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 HikesAnacortes Community Forest Lands - Big Beaver Pond
Puget Sound and Islands > Whidbey Island
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Length
- 2.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 175 feet
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Highest Point
- 450 feet
Enjoy a nearly-level forest walk with close-up views of beaver dams and likely sightings of water fowl including (in season) trumpeter swans, plus kingfishers, woodpeckers, and owls.
Mohawk Falls and Mohawk Mine
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
While Mohawk Falls is on Forest Service land, there is no official trail to access this waterfall.
Lodgepole Campground
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 0.75 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 20 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,500 feet
Due to seasonal closures, the campground opens and closes at variable times - generally between May and mid-late October.
Take a quick stroll and breathe in the mixed forest smells of lodgepole pine and western larches around this campground loop off Highway 410 near Mount Rainier National Park. Claim a campground reservation and stay for a couple days!
Anderson Butte
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 2.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,000 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,380 feet
Short but steep, this trail delivers excellent views of Mount Baker, Mount Shuksan, and Anderson Butte. Similar views can be had from the road to the trailhead, but taking this hike offers solitude--even a hiker’s high--from climbing steeply away from the road and into the mountains.
Lookout Mountain Forest Preserve
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 6.5 miles of trails
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Elevation Gain
- 1,000 feet
Several hiking trails exist in the Lookout Mountain Forest Preserve, part of the Whatcom County Park system, including a 2.2-mile loop with a one mile viewpoint spur trail, a quick waterfall trail, and lower loop trail. Alternatively, head up and up to Lookout Mountain on an eight mile service road.
Moran State Park - Cold Springs and North Trail Loop to Mount Constitution
Puget Sound and Islands > San Juan Islands
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Length
- 11.4 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 2,940 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,409 feet
Take a tour of Mount Constitution using one of the longer loops on Orcas Island. There's plenty of elevation gain, plenty of miles, and plenty to see along the way.
Ragged Ridge
Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
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Length
- 15.1 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,000 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,300 feet
Venture beyond the Nordic trails to enter this hiker-only Natural Area Preserve, home to numerous wildlife species and old growth trees with outstanding views of the Spokane Valley and neighboring Idaho.
Gold Creek - Devils Slide
Central Washington > Yakima
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Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 800 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,000 feet
Hike an easy mile to a spectacular cliff with a chance to see mountain goats, then continue through forest and meadows to views of Mount Adams, Mount Aix, Nelson Ridge and Mount Rainier.
Steam Hoist
Issaquah Alps > Cougar Mountain
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Length
- 0.2 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 50 feet
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Highest Point
- 670 feet
The Steam Hoist Trail is a short loop trail within the Cougar Mountain trail network. One end of this trail connects to the Rainbow Town trail and the other connects to the Wildside Trail.
Post Falls Community Forest and Q'emiln Park
Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
This 500-acre community forest and adjacent 75-acre Q'emiln Park offer numerous hiking trails with many loop possibilities up to about 6 miles, and also rock climbing, picnicking, and swimming.
Speed
Southwest Washington > Lewis River Region
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Length
- 2.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 800 feet
-
Highest Point
- 1,900 feet
Take a very steep, primitive trail to a creek crossing (only fordable in mid-summer) to the Lewis River Trail.
Dock Butte
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 4.4 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,500 feet
The trailhead is inaccessible until further notice due to FR 12 closure.
Dock Butte boasts sweeping views of Mount Baker, Baker Lake, and several prominent peaks in the North Cascades and Olympic Peninsula. It is a great option for beginner hikers looking to up their hiking game as well as those looking for exceptional mountain views without the mileage and time commitment of a longer hike.
Crater Lake
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
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Length
- 2.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 550 feet
-
Highest Point
- 3,500 feet
The short route to Crater Lake was originally constructed by miners and fishermen, and is NOT a well-maintained trail. However, the tread is well defined and generally easy to follow.
Seahurst Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 3.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 400 feet
-
Highest Point
- 398 feet
Hike good trails though a forested drainage in Burien that has many tall trees and, in season, is very green. In spring look for a few wildflowers. Continue your hike on trails paralleling the beach, both north and south of your trailhead.
Lake Ethel
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
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Length
- 3.7 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,730 feet
-
Highest Point
- 4,040 feet
The Lake Ethel Trail is closed to all public access 1.7 miles from the trailhead as the trail travels through private land. McCue Ridge and the Scottish Lakes are inaccessible via this trail.
The first 1.7 miles of the Lake Ethel trail provide hikers with views of nearby mountains like Nason Ridge — the trail is closed past this point due to being on private property.
Peggy's Pond
Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
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Length
- 11.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 2,300 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,600 feet
Access to such a grand location, with such ease, should be illegal. For the low admission price of a half dozen miles one can gain entrance to a primordial world of receding glaciers, wildflower carpeted meadows, and purple mountains majesties. The last mile to the lake will test many hikers’ nerves but the rewards are worth it. This pond is an excellent destination unto itself. It is also a stepping stone to more ambitious cross country ramblings in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.
Wilmot Gateway Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 0.2 miles of trails
-
Elevation Gain
- 40 feet
-
Highest Point
- 40 feet
Woodinville's first public community park, Wilmot Gateway Park, offers visitors several activities to spend a day outside.
Lake Ann
Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
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Length
- 8.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,200 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,500 feet
Discover a pleasant alpine lake alternative to nearby, crowded Lake Ingalls. Tranquil Lake Ann can't boast the same dramatic view of jagged Mount Stuart, but it has its fair share of scenery, especially during fall when the larches around it turn to gold.
Old Snowy Mountain - Elk Pass
South Cascades > Goat Rocks
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Length
- 17.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 3,100 feet
-
Highest Point
- 7,800 feet
Climb through incredible high-mountain meadows, then scramble up a rocky peak to amazing three-volcano panoramas, and along a stark knife-edge ridge to a divide between the Packwood Lake basin and the Tieton River valley.
ASB Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 1.0 miles, one-way
-
Highest Point
- 20 feet
A quick walk along the Bellingham waterfront through industry and out on to the old Georgia Pacific Aeration Stabilization Basin (ASB) for very nice views of downtown and the bay.
Silver Shadow Loop
Southwest Washington > Vancouver Area
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Length
- 4.59 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 994 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,250 feet
This loop in Yacolt Burn State Forest makes for a lovely day hike with some great views of the forest and the lowland at the base of the forest. The 3-mile Silver Shadow connector makes this loop possible, and exists thanks to efforts from Washington Trails Association, Back Country Horsemen, Washington Conservation Corps, and DNR.
South Bay Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 4.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 20 feet
-
Highest Point
- 20 feet
Hike along the abandoned Bellingham & Skagit Interurban Railway grade between Fairhaven and Bellingham, which has been reclaimed as pedestrian trail. The gentle grade makes it a good option for new hikers, and excellent views of Bellingham Bay make for great trailside distractions.
Old Village
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 0.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 62 feet
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Highest Point
- 70 feet
Looking to walk between Bellingham parks without cars passing by? The Old Village trail passes by several historic Bellingham locations as it connects Maritime Heritage Park with Elizabeth Park.
Fouts Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 0.15 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 0 feet
-
Highest Point
- 85 feet
Enjoy a short, paved walking trail surrounding a public playground and picnic area nestled in the heart of Bellingham’s Lettered Streets neighborhood.
Deception Pass State Park - Upland Interpretive Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Whidbey Island
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Length
- 0.25 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 27 feet
-
Highest Point
- 177 feet
This short loop is located above Cranberry Lake and introduces visitors to the coastal forest of Deception Pass State Park.
Aurora Creek
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
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Length
- 6.8 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 3,670 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,200 feet
A steep thigh-burner that doesn't offer much in the way of views, but will give you the workout you're looking for should you be training for Rainier or any other grueling ascents. The Aurora Creek trail rises an astonishing 3700 feet in 3.4 miles, from the edge of Hwy 101 to its junction with the Aurora Ridge Trail.
Norse Peak Lollipop via Goat Lake Trail
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 11.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 3,240 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,856 feet
Convert the popular out-and-back Norse Peak hike into a lollipop loop through the open terrain along the PCT and back along the Goat Lake Trail. While it has fewer views, it provides a longer, more secluded return to the trailhead.
