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 HikesGem 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.
Wright Mountain
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 10.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,920 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,330 feet
A scramble up a peak above Gem Lake. Climbing gear and experience required.
Mount Townsend - Winter
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 13.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,500 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,500 feet
Hiking Mount Townsend in the winter can be challenging. Depending on how much snow is present, it could require route-finding skills and the ability to evaluate slopes for avalanche risk. Go prepared with gear and a plan B.
Skyline
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
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Length
- 45.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 4,900 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,700 feet
The temporary bridge on North Shore Road has been removed for winter. The Graves Creek and North Fork trailheads are currently inaccessible due to both North Shore and South Shore roads being closed.
This primitive trail spans over 20 miles through Montane and subalpine ecosystems. From the Low Divide Ranger Station to the Three Lakes campsite, the Skyline trail will take you on a steep journey past lakes and to the top of Kimta Peak.
Faraway Rock
Mount Rainier Area > SE - Cayuse Pass/Stevens Canyon
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Length
- 1.3 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 300 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,220 feet
Stevens Canyon Road is closed for the winter season.
The overlook at Faraway Rock is a short jaunt along the Mazama Ridge Trail up from Stevens Canyon Road and Reflection Lakes along the Wonderland Trail. This viewpoint showcases glistening Lake Louise below and the towering Tatoosh Ridge to the south.
Crystal Peak
Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River
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Length
- 8.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,100 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,595 feet
SR 410 (Chinook Pass) is closed between Crystal Mountain Boulevard (12 mi north of summit) and Morse Creek (5 mi east of summit) for the winter season.
Check the weather before heading out for this hike, and if it’s going to be clear, bring a camera. From the summit, it’s possible to see six (yes, six!) volcanoes spanning two states. Baker, Glacier, Adams, Rainier, St. Helens and Hood wait patiently for you to climb the more-than-moderately steep path to the summit of Crystal Peak, where you can take in beautiful snow-capped majesty from the top.
Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
This garden comprises 22 acres of native forest intermingled with numerous other plant species, most notably rhododendrons.
Margaret Lake
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 6.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,800 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,100 feet
Logging paid for most of the trails in the Cascades, so sometimes hikers must expect to hike the terrain that provided that rich stock of timber. This trail starts on an old logging road, leads through old clearcuts—now nicely regrown as lush berry meadows and forest stands—and enters lush old second-growth forest. It’s a great way to experience both the natural and human history of the area, while enjoying some remarkable wild country around a pristine alpine lake.
Snow Lakes
Central Cascades > Leavenworth Area
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Length
- 14.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 4,300 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,500 feet
The Snow Lakes trail is known mostly as the long, gradual way into the Enchantments; but it is a worthwhile - if deceptively grueling - destination in its own right. The narrow isthmus between the lakes offers a majestic view across the water to the towering heights of McClellan Peak.
Mount Spokane State Park - Entrance Loop
Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
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Length
- 1.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 417 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,570 feet
This loop connecting Trails 120, 121 and 122 at Mount Spokane State Park is short and sweet, with enough elevation gain to make it a bit spicy, too!
Lake Sawyer Regional Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 15.0 miles of trails
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Highest Point
- 300 feet
A quiet park where locals and visitors can enjoy a placid lake, birdwatching and relaxing.
Maplewood Heights Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 1.25 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 300 feet
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Highest Point
- 500 feet
Short forested lollipop trail in the Renton Highlands that crosses a creek and has several access points.
Dingford Creek-Myrtle Lake
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 11.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,600 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,800 feet
Hike a rugged trail through second-growth forest and across lively creeks to a high alpine lake.
Gold Creek Pond
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 1.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 10 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,000 feet
The Gold Creek area will close every April 1 – Nov 30 through 2027 for a restoration project.
Gold Creek Pond is an ADA-accessible paved loop hike around a picturesque mountain pond atop Snoqualmie Pass.
Gold Creek Pond Snowshoe
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 2.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 10 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,000 feet
The Gold Creek area will close every April 1 – Nov 30 through 2027 for a restoration project.
The flat terrain of this wide valley east of Snoqualmie Pass is the perfect place to practice snowshoeing with kids or first-timers. This is an area popular with cross-country skiers, and you may spot beaver dams and other winter wildlife. From Mardee Lake to looming Kendall Peak before you, this is premiere terrain for winter enthusiasts.
Sunrise Beach Park
Olympic Peninsula > Kitsap Peninsula
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Length
- 2.0 miles of trails
This 82-acre park sits right on the water, providing visitors with nearly half a mile of shoreline and 2 miles of trails.
Clark Lake Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 1.5 miles of trails
This 130-acre park in Kent contains a small lake and several walking trails.
Rotary Community Park (Woodinville)
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 0.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 0 feet
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Highest Point
- 39 feet
Families will enjoy this small community park in the city of Woodinville. Take a walk in the woods along a half-mile boardwalk loop trail or blow off some steam on the playground pr climbing boulder.
Mill Creek Canyon Earthworks Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 0.9 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 110 feet
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Highest Point
- 170 feet
A combination of design art and nature, this 104-acre park features a trail that winds through Mill Creek Canyon right in the city of Kent.
Northridge Park Trail
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 1.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 200 feet
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Highest Point
- 615 feet
Northridge Park is a small greenspace on the edge of Bellingham's Barkley neighborhood with a short forested loop trail.
Cirque Rim Nature Trail
Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast
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Length
- 0.5 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 100 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,280 feet
Enjoy sweeping views of Port Angeles and the Strait of Juan de Fuca from the Cirque Rim Overlook on this short trail.
Lake Tye
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 2.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 9 feet
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Highest Point
- 45 feet
Enjoy an easy walk (or a jog) around a small lake in a very green, open setting. If you have occasion to be in the Monroe area anyway, come by for a pre-lunch stroll. Or, Lake Tye can be a pleasant add-on if you stop in Monroe for a meal after a longer hike in the Stevens Pass area. Either way, relax and take in the vista of open fields and forested hills.
High Rock
South Cascades > White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley
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Length
- 3.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,365 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,685 feet
Topping out at 5,685 feet, High Rock is dramatically higher than its surroundings. On a clear day, the exposed summit provides outstanding views all around and down. The trail is moderately steep but short, following Sawtooth Ridge 1.6 miles to the summit, where a fire lookout clings to the top.
Annette Lake
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 7.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,800 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,600 feet
Waterfalls, wildflowers, sheltering forests, mountain views and an alpine lake are offered on this well-maintained trail. At the lake, enjoy the sights and relax for a while. If you backpacked in, stay at the campsites for a sunrise and sunset on the lake.
Big Rock Park - North
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 1.25 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 20 feet
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Highest Point
- 571 feet
Great for kids, this park features a zip line, a boardwalk and several trails wending through a variety of environments. Some of them are even ADA-compliant, so they're wheelchair and stroller accessible.
Dash Point State Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 19.0 miles of trails
Dash Point State park is located between Seattle and Tacoma and is a popular spot for water recreation. Birdwatchers can see shorebirds and raptors, while beach explorers can look for crabs and starfish on the shores during low tide. While the park is mostly known for the beach, there are also miles of forested trails for hiking and biking.
Glendale Forest
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 0.25 miles of trails
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Elevation Gain
- 0 feet
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Highest Point
- 200 feet
Through the efforts of WTA, King County Parks, Earth Corps and other community partners, this small 5-acre forest has become a green oasis within the North Highline area of Seattle.
Poo Poo Point - Chirico Trail
Issaquah Alps > Tiger Mountain
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Length
- 3.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,760 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,850 feet
Hike a short but steep trail with many stone steps. Pause at a viewpoint offering a fine view of Mount Rainier, then continue on to Poo Poo Point itself, only 1.9 miles from the trailhead. Enjoy views to the northwest, and perhaps watch paragliders sailing off into the sky.
Pinnacle Lake
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 3.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,200 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,800 feet
A short, but rough hike to two small lakes on the eastern slope of Mount Pilchuck. The first, Bear Lake is under a half mile from the trailhead on a good trail. Once on the way to Pinnacle, however, the trail changes to a rocky, rooty, muddy mess, slow going up, and slow coming down. The reward for putting up with this mess of a trail, is a nice quiet little lake ringed by rocks and trees, usually not crowded, even on a sunny Saturday.