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
4206 HikesWest Fork Pasayten River
North Cascades > Pasayten
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Length
- 33.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,400 feet
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Highest Point
- 7,200 feet
Hike through alpine meadows and descend into a valley following the West Fork Pasayten River.
West Fork Foss River and Lakes
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
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Length
- 14.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,300 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,900 feet
Visit any of several beautiful alpine lakes, in rocky basins. The day can be as easy as a 3.6 roundtrip hike to Trout Lake, or as strenuous as the nearly 15-mile hike to Big Heart Lake as you like. Good options exist both for day-hikers and for backpackers.
West Fork Buttermilk
North Cascades > Methow/Sawtooth
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Length
- 15.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,615 feet
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Highest Point
- 7,480 feet
Hike this 7.4 mile forested trail in the Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness. You'll wander among gorgeous stands of ponderosa pines and larches, reaching 7,480 feet at Fish Creek Pass.
West Fork Agnes Creek
Central Cascades > Entiat Mountains/Lake Chelan
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Length
- 17.0 miles, roundtrip
The West Fork Agnes Creek trail used to head west from Fivemile Camp on the Pacific Crest Trail (also known here as the South Fork Agnes Creek Trail). The West Fork Agnes Creek trail is now all but vanished. Navigating it is a rough bushwhack along the West Fork of Agnes Creek, with no destination except the base of 8115-foot Agnes Mountain.
West Elwha
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
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Length
- 7.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,400 feet
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Highest Point
- 650 feet
Take a short but very scenic hike starting from the Altair campground in Olympic National Park. Traverse along the edge of the Elwha River, recently free-flowing thanks to the removal of the Glines Canyon Dam.
West Duwamish Greenbelt Trails
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 10.0 miles of trails
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Highest Point
- 300 feet
Explore many miles of trails in the West Duwamish Greenbelt - a local park in West Seattle that is best accessed by the various bus lines that service it.
West Crater
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
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Length
- 1.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 430 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,131 feet
Hike to a small lava dome with an associated summit crater in southern Washington.
West Butte
Eastern Washington > Palouse and Blue Mountains
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Length
- 11.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,100 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,504 feet
Descend into the heart of the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness from the historic Godman Guard Station, crossing through the Rainbow Creek Research Natural Area.
West Access Trail
Issaquah Alps > Squak Mountain
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Length
- 1.1 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 800 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,340 feet
This is the western approach to Squak Mountain. Here, you'll have access to the Coal Mine Trail, Bullitt Fireplace Trail, and Chybinski Loop Trail.
Wenberg County Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Highest Point
- 450 feet
This waterside park along Lake Goodwin has a short interpretive loop trail, as well as a campground and day-use area (with a swim beach!).
War Creek
North Cascades > Methow/Sawtooth
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Length
- 9.0 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 3,840 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,840 feet
The War Creek Trail starts out along the Twisp River, just outside the town of Twisp. It is one of the many great options for accessing the northern shores of Lake Chelan from the Twisp River Road. Although this trail officially ends at the ridge overlooking the lake it connects with the Purple Pass Trail, which descends to the shore.
Waptus Lake via Waptus River
Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
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Length
- 22.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 700 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,100 feet
Beginning from the heart of Salmon La Sac and terminating at the Pacific Crest Trail, the Waptus River trail offers miles of hiking through dry, open forest and beautiful lakes in the Alpine Lakes wilderness then a little bit of a climb before arriving at the iconic trail high on a ridgeline in the Central Cascades.
Waptus Pass
Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
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Length
- 6.0 miles, one-way
Hike a trail that connects the beautiful Waptus River trail to the popular Pete Lake trail. Along the way, pass three other trail junctions, leading to further adventures.
Walupt Lake and Walupt Creek
South Cascades > Goat Rocks
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Length
- 8.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,000 feet
Used largely as part of the Nannie Peak Loop, Walupt Lake and Creek are a nice little hike in their own right. While not big on views, the flat grade of this trail makes it a good outing for families, since the river partway through the route offers a good turnaround point if little legs get tired. If you want to keep exploring, head up to where this trail terminates at the Pacific Crest Trail, and see if you can meet some thru-hikers.
Wagon Road Trail
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 1.9 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 353 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,604 feet
This comfortable, easy to follow trail winds through intermittent old growth, occasional remnants of the past, and alongside a sometimes babbling and other times a crashing creek. You will follow the original Snoqualmie Pass Wagon Road, and it is possible to connect with the trail to Franklin Falls for a scenic and delightful 2-mile loop.
Volcano View Trail
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
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Length
- 1.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 400 feet
The Volcano View Trail completes a trifecta of great hikes for children near Mount St. Helens, offering hikers of every age a mile-long nature trail that curves around stumps, boulders and hemlocks.
Verlot Nature Trail
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 0.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 13 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,035 feet
The Verlot Nature Trail connects the Verlot Campground with Turlo Campground.
Vancouver Lake - North Trail
Southwest Washington > Vancouver Area
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Length
- 2.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 132 feet
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Highest Point
- 54 feet
A gentle meandering barrier-free path leads through a mature cottonwood forest just west of Vancouver Lake. Although you can't see the lake through all the trees, there are other sights and sounds to enjoy along this route. Most notably the vibrant greens of the understory in spring, beautiful fall yellows and quite a few species of birds nearly all year.
Upper South Fork Skokomish River
Olympic Peninsula > Olympia
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Length
- 15.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,325 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,125 feet
The Upper South Fork Skokomish River to Sundown Pass can be considered a tale of two trails. The first half stays low in lush valley bottom on brushy but obvious tread, while the second half makes up for lost time, ascending steeply through subalpine forest between wet meadows on faint and broken tread. The scenery improves with every step near the top, and reaching Lake Sundown is a welcome reward after all the toil.
Upper Falls Creek Trail
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 18.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,100 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,400 feet
Falls Creek Trail is a good one for introductory backpacking trips, or simply a long, woodsy day hike through the forest. You'll enjoy a gradual grade of this 9 mile trail. Hike the full-length (making for an 18-mile trip) or turn around at any point.
Union Creek
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 4.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 900 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,035 feet
In the wake of the 2017 Norse Peak Fire, the Union Creek area is charred and stark, and yet strangely beautiful at the same time. Walking through the destruction, the signs of life and renewal are plainly seen. But trail washouts restrict passage, and demand caution.
Umtanum Creek Canyon
Central Washington > Yakima
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Length
- 6.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 500 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,800 feet
Take a pleasant hike up a spectacular canyon with towering basalt formations, a rushing creek, and a chance to see bighorn sheep. Whether you go in spring or fall, the canyon is filled with brilliant color.
Twisp Pass
North Cascades > Methow/Sawtooth
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Length
- 9.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,460 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,064 feet
Twisp Pass is a stunner in summer and autumn. Though it is a bit of a drive to get there from almost anywhere in the state, it's well worth it!
Twanoh State Park
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 2.3 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 375 feet
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Highest Point
- 400 feet
Enjoy an easy hike along a salmon-spawning stream in a lush emerald ravine. Twanoh is derived from the Skokomish people, meaning "gathering place."Twanoh State Park protects 182 acres of prime Hood Canal real estate-a perfect place for hikers and wildlife to gather.
Turtleback Mountain Preserve - Ship Peak Loop
Puget Sound and Islands > San Juan Islands
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Length
- 3.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 860 feet
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Highest Point
- 931 feet
Explore beautiful Turtleback Mountain Preserve and take in of the most breathtaking views on Orcas Island. Ship Peak, is a moderate loop full of views and a summit starting at the south end of the preserve.
Turkey Creek
Eastern Washington > Palouse and Blue Mountains
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Length
- 8.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,060 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,300 feet
This creekside trail winds through old-growth, connecting the Panjab Trail to the Teepee Trailhead.
Tunnel Creek - Dosewallips Trailhead
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 6.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 4,550 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,050 feet
Tunnel Creek Trail has two trailheads.The south side trailhead is on the Dosewallips Road, but its notoriously steep grade to 5050 Pass means it is seldom used. Try it and you’ll find out why.
Tungsten
North Cascades > Pasayten
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Length
- 6.2 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 2,100 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,800 feet
Explore an abandoned tungsten mine as you connect between the Chewuch Trail and Boundary Trail. Enjoy views of mountain peaks, meadows, and refreshing streams along the way.
Tucannon River Canyon
Eastern Washington > Palouse and Blue Mountains
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Length
- 8.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,200 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,680 feet
A refreshing hike through shady forest along one of the rivers that lends its name to the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness.
Trout Creek
North Cascades > Pasayten
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Length
- 5.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 800 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,420 feet
This former stock driveway was maintained by sheep herders so they could drive their sheep to the beautiful sloping meadows of grass & flowers above the South Fork Trout Creek. After the 2003 Needle Creek Fire, the maintenance effectively stopped. So, until a significant effort is made to clear the tread, this is a very difficult trail to precisely follow.