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
4204 HikesPanorama Point Snowshoe
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
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Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,900 feet
-
Highest Point
- 7,070 feet
The route to Panorama Point in the snow can vary depending on how much snow is on the mountain, and how many other visitors have tromped a path up the hillside. One thing is certain — you'll want to consult the Paradise Green Trails map No. 270S, which includes both summer and snowshoe routes for the area.
Alta Vista Loop
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
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Length
- 1.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 560 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,960 feet
The Alta Vista Loop is one of the trails located at Paradise at Mount Rainier National Park. This trail system is known for fantastic displays of wildflowers in the summer and dramatic panoramic views of Mount Rainier and the surrounding foothills all year long.
Myrtle Falls
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
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Length
- 0.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 185 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,600 feet
A good, short destination just outside of the main Paradise visitors area, Myrtle Falls is a beauty.
Eagle Peak Saddle
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
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Length
- 7.2 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 2,910 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,720 feet
This hike contains all of what a classic Rainier outing should – a quiet canopy of old-growth forest, high alpine meadows bursting with wildflowers in the summer, and in-your-face-views of glaciated Mount Tahoma (not to mention Mounts Adams, St. Helens, and even Hood on a crystal clear day).
Nisqually Vista Loop
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
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Length
- 1.1 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 200 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,400 feet
Follow the trails here to views of Mount Rainier's rocky Nisqually River valley and the much-receded Nisqually Glacier.
Railroad Grade
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 7.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,000 feet
This popular route for summitting Mount Baker is also a brilliant summer wildflower hiking destination.
Ruby Mountain
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 17.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 6,300 feet
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Highest Point
- 7,408 feet
Ruby Mountain is a 7,408-foot peak in the center of the North Cascades. It has one of the best panoramic views of the lakes, snow-capped peaks and glaciers of the North Cascades National Park.
Windy Ridge Trail
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
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Length
- 4.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 200 feet
-
Highest Point
- 4,200 feet
This trail is closed all M-F between May 15 and Oct 31 through the end of 2027. The trail will remain open on all weekends and federal holidays.
The drive to Mount St. Helens’ Windy Ridge is spectacular! From this east side of the mountain, the summit is close — more so than from the Johnston Observatory side. And it is quiet; on a busy weekend, you can often find the parking lot less than half full.
Cape Alava Loop (Ozette Triangle)
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
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Length
- 9.4 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 100 feet
-
Highest Point
- 350 feet
The Cape Alava Loop (Ozette Triangle) is two hikes in one: a forest stroll and a walk on the beach. Take the Cape Alava Trail out to the beach and back for a 6.2 mile hike, or continue south along the beach to connect up with the Sand Point Trail for a 9.4 mile loop.
Henskin Lake
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 6.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,000 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,550 feet
This is a beautiful hike that "has it all," from wonderful wildflowers and a deep forest, to wild creeks and an alpine lake. You will even see an abandoned gold mine along the way!
Tradition Lake Loop
Issaquah Alps > Tiger Mountain
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Length
- 2.9 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 150 feet
-
Highest Point
- 540 feet
Hike a series of short, nearly level trails that offer views of two lakes and of some swampy areas, and pass one of the largest trees in the Tigers. Appreciate the forest vegetation and wildflowers. Along the way, hear and perhaps see a variety of song birds and waterfowl.
Meadowbrook Farm
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 4.85 miles of trails
Featuring loop trails ranging from a few hundred feet to 2.25 miles, Meadowbrook Farm makes a wonderful spot to stop in the Snoqualmie Valley. Bring your kids, or just yourself and come explore this sweet little parcel of land off Highway 202.
Slate Peak
North Cascades > Pasayten
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Length
- 0.7 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 250 feet
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Highest Point
- 7,440 feet
This is a road hike on Forest Service Road 5400 from the gate to the lookout on top of Slate Peak.
Tatoosh Lakes
South Cascades > White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley
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Length
- 6.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,400 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,750 feet
Tatoosh Lakes are not open to camping any more, but they are much easier to get to than they used to be, and still a good bet for solitude and the peaceful sounds of nature.
South Tiger Summit
Issaquah Alps > Tiger Mountain
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Length
- 6.1 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,600 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,100 feet
The South Tiger Summit Trail starts on the South Tiger Traverse Trail, passes the south summit of South Tiger Mountain and ends at the north summit. The trail was built in 2023 after the area was logged in years 2018 and 2019.
Circle Peak
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 16.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,800 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,983 feet
A lovely-but-rough hike that uses established trail and old logging roads, the Circle Peak Trail has seen a lot of maintenance from the Darrington Ranger District in the past several summers.
Capitol State Forest - Porter Falls
Olympic Peninsula > Olympia
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Length
- 2.2 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 450 feet
Hike along a gentle grade as it climbs along Porter Creek and crosses it, traveling west on the other side, keeping the road you arrived on in view. As you reach the confluence of Porter Creek and the West Fork of Porter Creek, you also reach the waterfall, your destination.
Hall Point
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
This is not an official Forest Service trail. The route is not maintained and requires route-finding skills to navigate.
Copper Ridge
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 13.9 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 1,800 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,260 feet
The Copper Ridge Trail forms part of the popular and iconic Copper Ridge Loop. The trail climbs to a ridge with stunning views before dropping down to the Chilliwack River Valley.
Copper Ridge Loop
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 34.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 8,600 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,260 feet
Experience the variety offered by the North Cascades: high mountain ridges with spectacular views, a remote river valley, and even a self-propelled cable car river crossing. Popular side trips include Hannegan Peak and Whatcom Pass.
Chilliwack River
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 17.3 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 2,365 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,440 feet
The Chilliwack River Trail is an important part of the Copper Ridge Loop and is also part of the traverse between Hannegan Pass and Ross Lake via a connection with the Little Beaver Trail.
Thompson Lake via Granite Creek Trail
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 14.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,400 feet
-
Highest Point
- 4,200 feet
Hike a well-built trail to a beautiful, quiet, forested lake at the edge of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.
Lake Laura Backdoor
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 3.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,800 feet
A short, beautiful, but very steep unofficial bootpath to Lake Laura and Lake Lillian, this route gets you there in a quarter of the time, but breathing just as hard.
Irene Rinehart Riverfront Park
Central Washington > Yakima
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Length
- 2.2 miles of trails
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Highest Point
- 1,500 feet
This park is just outside the city of Ellensburg along the Yakima River. The park is a long, narrow parcel that stretches between the river and I-90 with a parking area at both ends.
Guemes Mountain
Puget Sound and Islands > San Juan Islands
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Length
- 2.4 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 550 feet
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Highest Point
- 688 feet
A collaboration between Skagit Land Trust and Washington Trails Association created this 1.2-mile trail up Guemes Mountain, offering views of the surrounding San Juan Islands. A treat year round, you'll also see unique prairie habitat and forest, in addition to those gorgeous views.
Nosh Nosh Wahtum
Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
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Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,500 feet
-
Highest Point
- 4,850 feet
Get a taste of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness on this short climb to a small but scenic lake. The trail winds from a lush meadow into old growth forest. Whether as a short day trek or a first-time overnight, a hike to Nosh Nosh Wahtum is worth the long road in.
Alpine Lookout
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
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Length
- 10.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,600 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,235 feet
This is one of the most popular hikes along the US 2 corridor, and it's easy to understand why: a historic and active fire lookout, an enclave for mountain goats, miles of flower-blooming meadows, jaw-slacking views of Lake Wenatchee, Glacier Peak, and hundreds of other peaks. It's amazing there aren't more hikers sunning themselves on this Nason Ridge summit. And being on one of the area's first high peaks to shed its winter snows, Alpine Lookout makes for an excellent early summer adventure.
Mount Muller
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
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Length
- 12.7 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,350 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,748 feet
Mount Muller offers breathtaking views from a breathtaking trail -- it's a steep climb, but those who make it to the lofty ridgeline are rewarded with a panorama that includes the Strait of Juan de Fuca, massive Mount Olympus, and sapphire, sparkling Lake Crescent.
Sourdough Mountain
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 10.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 4,870 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,985 feet
The trail from the trailhead to the lookout is closed until further notice due to damage from the Sourdough and Stetattle fires.
The mountainous views that once inspired beatnik poets continue to inspire modern-day hikers who take on this strenuous yet rewarding challenge.
Mudhole Lake
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 8.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 4,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,550 feet
With an ominous name like Mudhole Lake, it would be easy to set low expectations for this destination. Don’t be fooled though. This infrequently-visited route provides a steep ascent on good trail with expansive views and good berries in season. After just a couple of miles, a hidden pond, nestled in among larches in a high mountain cirque, will be all yours.