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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 Hikes

Cable Line Trail

Issaquah Alps > Tiger Mountain
 
Length
3.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
2,022 feet
Highest Point
2,522 feet
Rating
Average rating:
3.57
(28 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
What a workout! The Cable Line Trail on Tiger Mountain is not for the weak of heart, nor the weak of knees. A steep, slippery incline awaits you here, up to the summit of West Tiger 3.
 
 

White Bluffs - North

Central Washington > Tri-Cities
 
Length
7.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
500 feet
Highest Point
725 feet
Rating
Average rating:
4.00
(21 votes)
  • Good for kids
  • Mountain views
  • Rivers
  • Wildflowers/Meadows
  • Wildlife
This is a striking, gorgeous hike -- excellent year round, whether you like snow-dappled trail or high desert. If you visit in summer, bring lots of water and a hat. There's no water available here.
 
 

Snoqualmie Valley Trail

Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
 
Length
32.0 miles, one-way
Rating
Average rating:
3.83
(6 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Fall foliage
  • Good for kids
  • Mountain views
  • Old growth
  • Rivers
  • Wildflowers/Meadows
  • Wildlife
Walk along an old railroad grade that climbs gently though forested hillsides. In summer, look for wildflowers: blackberry, elderberry, pea, daisy, buttercup and wild rose.
 
 

Marymoor Park

Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
 
Length
4.0 miles of trails
Rating
Average rating:
3.25
(4 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Good for kids
  • Lakes
  • Rivers
  • Wildlife
Marymoor Park features a handful of trails to explore that offer chances to spot wildlife along the Sammamish River.
 
 

Market to MOHAI

Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
 
Length
3.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
300 feet
Highest Point
170 feet
Rating
Average rating:
0.00
(0 votes)
  • Coast
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Good for kids
Explore the heart of Seattle, starting at the Museum of History and Industry in South Lake Union and ending downtown at Pike Place Market.
 
 

McNary National Wildlife Refuge

Central Washington > Tri-Cities
 
Length
2.8 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
50 feet
Highest Point
350 feet
Rating
Average rating:
2.40
(5 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Good for kids
  • Lakes
  • Wildlife
View thousands of migrating waterfowl and other wildlife from an easy, accessible trail through a national wildlife refuge just outside of the Tri-Cities.
 
 

Hope and Mig Lakes

Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
 
Length
5.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
1,550 feet
Highest Point
4,650 feet
Rating
Average rating:
3.29
(14 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Good for kids
  • Lakes
This hike has deep forest, pretty mountain lakes, fall color, and plenty of good trail to walk on without watching your feet all the time.
 
 

McCormick Forest Park

Olympic Peninsula > Kitsap Peninsula
 
Length
3.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
200 feet
Highest Point
400 feet
Rating
Average rating:
4.00
(6 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Fall foliage
  • Good for kids
  • Old growth
  • Wildlife
A 122 acre park near Gig Harbor, with trails that offer a wide range of difficulty, from flat, to 200 foot elevation gains.
 
 

Bus Trail

Issaquah Alps > Tiger Mountain
 
Length
0.7 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
200 feet
Highest Point
500 feet
Rating
Average rating:
3.57
(7 votes)
  • Good for kids
See history in your backyard. Tiger Mountain is full of historic trails, but the Bus Trail gets its name from an old bus that lies on its side along the trail. Kids will love exploring the area, and the Bus Trail can be used to make a huge variety of loops on the north side of Tiger Mountain.
 
 

LIttle Blacktail Mountain

Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
 
Length
5.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
1,750 feet
Highest Point
4,960 feet
Rating
Average rating:
4.00
(1 vote)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Mountain views
  • Ridges/passes
  • Summits
This is an old lookout site that towers nearly 3000 feet above Lake Pend Oreille. The trail is mixed use and open to motorcycles and offers splendid views from the top.
 
 

Park Creek Pass via Thunder Creek

North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
 
Length
40.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
7,000 feet
Highest Point
6,000 feet
Rating
Average rating:
2.80
(5 votes)
  • Established campsites
  • Mountain views
  • Old growth
  • Ridges/passes
  • Rivers
  • Waterfalls
  • Wildflowers/Meadows
  • Wildlife
Try a multi-day backpack up the tumbling, boisterous, river-like Thunder Creek from the Colonial Creek Campground to just beyond its headwaters at Park Creek Pass. Backpackers can turn around at Park Creek Pass or do a traverse to Cascade Pass.
 
 

Flat Creek

Central Cascades > Entiat Mountains/Lake Chelan
 
Length
11.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
500 feet
Highest Point
2,000 feet
Rating
Average rating:
2.75
(4 votes)
  • Dogs not allowed
  • Established campsites
  • Fall foliage
  • Mountain views
  • Old growth
  • Rivers
Flat Creek is a short day hike out of the Flat Creek Campground on the old Stehekin Valley Road. However, to get to the Stehekin road is a day or more trip, so you'll need to plan more than one day for this trip.
 
 

Snow Lake - Winter

Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
 
Length
10.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
2,000 feet
Highest Point
5,100 feet
Rating
Average rating:
4.25
(4 votes)
  • Established campsites
  • Lakes
  • Mountain views
  • Ridges/passes

Multiple avalanche chutes cross this trail. Hikers should have experience navigating avalanche territory and the appropriate safety gear.

One of Washington's most popular destinations in the summer, the trail to Snow Lake is a tempting destination in winter, too. But the steep terrain in the area puts visitors in a high-avalanche risk when snow is present. Have proper gear and an understanding of how to read the snowpack before venturing out on this trail.
 
 

Ancient Lakes

Central Washington > Potholes Region
 
Length
12.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
625 feet
Highest Point
1,200 feet
Rating
Average rating:
4.07
(71 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Established campsites
  • Good for kids
  • Lakes
  • Waterfalls
  • Wildflowers/Meadows
  • Wildlife
View one of the best examples of a recessional-cataract canyon. Potholes Coulee caught the attention of J Harlen Bretz in the early 20th century, which led to his “outrageous hypothesis” of Ice Age flooding.
 
 

Mount Adams South Climb

South Cascades > Mount Adams Area
 
Length
12.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
6,700 feet
Highest Point
12,276 feet
Rating
Average rating:
4.76
(21 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Established campsites
  • Mountain views
  • Rivers
  • Summits
The South Climb (or Lunch Counter Approach) of Mount Adams is the one that requires the least amount of technical expertise. However, ice axes, trekking poles, and crampons or microspikes (depending on the season) are required to summit. Hikers who put this investment in will be rewarded with stunning views on a clear day, as well as the satisfaction of having made it up one of Washington's five volcanoes.
 
 

Redlining Heritage Trail - Central District

Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
 
Rating
Average rating:
0.00
(0 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Good for kids
Walk through Seattle's historically Black neighborhood along this section of the Redlining Heritage Trail.
 
 

Humpback Mountain

Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
 
Length
4.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
2,600 feet
Highest Point
5,112 feet
Rating
Average rating:
3.79
(14 votes)
An unmaintained trail that climbs steeply up the shoulder of Humpback Mountain to an infrequently visited summit on a massive pile of boulders.
 
 

Sunset Falls

Southwest Washington > Lewis River Region
 
Length
0.4 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
6 feet
Highest Point
1,000 feet
Rating
Average rating:
0.00
(0 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Good for kids
  • Old growth
  • Waterfalls
  • Wildlife
This accessible trail to Sunset Falls is a great option for hikers of all experience levels. It’s located right next to a campground and day-use area.
 
 

Cascade Trail

North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
 
Length
22.5 miles, one-way
Elevation Gain
60 feet
Highest Point
230 feet
Rating
Average rating:
2.67
(3 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Good for kids
  • Rivers
This 22.5-mile rail trail follows the abandoned Burlington Northern grade connecting the towns of Sedro Woolley and Concrete, and can be accessed from three trailheads off of the North Cascades Highway.
 
 

Welch Peaks

Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
 
Length
9.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
3,300 feet
Highest Point
6,100 feet
Rating
Average rating:
4.67
(3 votes)
  • Mountain views
  • Old growth
  • Ridges/passes
  • Summits
  • Wildflowers/Meadows
This is an easy scramble from the saddle to the north of the much more popular Mount Townsend.
 
 

North Twentymile Peak

North Cascades > Pasayten
 
Length
12.8 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
4,387 feet
Highest Point
7,437 feet
Rating
Average rating:
3.40
(5 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Fall foliage
  • Mountain views
  • Wildflowers/Meadows

FR 5010 is impassible at the Twentymile Creek ford. See the driving directions for more details on a better route.

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.
 
 

Fletcher Canyon

Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
 
Length
4.6 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
1,300 feet
Highest Point
1,600 feet
Rating
Average rating:
3.00
(9 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Old growth
  • Rivers

This trail is inaccessible until further notice due to road failure.

The Fletcher Canyon Trail is a disproportionately difficult hike for being little more than two miles long. Perhaps because the route is steep and often muddy, obscured by blowdown, or faded entirely, it earns its ire and accolades. Individual accounts may be forgiven for their embellishments, especially those recalled fireside at the lodge tavern on a wet winter’s eve.
 
 

Cassimer Bar Natural Area

North Cascades > Methow/Sawtooth
 
Length
1.0 miles, roundtrip
Rating
Average rating:
0.00
(0 votes)
  • Good for kids
  • Wildlife
A quiet natural area near Brewster that offers wildlife viewing and beautiful views of Okanogan County
 
 

Leavenworth Fish Hatchery

Central Cascades > Leavenworth Area
 
Length
5.0 miles of trails
Elevation Gain
0 feet
Highest Point
1,168 feet
Rating
Average rating:
0.00
(0 votes)
  • Good for kids
  • Wildlife
The Leavenworth Fish Hatchery is a charming location that provides great education about salmon and their life cycles, all on the scenic Icicle River.
 
 

Salmon Viewing Trail

Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
 
Length
0.5 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
0 feet
Highest Point
2,500 feet
Rating
Average rating:
0.00
(0 votes)
  • Fall foliage
  • Good for kids
  • Rivers
  • Wildlife
This very short trail is self-proclaimed as the premier location for viewing wild salmon in the Pacific Northwest. Think so? You be the judge during your visit.
 
 

River Run

North Cascades > Methow/Sawtooth
 
Length
7.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
160 feet
Highest Point
2,325 feet
Rating
Average rating:
0.00
(0 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Good for kids
  • Rivers
Nearly level double track runs alongside the Methow River alternating between open meadows and Ponderosa forests. Do this quiet trail as an out and back or connect to Jack's Trail for a nice loop.
 
 

Rica Canyon Trail

Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
 
Length
0.25 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
30 feet
Highest Point
75 feet
Rating
Average rating:
0.00
(0 votes)
  • Dogs not allowed
  • Old growth
  • Rivers
A very short connector trail between the Elwha River trail and the Geyser Valley trail.
 
 

Big Bend Wildlife Area

Central Washington > Grand Coulee
 
Rating
Average rating:
0.00
(0 votes)
This wildlife area has limited access due to no available parking.
 
 

Saddle Rock Traverse Trail

Central Washington > Wenatchee
 
Length
0.75 miles, one-way
Rating
Average rating:
0.00
(0 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Good for kids
  • Wildflowers/Meadows
This trail connects to Saddle Rock from the Jacobson Preserve, northwest of Saddle Rock.
 
 

Lake Easton State Park

Snoqualmie Region > Cle Elum Area
 
Length
5.2 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
451 feet
Highest Point
2,283 feet
Rating
Average rating:
3.50
(4 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Good for kids
Lake Easton State Park is not a wilderness park, but it is scenic and peaceful. You can put together a five-mile loop hike on the park trails and on a section of the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail, if you don't mind walking on roads for a bit through the town of Easton. This hike makes for a good leg stretcher when you need a break from I-90.