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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 Hikes

Lost Beagle

Issaquah Alps > Cougar Mountain
 
Length
0.6 miles, one-way
Elevation Gain
250 feet
Highest Point
1,470 feet
Rating
Average rating:
2.40
(5 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Fall foliage
  • Summits
  • Wildlife
The Lost Beagle Trail is a connector Trail on Cougar Mountain. It does not have its own trailhead so hikers must reach this trail on foot from one of the many connecting trails.
 
 

Little Mountain Park - Up Quick

Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
 
Length
0.2 miles, one-way
Elevation Gain
241 feet
Rating
Average rating:
2.33
(3 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Good for kids
This short connector trail on Little Mountain Park helps visitors connect the Darvill Trail with the Ridge Trail, making for a direct route to the summit of this little park.
 
 

Little Creek Trail

Issaquah Alps > Cougar Mountain
 
Length
1.2 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
315 feet
Highest Point
900 feet
Rating
Average rating:
0.00
(0 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Fall foliage
  • Good for kids
  • Rivers
  • Wildflowers/Meadows
The Little Creek Trail is a 0.4-mile section of trail in Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park. Visitors in the fall will find and abundance of mushrooms and fiery fall colors. You can reach the trail by taking the Military Road Trail from the Red Town Trailhead.
 
 

Lake Padden Park

Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
 
Length
7.7 miles of trails
Elevation Gain
400 feet
Highest Point
800 feet
Rating
Average rating:
4.20
(10 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Good for kids
  • Lakes
  • Old growth
  • Wildlife
Enjoy a stroll on the main loop trail that goes around Lake Padden or lengthen your trip by exploring some of the short trails at the east end of the park. To find a little solitude take a turn off the beaten path to rise above the south side of the lake on a less-trodden upper trail.
 
 

Klondike Swamp

Issaquah Alps > Cougar Mountain
 
Length
2.5 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
110 feet
Highest Point
1,270 feet
Rating
Average rating:
3.17
(6 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Fall foliage
  • Good for kids
The Klondike Swamp Trail traverses much of what is special about Cougar Mountain Park, utilizing old logging roads and railroad grades that take you through charming second growth forest. The loop is easily accessed from the Sky Country Trailhead in Bellevue, and offers a nearly level grade for most of the journey.
 
 

Kayak Point Park

Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
 
Rating
Average rating:
3.25
(4 votes)
  • Coast
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Established campsites
  • Good for kids
Kayak Point Park is a lovely saltwater beach park with a short trail system located along the shores of picturesque Port Susan. It's great for family outings by the shore or an easy night of camping.
 
 

Island Center Forest

Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
 
Length
10.0 miles of trails
Elevation Gain
200 feet
Highest Point
425 feet
Rating
Average rating:
3.20
(5 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Fall foliage
  • Good for kids
  • Wildlife
With lovely Douglas-fir forest, wetlands, and a great network of trails, Island Center Forest is one of King County's best-kept secrets. Birds are abundant on the wetlands, and the forest is lush, with large, second-growth trees, a testament to the effort that several groups have put into managing this forest in order to restore the health of this area.
 
 

Indian Trail

Issaquah Alps > Cougar Mountain
 
Length
1.2 miles, one-way
Elevation Gain
50 feet
Highest Point
780 feet
Rating
Average rating:
2.40
(5 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Fall foliage
  • Wildlife
The Indian Trail is one of the main trails running through the western portion of Cougar Mountain.
 
 

Horseshoe Bend

North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
 
Length
2.4 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
220 feet
Highest Point
1,200 feet
Rating
Average rating:
3.71
(21 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Fall foliage
  • Good for kids
  • Old growth
  • Rivers
  • Wildflowers/Meadows
Here's a Mount Baker Highway gem that's low enough to be passable all year and at the same time easy enough for the whole family. It's also a terrific spot to witness the power of water.
 
 

Hatchery Creek

Central Cascades > Leavenworth Area
 
Length
13.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
4,000 feet
Highest Point
6,700 feet
Rating
Average rating:
2.33
(6 votes)
  • Lakes
  • Mountain views
  • Ridges/passes
  • Wildflowers/Meadows
  • Wildlife
A brushy, steep trail to the Cascade high country.
 
 

Beacon Rock State Park - Hardy Creek

Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
 
Rating
Average rating:
3.00
(2 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
This 1.1-mile trail parallels Hardy Creek as one segment of the Hamilton Mountain loop. It is high up the ridge above the creek, traversing red alder and Douglas-fir forests.
 
 

Fragrance Lake

Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
 
Length
4.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
1,260 feet
Highest Point
1,190 feet
Rating
Average rating:
3.89
(62 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Good for kids
  • Lakes
  • Mountain views
  • Old growth
The year-round, dog-friendly day hike to Fragrance Lake in the Chuckanut Recreation Area is popular with college students and faculty from Western Washington University in nearby Bellingham, and with day visitors and car campers at Larrabee State Park. On a sunny weekend afternoon you could easily lose count of the number of smiles and “hullos” you’ll exchange!
 
 

Evans Creek Preserve

Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
 
Length
4.2 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
325 feet
Highest Point
480 feet
Rating
Average rating:
4.12
(33 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Good for kids
  • Wildflowers/Meadows
  • Wildlife
Evans Creek Preserve features a WTA-built trail system in an ecologically diverse enclave. Wetlands, meadows, and hillside forest can be found in this 179-acre farmstead-turned-suburban nature preserve that will thrill both the hiker and the birdwatcher. Not only that, this gem has ADA-accessible trails and is reachable by public transportation.
 
 

Dugualla State Park

Puget Sound and Islands > Whidbey Island
 
Length
5.0 miles, roundtrip
Rating
Average rating:
3.29
(7 votes)
  • Coast
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Good for kids
  • Wildlife
The land encompassed by Dugualla State Park was acquired in 1992, when Washington State Parks bought the property to prevent it from being logged. It is now a quiet little state park at the north end of Oak Harbor.
 
 

Duckabush River

Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
 
Length
10.6 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
2,300 feet
Highest Point
1,750 feet
Rating
Average rating:
3.67
(40 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Fall foliage
  • Mountain views
  • Old growth
  • Rivers
  • Wildflowers/Meadows
  • Wildlife
Explore one of the quieter Olympic Peninsula river valleys. Quiet, that is, if you don't count the Duckabush River's constant belching, crashing, and churning as it tumbles over giant boulders and squeezes through narrow rocky clefts.
 
 

Dosewallips State Park - Steam Donkey Trail

Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
 
Length
3.5 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
400 feet
Highest Point
425 feet
Rating
Average rating:
2.93
(14 votes)
  • Coast
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Good for kids
  • Old growth
  • Rivers
  • Wildlife
The 3.5 mile Steam Donkey Loop Trail is an especially good choice in spring, with lots of creeklets, views of the Dosewallips River and silent forest. There is a strong chance that you will see wildlife in winter and spring. An elk herd resides in the area, and with the estuary so close, the area is rife with bird-life. As an added bonus for fall hikers, you can search for and pick chanterelle mushrooms.
 
 

Dosewallips State Park - Maple Valley Loop

Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
 
Length
2.5 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
584 feet
Highest Point
552 feet
Rating
Average rating:
4.00
(1 vote)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Fall foliage
  • Good for kids
  • Old growth
  • Wildlife
This 2.5 mile loop is in Dosewallips State Park right out of the campground. You'll enjoy a moderate climb, which meanders up, down, and all around the park. Amble past waterfalls, through a valley lined with bigleaf maples and western redcedar before switchbacking up to a ridgeline, then return to the campground via a gentle downhill grade.
 
 

Deception Pass State Park - North Beach

Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
 
Length
1.8 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
100 feet
Rating
Average rating:
4.50
(10 votes)
  • Coast
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Good for kids
  • Old growth
  • Wildlife
A wooded hike from the West Beach area of Deception Pass State Park to the North Beach Parking area. Enjoy the numerous side trails to the wonderful beach and rock outcroppings along the way.
 
 

Deception Pass State Park - Hoypus Point

Puget Sound and Islands > Whidbey Island
 
Length
6.4 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
600 feet
Highest Point
400 feet
Rating
Average rating:
3.67
(12 votes)
  • Coast
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Good for kids
  • Old growth
A great trail for solitude and a cloudy winter day, this is a forest walk, complete with old growth giants, mature alder and a green understory of sword ferns. A tree huggers hike! This loop will give you a nice variety of forest ecosystems.
 
 
 
Length
5.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
1,000 feet
Highest Point
110 feet
Rating
Average rating:
4.22
(55 votes)
  • Coast
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Good for kids
  • Mountain views
  • Old growth
On your next trip to Deception Pass State Park, don’t cross over the Deception Pass bridge. Instead, take the road down to Bowman Bay for some fine hiking along the rugged cliffs. Great views of the bridge over Deception and Canoe Pass, calm Lottie Bay, a woodland walk through hemlock, fir and Pacific Madrone, plus the legend of the Maiden of Deception Pass are what await you here.
 
 

Coyote Creek

Issaquah Alps > Cougar Mountain
 
Length
1.1 miles, one-way
Elevation Gain
150 feet
Highest Point
1,350 feet
Rating
Average rating:
5.00
(1 vote)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Fall foliage
  • Good for kids
  • Wildlife
The Coyote Creek Trail runs north-south through the northern half of Cougar Mountain Regional Park.
 
 

Columbia Springs

Southwest Washington > Vancouver Area
 
Length
0.3 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
10 feet
Highest Point
20 feet
Rating
Average rating:
4.00
(2 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Good for kids
  • Lakes
  • Wildflowers/Meadows
  • Wildlife
Just east of Vancouver, off the Evergreen Highway is a delightful little education center that houses a fish hatchery (complete with feeding pond), a small greenspace, and three little trails that are friendly to even the littlest hikers.
 
 

Coal Creek Falls

Issaquah Alps > Cougar Mountain
 
Length
2.5 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
416 feet
Highest Point
1,066 feet
Rating
Average rating:
3.51
(61 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Good for kids
  • Waterfalls
  • Wildflowers/Meadows
Coal Creek Falls is a wonderful destination for any day hiker looking for an easy and/or family friendly trail with a picturesque culmination at Coal Creek Falls. It’s a well maintained trail that meanders beneath a thick canopy and a dense understory with many wildflower species in the spring.
 
 

Chybinski Loop

Issaquah Alps > Squak Mountain
 
Length
7.7 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
2,100 feet
Highest Point
1,800 feet
Rating
Average rating:
3.40
(10 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Fall foliage
  • Mountain views
  • Rivers
The Chybinski Loop is located in the Cougar/Squak Mountain Corridor, and has many connecting trails and loop options.
 
 

Larrabee State Park - Chuckanut Ridge Trail

Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
 
Length
8.9 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
2,154 feet
Highest Point
1,801 feet
Rating
Average rating:
4.00
(4 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Good for kids
  • Lakes
  • Mountain views
  • Old growth
  • Ridges/passes
  • Waterfalls
Traverse across beautiful Chuckanut Mountain in Larrabee State Park. Enjoy views of Puget Sound, as well as Mount Baker along this high trail.
 
 

Centennial Trail

Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
 
Length
30.5 miles, one-way
Rating
Average rating:
3.50
(2 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Good for kids
  • Mountain views
  • Rivers
A 30.5 mile long paved trail follows a historic rail line through Snohomish to Skagit county. Take a short walk, use it to connect to another trail, or undertake the whole thing in a day!
 
 

Coyote Wall - The Labyrinth Loop

Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
 
Length
7.7 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
1,200 feet
Highest Point
1,250 feet
Rating
Average rating:
4.38
(8 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Mountain views
  • Rivers
  • Waterfalls
  • Wildflowers/Meadows
This year-round hike offers great views of the Columbia River Gorge along with enchanting stands of oak, cascading waterfalls, dramatic basalt outcroppings, and profuse wildflowers in the spring. Often sunny here while raining in Vancouver, it is a great place to hike while waiting for snow to melt at higher elevations.
 
 

Black Diamond Open Space

Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
 
Length
17.0 miles of trails
Highest Point
700 feet
Rating
Average rating:
2.25
(4 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Good for kids
  • Rivers
  • Wildflowers/Meadows
  • Wildlife
The Black Diamond Open space consists of 1,240 forested acres including wetlands, peat bogs, streams and portions of the protected migratory corridor known as the Wildlife Habitat Network. Explore the 17 miles of non-motorized trails only two miles north of Black Diamond and six miles to the south of Maple Valley.
 
 

Big Finn Hill Park

Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
 
Length
9.5 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
100 feet
Highest Point
450 feet
Rating
Average rating:
2.60
(5 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Fall foliage
  • Good for kids
  • Wildlife
Big Finn Hill Park is the lesser-known cousin to the adjoining Saint Edwards State Park in Kirkland. Its expansive 220 acres are worth exploring and getting to know for their miles of meandering trails fit for mountain biking and casual strolling. Chock-full of tall Douglas-firs, ferns and bright green mosses, it offers possibilities to spot eagles, deer and owls.
 
 

Behrens Woods

Southwest Washington > Vancouver Area
 
Length
0.2 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
7 feet
Highest Point
187 feet
Rating
Average rating:
0.00
(0 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Fall foliage
  • Good for kids
  • Wildlife
This wheelchair-friendly trail winds through a peaceful forested area in Vancouver’s Bella Vista neighborhood. Built by volunteers, Behrens Woods provides a brief escape from the city.