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 HikesCarbon Glacier
Mount Rainier Area > NW - Carbon River/Mowich
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Length
- 18.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,800 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,500 feet
The Fairfax Bridge (3 miles south of Carbonado) is closed to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic until further notice due to safety concerns. The bridge closure renders this hike inaccessible.
The Carbon Glacier is a dramatic expanse of slow-moving ice beneath the shadow of Mount Rainier’s north face. While the glacier sits at a relatively low elevation, the approach is long due to the additional 5 miles of road that must be walked or biked to reach the trailhead. The trail to reach the glacier is equally as exciting as the scenery along the way, including seasonal foot logs and a suspension bridge over the raging Carbon River.
Yellowstone Cliffs and Windy Gap
Mount Rainier Area > NW - Carbon River/Mowich
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Length
- 24.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,500 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,800 feet
The Fairfax Bridge (3 miles south of Carbonado) is closed to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic until further notice due to safety concerns. The bridge closure renders this hike inaccessible.
Yellowstone Cliffs and Windy Gap offer a chance to experience a side of Mount Rainier National Park like no other. Most trails in the park highlight views of the main mountain, but here, it’s more about the surrounding peaks, which make the area seem more like somewhere in Alaska or Montana, rather than Washington. Add to that the fact that accessing this area now requires an approach hike in the double digits, and you’ve got a remote, high mountain valley where relatively few people come, despite the fact that it’s in Washington’s most popular national park.
Wonderland Trail - Ipsut Creek to Mystic Lake
Mount Rainier Area > NW - Carbon River/Mowich
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Length
- 24.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 5,500 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,000 feet
The Fairfax Bridge (3 miles south of Carbonado) is closed to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic until further notice due to safety concerns. The bridge closure renders this hike inaccessible.
A section of the Wonderland Trail between Ipsut Creek and Mystic Lake, starting from the Carbon River trailhead.
Fairfax Ghost Town
Mount Rainier Area > NW - Carbon River/Mowich
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Length
- 2.35 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 104 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,446 feet
The Fairfax Bridge (3 miles south of Carbonado) is closed to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic until further notice due to safety concerns. The bridge closure renders this hike inaccessible.
Once a booming coal town, Fairfax Ghost Town is an adventure of exploration and discovery. Expect thick vegetation and undefined trails once you arrive at the town site, so pack a good sense of direction, plenty of time and a thirst for exploration is highly recommended.
Alki Crest
Mount Rainier Area > NW - Carbon River/Mowich
The Fairfax Bridge (3 miles south of Carbonado) is closed to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic until further notice due to safety concerns. The bridge closure renders this hike inaccessible.
A long, meandering hike in Mount Rainier National Park that tours Tolmie Creek, August and Virginia Peaks, and Martin Peak.
Grand Ridge Park - Water Tower Loop
Issaquah Alps
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Length
- 3.3 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 283 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,175 feet
Perched high on a hill in the Issaquah Highlands, Grand Ridge Park offers hiking opportunities for both residents of the neighborhood and visitors.
Peshastin Mill Trail
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
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Length
- 0.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 0 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,171 feet
Try this trail for riverside Ponderosas and a low-key walk.
White River Trail - Auburn
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 4.7 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 115 feet
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Highest Point
- 155 feet
The White River Trail in Auburn is a paved, multi-use trail that starts at the East Valley Highway and runs through Roegner Park and Game Farm Wilderness Park before ending at Stuck River Road.
Steamboat Mountain
South Cascades > Mount Adams Area
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Length
- 1.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 625 feet
Enjoy great views of Mount Adams from the site of a former fire lookout tower.
Yakima Skyline Trail
Central Washington > Yakima
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Length
- 4.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,446 feet
Bird's-eye views of the stunning Yakima Canyon, wildflower fields for days, and a line of ragged fenceposts marching all the way along the trail -- the Yakima Skyline Trail is a great conditioner, or extend it to a full day hike.
Burke-Gilman Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 20.0 miles, one-way
This trail is a main thoroughfare through Seattle and beyond. It is popular with cyclists, runners and walkers.
Rowena Plateau and Tom McCall Point
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - OR
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Length
- 3.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,200 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,750 feet
Rowena Crest is a fabulous place to pull off the road and enjoy the sweeping views of the Columbia River. Grasslands, basalt cliffs, and scrub oak forests form the landscape you'll hike through on a trail that climbs steadily with ever-increasing views.
Valley Trail
South Cascades > Dark Divide
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Length
- 16.7 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,500 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,005 feet
The gently-rolling Valley Trail offers a 14+ mile one-way hike paralleling Forest Road 28 and links up with a variety of trails along the road so it is possible to do loop or out and back hikes of various lengths and difficulties.
High Bridge
South Cascades > Dark Divide
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Length
- 2.58 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 992 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,088 feet
Hike a multi-use trail past a beaver pond to connect with the Tongue Mountain Trail and eventually the summit of craggy Tongue Mountain.
Cispus Braille Trail
South Cascades > Dark Divide
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Length
- 0.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 80 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,388 feet
The Trail for The Blind is a level grade trail adjacent to the Cispus Learning Center in foothills of the Cowlitz Valley. It is a part of the Covel Creek Trail System and is designed to allow easier access and highlight natural features in the forest for those who are visually challenged. This is also a great hike smaller children and those with less mobility.
Redmond Watershed Preserve
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 4.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 400 feet
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Highest Point
- 580 feet
Explore 800 acres of wooded area right in Redmond’s backyard.
Teneriffe Falls Connector
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 0.4 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 100 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,000 feet
The Teneriffe Falls Connector trail connects the Mount Teneriffe trail to the Teneriffe Falls trail.
North Beach County Park to McCurdy Point
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
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Length
- 6.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 800 feet
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Highest Point
- 100 feet
This beach walk demonstrates the successful rehabilitation of a former dumpsite into a popular hiking destination, with views of the Strait of San Juan de Fuca and ample opportunities for wildlife viewing.
Revere Wildlife Area
Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
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Length
- 5.3 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 268 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,734 feet
Gravel roads, dirt tracks and game trails provide many options for hikers to enjoy the Revere Wildlife Area. This loop hike begins on an upland road, descends to Rock Creek and then returns via the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail.
Packer Creek
Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
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Elevation Gain
- 100 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,800 feet
Packer Creek is a non-contiguous part of the BLM’s Rock Creek Recreation Site that's a boon for birdwatchers and lovers of wildflowers.
Breeden Road - Wall Lake
Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
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Length
- 9.9 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 522 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,726 feet
Breeden Road offers expansive views of arid grasslands and basalt outcrops, punctuated with a rushing creek and a small lake.
Titlow Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 2.0 miles of trails
Start out at a historic lodge, then walk along the edge of a lagoon before heading out to the beach.
Redlining Heritage Trail - Chinatown / International District
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 1.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 80 feet
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Highest Point
- 100 feet
This section of the Redlining Heritage Trail traverses Seattle's Chinatown and International District. It is just adjacent to the 1-mile section through Pioneer Square and the nearly two-mile First Hill section.
Redlining Heritage Trail - Pioneer Square
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 1.1 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 25 feet
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Highest Point
- 10 feet
A short one-mile loop in the Pioneer Square neighborhood of Seattle outlining the redlined neighborhood in the area.
Three Peaks and Mosquito Lake
South Cascades > Goat Rocks
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Length
- 9.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,800 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,180 feet
Three Peaks is a ridgeline trail that takes hikers into the edges of the Goat Rock Wilderness. Hike it in a day, or use it as a starting point for a number of backpacking options.
Chair Lift
South Cascades > Goat Rocks
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Length
- 3.0 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 1,500 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,000 feet
Rocky Top and Cowiche Mountain
Central Washington > Yakima
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Length
- 20.0 miles of trails
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Elevation Gain
- 1,148 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,970 feet
Many trails at Rocky Top are permanently closed. Hikers can still take the Walk N Roll trail then cross onto the William O Douglas Trail to Snow Mountain Ranch.
Rocky Top is an extensive system of interconnected mountain bike trails open to hikers. It offers innumerable out-and back and loop options though shrub-steppe on the flanks of Cowiche Mountain as well as a scenic ridge walk on a portion of the William O. Douglas Trail to the summit of the mountain and a connection with the Snow Mountain Ranch trail system.
Ruston Way
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 6.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 150 feet
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Highest Point
- 23 feet
Ruston Way runs along the Tacoma Waterfront from Jack Hyde Park to Point Defiance Park.
McKinley Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 1.32 miles of trails
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Elevation Gain
- 260 feet
Nestled against I-5, this neighborhood park boasts the title of oldest park in the Metro Parks Tacoma network.
Julia's Gulch Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 0.9 miles of trails
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Elevation Gain
- 150 feet
Named for a Puyallup-Klickitat tribal member who lived nearby, this park is a strip of green forest that sits between a residential neighborhood and an industrial area below.