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
4235 HikesSakai Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 3.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 280 feet
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Highest Point
- 200 feet
A forest walk near the Bainbridge Island Ferry Terminal featuring forest, a pond and one of the new trolls.
Frog Mountain
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
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Length
- 7.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,166 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,852 feet
Built with the help of many WTA work parties, the Frog Mountain trail is the newest trail on the Skykomish Ranger District. It offers views of the Skykomish Valley from the summit and a great shoulder-season hike.
Twin Lakes (Wenatchee)
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
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Length
- 6.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,850 feet
On the east side of Stevens Pass, near Lake Wenatchee, two large, calm lakes wait in a lush basin lined with pine trees, bigleaf maples, and an understory of salmonberry and blackberry. On the way in, the trail shows off gigantic western redcedars, as well as rushing mountain streams, and an impressive rocky canyon.
Mink Lake
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
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Length
- 5.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,450 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,100 feet
The forest to Mink Lake is beautiful, packed full of Queen's Cup, lilies and bunchberry flowers in bloom. Depending on the season, you may see Western Coralroot orchids and Indian Pipe, or Beargrass, Anenomes and violets around the lake.
North Fork Sullivan Creek
Eastern Washington > Selkirk Range
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Length
- 5.7 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 3,600 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,600 feet
Tucked deep into the heart of the infrequently-visited Colville National Forest is the North Fork Sullivan Trail. This trail has no trailhead of its own, but climbs steadily from its junction with the Halliday and Red Bluff Trails to Crowell Ridge, where you'll enjoy expansive views of the surrounding area.
Umtanum Creek Falls
Central Washington > Yakima
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Length
- 2.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 130 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,500 feet
Hike downhill, enjoy spring blooms and throw rocks into a punchbowl at the bottom of a 40-foot waterfall.
Sourdough Creek
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 3.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 600 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,780 feet
Whether you’re in the area or just driving through, Diablo Lake is always a good spot to stop and take in the North Cascades. If you want to extend your stop into a hike, check out the Sourdough Creek Trail. This short and moderate trail traverses through lush, mossy forest and leads you up to the Sourdough Creek waterfalls. With wildlife, mountain and lake views and plenty of rest stops, this trail is perfect for all ages.
Columbia Hills State Park - Horsethief Butte
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 1.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 200 feet
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Highest Point
- 498 feet
Horsethief Butte, one part of the expansive Columbia Hills State Historical Park, is composed of hexagonal columns of Wanapum basalt flows that were scoured by the Ice Age floods some 10,000 years ago. Rock climbers are attracted to the sheer cliff faces but hikers and scramblers will find a marked route to the summit.
Tubal Cain Mine
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 7.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,600 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,600 feet
This short dayhike also offers campsites near the site of an old B-17 crash site. Please leave what you see so others may discover this historic site as you do.
Snoqualmie Ridge Trail Network - Deer Park Trail
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 1.78 miles, roundtrip
This short and sweet loop hike offers a wonderful little retreat into nature within the city of Snoqualmie. There are plenty of opportunities to spot some waterfowl as you pass the multiple retention ponds along the way. Listen to croaking frogs as you pass by wetland areas and even some old growth trees.
Rampart Ridge - Rampart Lakes
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 11.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,200 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,100 feet
Rampart Lakes is a pretty collection of pothole lakes with a maze of social trails lacing them together. Though doable as a day hike, it is better enjoyed as an overnight destination, with nearby Alta Mountain and Lila Lake making excellent side trips.
Rachel Lake
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 7.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,200 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,600 feet
From Rachel Lake you can access further adventures at Rampart Lakes, Lila Lakes and Alta Peak. This hike is a popular weekend overnight destination; so don’t expect to be by yourself in high season.
Latourell Falls
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - OR
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Length
- 3.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 540 feet
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Highest Point
- 600 feet
The popular Latourell Falls in Guy W. Talbot State Park offers hikers several loop options, a family friendly one-mile roundtrip accessible walk to the Lower Falls and historic bridge, or a 2 mile loop to also take in the 134-foot Upper Falls, the third tallest in the Columbia Gorge.
Beacon Rock State Park - Beacon Rock
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 2.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 600 feet
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Highest Point
- 848 feet
Beacon Rock's native name is "Che-Che-op-tin," which translates to "the navel of the world." Native Americans weren't far off in their comparison, since the 848-foot basalt column once formed the core, or belly, of an ancient volcano.
Independence and North Lakes
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 7.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,200 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,950 feet
Surrounded by a rugged topography cloaked in ancient forest, the setting is as wild as any along the Mountain Loop Highway, except for one noticeable difference. North and Independence lack the crowds that inundate nearby backcountry lakes.
Cape Horn
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 7.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,300 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,350 feet
This rugged hike is bound to become a classic, if it isn’t already. The full trail loop provides fantastic views of the Columbia River Gorge, an intimate look at the Cape Horn Falls and a challenging workout as it climbs and descends the rocky slopes of Cape Horn.
Dry Creek Falls
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - OR
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Length
- 4.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 860 feet
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Highest Point
- 870 feet
The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) runs from Mexico to the Canadian border through the Columbia Gorge. While it is well-known for traveling along the waterfall-filled Eagle Creek Trail, purists know that it is an alternate route; the actual trail runs a bit south closer to the Bridge of The Gods. Here, the PCT leads you to the secluded gem of Dry Creek Falls just a few miles away from the noise and bustle of I-84.
Owyhigh Lakes
Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River
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Length
- 7.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,650 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,275 feet
Walk a very pleasant and well-graded trail through old- and new-growth forest. After a moderate elevation gain, the forest opens into meadowlands filled with wildflowers after the snow melts. A pair of shallow but pretty lakes, with a rocky ridge as a backdrop, completes the scene.
Little Tahoma
Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River
The route to Little Tahoma requires advanced mountaineering skills including glacier travel.
Inter Glacier
Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River
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Length
- 4.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,920 feet
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Highest Point
- 7,150 feet
The Inter Glacier is part of the standard Mount Rainier climbing route. While it may appear to be just a steep snowfield, it is a glacier with crevasses and other hazards. Glacier travel experience and equipment is required.
Goat Island Mountain
Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River
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Highest Point
- 7,288 feet
The route to the top of Goat Island Mountain is not on true trail but is more of a scramble.
Glacier Basin Loop
Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River
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Length
- 11.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,100 feet
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Highest Point
- 7,400 feet
Expansive views of Mount Rainier, up-close views of Emmons Glacier, lakes, and campsites are just a few features of the Glacier Basin Loop's varying landscape.
Emmons Moraine
Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River
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Length
- 3.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 700 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,000 feet
This short trail crosses the Inter Fork of the White River to views of The Mountain's largest glacier and the valley carved by this river of ice.
Eastside Loop
Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River
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Length
- 36.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 7,430 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,800 feet
A multi-night backpacking trip around the eastern edge of Mount Rainier National Park.
White River to Sunrise
Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River
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Length
- 5.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,100 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,400 feet
A short but steep climb on the Wonderland Trail from a campground in Mount Rainier National Park to the Sunrise Visitor Center area.
Tamanos Mountain
Mount Rainier Area > SE - Cayuse Pass/Stevens Canyon
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Length
- 10.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,080 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,790 feet
Tamanos is a moderately strenuous 10 mile round trip hike that goes through forest, meadows, rock and ridge scrambles ending in glorious up close views of Mount Rainier.
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
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.
Sheep Lake to Sourdough Gap
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 6.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,100 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,400 feet
This is a pleasant hike to a small lake and a notched gap with sweeping views. Sheep Lake is nestled in a subalpine area that explodes with wildflowers in July and August. The lake is a good place to relax and enjoy nature or perhaps take off your boots and go wading. Sourdough Gap is a small saddle in a rocky-edged ridge. The hike from the lake to the gap offers increasingly picturesque views of the south Cascades with every foot of altitude you gain. Once at the gap, you will be rewarded with grand views of Sheep Lake on one side and the Crystal Lakes basin on the other side.
Shriner Peak
Mount Rainier Area > SE - Cayuse Pass/Stevens Canyon
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Length
- 8.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,434 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,834 feet
Gorgeous weather and late-season color make this one of the most beautiful autumn hikes in Mount Rainier National Park. This hike is a tough climb, but the payoff is great views and lots of solitude.
Sheep Lake
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 3.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 400 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,750 feet
Sheep Lake is a picturesque alpine lake guarded by jagged-edged ridges. It makes a good destination for children, especially if you let them swim, play in the meadows, or explore the small rock outcroppings. Sheep Lake is also a worthy destination for adults who want a pause from daily life to enjoy the outdoors. The campsites around the perimeter are ideal for base camping or for backpacking with children.