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
4214 HikesMcNary Dam Nature Area
Central Washington > Tri-Cities
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Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 20 feet
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Highest Point
- 315 feet
Venture across the Columbia River, just barely into Oregon, and ramble on easy trails where you’ll see and hear a wide variety of birds, mammals and reptiles.
Escure Ranch - Turtle Lake
Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
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Length
- 7.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 211 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,683 feet
Old ranch roads take you past basalt cliffs and endless expanses of shoulder-high grassland to a small lake under a big sky.
Windy Creek
North Cascades > Pasayten
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Length
- 9.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,350 feet
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Highest Point
- 7,930 feet
The Windy Creek Trail provides the shortest approach route to Windy Peak. After the 4.8-mile climb up the Windy Creek Trail, mostly through the recovering forest from the 2006 Tripod Fire, it is only an additional 0.3 mile with a 400-foot climb to reach the expansive 360-degree view from the top.
Shellrock Peak
South Cascades > White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley
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Length
- 9.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,625 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,835 feet
In addition to broad views, Shellrock Peak features some interesting rock formations for the geology buff. Constant elevation changes along the trail, lack of water, and the need for minor off-trail routefinding make solitude likely.
Monogram Lake
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 11.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 4,675 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,719 feet
This gem of an alpine lake, situated in a cirque beneath the glaciated summit of Little Devil Peak, is ringed by verdant meadows and frequented by resident wildlife.
Tatie Peak and Grasshopper Pass
North Cascades > Pasayten
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Length
- 9.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,200 feet
-
Highest Point
- 7,386 feet
Hike on the Pacific Crest Trail in a section where its name describes its location. From the trail high on the ridge, the views abound. In the three passes are flowers in the summer and golden larch in the fall. A side trip up Tatie Peak provides 360 degree views of the North Cascades.
Cape Disappointment State Park - Cape Disappointment Lighthouse
Southwest Washington > Long Beach Area
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Length
- 2.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 500 feet
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Highest Point
- 220 feet
Breathe in the sea spray on this anything-but-disappointing hike out to the scenic Cape Disappointment Lighthouse, which offers a trail through a coastal forest and glimpses of the powerful Pacific Ocean.
Priest Rapids Wildlife Area
Central Washington > Tri-Cities
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Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 50 feet
The Priest Rapids Wildlife Area is a unit of 3,202 acres in the Columbia Basin Wildlife Area.
Dishman Hills Conservation Area - Flying L Trail
Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
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Length
- 2.2 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 660 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,788 feet
The Phillips Creek trailhead and Flying L Trail provide eastside access to the Glenrose Unit of the Dishman Hills Conservation Area from the Spokane Valley.
Pacific Northwest Trail
Puget Sound and Islands
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Length
- 1200.0 miles, one-way
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Highest Point
- 7,580 feet
9.8.25: The PNT is closed from Sherman Pass (mile 474) to 13.9 miles westbound (mile 487.9) due to the Snow Peak Fire.
The Pacific Northwest Trail is a 1,200-mile linear trail that stretches from Glacier National Park in Montana to Cape Alava on the Pacific Ocean in the Olympic National Park.
Pacific Northwest Trail - Pasayten Traverse
North Cascades > Pasayten
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Length
- 119.0 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 21,071 feet
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Highest Point
- 7,490 feet
This 119-mile section of the 1200-mile Pacific Northwest Trail traverses the entirety of the Pasayten Wilderness.
360 Trails
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 2.85 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 200 feet
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Highest Point
- 373 feet
This patch of community forest on the north end of the Key Peninsula has a vast network of trails that are open to hikers, equestrians and mountain bikers. Take the Main Loop to explore the network, with many offshoot trails to extend and craft your own hike.
Whiskey Dick Wildlife Area
Central Washington > Yakima
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Length
- 8.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,750 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,850 feet
Bask in a wide variety of wildflowers—including a rare species of cactus, Simpson’s hedgehog, with its hot pink blossoms—chunks of petrified wood, and panoramic views of the Columbia Basin, under usually sunny, blue skies.
Grand Valley via Grand Pass Trail
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
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Length
- 12.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 4,070 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,450 feet
Discover some of Olympic National Park's most inspired alpine scenery among the meadows, lakes, and vistas of Grand Valley.
Capitol State Forest - Sherman Creek Loop
Olympic Peninsula > Olympia
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Length
- 7.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 800 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,150 feet
The Lost Valley trail is closed from the McKenny Trail Junction at Fall Creek to the McKenny Junction south of the D4700 Road until further notice.
This is one of the longest hike options in Capitol State Forest -- weaving through wooded valleys and along quietly flowing creeks, visitors here may discover not only natural wonders but also relics from the time that this area was the home of many a logging show.
Copper City Ghost Town
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 0.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 27 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,076 feet
9.5.25: This trail is inaccessible until further notice due to the Wildcat Fire.
Once the center of mining activity in Yakima County, Copper City served 42 active mining claims from 1907 to 1942. The founders of the town hoped to boom when the railroad came through, but the tracks were never put down. Walk the old mine-to-market road into town, where only the collapsed remains of a few buildings remain.
Japanese Gulch
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 4.0 miles of trails
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Elevation Gain
- 174 feet
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Highest Point
- 363 feet
Lots of access points to this network of trails right in the heart of Mukilteo makes for great hiking for all ages.
Big Gulch
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 2.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 300 feet
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Highest Point
- 460 feet
Big Gulch includes a system of forested trails in Mukilteo.
Redmond Central Connector Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 7.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 13 feet
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Highest Point
- 49 feet
An easy walk along a paved rail-to-trail down the Sammamish Valley and through the new urban core of Redmond.
Fort Simcoe Historical State Park
Central Washington > Yakima
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Length
- 1.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 89 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,443 feet
Fort Simcoe Historical State Park consists of 196 acres in the Yakima Indian Reservation. The Park is closed in the winter from October 1 through March 31.
North Mountain Lookout
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 2.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 600 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,956 feet
North Mountain is home to a network of mountain bike trails which can be accessed at many points along the North Mountain road, but the lookout tower is a destination in itself.
Clara and Marion Lakes
Central Washington > Wenatchee
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Length
- 3.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 900 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,475 feet
Some days are perfect for quiet contemplation, and an easygoing trail. Chirping birds, fragrant Ponderosa pines, and soft duff underfoot make this a perfect short, casual hike. In snow, it's steady climb will make it a moderate challenge in winter when showshoeing is in season.
Index Town Wall
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
This unofficial trail is short, steep and extremely eroded. Because it's not officially built or managed hikers are encouraged to find other locations to explore in the area.
Mailbox Peak - Old Trail
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 5.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 4,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,822 feet
You may have heard Mailbox Peak mentioned in slightly hushed tones, the kind reserved for stories about some legendary storm or a bad accident. What inspires such reverence? The original route, which entails 4,000 feet of climbing in less than three miles. The newer, gentler trail takes twice as much distance to achieve the summit, but nothing will permanently erase the original trail's fearsome reputation.
Tolmie Peak Lookout - Eunice Lake
Mount Rainier Area > NW - Carbon River/Mowich
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Length
- 7.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,100 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,900 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.
Hike to an old fire lookout with in-your-face views of Mount Rainier and a sapphire blue lake below. Tolmie Peak and Eunice Lake pack a one-two punch when it comes to scenery, but stopping at the picturesque lake is a perfectly acceptable destination as well.
Rampart Ridge - Rampart Lakes
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 11.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,200 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,100 feet
Rampart Lakes is a pretty collection of pothole lakes with a maze of social trails lacing them together. Though doable as a day hike, it is better enjoyed as an overnight destination, with nearby Alta Mountain and Lila Lake making excellent side trips.
Tuck and Robin Lakes
Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
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Length
- 11.96 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,354 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,300 feet
A beautiful granite basin housing two sparkling lakes and big views. Explorations abound with nearly a dozen lakes to look down upon or explore around.
Pleasant Valley Loop
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 11.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 150 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,880 feet
9.3.25: The trail within the William O. Douglas Wilderness is closed until further notice due to the Wildcat Fire.
With a couple highway crossings, and several turns and junctions, this is not the most glamourous loop through the woods, but it offers an all-purpose trail that can be chunked up into mostly flat options for hikers who want to plan their own route as well as connections and extensions to other trails in the area.
Twin Sisters Lakes
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 4.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 900 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,200 feet
9.3.25: The trail is closed between Deep Creek horse camp and 0.5 mi in (to the closure boundary) until further notice due to the Wildcat Fire. The Deep Creek horse camp/trailhead is also closed.
A long dirt road provides access to the central trailhead for the William O. Douglas Wilderness Area. The popular, easy forest hike to the Twin Sisters Lakes is a prelude to miles of exploration possible on trails and cross-country through open forest, past meadows, ponds, and lakes.