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
4203 HikesGothic Basin
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 9.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,840 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,200 feet
The Mountain Loop Highway is closed between Deer Creek and Bedal Campground for the winter season.
Rough and tumble is the trail, just like the miners that constructed this path. Becoming progressively more rugged, the ascent to Gothic Basin offers tremendous rewards at its end. Early on, one simply meanders alongside the relentless South Fork of the Sauk River, then turns into a forested, increasingly steep bee-line to the basin with waterfalls, flowers, and views of the surrounding mountains to keep one distracted once you leave the forest.
Goat Lake
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 10.4 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,400 feet
-
Highest Point
- 3,161 feet
The Mountain Loop Highway is closed between Deer Creek and Bedal Campground for the winter season.
A nice hike with plenty of variety. Beautiful forest, a rushing creek, waterfalls of all shapes and sizes, history, and of course a large blue-green lake surrounded by snowy peaks. At 10.4 miles, it can be either a day-hike or a quick early season overnight. You won’t be alone, though – this is a popular trail with both hikers and backpackers.
Big Four Ice Caves
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 2.2 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 220 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,938 feet
Never go into or climb on top of the Ice Caves.
The Mountain Loop Highway is closed between Deer Creek and Bedal Campground for the winter season.
This is an easy walk on a wide gravel and boardwalk path to views of Big Four Mountain and the caves beneath the snow. Hikers of all ages and abilities can enjoy this trail.
Bedal Peak
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 7.3 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 4,500 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,554 feet
The Mountain Loop Highway is closed between Deer Creek and Bedal Campground for the winter season.
A scramble up a peak off the Mountain Loop Highway. Route finding gear and previous experience required.
Barlow Point
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 2.4 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 800 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,200 feet
The Mountain Loop Highway is closed between Deer Creek and Bedal Campground for the winter season.
From Barlow Point’s rocky promontory, hikers can take in views of Mount Dickerman, Big Four, and Stillaguamish Peak.
Twin Lakes - Monte Cristo
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 17.2 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 2,939 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,300 feet
The Mountain Loop Highway is closed between Deer Creek and Bedal Campground for the winter season.
Take a nice long walk up the old Monte Cristo Road grade and stop by the townsite on your way. Rougher terrain begins on entering the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness area, and past Silver Lake, the trail becomes difficult to find. Trek along a steep mountain-side before finally cresting the ridge to look down on Twin Lakes and make the steep descent to the camp sites.
St'auk Mountain
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Highest Point
- 4,715 feet
The Mountain Loop Highway is closed between Deer Creek and Bedal Campground for the winter season.
A scramble to a wooded summit near Barlow Pass. Climbing experience and route-finding skills required.
Greenwater Trail to Lost Lakes
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 12.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 2,700 feet
-
Highest Point
- 4,000 feet
Take the trail less traveled by and visit some quiet lakes near Mount Rainier. Or, continue on to extensive views afforded by Noble Knob.
Huckleberry Creek
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 8.6 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 3,835 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,778 feet
This lesser known trail starts in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and then enters the northeast corner of the park, is snow-free early in the season and goes through some amazing old growth.
Nason Ridge
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
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Length
- 21.9 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,800 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,200 feet
Hike a trail that traverses Nason Ridge. Along the way, you'll enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding summits, as well as access to an old fire lookout.
Wilderness Peak Loop
Issaquah Alps > Cougar Mountain
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Length
- 4.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,200 feet
-
Highest Point
- 1,598 feet
Hike trails named in honor of mountaineers Jim Whittaker and Nawang Gombu, of 1963 Mount Everest ascent fame. Wilderness Peak may not be Everest, but it is the highest point in King County's Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park and it does have some wonderful old-growth conifers. This loop offers a diversity of steep forested hillsides, huge mossy boulders, and a low swampy area traversed via a narrow boardwalk.
Cherry Creek Falls
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
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Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 450 feet
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Highest Point
- 705 feet
Hike along old logging roads to a 25-foot tall waterfall on Cherry Creek just outside of Duvall. Note that access to this area is part of an agreement with nearby homeowners, and part of the trail is on private land, so please remain on the main path, observe leash laws and keep noise to a minimum as a courtesy to homeowners along trail. There are no toilets at the trailhead. Plan ahead.
Chimacum Ridge Community Forest
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
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Length
- 4.7 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 330 feet
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Highest Point
- 486 feet
Nearly 5 miles of easy hiking on trails and forest roads, with mountain and valley views.
Snow Lake
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 7.2 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,800 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,400 feet
A relatively short and easy hike within a stone’s throw of Seattle, Snow Lake delivers splendorous alpine scenery – crystal clear waters, towering peaks – at a mere pittance of sweat and toil. Just don’t expect to have the trail to yourself – Snow Lake is Washington's most heavily-used trail in a wilderness area!
Heart O' the Forest
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
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Length
- 4.8 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 500 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,900 feet
This trail is a really nice accompaniment to your morning coffee, but bring a thermos -- it's long enough that the coffee might get cold by the time you reach the end!
Adventure Trail
Issaquah Alps > Tiger Mountain
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Length
- 1.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 300 feet
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Highest Point
- 800 feet
Part of a series of lowland loop trails from the Tradition Plateau trailhead area of Tiger Mountain.
Big Tree Trail
Issaquah Alps > Tiger Mountain
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Length
- 1.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 110 feet
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Highest Point
- 530 feet
The Big Tree Trail is a short (0.5 mile) trail on Tiger Mountain's Tradition Plateau. It passes one of the largest Douglas firs still standing in the Tigers, and also passes a short section of some of the best true swamp you will find in the area, with lots of hanging moss and standing water.
Swamp Trail
Issaquah Alps > Tiger Mountain
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Length
- 1.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 75 feet
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Highest Point
- 520 feet
Take your young hikers out on a half-mile trail through the swampy area north of Tradition Lake. It could even be their first hike! The trail is solidly-constructed, with good footing, no mud and it's almost all level. It's designed with the young visitors in mind. But hey, it's OK if you older folks enjoy it, too!
Hummocks Trail
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
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Length
- 2.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 250 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,550 feet
Popular because it's the perfect balance between day hike and easy enough for little legs, the Hummocks Trail goes up, down and around the hummocks, strange hills that were left behind by the eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980, forming a loop from the trailhead.
Burnt Mountain
South Cascades > White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley
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Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,500 feet
This short, easy ridge walk climbs to a small summit with huge Cascade views and a chance to see mountain goats.
Coal Mines Trail
Snoqualmie Region > Cle Elum Area
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Length
- 5.5 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 453 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,375 feet
The Coal Mines trail is a mellow hike from Cle Elum, through Roslyn and onto Ronald with views of many different coal mining remains. This trail is great for hiking, biking, horseback riding and running.
French Cabin Creek
Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
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Length
- 3.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,800 feet
This short trail guides hikers through open forest to a junction with the Kachess Ridge Trail, where you can continue on to Thorp Lookout or just a little longer wander along the ridge.
Snoqualmie Mountain
Snoqualmie Region
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Length
- 3.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,105 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,278 feet
A scramble to the summit of a peak near Alpental. Proper gear and expertise recommended.
Mount Roosevelt
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 12.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,500 feet
-
Highest Point
- 5,835 feet
A climb off I-90 near Melakwa Lake. Gear and climbing experience required.
Guye Peak
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 3.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,172 feet
A class 3 or 4 scramble to the summit of a peak near Alpental. Climbing gear and expertise recommended.
Source Lake - Winter Route
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,000 feet
-
Highest Point
- 4,100 feet
This trail has an avalanche chute early on in the trail. Be familiar with navigating avalanche terrain and go prepared if you hike this trail in winter.
Rock Creek - Red Pass Loop
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 17.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 5,600 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,400 feet
This is a long distance day hike that includes unmaintained trails. You should be an experienced route finder willing to hike trails less traveled, and prepared for a lonely hike. You may need crampons and ice axe.
Lower Wildcat Lake
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
Lower Wildcat Lake offers an opportunity to get deeper into the backcountry past Snow Lake, while still on a formal trail.
Gem Lake
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 10.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,800 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,857 feet
Gem Lake is nestled at the foot of Wright Mountain and is about two miles beyond the trail junction at Rock Creek trail #1013.1 that intersects with the Snow Lake trail starting at Alpental. Beautiful colors surround the lake in autumn as do the many climbable peaks in the area.
Avalanche Mountain
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 8.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,400 feet
A winter scramble to the summit of a mountain in Snoqualmie Pass. Technical experience and equipment required.