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 HikesSpring Creek - Green Mountain
South Cascades > Mount Adams Area
-
Length
- 7.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,235 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,107 feet
Hike a 7.5-mile loop from Horseshoe Lake Campground with a side trip to views of South Cascade peaks from the summit of Green Mountain.
Spray Park
Mount Rainier Area > NW - Carbon River/Mowich
-
Length
- 8.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,700 feet
-
Highest Point
- 6,500 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 Wonderland Trail is inaccessible from Mowich Lake due to the bridge closure.
Since getting to the trailhead involves a significant drive on gravel road, this hike sees fewer boots than trails leaving from Paradise and Sunrise. Spray Falls is attainable by most day hikers, but the gain up to Spray Park is a good test of your fitness level! Your reward on a clear day will be views, views, views of Echo Rock, Observation Rock and Mount Rainier.
Devils Gulch
Central Washington > Wenatchee
-
Length
- 9.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,100 feet
-
Highest Point
- 2,800 feet
This hike goes primarily through a network of mountain bike trails. Hiking here is not recommended in the summer, when it can be extremely hot. Please know the rules of right-of-way before hiking here.
Louis Lake
North Cascades > Methow/Sawtooth
-
Length
- 9.8 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 2,240 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,360 feet
Hike through a fire-devastated forest to an alpine lake set below steep cliffs with a waterfall inlet. Rennie Peak looms to the south and a mature forest shelters many campsites. Come for the day, or camp and explore.
Kettle Crest South
Eastern Washington > Okanogan Highlands/Kettle River Range
-
Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 900 feet
-
Highest Point
- 6,500 feet
The Kettle Crest South begins at the White Mountain Trailhead and extends to Sherman Pass, passing by White Mountain, Barnaby Butte, Bald Mountain, Snow Peak, and Sherman Peak along the way.
Barnaby Buttes
Eastern Washington > Okanogan Highlands/Kettle River Range
-
Length
- 7.4 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,975 feet
-
Highest Point
- 6,534 feet
This remote perch in the Kettle Range grants hikers views of the Kettles and beyond.
White Mountain via Kettle Crest Trail South
Eastern Washington > Okanogan Highlands/Kettle River Range
-
Length
- 28.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,500 feet
-
Highest Point
- 6,921 feet
This 28-mile round trip offers the best of the Columbia Highlands as it passes through old-growth ponderosa pine stands, skirts five significant peaks in the Kettle Range, and showcases the effects of the White Mountain Fire of 1988.
Sherman Peak Loop
Eastern Washington > Okanogan Highlands/Kettle River Range
-
Length
- 5.9 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,800 feet
-
Highest Point
- 6,998 feet
This six mile loop offers a nice day hike option in the highlands of Eastern Washington, utilizing part of the scenic Kettle Crest Trail, and exploring the Sherman Pass area.
Swakane Canyon
Central Washington > Wenatchee
-
Length
- 6.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,470 feet
-
Highest Point
- 2,980 feet
This is a nice two season hike on an old road with views of the Columbia River valley from Badger Mountain to Wenatchee. Enroute you may see spring flowers, unique rock formations, and animals like deer, coyotes, snakes and hawks.
Lower Mad River Valley
Central Cascades > Entiat Mountains/Lake Chelan
-
Length
- 14.9 miles, one-way
-
Elevation Gain
- 2,500 feet
-
Highest Point
- 2,000 feet
Hike along the Lower Mad River in a narrow rocky canyon. The first three miles makes an ideal day trip for hikers of all abilities. Looking for more adventure? The trail continues for almost 15 miles where it meets the Upper Mad River trail. Be prepared to share the trail with bikes, horses, and motorcycles.
Skagit Wildlife Area
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
-
Length
- 2.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 0 feet
-
Highest Point
- 0 feet
Each year, from fall to spring, this area is a bird paradise, with snow geese and trumpeter and tundra swans overwintering in huge numbers. There are several access points in the wildlife refuge. The Headquarters area has a two mile trail and staff may be able to point you to other appropriate areas to visit.
Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge
South Cascades > Mount Adams Area
-
Length
- 2.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 223 feet
-
Highest Point
- 1,905 feet
Conboy Lake is now more of a marsh than a lake but it is home to a variety of wildlife. The habitat consists of oak, pine, and aspen forests, wetlands and grassy prairies.
Elliott Bay Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
-
Length
- 10.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 350 feet
-
Highest Point
- 65 feet
The Elliott Bay Trail follows the shoreline of Elliott Bay for 5 miles from S Royal Brougham Way near CenturyLink and SafeCo Fields to Smith Cove Park in Magnolia.
Gas Works Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
-
Length
- 1.0 miles of trails
Popular year-round, but especially on sunny summer days, Gas Works Park is a popular greenspace with some old remains from an coal gasification plant. A rolling hill on the north side of Lake Union offers a great place to luxuriate in the sun and watch water traffic on the lake.
Cheshiahud Lake Union Loop
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
-
Length
- 6.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 439 feet
-
Highest Point
- 77 feet
Named for a Duwamish chief who led a village on Lake Union, this six-mile, mostly-paved urban loop connects pocket parks and multi-use paths around Lake Union in Seattle. If you don't stop for a bite to eat in one of the neighborhoods along the way, Gasworks Park (on the north side of the loop) and Lake Union Park (on the south side) both make great picnic spots with lake views.
Greenbank Farm
Puget Sound and Islands > Whidbey Island
-
Length
- 7.0 miles of trails
-
Elevation Gain
- 275 feet
-
Highest Point
- 300 feet
Greenbank Farm was saved from becoming a housing community by partnerships with local land officials and the Trust for Public Land. Thanks to protection from Island County and the Nature Conservancy, hikers can explore the many trails that web the more than 500 acres of fields that surround the expansive property of Greenbank.
Fort Casey State Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Whidbey Island
-
Length
- 2.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 200 feet
-
Highest Point
- 200 feet
This is more of a stroll than a hike, with beach walking. It is of historical interest with interpretive signs along the way. Fort Casey was one of three forts chosen in 1896 to form a triangle for protection of Puget Sound. Fort Worden and Fort Flagler were the other two. All have become state parks. Their use for coastal protection proved to be impractical so their use became a place for instruction and training of troops during both of the world wars.
Dugualla Bay Preserve
Puget Sound and Islands > Whidbey Island
Dugualla Bay Preserve (not to be confused with Dugualla Bay State Park just down the road) is a natural area on the northeast area of Whidbey Island. Managed by the Whidbey Camano Land Trust, this is an important section of protected shoreline for salmon recovery.
Ala Spit
Puget Sound and Islands > Whidbey Island
-
Length
- 1.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 10 feet
This trail only takes about 20 minutes to hike out and back with great views of Mount Baker, Mount Erie, Fidalgo Island, Hope Island and the inner part of Puget Sound.
Tommy Thompson Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
-
Length
- 6.6 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 0 feet
-
Highest Point
- 25 feet
This hike is a flat 3.3 mile one-way blacktop trail that starts at The Port of Anacortes and ends at March Point near The Shell and Tesoro Refineries. The trail has great views of Mount Baker, Fidalgo Bay and lots of blue heron, especially when the tides are low.
Guemes Channel and Ship Harbor
Puget Sound and Islands > San Juan Islands
-
Length
- 3.2 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 100 feet
-
Highest Point
- 110 feet
Hike shoreline trails in both directions from this Anacortes trailhead. Take in views of distant islands, ferries, seabirds, eagles, historic displays. All on good trails suitable for all ages.
Cap Sante Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
-
Length
- 3.2 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 490 feet
-
Highest Point
- 220 feet
Explore roads and trails on, and around, Cap Sante, an impressive rocky headland at the northeast corner of Anacortes. Enjoy views extending from Mount Baker to Mount Rainier, plus the busy harbor.
Washington Park
Puget Sound and Islands > San Juan Islands
-
Length
- 2.2 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 280 feet
-
Highest Point
- 250 feet
Washington Park sits at the northwestern tip of Anacortes. When viewed from the sea the area is referred to as Fidalgo Head. The terrain varies from rain forest on the north to open, stony hillsides with few trees on the south.
Barnum Point
Puget Sound and Islands > Whidbey Island
-
Length
- 2.75 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 300 feet
-
Highest Point
- 130 feet
Enjoy a series of easy forest trails in this new Island County park. Descend to the beach at both ends of the bluff. Optionally, tide permitting, hike the entire length of the mile-long beach. Either way, finish your hike on more forest trails.
Iverson Spit
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
-
Length
- 1.0 miles, roundtrip
If you've been to Cama Beach and Camano Island State Parks, and you're looking for another diversion on Camano Island, consider Iverson Spit Waterfront Preserve. This delightful area offers some short hiking trails and, of course, ever present views of the Cascade Mountains and shoreline wandering.
Hegg-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.