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 HikesDirty Face Ridge
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 7.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,280 feet
Here's a great backdoor access to Mount Townsend. You’ll likely have company at the summit, but this route offers solitude to get there, along with some sweeping views, plus steeps to work those quads! Consider why it's so infrequently used -- a sign at the trailhead warns of grades up to 40% in places! It's short, but there's nothing sweet about it.
Baldy
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
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Length
- 7.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,800 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,827 feet
Baldy is a windswept mountain outpost that commands a view over the northeast Olympic Mountains, Vancouver Island, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. To reach its lofty summit, the hiker must trade traditional grade for a seemingly never-ending staircase. However, your efforts are greatly rewarded, as views can be had along the ridge. And even if the summit itself is lost in the clouds, dwarf flowers and lichens decorate a foreground to the icy blue Olympic high country.
Upper Dungeness River
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 6.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 600 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,100 feet
The Upper Dungeness River trail is an easy stroll along a roaring river and among towering trees. It’s great for all ages (as long as the trail is snow- and ice-free), and the shelter at Camp Handy is a welcome and dry lunch destination on rainy days.
Tyler Peak Trail
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 8.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,364 feet
Tyler Peak is located northwest of Mount Townsend. While this area can be windy, and views are obscured by fog, when it's clear, you'll enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding area. Experience navigating off-trail and some climbing experience are necessary to summit Tyler Peak.
Tubal Cain Mine
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 7.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,600 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,600 feet
This short dayhike also offers campsites near the site of an old B-17 crash site. Please leave what you see so others may discover this historic site as you do.
Tubal Cain Mine to Buckhorn Lake
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 12.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,200 feet
Although best known for its namesake mine and the nearby aircraft wreckage, the Tubal Cain trail also offers a pleasant and scenic route to Marmot Pass, a gateway to further wanderings.
Three O'Clock Ridge
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
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Length
- 0.5 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 500 feet
This is a half-mile spur trail in the Three O'Clock Ridge area that ends at its junction with the Lower Dungeness Trail. The trail is a steep ascent for the majority of its length. Minimum parking is available.
Source Lake - Winter Route
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,100 feet
This trail has an avalanche chute early on in the trail. Be familiar with navigating avalanche terrain and go prepared if you hike this trail in winter.
Rock Creek - Red Pass Loop
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 17.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 5,600 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,400 feet
This is a long distance day hike that includes unmaintained trails. You should be an experienced route finder willing to hike trails less traveled, and prepared for a lonely hike. You may need crampons and ice axe.
Snoqualmie Mountain
Snoqualmie Region
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Length
- 3.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,105 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,278 feet
A scramble to the summit of a peak near Alpental. Proper gear and expertise recommended.
Mount Roosevelt
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 12.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,500 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,835 feet
A climb off I-90 near Melakwa Lake. Gear and climbing experience required.
Lower Wildcat Lake
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
Lower Wildcat Lake offers an opportunity to get deeper into the backcountry past Snow Lake, while still on a formal trail.
Guye Peak
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 3.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,172 feet
A class 3 or 4 scramble to the summit of a peak near Alpental. Climbing gear and expertise recommended.
Gem Lake
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 10.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,800 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,857 feet
Gem Lake is nestled at the foot of Wright Mountain and is about two miles beyond the trail junction at Rock Creek trail #1013.1 that intersects with the Snow Lake trail starting at Alpental. Beautiful colors surround the lake in autumn as do the many climbable peaks in the area.
Avalanche Mountain
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 8.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,400 feet
A winter scramble to the summit of a mountain in Snoqualmie Pass. Technical experience and equipment required.
Wright Mountain
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 10.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,920 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,330 feet
A scramble up a peak above Gem Lake. Climbing gear and experience required.
Snow Lake
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 7.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,800 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,400 feet
A relatively short and easy hike within a stone’s throw of Seattle, Snow Lake delivers splendorous alpine scenery – crystal clear waters, towering peaks – at a mere pittance of sweat and toil. Just don’t expect to have the trail to yourself – Snow Lake is Washington's most heavily-used trail in a wilderness area!
Turtleback Mountain Preserve - Turtlehead Summit
Puget Sound and Islands > San Juan Islands
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Length
- 5.7 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,295 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,025 feet
Hike a short trail that leads to one of the best viewpoints in the San Juans, with views of other San Juan Islands and of Canada's Gulf Islands.
Fobes-Ebey Slough Dike Road Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 3.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 13 feet
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Highest Point
- 13 feet
Spend some time in the quiet countryside on a wide gravel trail just a few miles away from the city of Everett.
Yakima Skyline Trail
Central Washington > Yakima
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Length
- 4.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,446 feet
Bird's-eye views of the stunning Yakima Canyon, wildflower fields for days, and a line of ragged fenceposts marching all the way along the trail -- the Yakima Skyline Trail is a great conditioner, or extend it to a full day hike.
Salmon Creek Trail
Southwest Washington > Vancouver Area
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Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 30 feet
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Highest Point
- 60 feet
Whether you’d like a peaceful break from everyday life or just some exercise, the Salmon Creek Trail is for you. This paved trail takes you through wetlands, around ponds, and across a natural habitat undergoing restoration. Within minutes you can leave city life behind and be immersed in picture-perfect scenery accompanied by the sound of birds. The trail is easily accessible, making it a perfect quick get-away.
Rainier Woods Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 0.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 0 feet
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Highest Point
- 450 feet
This small park has a playground, picnic area, off-leash dog park and more, as well a short walking trails in a wooded area.
Brink Trail
Issaquah Alps > Tiger Mountain
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Length
- 0.7 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 153 feet
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Highest Point
- 534 feet
Hike along the edge of a ridgeline just above an invisible I-90 at the north end of Tiger Mountain.
Saltese Uplands
Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
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Length
- 3.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 630 feet
WTA has worked on trails in this 552-acre conservation area to help prevent erosion. Over 7 miles of trail wind throughout the property, exploring canyons that embrace year-round springs and climbing ridge tops with views of Liberty Lake, Mount Spokane, and Saltese Flats.
Baker Lake - Maple Grove
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 8.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 500 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,000 feet
Magnificent old growth forests, stellar views of Mount Baker, turbulent tributaries, and, of course, a beautiful lake make this trail a great path to travel.
Wiley Slough - Fir Island
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 2.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 49 feet
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Highest Point
- 15 feet
Take a waterside walk along Wiley Slough in the Skagit Wildlife area on Fir Island.
Saint Edward State Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 3.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 400 feet
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Highest Point
- 400 feet
Hike through a diverse century-old second-growth forest with a dense canopy to the undeveloped shoreline of Lake Washington. This historic 316-acre state park, nestled in the midst of the Seattle metropolitan area, has playground facilities for children, picnic areas, trails for mountain bikers and fields for sports teams as well.
Mount Pilchuck
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 5.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,300 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,327 feet
The road to Mount Pilchuck is closed at the Heather Lake trailhead for the winter.
Despite its intermediate difficulty, hikers flock to Mount Pilchuck for its historic restored fire lookout with grand panoramic views of Mount Baker, Mount Rainier and the Olympics.
Mount Grant Preserve
Puget Sound and Islands > San Juan Islands
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Length
- 4.6 miles of trails
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Elevation Gain
- 900 feet
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Highest Point
- 900 feet
Mount Grant Preserve is a trail system in development on San Juan Island. Currently, the trails to the top offer the most elevation gain available on San Juan Island, so you'll love this one if you're looking to get high up.
Deception Pass State Park - Goose Rock
Puget Sound and Islands > Whidbey Island
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Length
- 4.3 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 484 feet
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Highest Point
- 484 feet
Deception Pass State Park is one of the most popular Washington state parks and it is easy to see why. There are beautiful beaches, mature woodlands, great views, lakes, and a beautifully built bridge high on rocks above two narrow waterways. This nice trail will take you through all of this.