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
4211 HikesShadow 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.
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
-
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
-
Elevation Gain
- 200 feet
-
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.
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 Trail - Issaquah
Issaquah Alps
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Length
- 2.5 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 100 feet
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Highest Point
- 250 feet
A conveniently accessed, easy walk through historical and picturesque downtown Issaquah and surrounding forests.
Island Lake - Rainbow Lake
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 11.7 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,400 feet
The trailhead might be busy, but heading to Island and Rainbow Lakes may afford you more solitude than you'd expect on the crowded I-90 corridor. It's a touch longer than many day hikers want to tackle, and even most of the campers will drop off past Ollalie, or Pratt Lake junctions, leaving you (and a few hardy others) to discover these alpine jewels.
Rainbow Canyon
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 1.0 miles, roundtrip
This is a short hike into a tree-filled gorge. Views include a waterfall, Elbo Creek, and the Quilcene River.
Quinault Rainforest Nature Loop
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
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Length
- 0.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 40 feet
Do a short interpretive loop that passes a crashing creek as it heads to the ocean, gaze up at dizzyingly tall trees, and soak it all in – literally. The Quinault rainforest can average 140 inches of rain each year, so bring your gear – there will be plenty of puddles to splash in on this hike!
Quarry
Issaquah Alps > Cougar Mountain
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Length
- 1.0 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 563 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,312 feet
A trail leading from Coal Creek Falls that takes hikers even deeper into Cougar Mountain Wildland Park.
Pyramid Peak
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 1.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 735 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,715 feet
A short and steep hike in the woods leads to the top of Pyramid Peak, where the hiker is rewarded with an expansive southerly view of the Greenwater River Valley. From this former lookout’s rocky perch, Mount Rainier dominates the skyline to the southwest.
Pyramid Lake
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 4.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,500 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,500 feet
This is a nice, quiet little forest hike, where the journey is half the destination. The lake is pond sized, and surrounded by large boulders. It is pretty in its own way, a still lake with nice reflections, yellow waterlilies and silvered logs floating on the surface. The clumps of grasses and moss growing on the floating logs create a mini ecosystem to observe up close.
Puyallup
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
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Length
- 9.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,300 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,465 feet
This lovely trail through the Glacier View Wilderness can take you across the Wilderness, starting on a ridge with filtered views of Rainier, down past Beljica Meadows Lake(s) up and over a ridge to lovely Goat Lake. Continue up the trail to the National Park boundary and one can continue on to Gobbler's Knob and the old fire lookout there.
Prince Creek
Central Cascades > Entiat Mountains/Lake Chelan
Prince Creek is the starting point for hikers tackling the full Lakeshore Trail, a popular spring backpacking trip. This trail is free from winter snow earlier than many thanks to its low elevation, and because of that, it can get quite full in the early season. Consider starting your hike midweek if you prefer to hike in solitude.
Preston Trail
Issaquah Alps > Tiger Mountain
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Length
- 2.7 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 2,285 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,909 feet
Hike from a transmission line on the north side of Tiger Mountain to various trails on the mountain.