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 HikesEvans Creek Preserve
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 4.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 325 feet
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Highest Point
- 480 feet
Evans Creek Preserve features a WTA-built trail system in an ecologically diverse enclave. Wetlands, meadows, and hillside forest can be found in this 179-acre farmstead-turned-suburban nature preserve that will thrill both the hiker and the birdwatcher. Not only that, this gem has ADA-accessible trails and is reachable by public transportation.
Escondido Lake
Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
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Length
- 13.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,700 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,650 feet
Take a short side trip from Waptus Pass to a small, shallow lake on Polallie Ridge.
Equestrian Loop
Issaquah Alps > Squak Mountain
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Length
- 2.4 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 720 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,260 feet
The name of this trail may suggest this is horseback rider heaven, but it’s also great for hikers.
Entiat River
Central Cascades > Entiat Mountains/Lake Chelan
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Length
- 15.25 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 2,690 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,760 feet
A long, rambling gateway into the eastern side of Glacier Peak Wilderness, the Entiat River Trail culminates at its namesake glacier with Mount Maude, Seven Fingered Jack and Mount Fernow towering above. Ravaged by wildfires over the years, the majority of the trail is exposed, dry and dusty. Both flora and fauna are slowly returning and the revealed panorama of bordering peaks makes for an extraordinary wilderness corridor.
Enchanted Valley via East Fork Quinault River
Olympic Peninsula > Pacific Coast
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Length
- 27.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,700 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,035 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.
The East Fork Quinault River Trail is one of the most popular trails on the south portion of the park and hundreds of hikers visit Enchanted Valley to take in the tremendous views and see the famed chalet each year.
Elk Lakes
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 4.9 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 400 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,200 feet
7.30.25: This trail is closed until further notice due to the Hamma Fire.
This hiker-only trail makes for a quick way to sample the ecosystem on the east slope of the Olympic mountains. Plus, it's a decent starter backpacking trip for kids and makes for a nice day for birdwatchers.
Elk Bench
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
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Length
- 2.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 600 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,100 feet
This short trail is located near Coldwater Lake and connects visitors to the Science and Learning Center at Coldwater to the Lakes Trail and the Mount Margaret backcountry.
Elbow Lake
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 16.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,100 feet
Above the banks of the South Fork Nooksack lies Pioneer Camp and the trailhead for the Elbow Lake Trail. Climb gently the first two miles through mature, mid-elevation forest to the Bell Pass Trail junction, a little used route to Mazama Park, or continue another mile to access the remote beauty of Elbow Lake. Large, ancient yellow cedars can be found on the north side of the lake as the trail continues to wind towards the Middle Fork Nooksack.
Elbo Creek
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 9.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,880 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,700 feet
This steep but shady trail features a rhododendron forest, and numerous saprophytic plants. At the end, it connects to a Forest Service road, allowing for additional wandering, to find views of Hood Canal and more.
Eightmile Lake
Central Cascades > Leavenworth Area
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Length
- 6.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,300 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,650 feet
Along a moderate trail into the glorious Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area, past burnt Ponderosa Pines, chattering mountain streams, plenteous wildflowers and tall mountain peaks, hikers will find beautiful Eightmile Lake and its rocky, tree lined shore.
Squire Creek Pass via Eight-mile Trail
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 5.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,350 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,107 feet
Cascading waterfalls from the numerous streams and the frequent tarns located along the way make this an enjoyable hike. Mountain goats are known to frequent the area. During the late summer, ripe huckleberries can be found at the pass. But it comes at a cost -- a steep scramble on an unmaintained trail.
Silver Star Mountain - Ed's Trail
Southwest Washington > Lewis River Region
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Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,240 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,390 feet
There are two routes up the north side of Silver Star Mountain that in good conditions can be combined to form a sort of loop. Along the way, hikers will be delighted with a diverse array of wildflowers, a natural arch, volcanic views and fine hiking. But some sections of Ed's Trail are very exposed, and require agility and flexibility to navigate.
Edds Mountain
Eastern Washington > Okanogan Highlands/Kettle River Range
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Length
- 11.1 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,916 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,320 feet
Wildflowers and views of the Kettle River Valley reward hikers of this lightly-used trail not far from Rebublic. After climbing steeply up to the shoulder of Edds Mountain, you'll ramble ridge-tops until you run into the Kettle Crest Trail.
Eastside Trail
Mount Rainier Area > SE - Cayuse Pass/Stevens Canyon
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Length
- 26.2 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 3,532 feet
Stevens Canyon Road is closed for the winter season.
This long route connects the subalpine environs of Chinook Pass and Tipsoo Lake with the deep, lowland forests of the Ohanapecosh area. It is part of the East Side Loop trail, a long loop that hikers can enjoy in lieu of the Wonderland Trail.
Easton Ridge
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 6.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,270 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,470 feet
Easton Ridge is a hiker’s friend. Located on the east side of Cascades, hikers will often find drier weather here than on the west side, and with a relatively low peak elevation (4462 feet), snow melts out earlier than other nearby summits at higher elevation.
East Ridge Trail
Issaquah Alps > Squak Mountain
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Length
- 1.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,179 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,582 feet
A 1.5 mile connector trail winding up the East Ridge of Squak Mountain. Accesses the Summit Trail and the East Side Trail.
East Fork Lewis River
Southwest Washington > Lewis River Region
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Length
- 8.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,500 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,000 feet
If you like rugged, primitive trails, creek crossings with no bridges and finding a great view at the end of the trail, this hike is for you.
East Crater
South Cascades > Mount Adams Area
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Length
- 5.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 900 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,900 feet
The East Crater Trail is a heavily used connector to the Pacific Crest Trail that also provides relatively easy access to the heart of the Indian Heaven Wilderness.
East Butte Creek
Eastern Washington > Palouse and Blue Mountains
This trail begins at the easily accessible Teepee trailhead and connects to multiple trails within the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness, making it possible to hike as an out-and-back or create longer routes.
Early Winters
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 3.8 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 500 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,530 feet
The Early Winters Trail #522 is a part of a trail that went between the Methow and Skagit rivers. Hikers have the opportunity to tread along a short section of this historic trail, where many have gone in the prior centuries. Depending upon how recently the trail has been maintained, this may include experiencing the difficulties of foot travel through the raw wilds of the North Cascades.
Eagle Creek
North Cascades > Methow/Sawtooth
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Length
- 7.3 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 4,250 feet
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Highest Point
- 7,250 feet
This valley trail in the forest gradually climbs 5 miles to a junction with a side trail to nearby Silver Lake. Beyond the junction, the main trail climbs 3 more miles through alpine meadows and forest to views at Eagle Pass.
Eagle Cliff (Cypress Island)
Puget Sound and Islands > San Juan Islands
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Length
- 2.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 730 feet
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Highest Point
- 730 feet
Cypress Island Natural Resources Conservation Area (NRCA) is the largest relatively undeveloped island in the San Juan Islands and is home to over 5,200 acres of protected forests, wetlands, grasslands and tidelands.
Dumbbell Lake
South Cascades > White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley
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Length
- 13.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,070 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,600 feet
The Tumac plateau is a wonderland of rolling sub-alpine forest broken by wildflower meadows, ponds, and lake after lake. The 14-mile loolipop loop to Dumbbell Lake will take you past seven lakes large enough to have been named along with many smaller ponds and marshes that provide some of the finest elk, trout, and mosquito habitat in the Cascades.
Duckabush River
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 10.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,300 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,750 feet
Explore one of the quieter Olympic Peninsula river valleys. Quiet, that is, if you don't count the Duckabush River's constant belching, crashing, and churning as it tumbles over giant boulders and squeezes through narrow rocky clefts.
Dry Creek
South Cascades > Mount Adams Area
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Length
- 8.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 350 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,500 feet
Low-lying with impressive trees bordering each side of it, this trail is a nice option year-round. The Doug-fir, bigleaf maple, and hemlock forest canopy in this narrow valley shades hikers in the heat of summer, and in winter the elevation means it's unlikely to have heavy snow to navigate. And since much of it's a former railroad grade, the trail is easy enough for hikers of all types.
Dry Creek
Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal
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Length
- 6.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 800 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,600 feet
7.7.25: This trail and FR 24 are closed until further notice due to the Bear Gulch Fire.
Climb through second-growth forest to a not-so-dry creek, while enjoying spring wildflowers and views of nearby Lake Cushman and surrounding peaks. WTA has done years of work on this trail, improving it from a rough footpath to a pleasant, easy-to-follow (if steep) trail.
Flowing Lake Regional Park
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
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Length
- 0.7 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 75 feet
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Highest Point
- 620 feet
With plenty of options for visitors — including a playground, picnic tables, walking trails and a campground — Flowing Lake Regional Park is a fun destination for a pit stop, an hour, the afternoon or the whole weekend.
Andrews Creek
North Cascades > Pasayten
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Length
- 31.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 4,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,700 feet
Dive deep into the heart of the Pasayten Wilderness on the Andrews Creek trail. Walk along Andrews Creek through a burn zone. Connect to the Boundary trail after passing through a lush meadow of wildflowers.
American Ridge
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
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Length
- 12.0 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 2,950 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,310 feet
9.3.25: The trailhead and trail within the William O. Douglas Wilderness are closed until further notice due to the Wildcat Fire.
A steep and dusty trail to a long, beautiful ridge where the rambling is fine, often among a band of elk.
Albert Camp
North Cascades > Pasayten
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Length
- 8.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,900 feet
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Highest Point
- 7,700 feet
Connect to Horseshoe Mountain on this scenic ridge trail that takes you through a lodgepole pine forest and some of the most spectacular views in the Pasayten Wilderness.