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 HikesTacoma Nature Center Interpretive Walks
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 2.5 miles of trails
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Elevation Gain
- 113 feet
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Highest Point
- 408 feet
At 71-acres, the Tacoma Nature Center preserve boasts more than 20 different species of mammals and about 100 species of birds. It is also home to reptiles, amphibians and native plant populations.
Wright Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 0.9 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 70 feet
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Highest Point
- 335 feet
Peppered with statues and monuments, this park near the heart of downtown Tacoma is designed in a classical style.
Wapato Hills Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 2.34 miles of trails
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Elevation Gain
- 200 feet
This park with a handful of trails is nestled into a residential area in South Tacoma.
Judge Jack Tanner Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 1.0 miles of trails
Judge Jack Tanner Park features barbeques and areas for families to enjoy views of Puget Sound and the surrounding vistas. Come for a picnic or just to relax, or take Ruston Way -- the hard-surface trail running through the middle of the park -- for a longer stroll along the waterfront.
Senator Rosa Franklin Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 1.0 miles of trails
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Elevation Gain
- 50 feet
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Highest Point
- 375 feet
Senator Rosa Franklin Park borders Franklin Elementary school in Central Tacoma. The park features a playground, a baseball field, picnic areas, a sprayground, restrooms and several paved paths.
Cowiche Canyon Preserve
Central Washington > Yakima
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Length
- 20.0 miles of trails
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Highest Point
- 1,844 feet
The Cowiche Canyon Preserve is a small pocket of wildlands near Yakima. It includes both the canyon itself and the canyon’s southerly uplands. There are approximately 20 miles of interconnected trails open to hikers, runners, mountain bikers, and equestrians. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are popular when there is enough snow.
Aldrich Butte
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 3.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,129 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,400 feet
This trail — closed for years as the private property the trailhead is on underwent a management change — is back open as of early 2025, offering hikers a short but steep hike to the top of Aldrich Butte.
Old Wagon Road Trail
Central Washington > Grand Coulee
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Length
- 1.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 550 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,300 feet
From the same trailhead as Northrup Canyon, the Old Wagon Road Trail heads high, rather than into the canyon. Begin on the same trail as that to Northrup, but after just a few hundred yards, look for a trail branching off to the south. There's a sign where the trail enters the trees, reading 'Old Wagon Road Trail'. Do note that this trail is closed from November to March to protect bald eagle nesting habitat.
North Fork Asotin Creek to Pinkham Butte
Eastern Washington > Palouse and Blue Mountains
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Length
- 20.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,750 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,080 feet
This trail follows the north fork of Asotin Creek before climbing to Pinkham Butte.
Milton Interurban Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 2.8 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 240 feet
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Highest Point
- 237 feet
This wide well-maintained paved path is perfect for a quiet leisurely stroll or brisk run surrounded by greenery, without ever having to leave the city.
Far Country
Issaquah Alps > Cougar Mountain
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Length
- 0.3 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 178 feet
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Highest Point
- 932 feet
Visit a beautiful, many-tiered waterfall and a small lookout area on the west side of Cougar Mountain. Perfect for photos as well as an escape from the city.
Fallsview Canyon (Falls View)
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 1.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 300 feet
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Highest Point
- 400 feet
Here are two quick and easy trails to view an unnamed waterfall splashing 100 feet down into the Big Quilcene River. Though the campground is seasonal, the trails are open year round. Bring the dog and the kids, stretch your legs, and take in some fantastic scenery located 4 miles south of Quilcene, immediately off of Olympic Highway 101.
Indian Dan State Wildlife Refuge
North Cascades > Methow/Sawtooth
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Length
- 3.0 miles, (type not yet set)
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Elevation Gain
- 200 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,700 feet
Much of the trails in this area follow old roads and Jeep roads around the area. It's an excellent area to bring dogs (on-leash) and apart from some blowdowns, is a very easy trail to follow with a low grade.
Yost Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 1.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 220 feet
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Highest Point
- 360 feet
Explore this Edmonds park, centered on the deep ravine of Shell Creek. Enjoy the surrounding second growth forest, with its tall red alder and fir trees. Observe spring wildflowers or, seasonally, fall colors. And appreciate the sounds of a multitude of bird calls.
Capitol Lake Trails (Marathon Park and Heritage Park)
Olympic Peninsula > Olympia
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Length
- 5.7 miles of trails
The paved sidewalk and trail that encircles this large lake in the heart of Olympia serves as a popular location year-round for locals and visitors to run, walk and hike. Additionally, trails to the south along the west edge of Capitol Lake lead to an Interpretive Park, for you to extend your hike.
Watershed Park
Olympic Peninsula > Olympia
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Length
- 1.36 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 150 feet
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Highest Point
- 300 feet
Discover the area that was the original source of Olympia's drinking water--a delightful little green wetland known as Watershed Park. With thirty structures on the 1.35 mile loop, you can be sure to have an intimate look at the workings of a wetland without getting damp yourself.
Thelma Gilmur Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 1.2 miles, roundtrip
Tucked away in the residential city of Fircrest and named after the woman who fought for its protection, this park offers a short loop trail around a small pond.
Water Flume Line Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 2.4 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 55 feet
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Highest Point
- 291 feet
This mostly flat paved trail meanders through two parks and quiet residential neighborhoods, and is a great option for a long walk or jogging workout without traveling very far from home.
Picnic Point
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 1.0 miles of trails
Picnic Point Park doesn't have any established trails per se, but the scenery here is delightful, and at low tide, it is possible to hike 1.5 miles to Meadowdale Beach, or 5 miles north to Point Elliot at Mukilteo. Just don't get stuck out there!
Lynndale Loop
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 1.0 miles, roundtrip
A good, suburban retreat for getting that outdoor fix on a busy weekend. Here you'll find casual walking with lots of extra attractions, great for families.
West Seattle Bridge Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 2.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 20 feet
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Highest Point
- 50 feet
This paved urban trail follows along SW Spokane Street. Take a walk or ride your bike over the East Waterway, across Harbor Island and over the West Waterway.
Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 1.5 miles of trails
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Highest Point
- 25 feet
This park sits at the southern end of Lake Washington in Renton. With a network of paved trails, it is a wonderful place to enjoy the lake and get some miles in.
Forgotten Creek Natural Area Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 0.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 100 feet
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Highest Point
- 115 feet
This little urban trail is tucked away on the far west side of the Providence Regional Medical Center. The trail is closed from sunset to sunrise.
Pine Ridge Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 1.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 120 feet
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Highest Point
- 485 feet
Follow a network of nearly-level trails in this Edmonds park as you hike through vigorous second-growth mixed forest. Be alert for spring wildflowers or, seasonally, fall colors. Listen for many bird calls. Enjoy views across Goodhope Pond, a small lake that often hosts waterfowl.
Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 2.0 miles of trails
The Highline SeaTac Botanical Gardens were created to preserve two gardens during SeaTac Airport’s third runway project. To avoid demolition, the gardens were physically moved to their current location next to the North SeaTac Community Center.
Narnia Trail
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
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Length
- 2.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 184 feet
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Highest Point
- 106 feet
Narnia provides a nice option to hike a short trail through the woods while at the beach. It is open for all trail purposes, so watch for bikes and horses. The trail is well maintained and easy to navigate.
Kubota Gardens
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 2.0 miles of trails
A beautiful destination along the Chief Sealth Trail, Kubota Garden is gorgeous oasis where Northwest native plants thrive in the style of Japanese garden, thanks to horticultural pioneer Fujitaro Kubota.
Cal Anderson Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 1.0 miles of trails
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Elevation Gain
- 40 feet
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Highest Point
- 330 feet
Tucked into the heart of Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood, Cal Anderson is a bustling hub of activity year round. There is about a mile of trail to walk here, but it's also a great place to exercise your dog, meet up with a friend, or just hang out in the sun.
Lake Wynoochee East Shore Trail
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 5.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 800 feet
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Highest Point
- 930 feet
There is one section of the Lake Wynoochee Lakeshore Trail that can be hiked year-round—a pleasant, interesting hike for all ages, at 6 miles round-trip and 800 feet of elevation gain. Its creeks have bridges; it has road access at both ends; it features flowers in spring and summer, autumn color in fall, and provides a pleasant winter outing in clear weather.