Trails for everyone, forever

Home Go Outside Hiking Guide

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

Rattlesnake Mountain - Grand Prospect

Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
 
Length
7.8 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
2,000 feet
Highest Point
3,050 feet
Rating
Average rating:
4.12
(8 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Good for kids
  • Mountain views
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
 
Length
0.1 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
0 feet
Rating
Average rating:
4.00
(16 votes)
  • Good for kids
  • Waterfalls

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
 
Length
5.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
1,800 feet
Highest Point
6,015 feet
Rating
Average rating:
3.82
(11 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Fall foliage
  • Mountain views
  • Ridges/passes
  • Summits
  • Wildflowers/Meadows
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.
 
 

Kautz Creek to Indian Henry's Hunting Ground

Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
 
Length
11.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
3,800 feet
Highest Point
5,335 feet
Rating
Average rating:
3.88
(17 votes)
  • Dogs not allowed
  • Mountain views
  • Ridges/passes
  • Rivers
  • Wildflowers/Meadows

1.2.26: The trail is closed at 1 mile (Kautz Creek crossing) until further notice due to significant trail damage. There is no bypass route.

While the hunting grounds here hold their fair share of human history, the Kautz Creek drainage that holds the trail leading to the hunting grounds has an even more extensive background — one that's eons old, rather than generations. Witness the way volcanic activity has affected this area and appreciate the awesome power of Rainier up close.
 
 

Web Mountain via Putrid Pete's Peak

Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
 
Highest Point
5,335 feet
Rating
Average rating:
3.20
(5 votes)
  • Mountain views
  • Ridges/passes
  • Summits
Web Mountain is the peak directly to the west of Putrid Pete's Peak. It can be reached via the P3 trail and then by following the ridge line west.
 
 

Edfro Creek Preserve

North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
 
Length
9.4 miles, roundtrip
Rating
Average rating:
3.00
(2 votes)
  • Fall foliage
  • Good for kids
  • Old growth
  • Rivers
  • Wildlife
This quiet little forested walk near Acme offers lush greenery, plenty of wildlife to spot, and a nice, newly-maintained trail to enjoy a half-day hike.
 
 

Upper Lena Lake

Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
 
Length
14.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
3,900 feet
Highest Point
4,600 feet
Rating
Average rating:
4.29
(35 votes)
  • Dogs not allowed
  • Established campsites
  • Lakes
  • Mountain views
  • Old growth
  • Waterfalls
  • Wildflowers/Meadows
  • Wildlife
The trail to Lena Lake is a pretty, and popular, weekend destination. But hearty hikers and backpackers who venture to Upper Lena Lake will leave the crowds behind and experience a little bit of nirvana.
 
 

Nordic Pass - Hyak

Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
 
Length
7.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
1,600 feet
Highest Point
4,250 feet
Rating
Average rating:
3.67
(6 votes)
  • Lakes
  • Mountain views
  • Rivers
Try this backcountry ski or snowshoe trail through deep forest, past lakes and with access to Windy Pass and Mount Catherine.
 
 

Foothills Trail - Wilkeson to Carbonado

Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
 
Length
8.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
400 feet
Highest Point
1,200 feet
Rating
Average rating:
3.00
(3 votes)
  • Fall foliage
  • Rivers
Running between Wilkeson and Carbonado, this branch off the Foothills Trail is an old railroad grade with a wide path that loops through second growth woodland to gain 400 feet of elevation between the two towns.
 
 

Lake Wenatchee State Park

Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
 
Length
4.0 miles of trails
Elevation Gain
75 feet
Highest Point
1,800 feet
Rating
Average rating:
3.43
(7 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Established campsites
  • Fall foliage
  • Good for kids
  • Lakes
  • Mountain views
  • Rivers
  • Wildflowers/Meadows
  • Wildlife
A short detour off Highway 2 east of Stevens Pass will lead you a montane masterpiece tucked in the foothills of the Central Cascades. Gentle meandering hiking trails along the 489-acre state park offer scenic views of Nason Ridge, Dirty Face Mountain and the iconic Emerald Island.
 
 

Nisqually State Park

Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
 
Rating
Average rating:
2.50
(4 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Fall foliage
  • Good for kids
  • Old growth
  • Rivers
  • Wildlife

The park is closed until further notice for construction.

Just a few miles west of Eatonville, off Highway 7, is Washington's newest state park. Created thanks to a partnership between the Nisqually Tribe, Washington State Parks and other local agencies, the park provides 1,300 acres of forest, prairie and riverside trails to recreate in.
 
 

Park Butte

North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
 
Length
7.5 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
2,200 feet
Highest Point
5,450 feet
Rating
Average rating:
4.60
(92 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Fall foliage
  • Lakes
  • Mountain views
  • Rivers
  • Summits
  • Waterfalls
  • Wildflowers/Meadows
  • Wildlife

This is a very fragile area. Human waste must be packed out on this trail. Please also note camping is not allowed at the tarns/ponds along Park Butte trail.

On Park Butte, hike to an historic fire lookout and come face-to-face with Koma Kulshan. Along with unobstructed panoramic views of Mount Baker, the Twin Sisters, and the rest of the North Cascades, the route to Park Butte offers dedicated campsites, wildflower-filled alpine meadows and a stunning variety of mushroom species.
 
 

Fort Townsend Historical State Park

Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
 
Length
6.5 miles of trails
Rating
Average rating:
4.25
(4 votes)
  • Coast
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Established campsites
  • Fall foliage
  • Good for kids
  • Old growth
Visit a historic marine camping park that boasts saltwater shoreline that abuts Port Townsend Bay. Rife with military history, the trails here travel through beautiful forest and offer insight into the area's past life, including a former military cemetary.
 
 

Foothills Trail

Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
 
Length
21.0 miles, one-way
Rating
Average rating:
4.50
(2 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Good for kids
  • Mountain views
  • Rivers
  • Wildlife
This trail runs from Puyallup to Buckley, along the way passing along the Carbon River and offering up great views of Mount Rainier. It is popular with cyclists, walkers and horseback riders.
 
 

Fremont Lookout

Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River
 
Length
5.6 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
1,200 feet
Highest Point
7,200 feet
Rating
Average rating:
4.66
(79 votes)
  • Good for kids
  • Lakes
  • Mountain views
  • Ridges/passes
  • Wildlife

The road to Sunrise is closed for the winter season. It is expected to reopen in July 2026.

The two-story frame cabin of Mount Fremont, built in 1934, provides an opportunity to reminisce about the time when watchmen stood guard over the forest, with an eye out for wildfires.
 
 

Weowna Park

Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
 
Length
3.5 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
600 feet
Highest Point
320 feet
Rating
Average rating:
4.00
(8 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Fall foliage
  • Good for kids
  • Old growth
  • Wildlife
Hike an urban park near Bellevue through extensive old-growth forest (yes, really)! Marvel at the many large conifers and deciduous trees. View a small creek in a steep canyon. Listen for, and perhaps see, abundant bird life. And, in season, note a few wildflowers.
 
 

Lake Isabel

Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
 
Length
6.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
2,588 feet
Highest Point
2,851 feet
Rating
Average rating:
2.88
(16 votes)
  • Lakes
Lake Isabel is only accessible via bushwhack— hikers can expect to ford a deep and swift-flowing river, and then endure a steep uphill bushwhack to the lake.
 
 

Haley State Park

Olympic Peninsula > Kitsap Peninsula
 
Length
1.5 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
328 feet
Highest Point
362 feet
Rating
Average rating:
5.00
(1 vote)
  • Coast
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Good for kids
  • Lakes
  • Rivers
A short trail through undeveloped state park lands to a section of shoreline on the Key Peninsula.
 
 

Holder Creek

Issaquah Alps > Taylor Mountain
 
Length
1.46 miles, one-way
Elevation Gain
400 feet
Highest Point
1,100 feet
Rating
Average rating:
2.00
(4 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Fall foliage
  • Rivers
  • Wildlife
This trail follows salmon-spawning Holder Creek before a short climb in the northern section of Taylor Mountain.
 
 

Nason Ridge Snowshoe

Central Cascades > Leavenworth Area
 
Length
3.6 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
750 feet
Highest Point
3,200 feet
Rating
Average rating:
3.00
(1 vote)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Good for kids
  • Mountain views
A number of moderate snowshoe trails lie around the Lake Wenatchee area, but with a big, beautiful Ponderosa pine tree and views of the surrounding mountains, Nason Ridge gives you the best bang for your buck.
 
 

North Fork Taneum to Fishhook Flat Trail

Snoqualmie Region > Cle Elum Area
 
Length
10.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
1,700 feet
Highest Point
3,600 feet
Rating
Average rating:
0.00
(0 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Rivers
Walk along a noisy East Cascades creek through big woods, early or late in the season.
 
 

Wahkeena Falls

Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - OR
 
Length
2.5 miles, one-way
Elevation Gain
2,055 feet
Highest Point
1,674 feet
Rating
Average rating:
0.00
(0 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Ridges/passes
  • Rivers
  • Waterfalls
A 2.8 mile trail in the Columbia River Gorge, the Wahkeena Trail can be connected with the Larch Mountain trail and the Return Trail to create a 6 mile loop. It also connects with many other trails in the area to create many other routes longer loops or traverses.
 
 

Lake Philippa

Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
 
Rating
Average rating:
3.50
(2 votes)

Trail closed: Access to Lake Philippa utilizes private property and is closed to the public. Please do not hike.

Access to Lake Philippa utilizes private property and is closed to the public. Please do not hike.
 
 

Eagle Lake Fisherman's Trail

Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
 
Rating
Average rating:
3.92
(12 votes)

Trail closed: Access to this trail is on private land and is closed to the public. Please do not hike.

Access to this trail is on private property and is closed to the public. Please do not hike.
 
 

Surprise Lake

Mount Rainier Area > NW - Carbon River/Mowich
 
Rating
Average rating:
4.00
(1 vote)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Established campsites
  • Lakes
  • Mountain views
  • Waterfalls

Trail closed: The lake and the surrounding area are closed to public access. Please do not hike.

Surprise Lake and the surrounding land is entirely on private property and is closed to hiking.
 
 

Boulder Lake (Olympics)

Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
 
Length
28.3 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
8,800 feet
Highest Point
4,300 feet
Rating
Average rating:
3.00
(5 votes)
  • Dogs not allowed
  • Established campsites
  • Fall foliage
  • Lakes
  • Mountain views
  • Old growth
  • Wildflowers/Meadows
Ramble through some great stands of fir and hemlock and pull in some panoramic views to the south including the north slopes of Mount Appleton.
 
 

Klickitat Rail Trail - Klickitat River

Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
 
Length
10.5 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
200 feet
Highest Point
350 feet
Rating
Average rating:
4.00
(5 votes)
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Fall foliage
  • Rivers
  • Wildflowers/Meadows
  • Wildlife
The Klickitat Trail is a 31-mile rails-to-trails conversion managed by Columbia Hills State Park. This linear park goes from Lyle to Warwick (on the Lyle-Centerville Highway) with several access points along the way. This Hiking Guide entry describes the route between Lyle and Pitt Road.
 
 

Quartz Creek

South Cascades > Dark Divide
 
Length
8.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
500 feet
Highest Point
2,500 feet
Rating
Average rating:
2.67
(6 votes)
  • Established campsites
  • Rivers
This diverse landscape of deep forested valleys and open ridges with beautiful meadows and breathtaking views will leave you hungry for more.
 
 

SHADOW Lake Nature Preserve

Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
 
Length
4.0 miles of trails
Rating
Average rating:
2.67
(3 votes)
  • Dogs not allowed
  • Good for kids
  • Lakes
  • Wildflowers/Meadows
  • Wildlife
SHADOW (Save Habitat And Diversity Of Wetlands) Lake Nature Preserve is a lovely, small park in Renton that is home to a 5,000 year old peat bog with a short, universally-accessible half-mile boardwalk trail that leads into the heart of the bog.
 
 

Cedar River Trail

Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
 
Length
17.4 miles, one-way
Elevation Gain
820 feet
Highest Point
600 feet
Rating
Average rating:
3.80
(10 votes)
  • Rivers

12.24.25: Multiple sections of the trail are closed due to flooding and water on the trail. For more information: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/26b4c16e5df04456a588454b2b5bc0ee

The Cedar River Trail offers an urban river walk, a more rural river walk along a former rail bed, and a roadside bicycle path connecting the two. Bicycle the entire trail, or select one of many access points to explore the trail on foot.