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
4225 HikesPeek-a-Boo Lake
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,500 feet
-
Highest Point
- 4,350 feet
Enjoy a swim in a nice quiet lake surrounded by forest. Due to the narrow road, lack of spectacular scenery and few campsites, this lake does not get as many visitors as other hikes in the area do. The trail receives little maintenance so it is a bit rough, but it is easily followed.
Pear Lake
Central Cascades > Leavenworth Area
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Length
- 13.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,200 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,200 feet
An aptly-named alpine gem, Pear Lake nestles below Fortune Mountain and can be reached by combining the Top Lake Trail with a short jaunt north on the Pacific Crest Trail. It provides access and a jumping-off point for hikers, backpackers, equestrian riders and trail work parties alike headed into the backcountry of the Henry M. Jackson and Glacier Peak Wildernesses and beyond.
Paul Peak
Mount Rainier Area > NW - Carbon River/Mowich
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Length
- 5.72 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,446 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,735 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.
An unconventional hike that starts downhill and finishes uphill, the Paul Peak Trail never climbs its namesake. Instead, it skirts the peak while providing a unique glimpse of Mount Rainier's northwest face.
Palisades Park
Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
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Length
- 7.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 500 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,200 feet
The Palisades Conservation Area must have been what the Chamber of Commerce had in mind when it came up with the Spokane logo, “Near Nature, Near Perfect.” Visitors to this city park can both view wildlife and native plants in the foreground and peer out over the cityscape from the edge of the basalt cliffs.
Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) Section K - Stevens Pass to Rainy Pass
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
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Length
- 123.0 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 26,351 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,600 feet
By far the most difficult stretch of PCT in Washington, Section K puts hikers through a grueling 127-mile trek over harsh terrain and treacherous conditions. Yet those intrepid enough to attempt it are rewarded with a true wilderness experience in and among some of the country's most pristine and beautiful surroundings.
Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) Section J - Snoqualmie Pass to Stevens Pass
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 74.7 miles, one-way
-
Elevation Gain
- 16,000 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,988 feet
Crossing through the stunning Alpine Lakes Wilderness, this section is a must-do for serious Washington backpackers. This 75-mile section leads through some of the most beautiful, remote and varied surroundings along the PCT.
Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) Section H - Bridge of the Gods to White Pass
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 147.5 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 27,996 feet
-
Highest Point
- 7,800 feet
Offering spectacular views of the three southern volcanoes in Washington, lakes, meadows and wildlife over relatively moderate terrain, Section H is the perfect starting point for the Washington portion of the Pacific Crest Trail.
Oval Lakes
North Cascades > Methow/Sawtooth
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Length
- 20.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 6,740 feet
-
Highest Point
- 7,705 feet
This rugged route is long, but there are many options along the way for side trips, stopping spots, and places to relax.
Larrabee State Park - North Lost Lake Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 9.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,100 feet
One of the best ways to access the heart of Chuckanut Mountain is via the North Lost Lake Trail, entering from the Interurban Trail at Arroyo Park.
North Lake
North Cascades > Methow/Sawtooth
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Length
- 10.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,220 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,840 feet
Hike in to a small lake at the head of a valley with good campsites and many possibilities for exploration. Along the way, see the difference between the 2018 Crescent Mountain Fire impacted forest and the old growth forest.
North Fork Silver Creek Trail
Eastern Washington > Selkirk Range
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Length
- 7.7 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 4,078 feet
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Highest Point
- 7,308 feet
The longer, more scenic approach to Abercrombie Mountain, North Fork Silver Creek Trail is worth the extra effort involved for a hike to eastern Washington's second highest summit.
North Fork Loop
South Cascades > White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley
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Length
- 2.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 400 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,800 feet
Visitors to the North Fork Loop Trail will see several different forests and enjoy views of the lush Cispus Valley. The trail is adjacent to the North Fork of the Cispus River, and departs from the North Fork campground, making it a great option for people staying there.
North Fork Bridge Creek
Central Cascades > Entiat Mountains/Lake Chelan
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Length
- 6.5 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 1,473 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,099 feet
The North Fork of Bridge Creek is a tucked-away gem of a hike in the North Cascades National Park. Accessible from both the Stehekin valley and Highway 20, many people blaze past this side trip on their way along the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). But if you choose to explore this branch, you'll be rewarded with stunning mountain valleys at the base of Mount Logan, one of many striking peaks in the North Cascades. Of course, you'll have to share the trail with brush, bugs, and maybe even bears to get there.
Noisy Creek
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 11.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 20 feet
Hikers on the Noisy Creek trail can view exceptional old growth trees and also serves as the start of a cross country route into Noisy Diobsud Wilderness.
Noble Knob
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 950 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,011 feet
This hike up to a former lookout site provides spectacular views of Mount Rainier and the surrounding landscape.
No Name
Issaquah Alps > Cougar Mountain
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Length
- 0.2 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 22 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,072 feet
A short connector trail between Bear Ridge and Shangri La trails that creates a loop out of the two. Also connect to Red Cedars via the No Name Trail.
Neiderprum Trail
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 2.65 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,400 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,200 feet
A steep climber's trail with a gorgeous payoff. Wait until the end of summer before attempting, due to snow staying late in high elevations.
Newberry Hill Heritage Park
Olympic Peninsula > Kitsap Peninsula
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Length
- 13.0 miles of trails
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Elevation Gain
- 250 feet
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Highest Point
- 350 feet
This little gem of a park is located in Kitsap County, at the west end of Newberry Hill Road right before the T to Seabeck Highway.
Narbeck Wetland Sanctuary
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 2.0 miles of trails
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Elevation Gain
- 0 feet
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Highest Point
- 0 feet
Just adjacent to the Boeing campus in Everett, Narbeck Wetland Sanctuary is a great place for a short nature walk in town or a leg-stretcher after work. In fact, you may completely forget you're near an busy part of town when you're in the heart of the sanctuary.
Narada Falls
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
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Length
- 0.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 100 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,650 feet
If you’ve been to Mount Rainier’s Paradise, you may be familiar with Narada Falls, and the short hike down to its popular viewpoint. But are you aware of the other trails this short hike connects to? Do you wonder what "Narada" means? Read on to find out.
Nada Lake
Central Cascades > Leavenworth Area
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Length
- 10.6 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 3,600 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,200 feet
The Snow Lakes trail is known mostly as the long, gradual way into the Enchantments; but Nada Lake (and nearby Snow Lake) is a worthwhile — if deceptively grueling — destination in its own right. The narrow isthmus between the lakes offers a majestic view across the water to the towering heights of McClellan Peak.
Naches Trail
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 5.7 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 2,600 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,100 feet
The Naches Trail takes visitors along the same route that pioneers took in horse drawn wagons in the 1800s. It is now a hiking trail that leads to a scenic meadow and a historic cabin.
Mount Zion
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 4.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,300 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,274 feet
The trip to Mount Zion is straightforward and short; a steep hike through fir, hemlock cedar, salal, and, the main attraction for many visitors, tall groves of wild rhododendrons. Views from the top are limited, but a little ridgeline wandering to the south afford the intrepid better views of the Olympic Mountains.
Mount Townsend
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 8.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,010 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,260 feet
Mount Townsend offers rhododendrons in May and June, wildflowers June through August, then berries in August and September and fall colors in, well, fall. Add in old growth, some tucked away waterfalls, and a windswept, turtleback summit with views north across the Strait and San Juans, west and south into and along the Olympics and east across the Sound to the Cascades, and you've got the perfect year-round hike.
Mount St. Helens - Worm Flows Route
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
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Length
- 12.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 5,699 feet
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Highest Point
- 8,364 feet
The rim is extremely unstable. Please stay well back from the edge.
The Worm Flows Climbing Route, from Marble Mountain Sno-Park, is the most direct route to the summit of Mount St. Helens during the winter season. Ice axe, crampons, and avalanche awareness are necessary when attempting to summit St. Helens in the winter. Skis with climbing skins or snowshoes with cleats are also highly recommended.
Mount Spokane State Park - Trail 131
Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
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Length
- 1.0 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 550 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,119 feet
A year-round hike, Trail 131 is the main snowshoe access trail to Bald Knob Campground and connecting trails.
Mount Spokane State Park - Three Peaks Loop
Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
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Length
- 12.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,858 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,883 feet
Three peaks in a day! It's completely doable thanks to this loop that takes you on a tour of Mount Kit Carson, Day Mountain, and Mount Spokane. Plus there is plenty to see along the way -- don't forget your camera!
Mount Pugh
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 11.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 5,300 feet
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Highest Point
- 7,201 feet
Mount Pugh -- also known by its native name "Da Klagwats" -- has one of the most spectacular viewpoints in the North Cascades, offering a vista that includes Glacier and Sloan Peak, Mounts Baker, Shuksan, and Rainier, the Olympics, Monte Cristo, Three Fingers, and White Chuck. The first fire lookout here was established in 1916; a lowly tent perched on the peak until a cabin with a cupola was built in 1922. This was hit by lightning in 1927 and a second lookout was built, but it was subsequently destroyed in 1965 and never rebuilt. Remains of these structures can still be seen on the mountain, when you can tear yourself away from the view.
Mount Margaret
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 5.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,459 feet
Hike up an abandoned road, through a logged area, and into mature forest on the edge of the Alpine Lakes wilderness. What the trail lacks in ruggedness is more than made up for by the quantity of berries that line the trail.
Mount Jupiter
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 14.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,950 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,701 feet
A long road walk through a logging operation is required to access this trailhead.