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 HikesEscure Ranch - Towell Falls
Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
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Length
- 6.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 400 feet
-
Highest Point
- 1,536 feet
Rock Creek is a perennial stream flowing through the arid Channeled Scablands of Eastern Washington. The trail follows an old ranch road along the creek with views of basalt outcrops, aspen, spring wildflowers, native bunchgrass and a series of waterfalls.
Kestner Homestead - Maple Glade
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
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Length
- 1.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 30 feet
-
Highest Point
- 260 feet
This short interpretive takes you through a homestead from the 1800s. Relics from the past along the way include an old barn, the home that the Kestner and Higley families occupied, and various outbuildings and equipment they used.
Green to Cedar River Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 5.56 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 50 feet
Enjoy a paved, forested trail through the Maple Valley region, even if you're living carless. This area is serviced by bus routes (143, 168, 912). The trail has off shoots to Lake Wilderness, The Lake Wilderness Arboretum, and the Maple Valley Community Center, as well as others.
Brink Trail
Issaquah Alps > Tiger Mountain
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Length
- 0.7 miles, one-way
-
Elevation Gain
- 153 feet
-
Highest Point
- 534 feet
Hike along the edge of a ridgeline just above an invisible I-90 at the north end of Tiger Mountain.
Tiffany Lake
North Cascades > Pasayten
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Length
- 3.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 200 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,750 feet
This short, family-friendly trail with numerous add-on options visits a pretty lake basin at the easternmost edge of the North Cascades and provides long-distance views of some of Washington's loneliest country.
Horse Heaven Hills
Central Washington > Tri-Cities
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Length
- 6.8 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,220 feet
-
Highest Point
- 1,924 feet
Hike a shrub steppe slope to a high vantage point along the crest of the Horse Heaven Hills plateau. The trail is typically dry and windy so make sure to bring plenty of water. The best time to hike is in April or early May when the slope is green and wildflowers are blooming.
Gombu Wilderness Cliffs
Issaquah Alps > Cougar Mountain
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Length
- 2.2 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 848 feet
-
Highest Point
- 1,639 feet
A hike named after Nawang Gombu, Jim Whittaker's partner in his first ascent of Everest. Connect it with the Whittaker Wilderness Peak trail for a long loop with historical significance.
Manastash Ridge - Observatory Road
Central Washington > Yakima
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Length
- 4.5 miles, one-way
-
Elevation Gain
- 900 feet
Observatory Road on Manastash Ridge is a popular year-round hike. In winter, it's a great snowshoe option, and in summer it offers spectacular views into the central Cascade range.
Whitehorse Trail - Swede Heaven to Darrington
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 5.0 miles, one-way
-
Elevation Gain
- 275 feet
-
Highest Point
- 559 feet
This five mile stretch of the Whitehorse Trail is the only passable section, currently. However, the trail is slated to stretch 28 miles, connecting to the Centennial Trail in Arlington and terminating in the trail town of Darrington.
Dutch Miller Gap
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 29.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 3,500 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,000 feet
Dutch Miller Gap is a lovely spot, but takes a drive on rough road and a long hike to access.
Cornwall Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 1.5 miles of trails
-
Elevation Gain
- 0 feet
-
Highest Point
- 78 feet
Located in the heart of Bellingham, this transit-accessible pocket of nature in the city has a little something for everyone.
North Centennial Trail (Snohomish)
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
-
Length
- 4.0 miles, one-way
-
Elevation Gain
- 50 feet
-
Highest Point
- 171 feet
Local, national and world histories intersect on this peaceful farm north of Arlington.
Coal Mine
Issaquah Alps > Squak Mountain
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Length
- 0.2 miles, one-way
-
Elevation Gain
- 51 feet
-
Highest Point
- 1,088 feet
A short connector trail between Bullitt Fireplace Trail and West Access Trail in the Squak Mountain trail system.
Precipice Top Trail
Issaquah Alps > Cougar Mountain
-
Length
- 0.3 miles, one-way
-
Elevation Gain
- 181 feet
-
Highest Point
- 957 feet
Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park is a mishmash of roads, trails, abandoned Army missile silos, and plenty of wildlife. Not only is Cougar Mountain King County’s largest park, it is one of the largest wildland parks in an urban area in the United States.
Dusty Lake
Central Washington > Potholes Region
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Length
- 6.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 350 feet
-
Highest Point
- 1,000 feet
One of the Quincy Lakes, Dusty Lake is further in the backcountry, making for a good long day hike or an overnight.
Horseshoe Ridge
Southwest Washington > Lewis River Region
-
Length
- 18.1 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,300 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,460 feet
The trail is closed until further notice due to damage from the Williams Mine Fire.
South of Mt. St. Helens near Amboy, the Horseshoe Ridge Trail (#140) is an aptly named 7.3 mile trek off of well-traveled Siouxon Creek. Once easily accessed a mile from West Creek, attempts from the relocated main trailhead entail an 18.1 mile round trip.
Black Hole Falls
South Cascades > Dark Divide
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Length
- 10.4 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 2,200 feet
-
Highest Point
- 1,532 feet
This hike starts at the North Siouxon Creek Trailhead which is also the south end of the Mitchell Peak Trail. Following the Mitchell Peak Trail for about 5.5 miles the route offers a spur down to the falls. Or for the more adventurous a steep climb up to Mitchell Peak makes for a good two day backpacking adventure.
Middle Fork Cascade River
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
-
Length
- 7.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,800 feet
This trail is not recommended — it has sustained severe wildfire damage and is not maintained.
This trail was damaged in the the Mineral Park Fire and more recently in the Pincer Fire. In the interim, flooding has damaged it and the trail has not seen maintenance since 2007.
Robinson Canyon - Ainsley Canyon
Central Washington > Yakima
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Length
- 10.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,200 feet
-
Highest Point
- 3,400 feet
This area closes between Dec and May to protect wintering elk herds.
This is a gem of a hike, providing you easy access to the best of the best of the rich L. T. Murray State Wildlife Recreation Area.
Joe Watt Canyon
Snoqualmie Region > Cle Elum Area
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Length
- 6.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,000 feet
-
Highest Point
- 3,100 feet
This area closes between Dec and May to protect wintering elk herds.
Joe Watt Canyon is a quiet area of the L.T. Murray Wildlife Area that is a great place to spot fields of colorful lupine and the occasional elk heard.
East Rim Waterworks Canyon
Central Washington > Yakima
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Length
- 3.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 450 feet
The area closes between Dec and May to protect wintering elk herds.
A short, hike alongside a creek on the east side of Washington, just outside of Yakima. Lush brush, including balsamroot, yarrow, and lupine can be found along the way, as you enjoy the dramatic canyon walls.
Point No Point Park
Olympic Peninsula > Kitsap Peninsula
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Length
- 2.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 100 feet
-
Highest Point
- 0 feet
The trail at Point No Point gives you both a glimpse into the past, as well as a bit of a workout and great views. With 3 acres in the Point No Point County Park and one hiking trail, the Point No Point lighthouse makes a great destination for visitors young and old.
Schafer State Park
Olympic Peninsula > Olympia
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Length
- 2.0 miles of trails
-
Elevation Gain
- 150 feet
-
Highest Point
- 300 feet
Visit a sweet little state park on the Satsop River, where you can picnic, fish, float and do a little hiking.
Snagtooth Mountain
Southwest Washington > Lewis River Region
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Length
- 9.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,800 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,000 feet
This 4.8 mile trail runs from upper Quartz Creek Trail to Boundary Trail. This is an access route to the Boundary Trail (above Forest Road 9341) and to the Quartz Creek Trail #5 below the road.
Wright Meadow
South Cascades > Dark Divide
-
Length
- 8.7 miles, one-way
-
Elevation Gain
- 380 feet
-
Highest Point
- 2,000 feet
Popular with hikers, mountain bikers and off-road vehicle users, this multi use trail climbs out of the Lewis River Valley into the forested hills above.
Mount Misery Loop
Eastern Washington > Palouse and Blue Mountains
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Length
- 48.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 4,000 feet
-
Highest Point
- 6,387 feet
From mountain peak to Wild and Scenic River, this long loop takes in a range of terrain, wildlife and views.
Lake Christine
South Cascades > White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley
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Length
- 1.8 miles, one-way
-
Elevation Gain
- 640 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,040 feet
The trailhead is inaccessible due to a washout on FR 59.
The Lake Christine trail begins on Forest Road 5920 and climbs briefly through a former logging show to the Glacier View wilderness. Offering access to the lovely little Lake Christine, it rambles through a conifer forest after passing through the cut.
Stetattle Creek
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 6.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,100 feet
-
Highest Point
- 2,136 feet
This trail is closed until further notice due to damage from the Sourdough and Stetattle fires.
The Stettatle Creek Trail is an infrequently-used path that delivers hikers into a deep canyon in the heart of the North Cascades. Though it clears early in the season, this may not be the best option for those looking for an easy walk -- the trail is rugged and requires scrambling in places.
Coldwater Peak
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
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Length
- 12.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 3,068 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,727 feet
This trail is currently inaccessible due to a landslide on SR 504. The road is expected to be closed through 2027.
Survey Mount St. Helens’ recovering Blast Zone and get 360-degree, four-peak views from this high perch along the Boundary Trail.
Domerie Peak
Snoqualmie Region > Cle Elum Area
-
Length
- 18.0 miles, roundtrip
Accessible via two separate trailheads, the Domerie Peak trail offers a ridgeline traverse with views of Cle Elum Lake and the surrounding peaks of the Teanaway.