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 HikesPalisades Lakes
Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River
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Length
- 7.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,800 feet
-
Highest Point
- 6,150 feet
The road to Sunrise is closed for the winter season. It is expected to reopen in July 2026.
Seven lakes, seas of wildflowers, summer huckleberries, a bevy of wildlife and a good chance of quiet solitude await you on this 9-mile out-and-back. What more could you ask for?
Forest Lake
Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River
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Length
- 4.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,250 feet
-
Highest Point
- 6,920 feet
The road to Sunrise is closed for the winter season. It is expected to reopen in July 2026.
Forest lake is a small lake in the Sunrise area of Mount Rainier.
Shadow Lake - Sunrise Camp Loop
Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River
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Length
- 3.7 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 200 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,386 feet
The road to Sunrise is closed for the winter season. It is expected to reopen in July 2026.
This sweet little loop leaves from the Sunrise Visitor Center at Mount Rainier and encompasses a lovely little lake, an unexpected campsite, and views of the mountain's eastern flanks and glaciers.
Oxbow Loop Trail
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 1.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 56 feet
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Highest Point
- 920 feet
Follow a loop trail around Oxbow Lake in the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River valley, where solitude intersects with calm lake waters, ever-present river murmurs of the Middle Fork, mountain views, and Snoqualmie rainforest. Depending on the season, fall colors, wildflowers, or fresh berries may be present for your enjoyment.
Minotaur Lake
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
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Length
- 3.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,905 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,580 feet
Tucked in a cirque a few miles east of Stevens Pass are Minotaur Lake, its immediate neighbor Theseus and overlooking Labyrinth Mountain. This group of alpine destinations, named for symbols in the Greek mythos, make for a great day hike and an excellent workout.
Salmon Creek Ravine Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 5.0 miles of trails
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Elevation Gain
- 800 feet
-
Highest Point
- 410 feet
Salmon Creek Ravine Park in Burien, located a few blocks north of Seahurst Park, is a large, minimally developed park centered on the drainage of Salmon Creek and its small tributaries. The area is forested and has some very large maples and alders, interspersed with Douglas-fir, redcedar and madrone.
Westcrest Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 2.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 220 feet
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Highest Point
- 340 feet
Hike a network of forest trails in this large park in the southwestern corner of Seattle. Douglas-fir, redcedar, maples, madrone — they are all here in abundance, some of them quite large.
Trail of Two Forests
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
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Length
- 0.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 50 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,885 feet
This trail loops through two forests that stand side by side, but are separated in age by 2,000 years. One forest is old-growth Douglas-fir and western redcedar, and the other is a young forest that was originally engulfed by lava flows from an eruption of Mount St. Helens over two millennia ago.
Panther Lake Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 0.9 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 36 feet
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Highest Point
- 283 feet
Trade the sounds of the city for birdsong and enjoy some quiet time outside just a short distance from the center of Federal Way.
Mima Mounds
Olympic Peninsula > Olympia
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Length
- 2.75 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 10 feet
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Highest Point
- 225 feet
These mysterious mounds inspire imagination and speculation among visitors. With a half-mile ADA accessible path and another two miles of more rugged wandering, the Mima Mounds are a great destination for many hikers.
Klickitat Rail Trail - Swale Canyon
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 13.0 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 450 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,550 feet
The Klickitat Rail Trail is a 31-mile rails-to-trails conversion managed by Columbia Hills State Park. This linear park goes from Lyle to Warwick (on the Lyle-Centerville Highway) with several access points along the way. Swale Canyon lies on the eastern end of the trail and offers a quiet canyon, a burbly creek, wildflowers and solitude.
North Fork Skokomish River
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 15.2 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 3,568 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,688 feet
7.7.25: This trail is closed until further notice due to the Bear Gulch Fire.
Hiking through lowland forest rivers, the North Fork Skokomish Trail leads through the thick Olympic forest to subalpine meadows with unbelievable views of the heart of the craggy, snow-capped Olympic Range.
Wagonwheel Lake
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 5.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,200 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,100 feet
7.7.25: This trail is closed until further notice due to the Bear Gulch Fire.
A steep trail climbing to a small lake. What this trail lacks in views and photo ops it makes up for in the excellent workout.
Four Stream
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
7.7.25: This trail is closed until further notice due to the Bear Gulch Fire.
A short hike near the Staircase area of Olympic National Park.
Flapjack Lakes via North Fork Skokomish River
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 15.4 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 3,050 feet
-
Highest Point
- 3,850 feet
7.7.25: This trail is closed until further notice due to the Bear Gulch Fire.
This is a burly day trip, but a great overnight destination for exploring the Sawtooth Range in the Olympic high country.
Black & White Lakes
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 15.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 4,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,200 feet
7.7.25: This trail is closed until further notice due to the Bear Gulch Fire.
This beautiful hike takes you through a canopy of old growth trees until you find yourself in a high alpine meadow with small quiet lakes. Yes it's gorgeous but this hike isn't easy.
Shady Lane
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 1.8 miles, roundtrip
Explore a beautiful riverside forest, perfect for kids and adults alike.
O'Neil Pass
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 12.0 miles, one-way
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Highest Point
- 5,000 feet
The O’neil Pass Trail travels through the southeastern corner of Olympic National Park. It is a trail segment that sits well within the backcountry so you must hike a considerable distance to reach the start of this trail.
Lake of the Angels
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 7.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,400 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,950 feet
Tucked high in the mountains of the Olympic Peninsula, in the appropriately named Valley of Heaven, is a breathtaking lake — the Lake of the Angels. The heavenly goal is accessed by a trail built for more mortal interests. Keep in mind, though, if you tackle this trail, it's devilishly difficult. In some places, it requires a vertical climb where falling is not an option. Be prepared, both physically and mentally, for this challenging hike.
LaCrosse Pass
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 6.4 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 2,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,566 feet
The Lacrosse Pass Trail runs up and over the ridge between the West Fork Dosewallips River valley and the Duckabush River Valley.
Gladys Divide
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 18.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 4,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,050 feet
Find solitude among expansive views of the Olympic interior on this strenuous but rewarding backpack.
Church Creek Shelter
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 1.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 180 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,060 feet
Church Creek Shelter sits in a delightful clearing near the South Fork of the Skokomish River. The short hike to it was once part of the longer Church Creek Trail that extended from the “Skok” to Satsop Lake. Now just a half mile from the road, the shelter is one of the most easily attained on the Olympic Peninsula.
Camp Pleasant
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 14.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 800 feet
The hike to Camp Pleasant is often included in more lengthy backpacks or dayhikes on the Olympic Peninsula, but hikers will find an easy conditioner when they undertake this early season stroll.
Brown Creek
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 0.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 20 feet
A pleasant 0.8 mile loop around a beaver pond and wetland is ideal for a morning stroll or post-dinner walk while camping at Brown Creek Campground.
Upper Duckabush
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 16.1 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 1,500 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,950 feet
The Duckabush River trail spans two land management agencies -- the US Forest Service and the National Park service. The first 6.2 miles of the trail weaves through Olympic National Forest. It's a popular early season backpack and a frequent site for WTA work crews. The upper section, in Olympic National Park, melts out much later, but provides a gateway to gorgeous backpacking destinations.
Sundown Lake Way Trail
Olympic Peninsula > Olympia
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Length
- 12.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,150 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,820 feet
This former route towards Sundown Lake in Olympic National Forest is no longer navigable.
Staircase Rapids
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 2.1 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 574 feet
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Highest Point
- 950 feet
Staircase Rapids is a beautiful 2.1 mile loop trail following the North Fork of the Skokomish River. Enjoy the Olympic old growth forests with a lush understory of mosses and ferns.
Indian Flat
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 5.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,200 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,800 feet
There are no superlatives along the Indian Flat trail, with the possible exception of the unique rock formations. But views are available, and shade is abundant in an area that can get quite hot during the summer.
Mount Ruth
Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River
Mount Ruth is a peak in the northeast corner of Mount Rainier National Park. The route to this peak is an off-trail mountaineering route, not an official trail.
Banshee Peak
Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River
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Highest Point
- 7,400 feet
Banshee Peak is an off-trail summit that requires advanced mountaineering skill to reach. It lies east of Mount Rainier.