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 treaty 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
3935 HikesOlympic Peninsula -- Olympia
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Bordeaux Ghost Town is located on private property. This, in addition to its status as an archaeological site and concerns over graffiti and excessive trash has led to the land manager requesting that people refrain from visiting the site.
Central Washington -- Wenatchee
9.7 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 900 ft.
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Stairway to Heaven is a single track hiking and mountain biking trail in the foothills of Wenatchee. It climbs gently through fields of flowers and Ponderosa pine up to the summit of Twin Peaks. Enjoy views of the canyons and Wenatchee Valley down below.
Puget Sound and Islands -- San Juan Islands
2.4 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 550 ft.
Highest Point: 688 ft.
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A collaboration between Skagit Land Trust and Washington Trails Association created this 1.2-mile trail up Guemes Mountain, offering views of the surrounding San Juan Islands. A treat year round, you'll also see unique prairie habitat and forest, in addition to those gorgeous views.
North Cascades -- Mountain Loop Highway
10.5 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 3400 ft.
Highest Point: 5250 ft.
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5/25/22 - Trailhead Inaccessible: The Mountain Loop Highway is closed to vehicles between Barlow Pass north to the Bedal gate near the Bedal Campground. This annual winter closure will be lifted in the spring.
Perry Creek proves you can have it all in a single hike – old-growth forest, wildflowers, waterfalls, meadows, expansive mountain views, even lakes! Tread lightly, though-due to its unparalleled diversity of native plants, the area between the summits of Stillaguamish Peak, Mount Forgotten, and Mount Dickerman is a research natural area that could (in theory) be closed to all uses but scientific study.
North Cascades -- Mountain Loop Highway
13.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 4300 ft.
Highest Point: 6005 ft.
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5/25/22 - Trailhead Inaccessible: The Mountain Loop Highway is closed to vehicles between Barlow Pass north to the Bedal gate near the Bedal Campground. This annual winter closure will be lifted in the spring.
Mount Forgotten is an appealing target for the peculiarly determined hiker-turned-climber. Its sheer wall of a summit is very striking and easily instills visions of alpinism in those headed to Mount Forgotten Meadows, but the route takes a roundabout journey that requires not so much vertiginous daring-do as it does oodles of patience. The views from the top are spectacular, particularly the unobstructed view straight up Glacier Peak.
North Cascades -- Mountain Loop Highway
8.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 700 ft.
Highest Point: 2800 ft.
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5/25/22 - Trailhead Inaccessible: The Mountain Loop Highway is closed to vehicles between Barlow Pass north to the Bedal gate near the Bedal Campground. This annual winter closure will be lifted in the spring.
Hike to an old mining town by heading up a long-closed road along the South Fork Sauk River. This route largely sticks to the old route taken by miners over a century ago.
North Cascades -- Mountain Loop Highway
8.2 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 3950 ft.
Highest Point: 5760 ft.
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5/25/22 - Trailhead Inaccessible: The Mountain Loop Highway is closed to vehicles between Barlow Pass north to the Bedal gate near the Bedal Campground. This annual winter closure will be lifted in the spring.
If the best views come to those who earn them, Mount Dickerman offers the fairest vantage along the Mountain Loop. You’ll huff and puff through 4,000 feet of elevation on your way to the summit; in return, you’ll get a superb panorama of nearly every peak in the Mountain Loop. In late summer, it also rewards the intrepid with a bounty of mountain blueberries.
North Cascades -- Mountain Loop Highway
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5/25/22 - Trailhead Inaccessible: The Mountain Loop Highway is closed to vehicles between Barlow Pass north to the Bedal gate near the Bedal Campground. This annual winter closure will be lifted in the spring.
Historic old wagon road at Barlow Pass. An alternative route to getting to the Monte Cristo townsite.
North Cascades -- Mountain Loop Highway
9.2 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2840 ft.
Highest Point: 5200 ft.
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5/25/22 - Trailhead Inaccessible: The Mountain Loop Highway is closed to vehicles between Barlow Pass north to the Bedal gate near the Bedal Campground. This annual winter closure will be lifted in the spring.
Rough and tumble is the trail, just like the miners that constructed this path. Though not always easy, the ascent to Gothic Basin, has tremendous rewards. Early on, one simply meanders along side the relentless South Fork of the Sauk. Quickly though this trail will turn to a no-nonsense bee-line to the basin with waterfalls, flowers, and views of the surrounding mountains to keep one distracted. The ultimate rewards come to those who have enough strength to explore the basin after the ascent.
North Cascades -- Mountain Loop Highway
10.4 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1400 ft.
Highest Point: 3161 ft.
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5/25/22 - Trailhead Inaccessible: The Mountain Loop Highway is closed to vehicles between Barlow Pass north to the Bedal gate near the Bedal Campground. This annual winter closure will be lifted in the spring.
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.
North Cascades -- Mountain Loop Highway
11.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 4200 ft.
Highest Point: 6610 ft.
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5/25/22 - Trailhead Inaccessible: The Mountain Loop Highway is closed to vehicles between Barlow Pass north to the Bedal gate near the Bedal Campground. This annual winter closure will be lifted in the spring.
A scramble to Del Campo Peak from Gothic Basic. Class 3 or 4. Technical expertise required.
North Cascades -- Mountain Loop Highway
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5/25/22 - Trailhead Inaccessible: The Mountain Loop Highway is closed to vehicles between Barlow Pass north to the Bedal gate near the Bedal Campground. This annual winter closure will be lifted in the spring.
This snowshoe route is no longer a viable option due to the roads being quite overgrown with several washouts.
North Cascades -- Mountain Loop Highway
7.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 250 ft.
Highest Point: 1800 ft.
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5/25/22 - Trailhead Inaccessible: The Mountain Loop Highway is closed to vehicles between Barlow Pass north to the Bedal gate near the Bedal Campground. This annual winter closure will be lifted in the spring.
Trail closed: The bridge over the Stillaguamish River has been removed for repairs rendering the Big Four Ice Caves inaccessible
Never go into or climb on top of the Ice Caves
While this is a popular location to snowshoe in wintertime, there is high risk in winter from avalanches off the mountain that feeds these caves. Keep to the main trail, and do not venture onto the snowfields at the end of the route.
North Cascades -- Mountain Loop Highway
2.2 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 220 ft.
Highest Point: 1938 ft.
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5/25/22 - Trailhead Inaccessible: The Mountain Loop Highway is closed to vehicles between Barlow Pass north to the Bedal gate near the Bedal Campground. This annual winter closure will be lifted in the spring.
Trail closed: The bridge over the Stillaguamish River has been removed for repairs rendering the Big Four Ice Caves inaccessible
Never go into or climb on top of the Ice Caves
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.
North Cascades -- Mountain Loop Highway
2.4 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 800 ft.
Highest Point: 3200 ft.
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5/25/22 - Trailhead Inaccessible: The Mountain Loop Highway is closed to vehicles between Barlow Pass north to the Bedal gate near the Bedal Campground. This annual winter closure will be lifted in the spring.
From Barlow Point’s rocky promontory, hikers can take in views of Mount Dickerman, Big Four, and Stillaguamish Peak.
North Cascades -- Mountain Loop Highway
17.2 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2939 ft.
Highest Point: 5300 ft.
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5/25/22 - Trailhead Inaccessible: The Mountain Loop Highway is closed to vehicles between Barlow Pass north to the Bedal gate near the Bedal Campground. This annual winter closure will be lifted in the spring.
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.
North Cascades -- Methow/Sawtooth
2.8 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 686 ft.
Highest Point: 2877 ft.
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This well-marked snowshoe route near Sun Mountain Lodge offers outstanding views, a variety of terrain, and more solitude than you might expect.
Snoqualmie Region -- North Bend Area
11.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 480 ft.
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The hike from the Cedar Falls trailhead to the junction with the Change Creek route is one through history. You will walk along a decommissioned railroad passing by the remnants of the line. Starting at the Cedar Falls trailhead, begin your hike just past the outhouse, crossing a paved road, and picking up the gravel path.
Eastern Washington -- Selkirk Range
3.0 miles, roundtrip
Highest Point: 3714 ft.
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Enjoy this short day hike with views of Chewelah and the surrounding valley and mountains.
Olympic Peninsula -- Hood Canal
Gain: 3000 ft.
Highest Point: 6364 ft.
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Tyler Peak is located northwest of Mount Townsend. While this area can be windy, and views are obscured by fog, when it's clear, you'll enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding area. Experience navigating off-trail and some climbing experience are necessary to summit Tyler Peak.
Eastern Washington -- Selkirk Range
0.5 miles, roundtrip
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The sign outside the Manresa Grotto states simply: "A beautiful grotto exists." And it's true! It does exist, and while it's beautiful in its own way, it can be a little eerie when one visits alone on a rainy day.
Central Washington -- Yakima
10.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2531 ft.
Highest Point: 5749 ft.
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Hiking to Jumpoff Lookout may not be for everybody, but if you make the trek, it has a lot to offer. From a family-friendly lake to a more challenging climb to a fire lookout.
Mount Rainier Area -- SW - Longmire/Paradise
8.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 4640 ft.
Highest Point: 10080 ft.
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Enter rarefied air as you climb halfway up the most popular route to the summit of Mount Rainier. This is Camp Muir, a perch higher than the summits of nearly all mountains in the state. In addition to commanding views of the South Cascades, catch a glimpse of both the history of the park and the dramatic landscape of Rainier’s upper reaches.
North Cascades -- Mountain Loop Highway
15.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 4700 ft.
Highest Point: 4849 ft.
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A summit outside of Darrington without an official trail system. The approach is on private property. Hikers are requested to respect this and stay on the road if you elect to visit it.
Puget Sound and Islands -- Seattle-Tacoma Area
5.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 200 ft.
Highest Point: 300 ft.
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As the largest urban park in Pierce County, the network of roads and trails weaving through the forest preserve provides a quiet retreat for joggers, cyclists, and hikers.
Snoqualmie Region -- North Bend Area
5.6 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1585 ft.
Highest Point: 2370 ft.
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You'll work up a sweat on this easy to moderate hike to the spectacular Teneriffe Falls. Go in the spring when the tread is snow-free and the waterfall is flowing at full volume. Along the way, you'll be rewarded with views of the surrounding Snoqualmie valley and nearby peaks.
Mount Rainier Area -- Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
1.45 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 0 ft.
Highest Point: 791 ft.
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The expansive acreage of this park allows for a wide variety of activities, including hiking, biking, boating, fishing, swimming, bird and wildlife viewing, even lawn games such as horseshoes! The hiking trail is a lovely loop around Deep Lake.
Central Cascades -- Leavenworth Area
6.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1800 ft.
Highest Point: 3000 ft.
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Often free of snow as early as April, this excellent early season hike offers hikers what they have been missing for months: a good chance of sun (this being the sunny side of the Cascades, a bountiful array of wildflowers, and stunning views of Tumwater and Icicle Canyon, the Wenatchee and Icicle rivers and surrounding mountains.
Central Washington -- Yakima
5.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 550 ft.
Highest Point: 1200 ft.
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Gingko Petrified Forest State Park presents a unique look at Central Washington's shrub–steppe. The real experience comes from exploring its backcountry.
Issaquah Alps -- Tiger Mountain
5.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 2100 ft.
Highest Point: 2525 ft.
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Temporary closure: Effective on Tuesday July 6 2021 portions of this trail and others that access privately owned forest lands surrounding the summits of West Tiger Mountain will be temporarily closed until further notice while road work and timber harvesting occur. For your safety please respect the closure area.
Don't expect solitude here- this is perhaps the most heavily used trail on Tiger Mountain, and for good reason. Fortunately, there is plenty of room to share. This close-to-the-city wild land trail provides stunning views, great forestlands, and ample opportunities to see birds and critters. West Tiger- one of the sprawling mountain's four primary peaks (West, Middle, South and East)- is itself a tri-crowned peak. Numbered 1 through 3, the third of the West Tiger peaks offers the best views, despite being the lowest of the triplets.