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 HikesYacolt Burn State Forest - Silver Shadow Trail
Southwest Washington > Lewis River Region
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Length
- 2.81 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 87 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,250 feet
Silver Shadow Trail is a three-mile connector trail in the Yacolt Burn State Forest named for being in the shadow of neighboring Silver Star Mountain. Hike it one-way, or connect it with the Tarbell trail to make a 5 mile loop.
Sherlock Peak
Eastern Washington > Selkirk Range
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Length
- 7.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,580 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,200 feet
On this remote hike in the Colville National Forest, you'll find wooded trails and panoramic views of the Columbia River, the Pend Oreille Valley, and Deep Creek.
Sheep Canyon
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
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Length
- 9.3 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,200 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,600 feet
The road to the Sheep Canyon trailhead has washed out and the trailhead is closed. The hike to the Sheep Canyon viewpoints now requires an extra 2.4 miles, and begins at the Blue Lake trailhead, found at the end of the drivable portion of Forest Road 8123.
Shedroof Divide
Eastern Washington > Selkirk Range
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Length
- 22.8 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 5,300 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,600 feet
The Shedroof Divide offers some of the best views in northeast Washington as it traverses the wild high country of the Salmo-Priest Wilderness.
Sharpe Park - Sares Head
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 2.1 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 440 feet
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Highest Point
- 490 feet
This hike just south of Anacortes offers superb views of the ocean and islands from a pair of high vantage points, and it has some fine trails through mixed forest along the way.
Sharpe Park - Montgomery - Duban Headlands
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 1.9 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 425 feet
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Highest Point
- 370 feet
Follow well-signed but sometimes rough trails to a great viewpoint near the water's edge at Porpoise Point. Enjoy views of distant islands, and on a clear day of the distant Olympic Mountains. Sightings of seals, eagles, waterfowl, and sometimes otters are likely.
Shangri La
Issaquah Alps > Cougar Mountain
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Length
- 3.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 643 feet
A gorgeous trail accessible from the Harvey Manning trailhead on Cougar Mountain. Enjoy wildflowers, as well as the notable "Fantastic Erratic" glacier boulder.
Shadow of The Sentinels
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 0.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 50 feet
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Highest Point
- 900 feet
This interpretive trail is a great one for visitors of all ages. Thanks to the boardwalk, it's great for all comers, including those with mobility issues. Educational signs found along the trail illustrate the purpose of our forests and the reason we need to preserve them.
Sehome Arboretum
Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area
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Length
- 6.0 miles of trails
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Elevation Gain
- 325 feet
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Highest Point
- 620 feet
A lush, green refuge with 6 miles of trails is the backyard playground for Western Washington University and Fairhaven College in Bellingham.
Section Line Trail
Issaquah Alps > Tiger Mountain
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Length
- 5.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,022 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,522 feet
A steep trail to the summit of West Tiger 3.
Scott Paul Trail
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 8.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,200 feet
A loop hike to the base of Mount Baker or a rugged alternate route to Park Butte; take your pick. Along the way, soak in sweeping views of the North Cascades, gaze at Koma Kulshan’s glistening glaciers, munch on an inexhaustible supply of berries and marvel at old-growth western hemlock forest.
Scatter Lake
North Cascades > Methow/Sawtooth
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Length
- 9.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,850 feet
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Highest Point
- 7,047 feet
This is one of the best day hikes for larch-spotting in the fall. In the summer, enjoy the reward of swimming or fishing after a steep climb. Scatter Lake is also an excellent destination for an overnight backpack.
Sauk Lake
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 6.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,100 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,200 feet
You’ve done Sauk Mountain and marveled at the fabulous views, now hike down to the delightful little lake you see from the top! The trail is a bit rough and overgrown, but the lake is a quiet alternative to the busy trail above.
Deer and Sand Lake
South Cascades > White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley
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Length
- 5.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 960 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,315 feet
This easily attainable series of lakes provides a good place for kids and adults alike to splash their feet in the sandy bottom and cool water on warm summer days.
Sams Walker Nature Trail
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 1.1 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 50 feet
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Highest Point
- 100 feet
Take a mile-long stroll along a gravelled trail through abandoned farm fields. This trail is barrier free, and trail maintenance WTA is performing will greatly improve it, making it more wheelchair friendly in the future.
Salmo-Priest Loop
Eastern Washington > Selkirk Range
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Length
- 19.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,400 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,480 feet
Hike into the heart of Colville's Salmo-Priest Wilderness — so remote that even grizzly bears have been spotted here. This is high country, with some of the most impressive old-growth stands this side of the Cascades.
Royal Basin via Royal Lake
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 16.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,650 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,700 feet
You will see plenty in the first 7.2 miles of this trip that take you to the shores of Royal Lake, but you should plan your hike to have the time — and energy — to enjoy the wildflower-dotted alpine basin and its milky blue tarns in Upper Royal Basin about three-quarters of a mile past the lake.
Rock Creek
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
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Length
- 18.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 4,300 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,120 feet
If you’re prepared to do some bushwhacking and trail-finding, this trail offers winding forest trails, sweeping mountain views and solitude.
Riverside State Park - Trail 25
Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
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Length
- 25.0 miles of trails
Trail 25 is the main artery that runs through Riverside State Park. Loop options abound here, as do out-and-backs, or just short wanderings.
Beacon Rock State Park - River To Rock Trail
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - WA
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Length
- 1.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 200 feet
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Highest Point
- 280 feet
From the Moorage at Beacon Rock State Park this short connector trail climbs through tall Douglas-fir trees, through the site of an old homestead and Filbert Orchard, then past Ridell Lake on its way to the namesake Rock. Its a great hike for people who arrive at the park by boat or for anyone wanting to make a longer hike of the 1.0 mile Beacon Rock Trail.
Rim Trail
South Cascades > Mount Adams Area
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Length
- 0.9 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 100 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,620 feet
This primitive trail can be difficult to follow as it wanders across a broad forested bench in the heart of the Trapper Creek Wilderness.
Mazama Park via Ridley Creek
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 7.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,600 feet
Hike a trail that WTA is helping restore. The Ridley Creek trail provides access to scenic Mazama Park and views of Mount Baker.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge
Southwest Washington > Vancouver Area
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Length
- 2.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 100 feet
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Highest Point
- 100 feet
More than 5,000 acres of marshes, grasslands and wooded areas are home to more than one hundred species of birds, waterfowl and fish. The refuge has a $3 entry fee, which can be waived with an America the Beautiful/Interagency pass.
Red Town Meadow & Trails
Issaquah Alps > Cougar Mountain
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Length
- 1.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 150 feet
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Highest Point
- 800 feet
Hike easy, very green trails in the northwest corner of Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park. View artifacts from the coal mining era. As optional hike extensions, look in on Far Country Falls, or check out the ongoing downstream Coal Creek Trail.
Red Mountain Lookout via Indian Racetrack
South Cascades > Mount Adams Area
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Length
- 6.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,660 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,968 feet
Visit the historic Indian Racetrack in the Indian Heaven Wilderness with the option to continue on to the scenic Red Mountain Lookout.
Red Mountain (Commonwealth Basin)
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 8.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,900 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,890 feet
Great day hike through old growth with the final 1000 feet on the west slope rock of Red Mountain. When dry, this roughly 40 degree incline is mostly a walk-up with hands needed here and there. Amazing 360 degree view from the summit.
Rattlesnake Trail
Eastern Washington > Palouse and Blue Mountains
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Length
- 12.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,700 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,700 feet
Located deep in the Wenaha-Tucannon wilderness, the Rattlesnake Trail promises wildflowers, expansive views, and even solitude. It's possible to do an out-and-back hike to Indian Corral, but many opt to do the loop with the Panjab Loop.
Rattlesnake Mountain
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 10.5 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 2,775 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,500 feet
If you've hiked to Rattlesnake Ledges and beyond from Rattlesnake Lake, this is a delightful alternative. Thanks to the handiwork of various groups in the outdoor community, hikers can now reach Rattlesnake Mountain from the west, starting from a trailhead at Snoqualmie Point.
Rainy Lake
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 8.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,900 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,900 feet
This is an abandoned trail that heads south along Rainy Creek off of the downstream section of the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Trail up to Rainy Lake. The lake is popular among fishermen, since it is home to lots of trout, but be warned -- route-finding skills are a must on this trip.
Rainier View
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 2.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 300 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,000 feet
This is a great hike for kids with lots to see including wild flowers, big views of Mt. Rainier and maybe even some wildlife including marmots and goats. Take a picnic and enjoy the wonderful sights along this trail.