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
4216 HikesMiddle Fork Teanaway River
Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
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Length
- 11.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 800 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,400 feet
A gentle trail that hugs a river in a colorful valley recovering from a 2017 forest fire. Multiple river crossings, including at the trailhead, are the main challenges on this hike.
Middle Fork Snoqualmie River
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 12.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,650 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,100 feet
This long, meandering hike heads upstream along the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River, offering a long day hike, or a great beginning backpacking experience.
Robinson Creek (Middle Fork Pasayten River)
North Cascades > Pasayten
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Length
- 25.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,940 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,220 feet
Officially named Robinson Creek, the Middle Fork Pasayten River trail is loved by locals and visitors alike for its big trees, path alongside the wild river, and access into the central Pasayten Wilderness.
Melakwa Lake
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 8.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,700 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,600 feet
The way to Melakwa Lake is like two different trails: first a wide gentle trail through old growth forest beneath an elevated and noisy Interstate freeway. And second, a rocky steep trail that follows a waterfall and a precipitous gorge upstream to get to a pair of clear alpine lakes flanked by rocky peaks. Is it about the journey or the destination? You decide.
Pear Lake via Meadow Creek
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
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Length
- 16.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,375 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,225 feet
A rambling trail that provides easy access from the Beckler River Road near Skykomish to the Pacific Crest Trail and Henry M. Jackson Wilderness through the Meadow Creek Valley to sweet little Pear Lake for an overnight.
McKenzie Conservation Area
Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
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Length
- 6.0 miles of trails
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Elevation Gain
- 500 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,600 feet
Visit McKenzie to take in the wild side of Newman Lake, where one can watch for moose in the shallows along the 3,000 feet of lakeshore, or possibly see an eagle nab a fish before returning to its nest in the nearby cottonwoods. Mount Spokane and Ragged Ridge make the backdrop for this mellow loop trail system.
McGarvey Park
Issaquah Alps
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Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 400 feet
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Highest Point
- 851 feet
Acquired by King County in 2000, McGarvey Park Open Space is a 400-acre multiuse forest connecting King County’s Petrovitsky Park with Wetland 14 Natural Area and Spring Lake/Lake Desire Park.
Maury Island Marine Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 3.0 miles of trails
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Elevation Gain
- 500 feet
-
Highest Point
- 500 feet
Maury Island Marine Park is located on the east side of Maury Island which is connected to Vashon Island. There is more than one mile of natural shoreline with stunning views of Mount Rainier and the Cascade Mountains. The park is a former gravel mine and contains rare stands of the Pacific Madrone tree. The accessible shoreline allows for scuba diving and an excellent beach walk to observe marine life with a salt marsh at the north end.
Coyote Wall - Moab/Maui Loop
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 3.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 850 feet
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Highest Point
- 900 feet
The Maui Loop is more of an adventure than a hike. You get to go up, over and around mogul-like mounds peppered with volcanic rock, explore the upper rim of Coyote Wall, and descend a grassy slope with uninterrupted views of the Columbia River Gorge. In the spring there is a steady progression of wildflowers, making this an especially good early-season hike.
Marten Creek
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 6.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,400 feet
-
Highest Point
- 2,800 feet
Follow an old mining route through quiet forest near Darrington. This trail hasn't seen much maintenance in recent years, so it may require some route-finding experience to visit.
Marmot Pass
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 11.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,489 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,000 feet
Marmot Pass offers great views and a gentle hike through old-growth forest as well as high meadows. It is a great day hike, but also offers a great starting place for a variety of overnight options.
Marmot Lake
Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
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Length
- 16.0 miles, roundtrip
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Highest Point
- 4,500 feet
Scenic Marmot Lake is reachable from both Highway 2 or the Salmon La Sac area, but either way will be a challenge -- it's 14 miles via Deception Pass, or more than 10 miles from the Tucquala Meadows Trailhead.
Maple Creek Loop Trail
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 1.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 250 feet
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Highest Point
- 850 feet
Maple Creek Park is a 73-acre Whatcom County Park sitting just outside the town of Maple Falls. It contains a section of the developing Bay to Baker Trail, as well as a 1.4 mile-long loop trail. Along the loop are several junctions, none of them marked. To keep on the main loop, the hike is best done counterclockwise.
Maidenhair Falls
Olympic Peninsula > Olympia
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Length
- 1.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 100 feet
Maidenhair Falls is proof that you don’t have to hike long distances to see beautiful scenery. A mere half mile from the trailhead, this waterfall and gorge is sure to delight.
Maggie Creek
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 11.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,920 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,930 feet
Explore the Norse Peak Wilderness on this trail, which connects the Pacific Crest Trail near the Mike Urich Cabin with the Greenwater Lakes trail.
Meadowdale Beach Park - Lunds Gulch
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 2.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 425 feet
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Highest Point
- 425 feet
Hike down a lushly forested ravine with a babbling creek to its estuary as it empties into Puget Sound. Heading to the beach, breathe in the serene panorama of Brown’s Bay, Puget Sound, the islands, and the Olympic Mountains. Watch seabirds and go beachcombing to look for crabshells, anemones, and other treasures.
Lower South Fork Skokomish River
Olympic Peninsula > Olympia
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Length
- 8.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 800 feet
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Highest Point
- 900 feet
Venture up the Lower South Fork of the Skokomish River for an abundance of flora and fauna amid lush old growth.
Lower Dungeness River
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 12.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,500 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,700 feet
The Lower Dungeness Trail travels through mostly conifer forests high above the river with a fair bit of elevation gain for a river hike.
Lower Big Quilcene River
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 12.9 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,890 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,943 feet
The Lower Big Quilcene Trail begins just outside the Buckhorn Wilderness and follows the lower Big Quilcene River along a mostly non-technical tread for approximately 6.5 miles. The moss-lined route starts on an old road bed through younger forest and then winds past large old-growth cedars. In spring and summer, blooming rhododendrons add vibrant color to your journey. This trail is also a great choice during the fall and winter months because the trees provide shelter from precipitation.
Lost Lake
South Cascades > Goat Rocks
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Length
- 16.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,400 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,200 feet
Accessible from both Packwood Lake and the Clear Fork trailhead, Lost Lake is a medium-sized, scenic little mountain lake ringed with trees and nestled in a small bowl below the former Lost Lake lookout site, a good spot for overnighting or taking a long day hike.
Longfellow Creek Legacy Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 4.0 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 578 feet
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Highest Point
- 306 feet
This West Seattle urban trail features a peat bog, public art, a salmon stream that runs through front yards, and a shopping center parking lot.
Waikiki Springs Nature Preserve
Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
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Length
- 4.8 miles of trails
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Elevation Gain
- 588 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,790 feet
This is a lovely urban trail system outside of Spokane and near the Little Spokane River.
Little Spokane River Natural Area - Knothead Loop
Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
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Length
- 7.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,200 feet
You'll get a good workout on this seven mile loop just outside of Spokane. Consider it for an early-season conditioner, or a way to get a lot of miles and elevation close to home all year round. In spring, it's a wildflower haven. Summertime can be hot, so bring plenty of water -- the river here is part of a natural area, so no swimming!
Little Mountain Park - Darvill Loop
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 4.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 860 feet
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Highest Point
- 934 feet
An old trail made new! The land on this southwest side of the park was recently donated to the Skagit Land Trust and Mount Vernon Parks to prevent it from becoming a big housing development. Now, the land will be kept for posterity for all to enjoy. Hike this loop for some fine forest walking on the south slope of Little Mountain.
Little Mountain Park - Bonnie and Clyde Loop
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 1.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 300 feet
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Highest Point
- 934 feet
Aptly named Little Mountain is easily accessible year-round. This 522-acre forested park—just a few miles from Mount Vernon’s downtown area—feels much farther from the city. A narrow road leads to the sub-1,000-foot summit, where Skagit Valley views await. While driving to the top is pleasant, it is far more rewarding to hike.
Little Kachess
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 9.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,400 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,620 feet
The Little Kachess Trail is a rough rollercoaster of a hike that bounds along the western shore of Little Kachess Lake. Not to be confused with a lakeside stroll, this moderately strenuous trail climbs and drops repeatedly in an attempt to avoid cliffs while providing occasional access to the lakeshore.
Anacortes Community Forest Lands - Little Cranberry Lake
Puget Sound and Islands > Whidbey Island
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Length
- 1.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 125 feet
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Highest Point
- 250 feet
Set off for a hike in the Anacortes Community Forest Lands (ACFL), a 2,800-acre preserve within the city limits of Anacortes.
Little Beaver Creek
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 35.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 6,213 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,197 feet
9.1.25: Little Beaver Trail from Ross Lake to Stillwell Camp is closed until further notice due to the Big Beaver Fire.
A trek through the Little Beaver valley in the heart of the North Cascades offers remarkable old-growth forest, phenomenal mountain views and plenty of options for backpackers.
Lingering Trail
Issaquah Alps > Tiger Mountain
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Length
- 1.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 400 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,250 feet
Take a one-mile detour off the High Point Trail until it rejoins the Tiger Mountain Trail. Intersect with Dwight's Way Trail about three-quarters of a mile in.
Lily and Lizard Lake Loop
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 7.15 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,400 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,120 feet
This is a loop made up of several well signed trails on Blanchard Mountain in the Chuckanuts. The trail offers that other-world ancientness with its dark forests, moss and house-sized boulders. It makes a good year-round hike, with a route that passes by waterfalls, swamps, two lakes, wildlife activity, old growth and evidence of logging operations from the nineteenth century.