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 HikesMount Aix
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 12.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 4,650 feet
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Highest Point
- 7,766 feet
9.3.25: The trail is closed between the trailhead and 0.26 mi in (to the closure boundary) until further notice due to the Wildcat Fire.
The Mount Aix trail leads to a lofty world above the tree line, with views in all directions, and access to other trails for wandering in the open. On a clear day, you can see Mount Adams, Mount St. Helens, the Goat Rocks, Mount Rainier and the Stuart Range, just to mention the more identifiable peaks.
Goat Peak
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 6.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,200 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,473 feet
9.3.25: The trail is closed until further notice due to the Wildcat Fire.
Goat Peak offers expansive views into the William O. Douglas Wilderness and beyond. Once the site of a U.S. Forest Service lookout, Goat Peak’s 6,400-foot summit showcases such impressive gems as the Goat Rocks, Bumping Lake, Mount Rainier, Fife’s Peak, and the Stuart Range.
Cougar Lakes
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 12.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,700 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,400 feet
9.3.25: The trail is closed until further notice due to the Wildcat Fire.
Ford a river, climb through forest and end at two lakes in the heart of a wilderness area -- Cougar Lake is a gorgeous respite for hikers in the William O. Douglas wilderness.
Spider Lake
Olympic Peninsula > Olympia
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Length
- 2.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 250 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,400 feet
This gem of a lake is hidden deep in forest in the southeastern side of the Olympic Peninsula. A full loop around the lake takes you through old growth forests, past waterfalls and through a marsh, and then back up above the lake for a few peek-a-boo views of the mountains.
Marine View Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 1.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 275 feet
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Highest Point
- 275 feet
This hidden gem offers picnic tables and benches with views over Puget Sound, and access to a section of public beach. The trail network can be confusing. Familiarize yourself with the map ahead of time.
Green River Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 19.9 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 900 feet
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Highest Point
- 82 feet
A semi-urban multi-use trail running between Tukwila and South Park along the Duwamish River.
Eagle Landing Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 0.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 115 feet
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Highest Point
- 250 feet
A small neighborhood park, through a wooded area which leads to an overlook of Puget Sound.
Des Moines Creek Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 4.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 235 feet
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Highest Point
- 250 feet
Hike along a steep-sided ravine with some highly eroded banks. Enjoy the deciduous forest with a few large trees, and appreciate the moss and ferns along the creek. There's also an option to extend your hike to include the historic district of Des Moines Beach Park, and stroll out onto the Des Moines Public Fishing Pier for the view.
Walker Preserve
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 1.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 100 feet
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Highest Point
- 200 feet
When you need a dose of nature therapy but are limited for time, look for a suburban nature trail. The Walker Preserve in Normandy Park offers a level easy trail, plus optional steep and narrow side trails that lead down to two small creeks. There is even a picnic table available at the small parking lot.
Devore Creek
Central Cascades > Entiat Mountains/Lake Chelan
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Length
- 15.0 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 5,400 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,600 feet
8.29.25: The trail south of Tenmile Pass is closed until further notice due to the Martin Fire.
Climbing steeply up into the mountains to the west of Lake Chelan, the Devore Creek Trail begins in the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area near Weaver Point Campground, offering miles of hiking and adventuring.
Bonanza Peak
Central Cascades > Entiat Mountains/Lake Chelan
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Length
- 14.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 6,300 feet
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Highest Point
- 9,511 feet
8.29.25: This trail is closed until further notice due to the Martin Fire.
The route to Bonanza Peak is a Class 4 and involves exposed scrambling. Gear and experience recommended.
Shellrock Lake
South Cascades > White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley
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Length
- 10.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,900 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,930 feet
Like so many lakes in the William O Douglas Wilderness, Shellrock Lake has peaceful solitude and plentiful wildlife including resident elk which graze in the meadows nearby.
Sand Lake Snowshoe
South Cascades > White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley
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Length
- 5.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 900 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,300 feet
Humble Sand Lake and its neighboring Deer Lake, provide snowshoers and backcountry skiers a wintry getaway along the Pacific Crest Trail a short distance away from the bustle of the White Pass ski resort and groomed ski trails.
Cramer Mountain Loop
South Cascades > White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley
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Length
- 14.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,800 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,000 feet
This is a hike of sounds and smells of the forest, with limited vistas and lots of lakes. With easy access from White Pass, it can be done in any season as a hike or snow trip.
Merrill Lake Conservation Area - Old Growth Loop Trail
Southwest Washington > Lewis River Region
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Length
- 1.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 30 feet
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Highest Point
- 50 feet
Merrill Lake Conservation Area is a seasonal campground that includes a short and sweet loop trail around a lake. Along the way are 10 interpretative signs that supplement what hikers see around them.
Umatilla Rim Trail
Eastern Washington > Palouse and Blue Mountains
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Length
- 13.5 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 2,050 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,450 feet
8.22.25: The trail between the Horseshoe Prairie Trailhead to the Ninemile Trailhead is closed on weekdays until further notice.
This trail is located in the Umatilla National Forest in Oregon, but is close enough for a day hike from Washington. The route is a thru-hike in the Blue Mountains.
Klahhane Ridge
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
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Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,700 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,050 feet
Make a steep ascent through flowerfilled slopes to views of high mountain peaks and pillow lavas that originated on the bottom of the Pacific Ocean.
High Hut
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
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Length
- 5.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,660 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,760 feet
High Hut is the highlight of the Mount Tahoma Trail System. From the warmth of a cozy alpine hut, enjoy some of the best views in the southern Cascades.
520 Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 4.9 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 164 feet
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Highest Point
- 164 feet
A paved urban trail running from Montlake, across the new 520 bridge and through several eastside communities with excellent views of Union Bay, Foster Island wetlands and Lake Washington.
Chief Sealth Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 4.3 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 800 feet
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Highest Point
- 330 feet
This urban gem features 4.5 miles of paved trail connecting Jefferson Park and Kubota Gardens, with expansive views all along the way.
Rock Creek
North Cascades > Pasayten
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Length
- 7.1 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 1,500 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,900 feet
Enjoy views of peaks and wildflowers along this connector trail between the PCT and the Pasayten Airstrip. This trail features abundant wildlife and a comfortable grade.
Goode Ridge
Central Cascades > Entiat Mountains/Lake Chelan
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Length
- 10.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 4,400 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,600 feet
A fine trail for those willing to climb to get to great views in a remote part of the North Cascades National Park. Best done as a side trip off an overnight trip from Rainy Pass to Stehekin, or something similar.
Home Lake
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 19.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 6,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,330 feet
Access to Home Lake is possible via several trailheads, but any way you slice it, you're in for a long trip.
Hidden Lake (Lake Wenatchee)
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
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Length
- 1.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 220 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,320 feet
Looking for the perfect first hike for young kids? Eaten too much bratwurst in Leavenworth and need a walk in the woods to settle your stomach? Want a moderate flat snowshoe with a beautiful winter destination? The short trail to Hidden Lake adjacent to Lake Wenatchee is the answer to all of these requests.
Moulton Falls
Southwest Washington > Vancouver Area
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Length
- 4.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 90 feet
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Highest Point
- 570 feet
Moulton Falls Trail is an out-and-back hike along the Lewis River. The trail crosses a picturesque footbridge and then follows the Lewis River with the river to the right and a mossy cliff to the left. The wide, hard-surfaced trail is mostly flat, making this a perfect year-round hike for people of all ages.
Elk Mountain to Maiden Peak
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
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Length
- 8.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,700 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,625 feet
This moderate trail traverses a ridgeline up and down all the way to Maiden Peak.
Pyramid Mountain / Pyramid Peak
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
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Length
- 6.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,750 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,089 feet
When it is hot and dry, escape to this shaded hike through old-growth forest, culminating with views of Washington’s second-deepest lake and its surroundings. But you'll have to cross a precipitous washout 2 miles in to reach the views.
Rialto Beach and Hole-in-the-Wall
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
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Length
- 3.3 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 286 feet
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Highest Point
- 71 feet
Spend a day strolling the rugged Olympic Coast to dramatic sea stacks and natural wonders.
South Coast Wilderness Trail - Toleak Point
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
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Length
- 17.0 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 2,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 350 feet
Bring a tide table and a good book on this scenic traverse of the wild Olympic Coast. While much of your hike will be across sandy beaches, there are several places that will require you wait for the tide to go out. Along the way, plan to climb up steep headlands with cable ladders, ropes and your hands and knees. It's a challenge, but a good one.
Millersylvania State Park
Olympic Peninsula > Olympia
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Length
- 6.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 105 feet
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Highest Point
- 395 feet
Millersylvania State Park sports camping, boating and more than eight miles of hiking trails. The trails zigzag all around, so visitors can construct a loop of up to five miles, and add some side trips on. The huge old growth cedar and fir, easy accessibility to I-5 and excellent opportunity for a pleasant walk in the woods make this an attractive place to hike, especially in winter.