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 HikesBoulder Creek
Central Cascades > Leavenworth Area
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Length
- 17.25 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 4,850 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,310 feet
Boulder River leads to magnificent views of Napeequa Valley and the Glacier Peak Wilderness.
Upper Stehekin Valley Road Trail
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 11.4 miles, one-way
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,100 feet
-
Highest Point
- 2,400 feet
Once upon a time, the road in Stehekin extended all the way to Cottonwood Camp, more than ten miles further into the lush green valley. But strong river activity due to snowmelt and rain events washed the road out frequently, and for one final time in 2003. Now it's accessible by foot only, and many of the trails found along this route are some of your best chance for solitude in the state.
Swamp Lake
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 9.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,400 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,000 feet
Despite its name, Swamp Lake is a lovely little destination in the William O. Douglas wilderness near Mount Rainier. It's popular with fishermen and backpackers, though it can be extremely buggy in early summer.
Pacific Crest Trail - Stehekin to Rainy Pass
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 18.7 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 3,600 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,900 feet
Connect between the Stehekin River and Rainy Pass on this section of the Pacific Crest Trail. Views of peaks in every direction capture the hiker's attention as you walk through the beautiful North Cascades.
Stehekin River Trail
Central Cascades > Entiat Mountains/Lake Chelan
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Length
- 7.6 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 100 feet
-
Highest Point
- 1,200 feet
If you’re overnighting in the Stehekin Valley and just want a riverside ramble to while away the hours, try the Stehekin River Trail. It’s an easy forested walk along the mighty Stehekin River on a side of the valley that few visitors get to see.
Sauer's Mountain
Central Cascades > Leavenworth Area
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Length
- 6.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 2,000 feet
-
Highest Point
- 3,116 feet
This trail is on private property, and is made accessible thanks to the property owner who built it. There is only room for about 10 cars at the trailhead, so if there are more than that when you arrive, please head elsewhere, since parking beyond the signs is not allowed.
Bonanza Peak
Central Cascades > Entiat Mountains/Lake Chelan
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Length
- 14.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 6,300 feet
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Highest Point
- 9,511 feet
The route to Bonanza Peak is a Class 4 and involves exposed scrambling. Gear and experience recommended.
Copper Creek
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 2,400 feet
-
Highest Point
- 3,200 feet
7.7.25: This trail and FR 24 are closed until further notice due to the Bear Gulch Fire.
Whatever you like most about hiking, this trail has something for you, whether it’s a quick ascent, a period of more level ground, a peek-a-boo view, a quintessential Olympic Peninsula rain forest, or a ridge top.
Oneonta Gorge
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - OR
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Length
- 3.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 425 feet
-
Highest Point
- 385 feet
This lovely trail loops around Oneonta Gorge and takes you behind Ponytail Falls.
Snoqualmie Valley Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 32.0 miles, one-way
Walk along an old railroad grade that climbs gently though forested hillsides. In summer, look for wildflowers: blackberry, elderberry, pea, daisy, buttercup and wild rose.
Palouse to Cascades Trail - Easton
Snoqualmie Region > Cle Elum Area
A segment of the cross-state Palouse to Cascades Trail
Palouse to Cascades Trail - Rattlesnake Lake
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 11.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 300 feet
-
Highest Point
- 1,100 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.
The Palouse to Cascades Trail in Iron Horse State Park provides access to notable North Bend hikes, views of mountains and waterfalls, and a journey back into Washington’s history. Take in the wildlife and cross soaring bridges as you make a level traverse from Rattlesnake Lake to Change and Hall Creeks 5.5 miles to the east.
Puyallup Riverwalk Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 8.4 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 413 feet
-
Highest Point
- 73 feet
Walk along the Puyallup River on a nature walk without ever leaving the city.
Anderson and Watson Lakes
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 6.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,100 feet
-
Highest Point
- 4,900 feet
3.20.26: FR 1107 is closed at mile 4 due to storm damage.
This trail features plenty of variety, with destinations spaced perfectly for families or first-time backpackers. Beautiful hemlock forest, meadows dotted with wildflowers, gleaming lakes, mountain views, juicy berries and excellent camping are all available. Wait until later in the hiking season though, as this area is known for its bugs.
Mount Baker
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Highest Point
- 10,778 feet
3.20.26: Glacier Creek Road is closed at mile 1 due to washouts at mile 3.6 and 3.8.
The dominant feature in the North Cascades is Mount Baker, a glaciated volcano that can be seen on clear days from as far as Seattle and makes a great backdrop for photos of Vancouver, BC. Many hiking trails follow the ridges around Mount Baker and offer stunning views of the summit. Climbing to the summit is done mainly via the Coleman and Easton glaciers and requires technical expertise with high-altitude snow and ice.
Heliotrope Ridge
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 5.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,400 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,100 feet
3.20.26: Glacier Creek Road is closed at mile 1 due to washouts at mile 3.6 and 3.8.
If you'd like nose-to-nose access to Mount Baker, this first-rate woodsy walk delivers. Over a relatively short, well-maintained trail with mild elevation gain, you can be glacier-side in no time... if the creek crossings allow.
Coal Pass Snowshoe
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 10.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 2,400 feet
-
Highest Point
- 4,500 feet
3.20.26: Glacier Creek Road is closed at mile 1 due to washouts at mile 3.6 and 3.8.
Following a series of winding, snow-covered forest roads, the route to Coal Pass culminates in sweeping views of Mount Baker’s glaciated northwest flank.
Silent Swamp Loop
Issaquah Alps > Tiger Mountain
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Length
- 8.8 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 600 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,780 feet
Hike a restored trail in the southeast corner of the Tigers, through an area that is very green, with impressive moss cover and with many huge, decaying stumps remaining from logging a century ago.
Inside Passage
Issaquah Alps > Tiger Mountain
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Length
- 6.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,600 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,150 feet
This 1.6-mile section of trail is located in the Tiger Mountain State Forest. It is popular with mountain bikers and hikers.
East Side Road
Issaquah Alps > Tiger Mountain
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Length
- 6.5 miles, one-way
-
Elevation Gain
- 200 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,400 feet
The East Side Road is an access road on Tiger Mountain that is closed to vehicle traffic and open to hikers. The road roughly parallels the eastern boundary of Tiger Mountain and connects with several other trails.
Custer's Bridge - Middle Tiger Loop
Issaquah Alps > Tiger Mountain
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Length
- 11.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,600 feet
-
Highest Point
- 2,607 feet
Hike the forested Iverson Railroad Trail and the little-used middle section of the main Tiger Mountain Trail (TMT). Look in on the site of a 1925 logging train wreck. Continue on to remote Custer's Bridge, and return via a loop over Middle Tiger Mountain, including views south-side hikers miss.
Tiger Mountain Road
Issaquah Alps > Tiger Mountain
Tiger Mountain Road is a gravel road that starts at the East Tiger Mountain Summit Parking Lot and winds up near the summit.
Lord Hill Regional Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 6.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 633 feet
Lord Hill Park is a wonderful wild park and an excellent place to hike, covering about 1,463 acres of wetland and forest. Hikers can roam all day on the network of trails leading through the forest, down to the Snohomish River and up to views of the Cascades and Snohomish Valley.
Elowah and Upper McCord Creek Falls
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - OR
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Length
- 3.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 620 feet
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Highest Point
- 660 feet
This hike is actual a twofer, forking to two paths each leading to a waterfall – go up to Upper McCord Creek’s twin waterfalls, or down to the towering Elowah Falls. Each waterfall has its own character and it is worth visiting both of them.
Coyote Wall
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
Thanks to an extensive planning process in this popular area, this formerly user-created trail has been re-routed and improved to make it enjoyable for hikers and mountain bikers, and sustainable for the land it is on.
Mima Mounds
Olympic Peninsula > Olympia
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Length
- 2.75 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 10 feet
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Highest Point
- 225 feet
These mysterious mounds inspire imagination and speculation among visitors. With a half-mile ADA accessible path and another two miles of more rugged wandering, the Mima Mounds are a great destination for many hikers.
Parkland Prairie
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 0.5 miles of trails
The preserve is closed until late 2026 for a trail resurfacing project.
This neighborhood park has a short loop trail that takes visitors through a prairie ecosystem brimming with interesting trees, flowers and grasses.
Ross Dam Trail
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 1.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 500 feet
-
Highest Point
- 2,100 feet
3.19.26: Highway 20 is closed at (and east of) Colonial Creek Campground until further notice due to a rock fall.
This forested trail in the North Cascades National Park Complex leads down to Ross Lake and the network of trails in the Ross Lake National Recreation Area. Look out over both Ross Lake and Ross Dam before making your way down to Ross Dam itself
Happy Creek Nature Trail
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 2.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 570 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,780 feet
3.19.26: Highway 20 is closed at (and east of) Colonial Creek Campground until further notice due to a rock fall.
Hikers can choose from an easy loop partially along Happy Creek, or a longer hike to Happy Creek Falls, site of an old sawmill that supported the mining in the late 1800's.
Thunder Woods Nature Trail
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 1.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 350 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,200 feet
3.19.26: Highway 20 is closed at (and east of) Colonial Creek Campground until further notice due to a rock fall.
Hiking the North Cascades is a treat for all ages. This short nature trail gives a taste of moss-draped old growth with moderate elevation gain.