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 HikesMailbox Peak
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 9.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 4,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,822 feet
While still relatively steep, this new route up Mailbox Peak, built in part with help from WTA volunteers, offers a safer and more easily navigable way for folks to summit this formidable peak than the old trail.
Maidenhair Falls
Olympic Peninsula > Olympia
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Length
- 1.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 100 feet
Maidenhair Falls is proof that you don’t have to hike long distances to see beautiful scenery. A mere half mile from the trailhead, this waterfall and gorge is sure to delight.
Maggie Creek
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 11.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,920 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,930 feet
Explore the Norse Peak Wilderness on this trail, which connects the Pacific Crest Trail near the Mike Urich Cabin with the Greenwater Lakes trail.
Meadowdale Beach Park - Lunds Gulch
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 2.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 425 feet
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Highest Point
- 425 feet
Hike down a lushly forested ravine with a babbling creek to its estuary as it empties into Puget Sound. Heading to the beach, breathe in the serene panorama of Brown’s Bay, Puget Sound, the islands, and the Olympic Mountains. Watch seabirds and go beachcombing to look for crabshells, anemones, and other treasures.
Lower South Fork Skokomish River
Olympic Peninsula > Olympia
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Length
- 8.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 800 feet
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Highest Point
- 900 feet
Venture up the Lower South Fork of the Skokomish River for an abundance of flora and fauna amid lush old growth.
Lower Dungeness River
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 12.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,500 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,700 feet
The Lower Dungeness Trail travels through mostly conifer forests high above the river with a fair bit of elevation gain for a river hike.
Lower Big Quilcene River
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 12.9 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,890 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,943 feet
The Lower Big Quilcene Trail begins just outside the Buckhorn Wilderness and follows the lower Big Quilcene River along a mostly non-technical tread for approximately 6.5 miles. The moss-lined route starts on an old road bed through younger forest and then winds past large old-growth cedars. In spring and summer, blooming rhododendrons add vibrant color to your journey. This trail is also a great choice during the fall and winter months because the trees provide shelter from precipitation.
Lost Lake
South Cascades > Goat Rocks
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Length
- 16.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,400 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,200 feet
Accessible from both Packwood Lake and the Clear Fork trailhead, Lost Lake is a medium-sized, scenic little mountain lake ringed with trees and nestled in a small bowl below the former Lost Lake lookout site, a good spot for overnighting or taking a long day hike.
Lookout Mountain Lookout
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 9.4 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 4,500 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,719 feet
To get panoramic views of the North Cascades without fighting the crowds at Cascade Pass or Hidden Lake Lookout, look no further than Lookout Mountain, an arduous climb that often gets overlooked by hikers heading to North Cascades National Park. From the fire lookout on the summit, enjoy 360-degree views of Mount Baker, Mount Shuksan, and a panoply of other North Cascades giants.
Longfellow Creek Legacy Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 4.0 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 578 feet
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Highest Point
- 306 feet
This West Seattle urban trail features a peat bog, public art, a salmon stream that runs through front yards, and a shopping center parking lot.
Waikiki Springs Nature Preserve
Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
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Length
- 4.8 miles of trails
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Elevation Gain
- 588 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,790 feet
This is a lovely urban trail system outside of Spokane and near the Little Spokane River.
Little Spokane River Natural Area - Knothead Loop
Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
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Length
- 7.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,200 feet
You'll get a good workout on this seven mile loop just outside of Spokane. Consider it for an early-season conditioner, or a way to get a lot of miles and elevation close to home all year round. In spring, it's a wildflower haven. Summertime can be hot, so bring plenty of water -- the river here is part of a natural area, so no swimming!
Little Mountain Park - Darvill Loop
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 4.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 860 feet
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Highest Point
- 934 feet
An old trail made new! The land on this southwest side of the park was recently donated to the Skagit Land Trust and Mount Vernon Parks to prevent it from becoming a big housing development. Now, the land will be kept for posterity for all to enjoy. Hike this loop for some fine forest walking on the south slope of Little Mountain.
Little Mountain Park - Bonnie and Clyde Loop
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 1.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 300 feet
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Highest Point
- 934 feet
Aptly named Little Mountain is easily accessible year-round. This 522-acre forested park—just a few miles from Mount Vernon’s downtown area—feels much farther from the city. A narrow road leads to the sub-1,000-foot summit, where Skagit Valley views await. While driving to the top is pleasant, it is far more rewarding to hike.
Little Lake Forest
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Highest Point
- 900 feet
The trails and trailhead are closed for construction. Trails are expected to reopen in January 2026.
The Little Lake Forest was acquired by King County Parks in 2018. A small forested lake sits in the middle of this 155-acre park, and a gravel access road leads to the northern shore of the lake.
Little Kachess
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 9.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,400 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,620 feet
The Little Kachess Trail is a rough rollercoaster of a hike that bounds along the western shore of Little Kachess Lake. Not to be confused with a lakeside stroll, this moderately strenuous trail climbs and drops repeatedly in an attempt to avoid cliffs while providing occasional access to the lakeshore.
Anacortes Community Forest Lands - Little Cranberry Lake
Puget Sound and Islands > Whidbey Island
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Length
- 1.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 125 feet
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Highest Point
- 250 feet
Set off for a hike in the Anacortes Community Forest Lands (ACFL), a 2,800-acre preserve within the city limits of Anacortes.
Little Beaver Creek
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 35.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 6,213 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,197 feet
9.1.25: Little Beaver Trail from Ross Lake to Stillwell Camp is closed until further notice due to the Big Beaver Fire.
A trek through the Little Beaver valley in the heart of the North Cascades offers remarkable old-growth forest, phenomenal mountain views and plenty of options for backpackers.
Lingering Trail
Issaquah Alps > Tiger Mountain
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Length
- 1.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 400 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,250 feet
Take a one-mile detour off the High Point Trail until it rejoins the Tiger Mountain Trail. Intersect with Dwight's Way Trail about three-quarters of a mile in.
Lime Kiln Trail
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 7.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 625 feet
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Highest Point
- 750 feet
Here's an unusual hike through a very mossy forest and along a narrow river canyon, past sites that were important in local history. A railroad once ran along the canyon, passing through small communities. Logging was done in the area, and lime once was produced from limestone here, in a kiln that still stands. The railroad and communities are gone now, and much has disappeared over the past eighty years. But a few artifacts still remain and can be seen near the trail.
Lily and Lizard Lake Loop
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 7.15 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,400 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,120 feet
This is a loop made up of several well signed trails on Blanchard Mountain in the Chuckanuts. The trail offers that other-world ancientness with its dark forests, moss and house-sized boulders. It makes a good year-round hike, with a route that passes by waterfalls, swamps, two lakes, wildlife activity, old growth and evidence of logging operations from the nineteenth century.
Lewis River Falls
Southwest Washington > Lewis River Region
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Length
- 8.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 450 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,300 feet
Step into the moss-cloaked forest of the Lewis River, where giant cedars, nurse logs, ancient stumps and rushing water abound.
Lemei Lake
South Cascades > Mount Adams Area
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Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 500 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,100 feet
Tucked in the heart of the Indian Heaven Wilderness. The short and sweet Lemei Lake trail takes you through open meadow to a calm lake ringed with lush evergreens and grasses.
Lemah Meadow
Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
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Length
- 1.0 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 200 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,250 feet
Lemah Meadow is a marshy clearing set at the foot of Lemah Mountain. Although the meadow lies along the Pacific Crest Trail, it is most easily reached by the Pete Lake Trail. A couple of scenic campsites make this a fun alternative to staying at the busy shores of Pete Lake.
Leadbetter Point State Park - Dune Forest Loop
Southwest Washington > Long Beach Area
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Length
- 2.9 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 60 feet
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Highest Point
- 35 feet
A walk through the coastal forest and tidal flats of Leadbetter Point State Park, the Dune Forest Loop is a nice way to see this low-lying peninsula, but the conditions on trail are heavily dependent on the tides and recent rainfall. Come prepared to wade through at least a little bit of water, and don’t be surprised to find yourself navigating deeper stuff. Bring a tide table, and try to visit at low tide for the driest conditions.
LBA Park
Olympic Peninsula > Olympia
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Length
- 4.0 miles of trails
The LBA of LBA Park stands for Little Baseball Association, but there is much more to do than just play baseball at this urban park. There are 4 miles of gentle walking trails in the adjoining LBA Woods and more.
Lava Canyon
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
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Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,600 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,800 feet
The suspension bridge on the Lava Canyon trail is closed due to cable damage.
This trail begins with an amazing, ADA accessible, interpretive trail before proceeding down a steep rugged canyon to a one-of-a-kind swinging bridge.
Lava Butte
South Cascades > Dark Divide
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Length
- 3.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,100 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,400 feet
Follow this steep, to-the-point trail over a river to the top of an old cinder cone volcano.
Larch Mountain (Silver Star)
Southwest Washington > Lewis River Region
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Length
- 5.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,150 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,496 feet
Take a short, rugged trek to a forested summit. Along the way, you'll enjoy beargrass in spring, get some good views of the Silver Star Scenic Area, but the best thing about this hike is the workout.
Larch Lakes (Entiat)
Central Cascades > Entiat Mountains/Lake Chelan
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Length
- 16.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,600 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,750 feet
A hike to two lakes situated in a remote hanging valley in the Entiat, this beautiful hike is ideal for adventurous backpackers in the autumn who are looking for larches.