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
4215 HikesWolf Creek
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
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Length
- 16.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,800 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,100 feet
The Wolf Creek trail departs Hurricane Ridge and plunges eight miles downhill to Whiskey Bend in the Elwha River Valley. It's a lovely route that gets little use along its entire length, though many people wander a couple miles down its length before heading back up.
Bellevue Downtown Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 0.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 30 feet
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Highest Point
- 138 feet
A 20-acre park in the middle of Bellevue.
Sand Ridge
South Cascades > White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley
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Length
- 8.9 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 2,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,400 feet
This trail in the William O. Douglas wilderness climbs from the north side of Highway 12 through second-growth forest. It offers access to Spiral Butte and Shellrock Lake, among other lakes in this area. While it's a lovely spot to enjoy a low-key backpack, the water here can make the area swampy in the spring and early summer.
Russell Ridge
South Cascades
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Length
- 9.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,697 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,767 feet
The Russell Ridge trail takes you along Russell Ridge, and offers connections to multiple other trails, including the Ironstone Mountain Trail (#1141) — providing access to Ironstone Mountain, Burnt Mountain and McNeil Peak — and the Wildcat Trail (#1113).
Rattlesnake Trail
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 6.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 300 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,000 feet
A mostly abandoned trail along (and sometimes in) Rattlesnake Creek that has been washed out in many places due to its numerous crossings of the creek.
Dungeness Recreation Area
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
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Length
- 3.0 miles of trails
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Elevation Gain
- 0 feet
Also known as the portal to the popular Dungeness Spit, there are many equestrian and hiker friendly trails here. Situated on the bluff above the Strait of Juan De Fuca, this area boasts 67 campsites in addition to the scenic, mile-long bluff trail and excellent birdwatching.
Paris Creek
Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
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Length
- 11.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 4,100 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,900 feet
This creek trail takes hikers high above the creek itself and to a nice overlook near the terminus, where adventurers can extend their hike further along the Middle Fork Teanaway or Elsnor Mine trails.
Fifteenmile Creek Railroad Grade
Issaquah Alps > Tiger Mountain
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Length
- 4.8 miles, roundtrip
Hike along one of the old railroad grades on Tiger Mountain, exploring the forests near Issaquah. Begin from the Hidden Forest Trail on the south side of Tiger Mountain.
Mount Spokane State Park - Mount Kit Carson Trail
Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
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Length
- 7.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,500 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,282 feet
Mount Kit Carson Trail 160 begins at Saddle Junction and climbs a short, steep route to the summit of its namesake peak, second tallest of the main peaks within Mount Spokane State Park. While it may lack the elevation of Mount Spokane, it more than makes up for it with superior views; pack a picnic lunch and take advantage of the outstanding vista.
Sleeping Beauty Peak
South Cascades > Mount Adams Area
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Length
- 2.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,400 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,900 feet
A beautiful rocky outcropping provides eye-popping views of Mount Adams.
Wilburton Hill Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 2.8 miles of trails
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Elevation Gain
- 175 feet
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Highest Point
- 230 feet
How's this for a diverse urban hike? Begin in the eastern section of this Bellevue park and hike a series of trails for a satisfying loop through dark second-growth forest. Then, follow a connecting trail over to the western section of the park for a loop though the Bellevue Botanical Garden - both the formal gardens and some additional longer forest trails. Along the way brave a high, narrow trail bridge that crosses a deep ravine. Not enough? Multiple spur trails throughout the park invite further exploration.
Diobsud Creek
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 4.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 440 feet
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Highest Point
- 900 feet
A nice trip through a quiet forest that features trees, moss, and ferns on a steep hillside above a babbling creek.
Switchback
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
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Length
- 1.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 500 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,200 feet
The aptly-named Switchback trail provides a shortcut to Mount Angeles and views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Port Angeles, and the surrounding area, but it comes at a price. Just 0.6 miles long, it climbs 700 feet from the parking area (more of a pullout) on Hurricane Ridge Road to the junction with the Klahhane Ridge Trail, where four different destinations lie at your feet.
June Lake Snowshoe
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
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Length
- 4.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 500 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,140 feet
Strap on your snowshoes and explore the Marble Mountain trails with a gentle hike to June Lake in the shadow of Mount St. Helens.
Edgar Rock
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 3.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,300 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,675 feet
Rock spires across the Naches River from Highway 410 catch the eye of travelers from the roadway. For a closer look, consider a hike to the top of Edgar Rock by way of the Lost Creek Trail. This route proves popular early in the season as well as late in the year. The hike is not very long and features good views at the top.
West Fork Methow River
North Cascades > Methow/Sawtooth
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Length
- 15.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,600 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,280 feet
Take an short and simple walk for a couple of miles up the West Fork Methow River valley, enjoying the sounds of the river along with spring flowers from mid-May to mid-June. Or in late season, take a hike in the early snow, before the road is closed.
Lake Youngs Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 9.16 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 800 feet
Part of King County’s regional trail network, the Lake Youngs Trail is a soft-surface, rolling, sometimes hilly loop around a reservoir and offers a couple connections to other popular trails in the area.
Godman Guard Station - Winter
Eastern Washington > Palouse and Blue Mountains
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Length
- 9.0 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 1,400 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,700 feet
Launch a variety of outdoor adventures from this cozy historic guard station located on the edge of the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness.
Mine Shaft Trail
Issaquah Alps > Cougar Mountain
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Length
- 0.3 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 77 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,506 feet
A short jaunt off the Clay Pit Road to a deep mineshaft left over from mining activities that used to take place on Cougar Mountain in the late 1800s.
Maury Island Natural Area
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 5.0 miles of trails
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Elevation Gain
- 150 feet
On the edge of Maury Island, this 275-acre natural area has the longest undeveloped shoreline along the Puget Sound in King County.
Bobs Lakes
Central Washington > Potholes Region
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Length
- 3.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 440 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,844 feet
This out-and-back hike into a channel of the ice age floods rewards you with stunning vistas, big sky and endless breathing space.
Columbia National Wildlife Refuge - Crab Creek
Central Washington > Potholes Region
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Length
- 2.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 40 feet
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Highest Point
- 870 feet
Explore the desert of eastern Washington at this National Wildlife Refuge.
Columbia National Wildlife Refuge - Rimrock Lake
Central Washington > Potholes Region
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Length
- 3.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 200 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,060 feet
Formerly the Frog Lake Trail, this area is breathtakingly scenic, compensating for the fact that there is no actual lake en route. Frog Lake dried up years ago, leaving a seasonal marsh that occupies a small basin below the trail's ultimate destination; a broad mesa with a 360 degree view of the surrounding scablands of the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge.
Mount Spokane State Park - Snowshoe Summit Route
Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
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Length
- 4.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,328 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,883 feet
This winter-only summit route is a straight shot from Bald Knob Campground to the summit of Mount Spokane.
East Fork
Issaquah Alps > Cougar Mountain
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Length
- 0.7 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 183 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,490 feet
A quiet forest trail with small creeks and ponds, the Clay Pit vista, mining artifacts, and a deep mineshaft. Don't worry, it's covered by a grate.
Curly Creek Falls
Southwest Washington > Lewis River Region
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Length
- 0.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 0 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,285 feet
Visit two waterfalls plunging to the Lewis River on this family friendly accessible trail.
McLane School Forest Trail
Olympic Peninsula > Olympia
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Length
- 1.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 50 feet
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Highest Point
- 190 feet
This multi-use trail, also known as the McLane School Trail, starts at the McLane Elementary School in Olympia. The paved trail goes around the elementary school and includes signs identifying native plant species.
Ralph Munro Trail
Olympic Peninsula > Olympia
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Length
- 4.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 60 feet
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Highest Point
- 190 feet
Formerly known as the McLane Nature Trail, the Ralph Munro Trail was re-named in June of 2018 to honor the man who established the McLane Forest Committee. The trail starts near the McLane Elementary School and goes along Evergreen Pkwy NW towards the Evergreen State College.
Capitol State Forest - Capitol Peak
Olympic Peninsula > Olympia
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Length
- 9.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,300 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,659 feet
There are many different trails that lead to the Capitol Peak in the Capitol State Forest.