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
4214 HikesGold Creek Pond
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 1.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 10 feet
-
Highest Point
- 3,000 feet
The Gold Creek area will close every April 1 – Nov 30 through 2027 for a restoration project.
Gold Creek Pond is an ADA-accessible paved loop hike around a picturesque mountain pond atop Snoqualmie Pass.
Cinnamon Trail
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
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Length
- 8.6 miles, one-way
-
Elevation Gain
- 2,900 feet
-
Highest Point
- 4,000 feet
This long, meandering trail in the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument makes for a lovely out-and-back, or as part of a big loop hike.
River Meadows Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
River Meadows Park is a great place for a nice hike that isn't too far out of town, just about 15 minutes outside of Arlington.
Lake Sylvia State Park
Southwest Washington > Long Beach Area
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Length
- 5.0 miles of trails
-
Elevation Gain
- 30 feet
-
Highest Point
- 170 feet
Just a mile outside the tiny town of Montesano is a quiet, calm lake, fishing, swimming, camping and five miles of hiking trails. Stop by Lake Sylvia State Park for a day or a whole weekend of fun.
Lake Sylvia State Park - Brownie Trail
Olympic Peninsula > Olympia
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Length
- 2.7 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 630 feet
-
Highest Point
- 460 feet
Take a day trip or camp at Lake Sylvia State Park to hike the Brownie Trail, one of 22(!) named multi-use trails in the Montesano City Forest.
Mount Walker
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
-
Length
- 4.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 2,000 feet
-
Highest Point
- 2,804 feet
Approachable throughout the year, the Mount Walker trail’s average 20% grade makes it a go-to route for hikers and trail runners looking for a short, brisk tromp. (While it is also a designated stock trail, riders and pack animals rarely make an appearance.) Spring, summer, and fall the 2-mile trail is both ascended and descended by those on foot. In the winter, when the Mount Walker road is gated closed to vehicles, many will pursue the then 2.25-mile jaunt up to the north viewpoint, saunter over to the south viewpoint and then descend on the more gentle grade of the road.
Silver Star Mountain
Southwest Washington > Lewis River Region
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Length
- 6.4 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,990 feet
-
Highest Point
- 4,390 feet
See beautiful wildflower meadows on the way up to a panoramic view that includes many of the big peaks in both Washington and Oregon.
Ira Spring Trail - Mason Lake
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
-
Length
- 7.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 2,420 feet
-
Highest Point
- 4,320 feet
FR 9030 is closed for the winter season.
Sun drenched ridgelines, blooming trillium, and sparkling alpine waters define this fitting tribute to one of Washington’s greatest trail advocates.
Bandera Mountain
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
-
Length
- 8.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 3,400 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,240 feet
FR 9030 is closed for the winter season.
There are two sides to Bandera Mountain — gentle and well-groomed on the one hand, rough and untamed on the other. Together, they make for a very satisfying hike along a rocky ridge to a false summit (Little Bandera) with views impressive enough to dissuade most from completing the final half mile of informal trail to the "real" summit.
Thompson Lake via Mount Defiance
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
-
Length
- 19.8 miles, roundtrip
-
Highest Point
- 4,200 feet
FR 9030 is closed for the winter season.
Unbeknownst to many, there's a beautiful lake tucked into the forests on the west slopes of Mount Defiance. Thompson Lake provides a great destination for day hikers or overnighters in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. You may even find solitude here, just off the I-90 corridor. But that solitude comes at a price.
Kaleetan Lake
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
-
Length
- 18.8 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 5,690 feet
-
Highest Point
- 4,560 feet
FR 9030 is closed for the winter season.
Press on past Pratt Lake to reach a measure of backcountry solitude at Windy Lake or Kaleetan Lake in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.
Ueland Tree Farm
Olympic Peninsula > Kitsap Peninsula
-
Length
- 7.0 miles of trails
Ueland Tree Farm is a parcel of private property that is made available to the public for responsible, non-motorized recreation.
Cashmere Canyons Preserve
Central Cascades > Leavenworth Area
-
Length
- 12.0 miles of trails
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,800 feet
-
Highest Point
- 3,259 feet
Thanks to the generosity of the land owners, this privately-owned area is open to hikers, but managed primarily for wildlife habitat and wilderness conservation. Because of this, dogs and mountain biking are not allowed here, and the area may close at various times throughout the year in order to protect wildlife. Please respect any and all closures.
CASEE Forest and Nature Trails
Southwest Washington > Vancouver Area
-
Length
- 1.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 12 feet
-
Highest Point
- 300 feet
The CASEE trail system consists of two looped forest paths and ends in an arboretum.
Guye Peak
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
-
Length
- 3.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 2,000 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,172 feet
A class 3 or 4 scramble to the summit of a peak near Alpental. Climbing gear and expertise recommended.
Skyline Trail Loop
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
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Length
- 5.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,450 feet
-
Highest Point
- 6,800 feet
The Skyline Trail is the main route for hiking out of Paradise, Mount Rainier’s south side hub and most popular destination, providing visitors a unique opportunity to experience the breathtaking beauty of Washington’s grandest mountain.
Excelsior Peak via Damfino Lakes Trail
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 5.6 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,500 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,699 feet
Disregarding the apocryphal stories about their name, the Damfino Lakes are noteworthy only to distinguish this route from two other routes. The lakes pale in comparison to these magnificent destinations: Excelsior Pass, the High Divide and Excelsior Peak.
Franklin Falls
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
-
Length
- 2.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 400 feet
-
Highest Point
- 2,600 feet
Hiking with kids, new to hiking, or just looking for an easy day hike with a spectacular endpoint? Look no further then Franklin Falls! At just 2 miles with 400 feet in elevation gain it is the perfect destination for any hiker looking for something easy and beautiful!
Tolt-MacDonald Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
-
Length
- 12.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 400 feet
-
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.
Siouxon Creek
Southwest Washington > Lewis River Region
-
Length
- 13.8 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 635 feet
-
Highest Point
- 1,697 feet
Although this gently rolling creekside ramble is one continuous trail, an adventure in three parts awaits. The first few miles are a quiet walk through a classic fern-dotted, mossy forest. In the second section, hikers find Siouxon Creek and fellow waterfall seekers, and the final miles offer more solitude and small narrow canyons with more waterfalls to enjoy.
McClellan Butte
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
-
Length
- 10.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 4,073 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,162 feet
Along with the numerous other I-90 hikes there is no shortage of ‘workout’ on this hike. Like its counterparts, this trail is largely for those interested in heading up, steeply. Moderated with switchbacks at times, and with a gradual traverse when you need it, the rewards here are not without effort. The actual summit is a rock-scramble, but the views and the flower-packed west facing slope near the top can be enjoyed without making the true top. More than a few remaining old-growth trees and a soft tread make this a well-rounded hike whether it is a training hike or your weekend reward.
Goat Lake
South Cascades > Goat Rocks
-
Length
- 12.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 2,000 feet
-
Highest Point
- 6,600 feet
Travel deep into the Goat Rocks Wilderness and enjoy stunning views of Mount Adams, Mount St. Helens, Jordan Basin, and Goat Lake.
Chimacum Ridge Community Forest
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
-
Length
- 4.7 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 330 feet
-
Highest Point
- 486 feet
Nearly 5 miles of easy hiking on trails and forest roads, with mountain and valley views.
Little Lake Forest
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
-
Highest Point
- 900 feet
The trails and trailhead are closed for construction. Trails are expected to reopen in February 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.
Spruce Railroad Trail
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
-
Length
- 5.0 miles, one-way
-
Elevation Gain
- 250 feet
-
Highest Point
- 700 feet
12.24.25: A portion of the trail west of Camp David Junior Road is closed due to a landslide.
Hop aboard the Spruce Railroad Trail for a scenic and historic hike along the sparkling shores of massive Lake Crescent. With a microclimate of warmer and drier conditions than areas just a few miles away, this trail is a good hiking choice on an overcast afternoon.
Cama Beach Historical State Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
-
Length
- 3.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 250 feet
-
Highest Point
- 275 feet
1.15.26: The lower part of the park (including road and trail access to the beach) is closed until further notice due to safety concerns.
Enjoy the easy, forested trail to Cranberry Lake - an extensive wetland created by energetic beavers - plus trails along the high bluffs with views out to Saratoga Passage and Whidbey Island. Optionally, explore a trail to the eastern edge of the park. To finish up, visit the Historic District and vintage beach cabins.
Alger Alp (South Route)
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
-
Length
- 4.4 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,150 feet
-
Highest Point
- 1,272 feet
Climb Alger Alp for a straightforward day hike or after-work ascent, with a steady climb along an access road through second-growth forest. Soak in the wildflowers and fauna along the way, and views of Skagit Valley, Blanchard Mountain and Samish Bay await you at the summit.
Bullion Basin
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 5.8 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 2,200 feet
-
Highest Point
- 6,300 feet
A relatively steep and rocky connector trail running between the Crystal Mountain resort area up through Bullion Basin to the Pacific Crest Trail with mountain and meadow views.
Latourell Falls
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - OR
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Length
- 3.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 540 feet
-
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.
Melmont Ghost Town
Mount Rainier Area > NW - Carbon River/Mowich
-
Length
- 7.6 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 400 feet
-
Highest Point
- 1,360 feet
A great exploratory hike to an old coal mining ghost town, with views of the underside of the Fairfax bridge.