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 HikesChiwawa River
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
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Length
- 12.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,100 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,800 feet
The Chiwawa River Trail offers hikers the rugged scenery that's the signature of the Glacier Peak Wilderness but for less effort than other hikes nearby. Try this trail to enjoy solitude while basking in sublime mountain scenery.
Chiwaukum Creek
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
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Length
- 4.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 500 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,350 feet
Hike along a raucous waterway to a gorgeous alpine meadow with hiker and stock camps available. It's the perfect basecamp for multi-night adventures.
Chinook Trail
South Cascades
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Length
- 300.0 miles, roundtrip
The Chinook Trail is a vision and work in progress. Once completed it will be a 300+ mile rim-to-rim loop encircling the Columbia River Gorge across both southern Washington and Oregon. While still incomplete, with preparation and research it is possible to hike the entire loop.
China Lake
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 0.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 30 feet
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Highest Point
- 295 feet
China Lake is a small forest escape with a trail that takes you around a quiet lake on a green nature walk. Perfect on a sunny day for a stroll and a picnic or for hiding from the rain under a tree canopy, this trail is just a step away from the bustle of city life nearby.
Chewuch River Trail
North Cascades > Pasayten
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Length
- 37.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,300 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,900 feet
The Chewuch River Trail provides access to the very popular Cathedral Lakes area on the Boundary trail. Walk through a burn zone, lodgepole pine, and meadows as you travel deep into the Pasayten Wilderness.
Chenuis Falls
Mount Rainier Area > NW - Carbon River/Mowich
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Length
- 8.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 500 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,200 feet
The Fairfax Bridge (3 miles south of Carbonado) is closed to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic until further notice due to safety concerns. The bridge closure renders this hike inaccessible.
A long walk (or short mountain bike ride!) leads to a rolling falls that feeds into the rushing Carbon River.
Chelan Lakeshore Trail
Central Cascades > Entiat Mountains/Lake Chelan
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Length
- 17.0 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 4,030 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,700 feet
Looking for an early-season backpack featuring craggy, snow-capped peaks, a sapphire-blue lake, a myriad of wildflowers, and a trail that’s regularly maintained by WTA volunteers? The 17-mile thru-hike on the Chelan Lakeshore Trail might be just the thing for you.
CCC Road: Upper Trailhead
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 6.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 400 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,450 feet
The upper section of the CCC Road is just adjacent to the Middle Fork Road. Hiking this way, you'll avoid the somewhat confusing lower section, where DNR and private property bump up against each other. Here the trail is on National Forest land, so you'll need a Northwest Forest Pass, but the 3.4 miles to the Middle Fork Campground pass through uninterrupted quiet forest, creeks, and lovely views of the nearby peaks.
Catherine Creek - Natural Arch
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 2.1 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 250 feet
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Highest Point
- 500 feet
7.21.25: This trail is closed due to the Burdoin Fire.
This family-friendly classic hike has perhaps the most photo ops per mile than any other hike in the Gorge. You can check out a natural rock arch, see a variety of terrain, take in sweeping views of the Columbia River, and enjoy early-spring wildflower displays.
Cathedral Rock
Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
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Length
- 8.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,290 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,550 feet
While commonly used to access the Alpine Lakes backcountry, the trail up to Cathedral Pass is a worthy destination on its own. Old growth forest, lakes, subalpine meadows, and an up-close view of the dominating Cathedral Rock make for a satisfying and scenic day hike or short overnight.
Carkeek Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 3.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 800 feet
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Highest Point
- 240 feet
Explore forest trails along Piper's Creek and adjoining ridges. Visit a Puget Sound beach and enjoy great views across the Sound to the Olympics. In the fall, observe migrating salmon in the creek.
Carbon River Rain Forest Nature Trail
Mount Rainier Area > NW - Carbon River/Mowich
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Length
- 0.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 20 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,780 feet
The Fairfax Bridge (3 miles south of Carbonado) is closed to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic until further notice due to safety concerns. The bridge closure renders this hike inaccessible.
The Carbon River Rain Forest Nature Trail is a pleasant and easy stroll that offers two short segments which can be combined to create a 0.6 mile roundtrip walk. Both paths penetrate primeval rain forest where giant ferns, maples, and spruce tower above charming cedar puncheon bridges and babbling brooks. This hike is great in any season, and takes on particular wildness in winter. Interpretive signs and photo opportunities abound.
Carbon River to Ipsut Falls
Mount Rainier Area > NW - Carbon River/Mowich
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Length
- 10.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 500 feet
The Fairfax Bridge (3 miles south of Carbonado) is closed to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic until further notice due to safety concerns. The bridge closure renders this hike inaccessible.
Due to the permanent closure of the Carbon River Road, hikers can now park at the closure and venture to the end of the road to the viewpoint for Ipsut Falls. Along the way, you'll hike through magnificent old-growth forest, and many opportunities to see the power of the Carbon River.
Cape Horn
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 7.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,300 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,350 feet
This rugged hike is bound to become a classic, if it isn’t already. The full trail loop provides fantastic views of the Columbia River Gorge, an intimate look at the Cape Horn Falls and a challenging workout as it climbs and descends the rocky slopes of Cape Horn.
Cape Alava
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
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Length
- 6.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 100 feet
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Highest Point
- 350 feet
Take a beautifully constructed boardwalk a little more than three miles out to the wild Olympic Coast. If you can snag a permit, camping here is divine. If not, while away a few hours playing in the water or ambling along the beach.
Canyon Ridge
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 10.3 miles, one-way
This multi-use trail meanders through mature forest to connect with the Boundary Way trail to expansive views of the North Cascades and Mount Baker.
Canyon Lake Community Forest
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 7.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,400 feet
This community forest is managed as a nature reserve, where hikers will find a wide ranging variety of wildlife, and a retreat from the noise and bustle of city life.
Antoine Peak Conservation Area - Canfield Gulch
Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
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Length
- 3.46 miles of trails
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Elevation Gain
- 670 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,920 feet
Antoine Peak's Canfield Gulch is the east side access to this 1,296 acre conservation area.
Camp Creek Falls
South Cascades > White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley
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Length
- 0.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 40 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,360 feet
A very short trail rewards visitors with views of a lovely waterfall, accessible in the early season. Look for trillium along the trail in spring, and enjoy the sounds of rushing water year-round.
Cady Ridge
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
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Length
- 14.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,015 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,551 feet
When it comes to resplendent alpine meadows, the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness can't be beat. And when it comes to the finest flower romps within that wild area named for the longtime Washington senator and champion of conservation, Cady Ridge ranks supreme. A multitude of blossoms proliferate along this mile-high ridge. But it's the lupines that dominate, transforming Cady into a purple mountain majesty. And views! From the inspiring Poet Peaks, to the emerald-cloaked summits along the Cascade crest, to cloud-piercing, snow-catching, ice-harboring, horizon-dominating Glacier Peak!
Burroughs Mountain
Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River
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Length
- 9.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,500 feet
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Highest Point
- 7,828 feet
The road to Sunrise is closed for the winter season. It is expected to reopen in July 2026.
Burroughs Mountain can be described as a "mountain against a mountain." At over 7,800 feet, Burroughs Mountain sets right up against the northeastern face of Mount Rainier, hugging the Winthrop Glacier. It offers one of the most dramatic views of Washington's largest volcano.
Burch Mountain via Falls Creek
North Cascades > Pasayten
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Length
- 10.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,200 feet
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Highest Point
- 7,782 feet
When the deeper backcountry is under snow (or just too far away) Burch Mountain can provide a beautiful day hike with views aplenty.
Bumping Lake
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 9.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 300 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,700 feet
9.3.25: The trail between its junction with the PCT and its end with FR 1800-394 is closed until further notice due to the Wildcat Fire. Upper and Lower Bumping Lake campgrounds are also closed.
A gentle hike through stands of mature larches and other conifers along the shores of Bumping Lake. The trail is also a good alternate route to Swamp Lake Trail #970 or to Pacific Crest Trail #2000 when a ford of the Bumping River is too hazardous.
Buckskin Ridge
North Cascades > Pasayten
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Length
- 33.4 miles, roundtrip
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Highest Point
- 7,300 feet
Alpine lakes, high ridge traverses, wildflower-filled meadows, and a stroll along the Pasayten River await hikers who elect to visit the Buckskin Ridge Trail.
Buck Creek Pass
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
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Length
- 19.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,770 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,000 feet
Glacier Peak Wilderness, northwest of Lake Wenatchee. You can barely see Glacier Peak from the westside of the Cascades. Not so from the Buck Creek Trail - where it looms over you like a white monolith. Add to that fields of late summer flowers and a pleasant afternoon breeze and you may be close to rapture.
Buck Creek Falls Loop
South Cascades > Mount Adams Area
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Length
- 3.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 770 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,090 feet
A short, family-friendly loop that can be done all year round. You'll meander through douglas fir, western redcedar, bigleaf maple, and other deciduous trees, along a creek, and end at a lovely waterfall, perfect for picnicking.
Boundary West
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
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Length
- 10.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,400 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,390 feet
This short section of the much longer Boundary Trail (which spans the Dark Divide between Mount St. Helens and Mount Adams) provides a nice day hike amid the unique geology of the St. Helens area.
Boundary Trail - Pasayten
North Cascades > Pasayten
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Length
- 80.0 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 9,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 7,800 feet
Hiking the Boundary Trail is an adventure on many a hikers’ bucket list. The trail spans the width of the Pasayten Wilderness and is part of the much larger Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail. The combination of stunning scenery and lack of crowds is one of the BT’s most enticing aspects especially in autumn, when colors are changing, temperatures are cooling and bugs are gone. A number of places along the trail are so special that you’ll have the images etched into your memory for years to come.
West Boundary Trail
Mount Rainier Area > NW - Carbon River/Mowich
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Length
- 6.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,800 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,550 feet
The Fairfax Bridge (3 miles south of Carbonado) is closed to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic until further notice due to safety concerns. The bridge closure renders this hike inaccessible.
The West Boundary Trail is one of the remaining fragments of the historic Boundary Trail that allowed rangers to patrol the perimeter of Mount Rainier National Park. Now an out-and-back, the trail is moderately popular despite its brutally steep grade. The lush rainforest, delightful cascades and potential to add a summit to the day give this hike reason to investigate.