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 HikesSeahurst Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 3.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 400 feet
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Highest Point
- 398 feet
Hike good trails though a forested drainage in Burien that has many tall trees and, in season, is very green. In spring look for a few wildflowers. Continue your hike on trails paralleling the beach, both north and south of your trailhead.
Lake Ethel
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
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Length
- 3.7 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,730 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,040 feet
The Lake Ethel Trail is closed to all public access 1.7 miles from the trailhead as the trail travels through private land. McCue Ridge and the Scottish Lakes are inaccessible via this trail.
The first 1.7 miles of the Lake Ethel trail provide hikers with views of nearby mountains like Nason Ridge — the trail is closed past this point due to being on private property.
Peggy's Pond
Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
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Length
- 11.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,300 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,600 feet
Access to such a grand location, with such ease, should be illegal. For the low admission price of a half dozen miles one can gain entrance to a primordial world of receding glaciers, wildflower carpeted meadows, and purple mountains majesties. The last mile to the lake will test many hikers’ nerves but the rewards are worth it. This pond is an excellent destination unto itself. It is also a stepping stone to more ambitious cross country ramblings in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.
Wilmot Gateway Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 0.2 miles of trails
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Elevation Gain
- 40 feet
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Highest Point
- 40 feet
Woodinville's first public community park, Wilmot Gateway Park, offers visitors several activities to spend a day outside.
Lake Ann
Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
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Length
- 8.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,200 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,500 feet
Discover a pleasant alpine lake alternative to nearby, crowded Lake Ingalls. Tranquil Lake Ann can't boast the same dramatic view of jagged Mount Stuart, but it has its fair share of scenery, especially during fall when the larches around it turn to gold.
Old Snowy Mountain - Elk Pass
South Cascades > Goat Rocks
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Length
- 17.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,100 feet
-
Highest Point
- 7,800 feet
Climb through incredible high-mountain meadows, then scramble up a rocky peak to amazing three-volcano panoramas, and along a stark knife-edge ridge to a divide between the Packwood Lake basin and the Tieton River valley.
ASB Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 1.0 miles, one-way
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Highest Point
- 20 feet
A quick walk along the Bellingham waterfront through industry and out on to the old Georgia Pacific Aeration Stabilization Basin (ASB) for very nice views of downtown and the bay.
Silver Shadow Loop
Southwest Washington > Vancouver Area
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Length
- 4.59 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 994 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,250 feet
This loop in Yacolt Burn State Forest makes for a lovely day hike with some great views of the forest and the lowland at the base of the forest. The 3-mile Silver Shadow connector makes this loop possible, and exists thanks to efforts from Washington Trails Association, Back Country Horsemen, Washington Conservation Corps, and DNR.
South Bay Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 4.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 20 feet
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Highest Point
- 20 feet
Hike along the abandoned Bellingham & Skagit Interurban Railway grade between Fairhaven and Bellingham, which has been reclaimed as pedestrian trail. The gentle grade makes it a good option for new hikers, and excellent views of Bellingham Bay make for great trailside distractions.
Old Village
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 0.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 62 feet
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Highest Point
- 70 feet
Looking to walk between Bellingham parks without cars passing by? The Old Village trail passes by several historic Bellingham locations as it connects Maritime Heritage Park with Elizabeth Park.
Fouts Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 0.15 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 0 feet
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Highest Point
- 85 feet
Enjoy a short, paved walking trail surrounding a public playground and picnic area nestled in the heart of Bellingham’s Lettered Streets neighborhood.
Deception Pass State Park - Upland Interpretive Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Whidbey Island
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Length
- 0.25 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 27 feet
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Highest Point
- 177 feet
This short loop is located above Cranberry Lake and introduces visitors to the coastal forest of Deception Pass State Park.
Aurora Creek
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
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Length
- 6.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,670 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,200 feet
A steep thigh-burner that doesn't offer much in the way of views, but will give you the workout you're looking for should you be training for Rainier or any other grueling ascents. The Aurora Creek trail rises an astonishing 3700 feet in 3.4 miles, from the edge of Hwy 101 to its junction with the Aurora Ridge Trail.
Norse Peak Lollipop via Goat Lake Trail
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 11.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,240 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,856 feet
Convert the popular out-and-back Norse Peak hike into a lollipop loop through the open terrain along the PCT and back along the Goat Lake Trail. While it has fewer views, it provides a longer, more secluded return to the trailhead.
Silver Star View Snowshoe
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 8.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 800 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,250 feet
A quiet snowshoe trip to views of Silver Star Mountain awaits the mid-week traveler in late fall and early spring. This road walk parallels the Early Winters Trail, the old route from Mazama to Washington Pass.
Tower Mountain
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 25.0 miles, roundtrip
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Highest Point
- 8,444 feet
The route to Tower Mountain is a Class 3 and involved exposed scrambling. Gear and experience recommended.
Nook Trail
Issaquah Alps > Tiger Mountain
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Length
- 6.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,525 feet
For those who enjoy the challenge of Mailbox Peak-style climbing, look no further than Issaquah to find her little brother, tightly packaged in a quad-exerting, heart-jerking direct climb to West Tiger 3’s hilltop vista.
Baker Preserve
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 3.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,050 feet
This trail climbs steeply to reach an overlook with views of the San Juan Islands and beyond.
Placid and Chenamus Lakes
South Cascades > Mount Adams Area
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Length
- 5.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,072 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,061 feet
Family-friendly Placid Lake is a great hike or first backpack for kids; in less than a mile, you are at a sandy beach with shallow water for wading and fishing, huckleberries for snacking and a big campsite for a picnic or camping. Keep going to visit another lake or a high meadow near the Pacific Crest Trail.
Bishop Ridge
South Cascades > Dark Divide
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Length
- 14.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 4,400 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,200 feet
Primarily used by motorized users, this trail climbs gradually to a scenic sub-alpine ridge, with views of Mount St. Helens, Mount Rainier, and the Goat Rocks. Shaded from top to bottom, but still quite strenuous, Bishop Ridge makes for a unique trip in a seldom-hiked part of Washington.
Queets River
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
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Length
- 22.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 600 feet
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Highest Point
- 800 feet
The Queets River Trail is legendary for both its wild rainforest scenery and for the challenges it presents to the hiker. To begin, the trail can only be accessed after fording the glacier-born Queets River itself. Across the river, the trail is primitive and remote. Most hikers skip this trail either because of the ford or because it dead ends at 11 miles. But anglers and Olympiphiles hold a special place for this valley in their hearts.
Washougal River Greenway Trail
Southwest Washington > Vancouver Area
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Length
- 2.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 70 feet
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Highest Point
- 50 feet
Bring your binoculars along on this hike through a birding hotspot, where 116 species have been seen, and watch for other wildlife — like deer — too.
Anacortes Community Forest Lands - Mount Erie
Puget Sound and Islands > Whidbey Island
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Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,300 feet
The following trail segments have been closed to the public as portions of them are on private land: Lower portion of Sunrise/East Buttress Trail. Trail 247. Pigeon Stool Wall.
At 1300 feet, Mount Erie marks the high point of Fidalgo Island. While it's accessible via a road, the hike up to the summit is heart-pounding, and makes an excellent outing for the day, or just a few hours.
Point Colville
Puget Sound and Islands > San Juan Islands
Enjoy wildflowers, solitude, and gorgeous views of Puget Sound on this lovely little hike down a pretty trail to Watmaugh Bay Beach. The park is located off Watmough Head Road, and the beach is beautiful; perfect for a picnic.
Blankenship Lakes
South Cascades > White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley
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Length
- 7.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,170 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,290 feet
Enjoy a trio of lakes and meadows on this excellent summer destination.
Walking Ebey's Trail System
Puget Sound and Islands > Whidbey Island
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Length
- 8.5 miles of trails
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Highest Point
- 200 feet
Embrace the pastoral as you walk between central Whidbey Island parks alongside working farmland and wide, open fields.
Kendall Peak Lakes Snowshoe
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 9.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,700 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,400 feet
Kendall Peak Lakes are popular snowshoe destinations, since the trailhead is about one hour from Seattle, the grade is gentle and the views superb. The route is relatively easy to follow because it follows an closed forest road.
Kendall Peak
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 9.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,800 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,784 feet
A scramble to the top of the main ridge that towers above the Snoqualmie Pass section of the Pacific Crest Trail. Climbing gear and expertise required.
Cooper River
Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
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Length
- 7.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 400 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,800 feet
Kids will love this hike because there’s so much to see: a rushing river, a lush old-growth forest dotted with wildflowers and, if you’re lucky, plenty of wildlife.