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
4224 HikesIcicle Gorge Nature Loop
Central Cascades > Leavenworth Area
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Length
- 4.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 150 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,800 feet
The Icicle Gorge Trail, one of the most popular trails in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, is a wonderful way to explore the natural beauty of the Icicle Creek Valley. The interpretive loop trail has a gentle grade and scenic views of Icicle Creek, Icicle Gorge, and the surrounding forest that are ideal for families, trail runners, beginner hikers, bird enthusiasts, and those looking to take a nice long walk on a well-defined path.
Horseshoe Ridge
Southwest Washington > Lewis River Region
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Length
- 18.1 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,300 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,460 feet
South of Mt. St. Helens near Amboy, the Horseshoe Ridge Trail (#140) is an aptly named 7.3 mile trek off of well-traveled Siouxon Creek. Once easily accessed a mile from West Creek, attempts from the relocated main trailhead entail an 18.1 mile round trip.
Holden Lake
Central Cascades > Entiat Mountains/Lake Chelan
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Length
- 8.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,735 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,300 feet
12.12.25: Holden Village is closed due to mudslides and washouts on FR 8301. The closure is expected to last through at least May 2026.
Holden Lake is set in a fantastic glacial basin, with stunning views of Bonanza, the highest non-volcanic peak in Washington State. It can be a hot, brushy bushwhack to the lake, but the views from lakeshore are worth it.
Harvey Manning Trail
Issaquah Alps > Cougar Mountain
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Length
- 1.7 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 245 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,464 feet
Take a short walk on Cougar Mountain, shaded by the thick forest, with plenty of options into the trail network to create your own hiking adventure.
Beacon Rock State Park - Bridge Trail
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 0.9 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 215 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,855 feet
This approximately one mile trail provides a link between the East Hardy Ridge Trail and the Upper Hardy Creek Trail to providing multiple loop options in the backcountry of Beacon Rock State Park. With its majestic bridge across Hardy Creek, lush evergreen forest and enchanting stream crossings, it is a worthy destination in itself.
Beacon Rock State Park - Hardy Ridge
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 9.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,860 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,700 feet
The Hardy Ridge hike makes use of the old logging roads that wind through the backcountry or the park north of Highway 14. These routes are closed to vehicles but open to equestrians, mountain bikers and hikers. A WTA-built single-track trail traverses the ridge, offering a wide vista of the Columbia River Gorge.
Beacon Rock State Park - Hadley Trail
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 1.2 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 175 feet
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Highest Point
- 750 feet
Here's an ADA-accessible forested trail just over half a mile long in Beacon Rock State Park that takes you to a lookout point for Bonneville Dam and the Columbia Gorge. It can also connect you with the Hamilton Mountain Trail from the Beacon Rock Campground.
Green River
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
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Length
- 11.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 940 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,850 feet
Walk in the deep shade of towering, ancient Douglas-firs and western redcedars and become humbled in the presence of these survivors of volcanic eruption.
Government Meadows
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 1.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 200 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,860 feet
How to get to Government Meadows? There are many ways and all are easier than that of the Longmire Party in 1853. The grassy, large meadow with water and the Urich Cabin are a popular rest spot for Pacific Crest Trail through hikers. At dusk & dawn, deer and elk may be seen grazing in the meadows, except on weekends, when the noise of the motorized transports with an accent of gunshots fills the air.
Gold Creek County Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 2.0 miles of trails
Woodinville has struck gold with this park. Tucked away in the wine country, Gold Creek offers a multitude of hiking experiences on well-maintained trails.
Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Southwest Washington > Vancouver Area
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Length
- 6.8 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 55 feet
-
Highest Point
- 60 feet
A birder's paradise, this wildlife refuge is the perfect getaway without a long drive. The refuge includes mixed wetlands and pastures with riparian strips lined with cottonwoods and white oak trees. More than 200 species of waterfowl and songbirds have been recorded here, making it the perfect place to slow down and enjoy nature.
Ghost Lake
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
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Length
- 5.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 640 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,000 feet
Hike to a lovely, glittering, quiet little lake that at Mount St. Helens that few visit. You’ll have to work for it, of course. But it’s a neat little treat to share with friends, or head to it solo for some solitude.
Fossil Trail
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
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Length
- 8.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,300 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,500 feet
An overlooked trail in a high canopy forest with nice views of the area in Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument.
Emerald Park
Central Cascades > Entiat Mountains/Lake Chelan
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Length
- 13.0 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 6,250 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,700 feet
2.5.26: Railroad Creek Road is closed until further notice due to storm damage.
Emerald Park is a long thru trail connecting Lake Chelan to the east and the Entiat River Trail to the west.
Elbo Creek
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 9.6 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 2,880 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,700 feet
This steep but shady trail features a rhododendron forest, and numerous saprophytic plants. At the end, it connects to a Forest Service road, allowing for additional wandering, to find views of Hood Canal and more.
Whipple Creek Hollow Natural Area
Southwest Washington > Vancouver Area
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Length
- 0.5 miles of trails
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Elevation Gain
- 100 feet
-
Highest Point
- 300 feet
This natural area is 40 acres of beautiful forest just north of Vancouver.
Dog Creek
Central Washington > Yakima
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Length
- 1.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 523 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,671 feet
This trail is in the William O Douglas wilderness area and offers solitude and unique scenery of Rattlesnake Peaks.
Dash Point State Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 19.0 miles of trails
Dash Point State park is located between Seattle and Tacoma and is a popular spot for water recreation. Birdwatchers can see shorebirds and raptors, while beach explorers can look for crabs and starfish on the shores during low tide. While the park is mostly known for the beach, there are also miles of forested trails for hiking and biking.
Copper Basin via Copper Creek
Central Cascades > Entiat Mountains/Lake Chelan
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Length
- 4.2 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 2,300 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,600 feet
12.12.25: Holden Village is closed due to mudslides and washouts on FR 8301. The closure is expected to last through at least May 2026.
The Copper Creek Trail leaves from Holden Village in the North Cascades. This trail is relatively short but wastes no time in gaining elevation.
Colonel Bob Trail - Colonel Bob Peak
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
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Length
- 14.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 4,292 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,492 feet
Start at 200 feet above sea level and climb to a lofty, scenic peak of 4492 feet on a long, switchbacking trail through stunning old growth forest. WTA has done a lot of work on this trail to improve it after a huge storm in 2007.
Champion Beach
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 0.4 miles, (type not yet set)
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Elevation Gain
- 50 feet
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Highest Point
- 850 feet
It's a very short walk from the trailhead to Champion Beach. Along the way, you'll cross a couple of bridges and pass through typical lush Middle Fork forest. The big attraction is the beach, though. It's a big part of the river with beautiful green water and huge rocks. There's lots of room to spread out and tons of trails that lead away from the main beach.
Carbon River to Ipsut Falls
Mount Rainier Area > NW - Carbon River/Mowich
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Length
- 10.8 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 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.
Due to the permanent closure of the Carbon River Road, hikers can now park at the closure and venture to the end of the road to the viewpoint for Ipsut Falls. Along the way, you'll hike through magnificent old-growth forest, and many opportunities to see the power of the Carbon River.
Cape Horn
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 7.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,300 feet
-
Highest Point
- 1,350 feet
This rugged hike is bound to become a classic, if it isn’t already. The full trail loop provides fantastic views of the Columbia River Gorge, an intimate look at the Cape Horn Falls and a challenging workout as it climbs and descends the rocky slopes of Cape Horn.
Camp Creek Falls
South Cascades > White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley
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Length
- 0.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 40 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,360 feet
A very short trail rewards visitors with views of a lovely waterfall, accessible in the early season. Look for trillium along the trail in spring, and enjoy the sounds of rushing water year-round.
Blyth Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
Blyth Park lies along the Sammamish River in the City of Bothell. Hiking trails extend from this more developed area out through the woods and along the river. Some trails are more developed while others are impromptu social trails.
Blandford Canyon
Southwest Washington > Vancouver Area
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Length
- 0.9 miles of trails
-
Elevation Gain
- 75 feet
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Highest Point
- 175 feet
A small network of trails connects the neighborhoods of South Cliff and DuBois across Blandford Road in Vancouver. Visit both parks, but do know you’ll have to cross a road to get the full experience.
Billy Goat
North Cascades > Pasayten
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Length
- 9.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,200 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,600 feet
Enjoy the path-less-traveled as you ascend to Billy Goat Pass for spectacular views of the surrounding peaks. Connect to Burch Mountain or the Larch Creek trail as you walk through wildflowers as far as the eye can see.
Big Tree Ridge
Issaquah Alps > Cougar Mountain
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Length
- 1.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 680 feet
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Highest Point
- 770 feet
This is the most direct entry to Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park from Seattle, Issaquah and Bellevue. WTA has done lots of work on Cougar Mountain since 2009, but signage may not be entirely up-to-date.
Big Rock Park - North
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 1.25 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 20 feet
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Highest Point
- 571 feet
Great for kids, this park features a zip line, a boardwalk and several trails wending through a variety of environments. Some of them are even ADA-compliant, so they're wheelchair and stroller accessible.
Yacolt Burn State Forest - Bells Mountain
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 8.9 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 1,100 feet
-
Highest Point
- 1,500 feet
The Bells Mountain trail is a non-motorized, multi-use trail constructed by the Chinook Trail Association (CTA) and managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR). It is part of a 30-mile stretch of the Chinook Trail that was awarded National Recreation Trail Status in 2005.