School in Yakima to Mt. Rainier. This trail is still being established.
Pipestone Canyon Rim Trail
North Cascades > Methow/Sawtooth
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Length
- 9.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,500 feet
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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.
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.
Amabilis Mountain Snowshoe
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 9.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,100 feet
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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
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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
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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
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Elevation Gain
- 541 feet
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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.
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.
Guillemot Cove
Olympic Peninsula > Kitsap Peninsula
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Length
- 2.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 360 feet
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Highest Point
- 360 feet
Enjoy breathtaking views of the Olympics from a secluded cove with many different types of seabirds and wildlife. Try to keep your feet dry while exploring a series of trails amid the historic 184-acre Guillemot Cove Nature Reserve.
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.
Mount Teneriffe
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 13.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,800 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,585 feet
Mountains to Sound Greenway did this road to trail conversion in order to create a more sustainable, safer route for hikers to a summit on the I-90 corridor. Hike through second- and third-growth forest, pass a lovely waterfall, and enjoy a slightly less-crowded trail than the nearby Mount Si.