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
4214 HikesSoda Springs
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 4.9 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 2,780 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,880 feet
This moderately difficult trail accesses the William O. Douglas wilderness area. Passing through dense timber near Flat Iron Lake, the way also hosts good campsites for visitors
South Fork Boulder Creek
Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
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Length
- 0.7 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 650 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,200 feet
This short trail connects the Boulder De Roux and Paris Creek trails, and provides hikers a method to link together a much longer hike.
Elsnor Mine
Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
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Length
- 0.95 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 950 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,860 feet
This steep connector trail between the Paris Creek and Boulder De Roux trails takes hikers past remnants of old mining activity in the area.
Tinkham Discovery
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 1.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 30 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,550 feet
Tinkham Discovery Trail is a 0.5-mile family-friendly nature path — wheelchair- and stroller-accessible — that starts in Tinkham Campground. Note that only registered campers can access this hike; there is no day-use parking at the trailhead.
Hummocks Loop
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
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Length
- 9.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,800 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,200 feet
Why drive to the top when you can hike? Try this day hike as an introduction to Mount St. Helens for visitors who’ve never been here, or if they haven't been in a long time.
Lillian Ridge
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
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Length
- 4.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 200 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,100 feet
Enjoy majestic mountain panoramas from this relatively low-effort, high-vista hike on the Olympic Peninsula.
Grand Ridge
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
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Length
- 15.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,100 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,625 feet
Grand Ridge is the highest continuous trail in the Olympic Mountains. On a clear day it is among the most beautiful places in Washington; the 360 degree view includes the interior of the Olympics, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Canada, and the Cascades.
Badger Valley
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
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Length
- 8.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,080 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,400 feet
The Badger Valley Trail is located in the NE corner of Olympic National Park. This trail starts at the Obstruction Point Trailhead and trends down into Badger Valley to end at Grand Lake.
Cathedral Falls
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
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Length
- 1.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 200 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,500 feet
Hike along a lush green valley wall above Goat Creek to Cathedral Falls. Because this part is so infrequently visited, it's possible you won't see another soul on the trail, meaning you'll get to have the incredible falls all to yourself.
Townsend Mountain
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
A nontechnical climb with good views of Merchant, Gunn, and Baring.
Whidbey Institute
Puget Sound and Islands > Whidbey Island
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Length
- 4.5 miles of trails
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Elevation Gain
- 420 feet
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Highest Point
- 420 feet
The Whidbey Institute includes a 106-acre conservation forest with 4.5 miles of trails that are hilly but all below 500 feet. This hike is deep in the forest and very quiet. You will see lots of ferns, cedars and Douglas fir trees.
Possession Point State Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Whidbey Island
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Length
- 3.0 miles, roundtrip
Located on the south side of Whidbey Island, this tiny state park includes the short but fun and challenging Dorothy Cleveland Trail, with plenty of elevation gain in the form of switchbacks.
Big Chief Mountain
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
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Highest Point
- 5,858 feet
A hike up to the highest point on the Stevens Pass Ski Area.
Priest Rapids Shoreline Trail
Central Washington > Tri-Cities
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Length
- 6.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 45 feet
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Highest Point
- 538 feet
Enjoy easy walking, wide-open views and plenty of sunshine along the Columbia River shore near Priest Rapids Dam.
Kirkland Watershed Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 1.6 miles of trails
Explore the upland forest areas and hiking trails with interpretive signs at the 73.37-acre Kirkland Watershed Park. There are a few hiking options to choose from Check out the Cochran Springs Creek trail or take a hike to the old reservoir. From the reservoir near the top of the park, there are two more loop options to explore.
Smooth Ridge
Eastern Washington > Palouse and Blue Mountains
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Length
- 9.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,540 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,529 feet
Smooth Ridge offers incredible views into the rugged heart of the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness.
Redlining Heritage Trail - First Hill and Little Saigon
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 1.97 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 200 feet
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Highest Point
- 250 feet
A 2 mile loop through one of Seatle's seven hills, exploring a section of the redlining heritage trail.
Boyd Creek Interpretive Trail
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 0.7 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 0 feet
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Highest Point
- 906 feet
The road to this trailhead (NF 37) is washed out just a few hundred feet before the trailhead.
The boardwalk on the trail is broken and impassable.
This less-than-a-mile boardwalk hike is a lovely way to get outside and enjoy a little forest time in a cathedral of trees.
Norse Peak
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 10.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,900 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,856 feet
A steep, yet surprisingly comfortable climb to views of Mount Adams, Mount Rainier, Mount Hood, Glacier Peak and the Olympics.
Spokane River Centennial State Park - Wilbur Trailhead to Trail 211
Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
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Length
- 3.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 140 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,200 feet
This wheelchair-friendly small section of Spokane’s 40-mile Centennial Trail passes through Riverside State Park and additionally showcases some regional history at the site of a former Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp.
Coal Lake
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 0.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 44 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,420 feet
Visit an alpine lake via a short walk from the trailhead. A washout before the official trailhead adds 0.2 miles each way to your walk.
Oneonta Gorge
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - OR
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Length
- 3.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 425 feet
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Highest Point
- 385 feet
7.10.25: The area within the walls of Oneonta Gorge between the Historic Columbia River Highway and the Horsetail Falls Trail bridge is closed until further notice due to the 2025 Eagle Creek Fire.
This lovely trail loops around Oneonta Gorge and takes you behind Ponytail Falls.
Loganberry Lane at Kasch Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 0.9 miles of trails
-
Elevation Gain
- 24 feet
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Highest Point
- 564 feet
Within a residential neighborhood of south Everett, tucked between expansive public sport fields and a golf course, a network of trails winds through towering trees, thriving native flora and a fragile yet precious wetland ecosystem: Loganberry Lane.
Valhalla Peak
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 8.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,150 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,300 feet
Valhalla Peak is a modest summit located in the Olympic National Forest and can be reached via the Tunnel Creek Trailhead or via Dosewallips Road.
Dosewallips State Park - Steam Donkey Trail
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 3.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 400 feet
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Highest Point
- 425 feet
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.
Columbia Mountain
Eastern Washington > Okanogan Highlands/Kettle River Range
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Length
- 6.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,450 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,765 feet
One of the most popular hikes on the Colville National Forest is the short but challenging hike to the summit of Columbia Mountain, where vistas of surrounding mountains, wildflowers and one of the oldest fire lookouts in the state await you.
Mount Rose
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 6.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,500 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,301 feet
7.7.25: This trail and FR 24 are closed until further notice due to the Bear Gulch Fire.
Hike a steep trail to a rocky perch with views of Lake Cushman and the southeastern corner of the Olympic Mountains.
Copper Creek
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,400 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,200 feet
7.7.25: This trail and FR 24 are closed until further notice due to the Bear Gulch Fire.
Whatever you like most about hiking, this trail has something for you, whether it’s a quick ascent, a period of more level ground, a peek-a-boo view, a quintessential Olympic Peninsula rain forest, or a ridge top.
Kloshe Nanitch
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
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Length
- 6.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,200 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,160 feet
Hike to a former fire lookout site on the Olympic Peninsula. Fires are now patrolled by aircraft here, but the beautiful, rugged surroundings can still be reviewed by hikers from the lookout with a name that draws on a Chinook phrase that translates to "take care".
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. In the distance, Vancouver Island and the Olympic mountains will be visible. Along the way, enjoy an exuberant display of mosses and, in season, wildflowers. Sightings of golden eagles, turkey vultures, and many other birds are likely.