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 HikesSouth Fork Hoh River - Big Flat
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
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Length
- 7.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 150 feet
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Highest Point
- 850 feet
The South Fork Hoh Trail penetrates a wild and remote wilderness and offers hikers solitude just a short distance from the crowded main Hoh Rain Forest. The easy trail stays in the bottomland among groves of towering spruce and grassy maple glades.
Hoh River Trail to Five Mile Island
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
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Length
- 10.6 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 300 feet
-
Highest Point
- 800 feet
A classic hike in any season, but come in winter and you’ll find that the hordes of tourists, hikers, and climbers who use this trail in the summer have dwindled to just a trickle.
Hoh River Trail to Elk Lake
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
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Length
- 33.0 miles, roundtrip
Beautiful multi-day hike that shows off the beauty of the Hoh Rainforest. Hike on relatively level ground until the last two miles, which climb to Elk Lake Campground, a good place to start a day hike to the glacier.
Hoh River Trail to Blue Glacier
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
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Length
- 37.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 3,700 feet
-
Highest Point
- 4,300 feet
Hike the Hoh River to the Blue Glacier through lush rainforest. The biodiversity on this hike is seldom seen on such an accessible backpacking trip. Just be sure to check in with the ranger station before overnighting — while there are lots of campsites, it's a popular place, and you'll need to reserve in advance.
Hoh Lake
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
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Length
- 28.6 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 6,235 feet
-
Highest Point
- 4,532 feet
Hoh Lake is a quiet spot in the wilderness of Olympic National Park that is accessible via a steep ascent from the Hoh River Trail or a long approach on the High Divide Trail.
Hall of Mosses
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
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Length
- 0.8 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 100 feet
-
Highest Point
- 600 feet
A short rainforest loop from the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center in Olympic National Park.
Spruce Nature Trail (Hoh)
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
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Length
- 1.2 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 230 feet
-
Highest Point
- 706 feet
Enjoy an easy 1.2-mile loop near the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center. Pair it with the Hall of Mosses for a couple of nice, flat exploratory leg-stretchers in the Hoh. Both make for an interesting introduction to the area, and will be a hit with the kids!
Skate Creek Park
South Cascades > White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley
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Length
- 4.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Highest Point
- 1,200 feet
Skate Creek Road (FR 52) is closed for the winter. It will reopen in the spring.
This 178-acre area just outside of Packwood has nearly 4 miles of trails for hikers to wander.
Silver Creek Trail
South Cascades > White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley
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Length
- 4.5 miles, one-way
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,200 feet
-
Highest Point
- 4,080 feet
Skate Creek Road (FR 52) is closed for the winter. It will reopen in the spring.
This lesser known hike connects two forest service roads via a gentle trail that takes visitors through a shady forest of old growth.
Deception Pass State Park - West Beach Sand Dunes
Puget Sound and Islands > Whidbey Island
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Length
- 0.8 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 31 feet
-
Highest Point
- 32 feet
1.7.26: Approx 150 feet of the northeast corner of the trail has washed out and is no longer accessible.
A stroll along the sand dunes of Deception State Park's West Beach offers a glimpse into this important geologic feature. The way is easy and interpretive signs provide information about the interesting seaside vegetation unique to this area.
Hoffman Hill Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 3.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 116 feet
-
Highest Point
- 320 feet
Tucked away in the neighborhood of Hoffman Hill, this trail this is the longest continuous trail in DuPont.
Rattlesnake Ledge
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
-
Length
- 4.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,160 feet
-
Highest Point
- 2,078 feet
This is a fine hike on a well maintained, albeit busy trail through a cool forest with views of the Cedar River watershed, Mount Si, Mount Washington, Rattlesnake Lake and Chester Morse Lake.
Poo Poo Point - Chirico Trail
Issaquah Alps > Tiger Mountain
-
Length
- 3.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,760 feet
-
Highest Point
- 1,850 feet
Hike a short but steep trail with many stone steps. Pause at a viewpoint offering a fine view of Mount Rainier, then continue on to Poo Poo Point itself, only 1.9 miles from the trailhead. Enjoy views to the northwest, and perhaps watch paragliders sailing off into the sky.
Riverfront Trail
Central Washington > Tri-Cities
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Length
- 7.5 miles, one-way
-
Elevation Gain
- 303 feet
-
Highest Point
- 391 feet
A blacktop trail with some gravel and dirt sections that meanders along the Columbia River in Richland. Start or end at Columbia Point Marina Park at the south end or USS Triton Submarine Memorial Park in the north. The 7-mile trail has many benches along the way to take a breather and soak up the beauty of the fast-moving Columbia.
Wynn-Jones Preserve
Olympic Peninsula > Kitsap Peninsula
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Length
- 1.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 25 feet
-
Highest Point
- 96 feet
Enjoy a quiet mile-long ramble among towering trees just outside of Port Orchard.
Grand Ridge Park
Issaquah Alps
-
Length
- 7.0 miles of trails
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,100 feet
Grand Ridge Park includes 7 miles of WTA-built trail through western redcedar trees, sword ferns, nettles, berries and, at times, slugs. This trail is a little piece of the backcountry close to Seattle and is open to hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians.
Seward Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
-
Length
- 2.4 miles, roundtrip
Whether you're a naturalist looking for flora and fauna, a training trail runner, a dog owner looking for a nice walk, a parent with an energetic child or just a busy urban dweller seeking an break from the city, Seward Park is the place for you.
South Kitsap Regional Park
Olympic Peninsula > Kitsap Peninsula
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Length
- 6.0 miles of trails
-
Elevation Gain
- 200 feet
-
Highest Point
- 200 feet
The network of hiking trails offer longer rambles for adults as well as a short interactive loop for kids.
George C Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary
Puget Sound and Islands > San Juan Islands
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Length
- 3.0 miles of trails
-
Elevation Gain
- 30 feet
-
Highest Point
- 10 feet
1.5.26: The sanctuary is closed until further notice for maintenance.
Enjoy birdwatching opportunities in coastal, marsh and forested environments while exploring the refuge’s three miles of looping trails.
Hockinson Meadows Community Park
Southwest Washington > Vancouver Area
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Length
- 3.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 7 feet
-
Highest Point
- 285 feet
This 240-acre park has short walking trails, baseball fields, soccer fields, disc golf, a playground, a picnic shelter and an off-leash dog area.
Talapus Lake Snowshoe
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 10.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,600 feet
-
Highest Point
- 3,280 feet
Talapus Lake is a popular hiking trail during the summer. In the winter the road to the trailhead may be inaccessible to cars, so you will have to start with a road walk before getting to the actual trail, adding some extra miles to a snowshoe route to the lake.
Talapus and Olallie Lakes
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 6.2 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,220 feet
-
Highest Point
- 3,780 feet
FR 9030 is closed during the winter season. Refer to the Talapus Lake Snowshoe entry for details on this hike in winter. https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/talapus-lake-snowshoe
With a moderate grade on a wide trail, the hike to Talapus Lake is the perfect introduction to the outdoors for hikers and beginning backpackers. Upon arrival at Talapus, break out lunch or pitch camp. Either way, you can cool off in the large lake. If you feel like pressing on, Ollalie Lake is just about a mile and a half up trail, where open campsites offer lakeside havens with calm waters and views of a beautiful lake basin.
Brown's Point Lighthouse Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 0.25 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 15 feet
-
Highest Point
- 15 feet
Visit this wheelchair-friendly trail on the north side of Tacoma with views of Commencement Bay, Vashon Island and close up of a lighthouse!
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.
Dumas Bay Sanctuary
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 0.4 miles of trails
-
Elevation Gain
- 50 feet
-
Highest Point
- 80 feet
This small 20-acre park offers visitors access to the beach along Dumas Bay.
Coal Creek Trail
Issaquah Alps > Cougar Mountain
-
Length
- 6.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 550 feet
-
Highest Point
- 600 feet
The Red Cedar (Coal Creek Parkway) trailhead is closed for King County’s Coal Creek Sewer Upgrade Project. Sections of the trail near the trailhead are also closed. Please follow posted trail detours and stay out of fenced construction areas. Other trailheads such as the Forest Drive; Coal Creek Family YMCA; Cinder Mine; and Red Town trailheads are open.
Rich in historical artifacts, lush foliage, wooden bridges, and waterfalls, the well-groomed and well-traveled Coal Creek Trail is a satisfying hike for families, trail runners, history buffs, and avid hikers.
Olallie Lake via Pratt Lake Trail
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 6.9 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 2,446 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,880 feet
Olallie Lake is a wonderful first-time destination for hikers or backpackers just beginning to discover trails.
Rattlesnake Mountain - Grand Prospect
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 7.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,000 feet
-
Highest Point
- 3,050 feet
This hike on Rattlesnake Mountain near North Bend follows good trails through second-growth forest, with possible wildlife sightings. It leads to some outstanding high viewpoints. In spite of the name, there are no rattlesnakes here.
Rocky Brook Falls
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 0.1 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 0 feet
The trail is closed for construction. The closure is expected to last through summer 2026.
This is more of a walk of about 200 yards, but the falls are beautiful when flowing heavily and well worth a visit when in the area.
Poe Mountain via Irving Pass
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
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Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,800 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,015 feet
One of about six former lookout sites in the Stevens Pass area, Poe Mountain boasts two different trails to the summit; Irving Pass was the recommended route, since you spend a significant amount of the hike on the ridge with awesome views both north and south, though the August 2022 fire has caused significant damage, so it is now more of a toss up.