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
4235 HikesWest Fork Buttermilk
North Cascades > Methow/Sawtooth
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Length
- 15.0 miles, roundtrip
-
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 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 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
-
Elevation Gain
- 700 feet
-
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
-
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
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,000 feet
-
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
-
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.
Vancouver Lake - North Trail
Southwest Washington > Vancouver Area
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Length
- 2.8 miles, roundtrip
-
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
-
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.
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
-
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!
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.
Toutle Trail - Red Rock Pass to Blue Lake Trailhead
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
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Length
- 3.3 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 280 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,400 feet
This middle section of the Toutle Trail starts at Forest Road 81 on the north side of Red Rock Pass.
Toutle Trail
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
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Length
- 13.6 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 1,900 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,000 feet
The Toutle Trail transects five ecozones over more than 13 miles, but can be done in three sections.
Tongue Mountain
South Cascades > Dark Divide
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Length
- 5.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,052 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,660 feet
Tongue Mountain is one of several craggy peaks in the Dark Divide offering excellent views and a nice walk through forest
Tiger Mountain Trail
Issaquah Alps > Tiger Mountain
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Length
- 15.2 miles, one-way
-
Elevation Gain
- 2,360 feet
-
Highest Point
- 2,500 feet
Do a thru-hike on the main Tiger Mountain Trail, also known as the TMT. Arrange a car shuttle and start at the southern end. Hike north more than fifteen miles over varied terrain and through different types of forest vegetation. Pass a large glacial erratic boulder, and visit some of the most remote places in the Tigers.
Thunder Creek
Eastern Washington > Selkirk Range
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Length
- 5.1 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 2,000 feet
With its lush old growth forest, Thunder Creek is arguably the best of the feeder trails leading to the Shedroof Divide and the heart of the Salmo Priest Wilderness.
Thorp Mountain Lookout via Thorp Creek
Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
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Length
- 7.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,484 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,884 feet
It’s possible to reach the lookout on top of Thorp Mountain four different ways. But this route offers a nice detour to a little lake, where you can have a snack and size up your objective before continuing on your way.
The Brothers
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 18.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 6,050 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,866 feet
A scramble and climbing route to the summit of a mountain in the Olympic range. Climbing gear and expertise required.
Tatoosh Ridge
South Cascades > White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley
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Length
- 6.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,900 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,775 feet
Tatoosh Ridge offers numerous choices, all involving a steep approach. Contentedly amble through a steep slope of wildflowers, with occasional mountain views. Drop into a valley with a pair of alpine lakes, or climb to the site of a former lookout. If you like, do all of the above.
Tamanous Trail
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 1.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 120 feet
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Highest Point
- 200 feet
The name Tamanous derives from local Native American's who initiated their young in their area by sending them on vision quests, called "Ta-mah-no-ous."
Table Mountain
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 16.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,350 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,417 feet
Table Mountain's dramatic south face and pyramid profile beckon the adventurous hiker ready for a strenuous climb that is good training for summer summit attempts to come. The top features one of the best panoramas of the Columbia River Gorge, as well as views of Mount St. Helens, Rainier, Hood and Adams. Carry a guidebook with good route information as there are a couple of options to the summit and signage may be lacking.
Surprise Lake
South Cascades > Goat Rocks
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Length
- 13.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,505 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,260 feet
Most hikers enter the Goat Rocks Wilderness from the western side, but those who come in from the east find the wilderness just as beautiful and wild, and much less crowded. The Surprise Lake Trail is one of the few that enter from the east, and it is also one of the most gentle and scenic.
Surprise and Glacier Lakes
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
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Length
- 11.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,700 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,900 feet
From towering old-growth giants to placid lakes with craggy mountain views, this hike has everything you want in a trail. Put this one on your list of places to explore along Highway 2.