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 HikesHegg-Benson Trail
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
-
Length
- 1.2 miles, roundtrip
The Hegg-Benson Trail, designed and constructed by Skagit Land Trust members and volunteers in 2009-2010, provides a short walk through mossy forest to a picturesque waterfall on Barr Creek in this lovely conservation area.
Northern State Ghost Town
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
-
Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 50 feet
-
Highest Point
- 182 feet
Once the largest hospital for people with mental health conditions in Washington State, Northern State Mental Hospital was a town unto itself. Parts of the site are still in use and off-limits, but the farm is now a recreation area. It is located just north of the Skagit River near the town of Sedro-Woolley. Stroll along the wide pastoral trails amongst the buildings and cemetery.
Franklin Ghost Town
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
-
Length
- 2.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 200 feet
-
Highest Point
- 800 feet
Follow a gentle old railroad grade into the coal-mining ghost town of Franklin, along the Green River near Black Diamond. It’s an easy walk up to the coal cart and sealed mine shaft. Follow the narrow footpath beyond to discover the powerhouse foundation and cemetery.
Ashland Lakes
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
-
Length
- 5.4 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 800 feet
-
Highest Point
- 3,000 feet
Hike a trail built mostly of boardwalk planking through peaty bogs beside three quiet little lakes. As you hike, enjoy the many plants and animals that make the lowland bog environment home.
UW Bothell - Cascadia Community College Wetlands
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
-
Length
- 1.0 miles, one-way
-
Elevation Gain
- 32 feet
-
Highest Point
- 36 feet
This short connector trail runs through the UW Bothell-Cascadia Community College campus, with views of a large reclaimed wetland area.
Seawall Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Whidbey Island
-
Length
- 0.3 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 50 feet
-
Highest Point
- 50 feet
Experience the beautiful shores of Whidbey Island along this waterfront park's seawall walkway and pebble beach.
Cora Lake via Big Creek Trail
South Cascades > White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley
-
Length
- 3.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,170 feet
-
Highest Point
- 4,600 feet
With an average gradient of 13%, Big Creek Trail (#252) to Cora Lake — and beyond! — is a workout for some hikers despite its modest length, but it’s well worth the effort. You’ll be rewarded with waterfalls, a placid lake, enormous old trees and sweeping views of the surrounding cliffs and Mount Rainier.
Cutthroat Lakes via Walt Bailey Trail
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
-
Length
- 6.8 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 2,300 feet
-
Highest Point
- 4,700 feet
Great views await you at the summit of Bald Mountain or Cutthroat Lakes if you can stand the rough, rocky, and rooty trail that you must brave to get there. Fortunately, lots of lakes and berries keep you busy along the way, and the ever-changing surroundings on this CCC-built, WTA-maintained trail make for a great day hike along the popular Mountain Loop Highway.
Crystal Mountain Loop (Silver King)
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
-
Length
- 6.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 2,450 feet
-
Highest Point
- 6,800 feet
This page describes the options for doing a loop hike around the ski slopes, which is the ridge west of Crystal Mountain Boulevard.
Bearpaw Mountain Lake
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
-
Length
- 1.6 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 650 feet
Bearpaw Lake is a small fishing lake near the Damfino Lakes Trail, which is the shortest route to the exquisite High Divide.
Eagle Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
-
Length
- 1.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 50 feet
-
Highest Point
- 90 feet
The Eagle Trail is a grassy urban course on the Stillaguamish River dike from Haller Park to the Dike Road in the City of Arlington. Opened in 2011, it provides an opportunity for nature and wildlife viewing while wandering green space within the city limits and a designated area for dogs to romp and play.
Blue Stilly
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
-
Length
- 3.0 miles of trails
-
Elevation Gain
- 0 feet
-
Highest Point
- 30 feet
Blue Stilly Park is located in Snohomish County along the Stillaguamish River. The small park has a baseball diamond, picnic areas, a fire pit and a nature trail.
Lake Sammamish State Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
-
Length
- 1.5 miles of trails
A beach, forests, wetlands, and the potential to spot wildlife; Lake Sammamish State Park has it all. And people have been appreciating what the area has to offer for generations -- the land around the lake is culturally significant as a gathering place for several Native American tribes.
Larch Lake
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
-
Length
- 24.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 4,591 feet
-
Highest Point
- 6,413 feet
There are two ways to get to Larch Lake: either up the Chiwaukum Creek trail to a junction with the trail to Larch Lake, or via Alpine Lakes High Camp (reservations required). The coordinates provided are for the Chiwaukum Creek Trail route.
Lake Ann (Rainy Pass)
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
-
Length
- 3.4 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 700 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,500 feet
The trail to Lake Ann is a wonderful, short way to see the impressive glaciated valley encircled by the popular Heather - Maple Pass Loop. Lake Ann features views of ridgelines blanketed in wildflowers in summer, a lake ringed with golden larches in fall, and before the highway closes for the season, a dramatic place to experience early winter’s snows.
Silver Peak
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
-
Length
- 5.6 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 2,100 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,605 feet
At 5605 feet of elevation, Silver Peak is the tallest mountain guarding the southern wall of Snoqualmie Pass. Silver Peak has more than 2000 feet of prominence and provides commanding, panoramic views of the eastern end of Snoqualmie Pass and the surrounding mountains and lakes.
Castle Rock
Central Washington > Wenatchee
-
Length
- 2.1 miles of trails
-
Elevation Gain
- 664 feet
-
Highest Point
- 1,673 feet
Another favorite area near Sage Hills and Horse Lake Reserve, Castle Rock property provides access for hikers who want adventure near Wenatchee. This hike will take you to the top of Castle Rock, an iconic feature of the Wenatchee skyline.
Mount Storm King
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
-
Length
- 4.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 2,065 feet
-
Highest Point
- 2,600 feet
Hikers flock to Mount Storm King for that signature shot, standing on a rocky outcropping above Lake Crescent. But it's a grind to get there, and the climb to the summit can be dangerous in bad weather. Luckily, there are several outcroppings about halfway to the top offering similar views. It's still a steep hike to get to them, but at least it's shorter.
Sawtooth Lakes Loop
North Cascades > Methow/Sawtooth
-
Length
- 24.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 5,200 feet
-
Highest Point
- 8,000 feet
This is a classic multi-day backpack ideal in larch season.
Bellevue Botanical Garden
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
-
Length
- 1.7 miles, roundtrip
The Bellevue Botanical Garden (BBG) is a tranquil gem nestled in Wilburton Hill Park. The BBG’s winding pathways, elegant gardens and 150 foot suspension bridge provide hikers and families with a visual cornucopia and gentle refuge from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Thorp Lake
Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
-
Length
- 5.8 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,260 feet
-
Highest Point
- 4,700 feet
With a low-key walk that merges into a steep uphill climb, and an optional extension to visit a fire lookout, the trail to Thorp Lake offers a range of hiking experiences crammed into one 2.6-mile trail.
Patos Island
Puget Sound and Islands > San Juan Islands
-
Length
- 1.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 30 feet
-
Highest Point
- 30 feet
Spanish for Duck Island, Patos Island is a hidden gem in the San Juan Islands. This is largely because of the difficulty in accessing it, but if you make the effort, you won't be sorry!
Silver Falls
Central Cascades > Entiat Mountains/Lake Chelan
-
Length
- 1.7 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 600 feet
-
Highest Point
- 3,050 feet
Hidden in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest near the town of Entiat is a treasure of a trail with a wide graceful waterfall and panoramic views of the Entiat River Valley. Offering a chance to explore the outdoors for all abilities, it will be easy to see why it has been designated a National Recreational Trail and draws locals and travelers from all over the state.
Shetipo
Central Cascades > Entiat Mountains/Lake Chelan
-
Length
- 4.7 miles, one-way
-
Elevation Gain
- 2,900 feet
-
Highest Point
- 6,284 feet
Skip the long, flat miles along the Entiat River and climb straight up to the Upper Mad River and Garland Peak trails to access hundreds of miles of backcountry travel in the heart of the Entiat.
Schaefer Lake
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
-
Length
- 9.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 3,200 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,195 feet
Schaefer Lake is a good-sized alpine lake surrounded by the peaks of the Chiwawa Ridge. The trail is easy to access via a good road. This trail is lightly traveled; you will likely not see many other people even at the height of the season.
Pyramid Mountain
Central Cascades > Entiat Mountains/Lake Chelan
-
Length
- 18.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 3,600 feet
-
Highest Point
- 8,260 feet
Pyramid Mountain is a scenic trail that starts high and stays high. From the trailhead ad 6200 feet, hikers will continue along ridgelines and shallow valleys before making the final ascent to Pyramid Mountain at 8260 feet.
Pugh Ridge
Central Cascades > Entiat Mountains/Lake Chelan
-
Length
- 12.4 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 2,833 feet
-
Highest Point
- 6,783 feet
Pugh Ridge is a steep ridgeline trail branching off of the North Fork Entiat around 2.5 miles in, and connecting back down with South Pyramid Creek, making for a ideal loop trip.
North Fork Entiat River
Central Cascades > Entiat Mountains/Lake Chelan
-
Length
- 26.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 4,000 feet
-
Highest Point
- 7,150 feet
Experience the rugged beauty of the Entiat mountains, rich in wild flower meadows, jagged peaks, and solitude. These trails, though occasionally steep and loose, harbor fantastic corners, wildlife, and old-school outdoorsmanship that many crowded trails now lack.
Myrtle Lake
Central Cascades > Entiat Mountains/Lake Chelan
-
Length
- 8.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 650 feet
-
Highest Point
- 3,765 feet
Myrtle Lake is a quaint lake nestled in the Entiat Mountains.
Fern Lake
Central Cascades > Entiat Mountains/Lake Chelan
-
Length
- 16.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 3,600 feet
-
Highest Point
- 6,950 feet
Seek solitude and stupendous views at this high alpine lake in the Entiat Mountains. A steep slog of a trail ensures you'll have plenty of room at this lake.