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 HikesTroublesome Creek Nature
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
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Length
- 1.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 104 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,420 feet
A short but scenic nature trail that begins and ends at the Troublesome Creek Campground. Hikers and campers will enjoy the walk along and over the turquoise creek, which indeed could be troublesome without the bridges spanning the shores.
Troublesome Mountain
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
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Highest Point
- 5,433 feet
Troublesome Mountain is a modest peak scramble that can be reached via the Index-Galena Road.
Little Ranger Peak via Ranger Creek
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 12.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,500 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,010 feet
This infrequently visited trail is the perfect hike early in the season, because the snow melts off the south-facing flanks of the peak early. If you miss the springtime, save it for fall, because the deciduous trees that line the path make it ideal for a shot of fall color. Enjoy a moderately graded that leads you to a summit that boasts views of Rainier and the White River valley from the summit.
Granite Mountain
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 8.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,800 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,629 feet
In winter the trail up Granite Mountain crosses a large avalanche chute early in the hike. Please have experience navigating avalanche terrain and the proper equipment when hiking this trail in the winter.
The astounding views from the summit of the Granite Mountain trail come at a price. A nearly-1000-feet-of-elevation-gain-per-mile price. But views of pointed Kaleetan Peak, deep blue Crystal Lake, the climber-dotted Tooth, and Mount Rainier dominating the skyline to the south make it all worth it.
O. O. Denny Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 1.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 200 feet
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Highest Point
- 220 feet
The O O Denny County Park has history, hiking and old-growth trees all within the city of Kirkland. See wildlife wandering through the trees, swimming in the creek and flying high in the sky.
Mica Peak
Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
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Length
- 10.0 miles of trails
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Elevation Gain
- 2,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,800 feet
The California Creek Trail on Mica Peak is closed through the DNR-owned section of land. It is expected to reopen in July.
The conservation area on the west slopes of Mica Peak afford visitors of all types a healthy workout close to the city of Spokane.
Port Gamble Forest - Forbidden Forest Trail Loop
Olympic Peninsula > Kitsap Peninsula
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Length
- 8.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 350 feet
Enjoy a long ramble through the Port Gamble Forest full of second-growth Douglas firs and lots of ferns.
Tacoma DeMolay Sandspit Nature Preserve
Olympic Peninsula > Kitsap Peninsula
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Length
- 0.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 50 feet
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Highest Point
- 85 feet
Although it is small, this nature preserve on the northwest tip of Fox Island features a sandspit, offering visitors the perfect place for a short scenic beach hike.
Harbor Family Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 2.1 miles of trails
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Highest Point
- 350 feet
Explore this small park's forested primitive trails near Gig Harbor.
Gold Creek Trail to Alaska Lake
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 14.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,024 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,624 feet
While the trail near Gold Creek Pond is a great spot for hikers of all ages, the trail back towards Alaska Lake is a more rugged experience. Starting flat, it heads into the heart of the Central Cascades on an old road for four miles, where it then crosses an impressive old avalanche path before heading straight uphill to remote Alaska Lake.
Cinnamon Trail
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
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Length
- 8.6 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 2,900 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,000 feet
This long, meandering trail in the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument makes for a lovely out-and-back, or as part of a big loop hike.
River Meadows Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
River Meadows Park is a great place for a nice hike that isn't too far out of town, just about 15 minutes outside of Arlington.
Lake Sylvia State Park
Southwest Washington > Long Beach Area
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Length
- 5.0 miles of trails
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Elevation Gain
- 30 feet
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Highest Point
- 170 feet
Just a mile outside the tiny town of Montesano is a quiet, calm lake, fishing, swimming, camping and five miles of hiking trails. Stop by Lake Sylvia State Park for a day or a whole weekend of fun.
Lake Sylvia State Park - Brownie Trail
Olympic Peninsula > Olympia
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Length
- 2.7 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 630 feet
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Highest Point
- 460 feet
Take a day trip or camp at Lake Sylvia State Park to hike the Brownie Trail, one of 22(!) named multi-use trails in the Montesano City Forest.
Ueland Tree Farm
Olympic Peninsula > Kitsap Peninsula
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Length
- 7.0 miles of trails
Ueland Tree Farm is a parcel of private property that is made available to the public for responsible, non-motorized recreation.
Cashmere Canyons Preserve
Central Cascades > Leavenworth Area
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Length
- 12.0 miles of trails
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Elevation Gain
- 1,800 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,259 feet
Thanks to the generosity of the land owners, this privately-owned area is open to hikers, but managed primarily for wildlife habitat and wilderness conservation. Because of this, dogs and mountain biking are not allowed here, and the area may close at various times throughout the year in order to protect wildlife. Please respect any and all closures.
CASEE Forest and Nature Trails
Southwest Washington > Vancouver Area
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Length
- 1.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 12 feet
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Highest Point
- 300 feet
The CASEE trail system consists of two looped forest paths and ends in an arboretum.
Skyline Trail Loop
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
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Length
- 5.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,450 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,800 feet
The Skyline Trail is the main route for hiking out of Paradise, Mount Rainier’s south side hub and most popular destination, providing visitors a unique opportunity to experience the breathtaking beauty of Washington’s grandest mountain.
Excelsior Peak via Damfino Lakes Trail
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 5.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,500 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,699 feet
Disregarding the apocryphal stories about their name, the Damfino Lakes are noteworthy only to distinguish this route from two other routes. The lakes pale in comparison to these magnificent destinations: Excelsior Pass, the High Divide and Excelsior Peak.
Franklin Falls
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 2.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 400 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,600 feet
Hiking with kids, new to hiking, or just looking for an easy day hike with a spectacular endpoint? Look no further then Franklin Falls! At just 2 miles with 400 feet in elevation gain it is the perfect destination for any hiker looking for something easy and beautiful!
Goat Lake
South Cascades > Goat Rocks
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Length
- 12.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,600 feet
Travel deep into the Goat Rocks Wilderness and enjoy stunning views of Mount Adams, Mount St. Helens, Jordan Basin, and Goat Lake.
Cama Beach Historical State Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 3.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 250 feet
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Highest Point
- 275 feet
1.15.26: The lower part of the park (including road and trail access to the beach) is closed until further notice due to safety concerns.
Enjoy the easy, forested trail to Cranberry Lake - an extensive wetland created by energetic beavers - plus trails along the high bluffs with views out to Saratoga Passage and Whidbey Island. Optionally, explore a trail to the eastern edge of the park. To finish up, visit the Historic District and vintage beach cabins.
Alger Alp (South Route)
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 4.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,150 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,272 feet
Climb Alger Alp for a straightforward day hike or after-work ascent, with a steady climb along an access road through second-growth forest. Soak in the wildflowers and fauna along the way, and views of Skagit Valley, Blanchard Mountain and Samish Bay await you at the summit.
Bullion Basin
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 5.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,200 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,300 feet
A relatively steep and rocky connector trail running between the Crystal Mountain resort area up through Bullion Basin to the Pacific Crest Trail with mountain and meadow views.
Latourell Falls
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - OR
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Length
- 3.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 540 feet
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Highest Point
- 600 feet
The popular Latourell Falls in Guy W. Talbot State Park offers hikers several loop options, a family friendly one-mile roundtrip accessible walk to the Lower Falls and historic bridge, or a 2 mile loop to also take in the 134-foot Upper Falls, the third tallest in the Columbia Gorge.
Melmont Ghost Town
Mount Rainier Area > NW - Carbon River/Mowich
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Length
- 7.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 400 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,360 feet
A great exploratory hike to an old coal mining ghost town, with views of the underside of the Fairfax bridge.
Lookout Mountain Lookout
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 9.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 4,500 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,719 feet
To get panoramic views of the North Cascades without fighting the crowds at Cascade Pass or Hidden Lake Lookout, look no further than Lookout Mountain, an arduous climb that often gets overlooked by hikers heading to North Cascades National Park. From the fire lookout on the summit, enjoy 360-degree views of Mount Baker, Mount Shuksan, and a panoply of other North Cascades giants.
Collin Creek Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 3.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 256 feet
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Highest Point
- 587 feet
The Collin Creek Trail is a part of a large network of trails in and around the Redmond Watershed Preserve.
Snow Peak
Eastern Washington > Okanogan Highlands/Kettle River Range
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Length
- 10.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 875 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,400 feet
From spring flowers to summer berries to fall colors to winter vistas, this trail through the Columbia Highlands has something new to offer each season of the year. In the warmer months, try the circumnavigation of Sherman Peak plus the bonus excursion out to picturesque Snow Peak cabin. Plan ahead and rent the cabin, which is reservable for $55 per night for up to four people, year-round.
Preacher's Slough to Blue Slough
Southwest Washington > Long Beach Area
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Length
- 7.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 614 feet
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Highest Point
- 103 feet
Walking along this old railroad bed offers insight into the history, ecology, and biology of the Chehalis River Surge Plain. Surge plains are rare, and the interpretive trail along this route helps highlight the important part they play in a healthy ecosystem.