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
4223 HikesNathan Chapman Memorial Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 2.1 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 141 feet
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Highest Point
- 499 feet
The Nathan Chapman Memorial Trail connects the Heritage Recreation Center to the South Hill Community Park via a wide paved trail.
Sherwood Trail
Issaquah Alps > Taylor Mountain
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Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 250 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,250 feet
Starting out along Carey Creek, the Sherwood Trail climbs to a high point on the eastern edge of Taylor Mountain.
Knee Knocker Trail
Issaquah Alps > Taylor Mountain
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Length
- 3.02 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 1,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,650 feet
Explore the far reaches of Taylor Mountain on this gently rolling trail.
Hermit Trail
Issaquah Alps > Taylor Mountain
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Length
- 2.24 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 750 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,500 feet
Wander through the eastern reaches of Taylor Mountain Forest.
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.
Two Dollar Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 3.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 550 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,100 feet
The Two Dollar Trail is one of three approaches to Fragrance Lake. It is popular with runners, bikers and hikers alike because of its good surface throughout. It traverses a west facing ridge through a forest of cedar, Douglas fir, hemlock, bigleaf maple and red maple with views out to the Salish Sea. The trail wanders through a groundcover of salal, Oregon grape and a variety of ferns and a small waterfall whose configuration changes with the seasons.
Point Defiance Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 200 feet
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Highest Point
- 300 feet
As the largest urban park in Pierce County, the network of roads and trails weaving through the forest preserve provides a quiet retreat for joggers, cyclists, and hikers.
Powerlink
Issaquah Alps > Tiger Mountain
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Length
- 0.6 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 280 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,004 feet
This trail on Tiger Mountain offers an alternative to taking the service road on the last 0.6 mile to the East Tiger summit.
Hex Mountain
Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
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Length
- 7.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,900 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,034 feet
The winter access of Hex Mountain via NF-116 is closed to the public.
Hex Mountain is now located partially on private property and is inaccessible to vehicles.
Puget Creek Natural Area
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 0.91 miles of trails
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Elevation Gain
- 260 feet
This trail in Tacoma follows Puget Creek through a gulch just above Commencement Bay.
Twin Falls
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 2.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 500 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,000 feet
Visit a trio (yes, trio) of waterfalls just off I-90 on this sure-to-please short trail, perfect for families.
Palouse to Cascades Trail - Homestead Valley to Mine Creek Trestle
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 5.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 350 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,607 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.
Hike a short stint on the Palouse to Cascades Trail, crossing high trestle bridges and roaming through old growth forest with expansive views of nearby peaks, just a short drive away from the city.
West Bay Woods
Olympic Peninsula > Olympia
Right in Olympia is this small forest near West Bay, where hikers can see all sorts of wildlife and might even be able to find shells and other artifacts from when the forest used to be part of the shore.
Me-Kwa-Mooks Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 1.0 miles of trails
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Highest Point
- 250 feet
This small West Seattle park across the street from the shore has a small trail network, as well as a lawn with picnic tables.
Snowgrass Flat
South Cascades > Goat Rocks
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Length
- 8.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,600 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,800 feet
Enjoy a hike to a beautiful subalpine meadow in the Goat Rocks Wilderness. A good destination all on its own, it can also provide a jumping off point for a longer trip.
Snoqualmie Lake
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 18.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,900 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,147 feet
Visit this large, quiet lake in the heart of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Snoqualmie is accessible both via Highway 2 and the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Road. From the trailhead on Highway 2, it's 7.3 miles to Snoqualmie Lake, and from the Middle Fork Road, it's 7.5 miles. You can even make this a thru-hike if you can arrange a pick-up at the other end.
Silver Star Mountain
Southwest Washington > Lewis River Region
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Length
- 6.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,990 feet
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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.
Beacon Rock State Park - River To Rock Trail
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 1.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 200 feet
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Highest Point
- 280 feet
From the Moorage at Beacon Rock State Park this short connector trail climbs through tall Douglas-fir trees, through the site of an old homestead and Filbert Orchard, then past Ridell Lake on its way to the namesake Rock. Its a great hike for people who arrive at the park by boat or for anyone wanting to make a longer hike of the 1.0 mile Beacon Rock Trail.
Ring Hill Forest
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 2.6 miles, roundtrip
A trip to Ring Hill Forest gives visitors an opportunity to observe a working forest in action as King County implements its Forest Stewardship Plan which is focused on creating a diverse, vigorous, and healthy forest that provides habitat as well as revenue.
Richmond Mine
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 9.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 5,006 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,241 feet
A trail that leads into the William O. Douglas wilderness, Richmond Mine offers miles of rugged rambling through a remote part of the state.
Rattlesnake Trail
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 6.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 300 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,000 feet
A mostly abandoned trail along (and sometimes in) Rattlesnake Creek that has been washed out in many places due to its numerous crossings of the creek.
Rattlesnake Trail
Eastern Washington > Palouse and Blue Mountains
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Length
- 12.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,700 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,700 feet
Located deep in the Wenaha-Tucannon wilderness, the Rattlesnake Trail promises wildflowers, expansive views, and even solitude. It's possible to do an out-and-back hike to Indian Corral, but many opt to do the loop with the Panjab Loop.
Profanity
Eastern Washington > Okanogan Highlands/Kettle River Range
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Length
- 1.5 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 640 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,846 feet
This short feeder trail located on the west side of the Kettle River Range provides easy access to the portion of the Kettle Crest National Recreation Trail around Profanity Peak.
Preston Trail
Issaquah Alps > Tiger Mountain
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Length
- 2.7 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 2,285 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,909 feet
Hike from a transmission line on the north side of Tiger Mountain to various trails on the mountain.
Pine Lake
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 4.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 700 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,830 feet
Walk along a gentle road-to-trail conversion along beautiful old growth groves to a placid lake deep in the Lower Skokomish Valley.
Paradise Point State Park
Southwest Washington > Lewis River Region
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Length
- 1.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 150 feet
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Highest Point
- 200 feet
Paradise Point State Park packs a lot into a small, often-overlooked park right along I-5.
Panjab Trail
Eastern Washington > Palouse and Blue Mountains
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Length
- 5.6 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 2,500 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,600 feet
Wildflowers, wildlife, and great views of Eastern Washington’s wild Blue Mountains: the Panjab Loop Trail offers it all.
Oxbow Loop Trail
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 1.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 56 feet
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Highest Point
- 920 feet
Follow a loop trail around Oxbow Lake in the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River valley, where solitude intersects with calm lake waters, ever-present river murmurs of the Middle Fork, mountain views, and Snoqualmie rainforest. Depending on the season, fall colors, wildflowers, or fresh berries may be present for your enjoyment.
Norway Pass
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
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Length
- 4.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 860 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,500 feet
Witness the destructive force and the restorative power of nature on this hike in the blast zone of Mount St. Helens’ 1980 eruption. The rocky ash and treeless areas are testaments to the devastation caused by the explosion, while wildflowers and shrubs signal the return of vegetation to the denuded landscape.
North Shorewood Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
At first glance, this small neighborhood park may not seem to have any trails -- the playground and picnic tables are most prominent, as is the off-leash dog park.