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
4216 HikesCape 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.
Tolt-MacDonald Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 12.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 400 feet
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Highest Point
- 500 feet
Tolt-MacDonald Park is an outdoor recreation treasure for all King County residents! With 12 miles of forested and riverside trails, this is a favorite mountain biking and hiking destination. The backcountry area of the park is located on the west side of the Snoqualmie River across the suspension bridge.
Teneriffe Falls
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 5.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,585 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,370 feet
You'll work up a sweat on this easy to moderate hike to the spectacular Teneriffe Falls. Go in the spring when the tread is snow-free and the waterfall is flowing at full volume. Along the way, you'll be rewarded with views of the surrounding Snoqualmie valley and nearby peaks.
Frenchman Coulee
Central Washington > Potholes Region
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Length
- 4.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 200 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,000 feet
Vantage is primarily a destination for rock climbers, with the fascinating rock formations of the Gorge making for a great challenge to those wishing to hone their belaying skills. But nearby Frenchman Coulee allows hikers to enjoy the same surroundings with both feet planted firmly on the ground.
Iverson Railroad Trail
Issaquah Alps > Tiger Mountain
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Length
- 3.3 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 540 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,750 feet
The Iverson Railroad Trail begins at the Tiger Summit Trailhead off SR 18 and heads west along the south side of East Tiger Mountain for roughly 1.7 miles, ending at West Side Road.
Cleman Mountain - Waterworks Canyon Loop
Central Washington > Yakima
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Length
- 6.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,582 feet
Great views, a canyon beneath spectacular cliffs, buttresses and pinnacles of weathered basalt, wildflowers in the spring, color and wildlife in the autumn, and sunshine through most of the day in the winter make the Point 3582-Waterworks Canyon loop on Mount Cleman a great hike.
Northwest Timber Trail
Issaquah Alps > Tiger Mountain
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Length
- 4.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 150 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,500 feet
The Northwest Timber Trail can be an easy first hike for young hikers, or it can be a pleasant stroll for experienced hikers when they have limited time. For many, this trail is a gateway to other routes that lead to more distant goals, such as the Silent Swamp Loop or the Preston Railroad Grade, or to forest roads that lead to the summit of East Tiger.
Crosshaul
Issaquah Alps > Tiger Mountain
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Length
- 0.4 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 98 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,278 feet
The Crosshaul Trail is a short segment within the East Tiger Mountain trail network that connects with many other trails.
Skyline Lake Snowshoe
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
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Length
- 3.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,100 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,100 feet
Dramatic mounds of snow, a frozen lake and sweeping views into the Alpine Lakes and Glacier Peak Wildernesses await snowshoers at Skyline Lake. Easily accessed from the Stevens Pass ski area, this steep and rewarding ridge walk is a classic on a sunny day.
Three Corner Rock
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 4.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 800 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,550 feet
The trail is closed from the western trailhead on W-2000 Road but can be hiked to Three Corner Rock from CG-1440 Road. Hikers can also hike to Three Corner Rock via the PCT from the east.
Hike the Pacific Crest Trail to a relatively unknown but landmark lookout site on a rock pinnacle with a view of 5 snow peaks and segments of the Columbia River. Three Corner Rock sits atop of broad, open ridge surrounded by beargrass meadows in the spring.
Palouse to Cascades Trail - Cedar Falls to Change Creek
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 11.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 480 feet
3.20.26: The Palouse to Cascades trail is closed (1) between the Olallie Trail to Homestead Valley trailhead and (2) between the Carter Creek campsite to the west side of the Snoqualmie Tunnel until further notice due to storm damage.
The hike from the Cedar Falls trailhead to the junction with the Change Creek route is one through history. You will walk along a decommissioned railroad passing by the remnants of the line. Starting at the Cedar Falls trailhead, begin your hike just past the outhouse, crossing a paved road, and picking up the gravel path.
Mount St. Helens - Monitor Ridge
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
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Length
- 10.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 4,500 feet
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Highest Point
- 8,365 feet
Permits are required to summit Mount St. Helens. Find details about acquiring them in the hike description.
The rim is extremely unstable. Please stay well back from the edge.
Mount St. Helens is a peak that should be on every life list. And because it is an active volcano, it is best not to put it off for too long. Climbing to the crater rim is an opportunity to see not only amazing views in every direction, but to see geology raw, unformed and in its making.
Thornton Lakes and Trappers Peak
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 9.7 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,789 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,832 feet
Incredible views and beautiful alpine lakes are your reward if you can ascend this steep trail in the North Cascades. At the top, you can choose between taking in sweeping panoramic views of North Cascades National Park and the Pickets Range, or relaxing near the lowest of the Thornton Lakes, both of which make a rewarding destination.
Copper Creek Hut Snowshoe
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
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Length
- 8.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,040 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,200 feet
Copper Creek Hut and the North District trails are closed each year between mid-April and mid-Nov for wildlife protection. They are only open during the winter season.
Yes, there really is a hut on the Copper Creek Hut trail, and it’s open to the public! The Mount Tahoma Trails Association, a non-profit organization, operates over 50 miles of cross-country ski and snowshoe trails and a system of huts for day and overnight use near Ashford, just west of Mount Rainier National Park.
Hyas Lake
Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
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Length
- 4.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 100 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,500 feet
The relatively flat hike to this long, shallow lake makes an excellent destination for families with children or an easy overnight camping trip.
Oyster Dome
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,050 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,025 feet
Oyster Dome is a rocky promontory on the western slope of Blanchard Mountain, the grandest member of the Chuckanut Mountain range, an extension of the Cascades that rises directly from the ocean. The sheer cliffs of Oyster Dome offer year-round access to commanding views of the San Juans, Skagit River flats, Olympic Mountains, and Samish Bay.
Quick Link
Issaquah Alps > Tiger Mountain
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Length
- 0.5 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 163 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,657 feet
The Quick Link Trail is a short segment in the middle of the East Tiger trail system. Combine this trail with others to form any number of loop hikes, including a trip to the east tiger summit.
Snow Bowl Hut Snowshoe
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
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Length
- 8.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,300 feet
Bruni's Snow Bowl Hut is named for Brunhilde (Bruni) Wislicenus, a passionate mountaineer and wilderness skier who donated a substantial portion of the funds to rebuild the hut after a fire in 2007 burnt the original to the ground. Now, it provides skiers and snowshoers a place to warm up after a bracing 4.5 mile jaunt along forest roads in Tahoma State Forest.
Yurt Snowshoe
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
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Length
- 12.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,740 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,100 feet
The Yurt is by far the most secluded of the four huts within the Mount Tahoma Trail System. A cozy studio in the wilderness surrounded by trees with easy access for a day hike to Griffin Mountain, you'll have to really hoof it through the snow to get there.
High Hut Snowshoe
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
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Length
- 7.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,400 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,800 feet
High Hut is the highlight of the Mount Tahoma Trail System. From the warmth of a cozy alpine hut, enjoy some of the best views in the southern Cascades.
Rhododendron Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Whidbey Island
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Length
- 3.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 0 feet
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Highest Point
- 295 feet
A multi-use county park with a short system of rambling trails through native rhododendron forest in central Whidbey Island.
Big Tree Botanical Area Interpretive Site
Eastern Washington > Okanogan Highlands/Kettle River Range
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Length
- 2.3 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 175 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,280 feet
A lovely short trail in a gorgeous setting, this hike is worth planning as a weekend trip to include camping at nearby Lost Lake.
Sage Hills
Central Washington > Wenatchee
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Length
- 5.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 650 feet
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Highest Point
- 800 feet
Just adjacent to the equally popular Horse Lake Reserve, the Sage Hills is home to great trails for hiking, running, or mountain biking. The rolling hills found at Sage Hills offer wonderful views of the Columbia River, the Wenatchee Valley and the North Cascades. Springtime brings vibrant color to the area with wild sage, yellow arrowleaf balsamroot, Indian paintbrush and purple lupine abound.
Garfield Gulch
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 0.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 150 feet
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Highest Point
- 150 feet
Garfield Gulch is a deep ravine located in the north end portion of Tacoma with a short trail.
Acorn Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 0.3 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 200 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,000 feet
This short connector trail, maintained by WTA, links Max's Shortcut trail to BL-1616 on Blanchard Mountain.
Larrabee State Park - South Lost Lake Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 9.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,950 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,650 feet
Tucked away atop Chuckanut Mountain is shallow Lost Lake. The south trail to the lake leads through a recovering forest of bigleaf maple, alder, Douglas fir, and western hemlock, meandering 4.5 miles to a riparian hideout, providing waterfalls, old growth, fall color, and year-round hiking to those who make the journey.
South Hill Bluff
Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
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Length
- 23.0 miles of trails
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Elevation Gain
- 350 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,340 feet
This local location for after-work hiking in Spokane boasts nearly 25 miles of trails. From a flat traverse high above the railroad tracks to longer loops; there are many possible outings to be done at South Hill.
Sky Country
Issaquah Alps > Cougar Mountain
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Length
- 0.3 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 123 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,180 feet
A connector to Military Road along 166th Way SE on Cougar Mountain.
Yacolt Burn State Forest - Silver Shadow Trail
Southwest Washington > Lewis River Region
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Length
- 2.81 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 87 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,250 feet
Silver Shadow Trail is a three-mile connector trail in the Yacolt Burn State Forest named for being in the shadow of neighboring Silver Star Mountain. Hike it one-way, or connect it with the Tarbell trail to make a 5 mile loop.
Shy Bear
Issaquah Alps > Cougar Mountain
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Length
- 1.5 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 250 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,200 feet
The Shy Bear runs through the southern portion of Cougar Mountain. The official ends of this trail can only be reached on foot and must be accessed from one of the various trails that connect to Shy Bear.