14 Best Hikes In Washington State, USA – Fantastic Trails!

Washington has become world-renowned for its great hiking and rambling paths, which are suitable for everyone from beginners to the super-spry!!

Washington is a breathtakingly gorgeous state that boasts three national parks, five major volcanoes, hundreds of gem-colored alpine lakes, and mountain ranges that match anything in the lower 48. Needless to say, deciding on the top treks in Washington is a difficult process!

So, I’ve compiled a list of the 14 most popular hiking trails in Washington.  Some of these Best Hikes In Washington State, USA are easy, while others are the hardest hikes in Washington but all are accessible for beginners who are prepared.

Remember as with any hike, always be prepared, tell someone where you’re going, and have enough water and food for your journey. Now, when it comes to hiking, it’s always crucial to pay attention to local knowledge, and park rangers, and only go out with licensed guides if you’re unfamiliar with the routes.

Best Hikes In Washington

While Washington has over 1,000 hiking trails, even a lifetime of exploring is unlikely to allow you to explore them all. We’ve compiled a list of the greatest Washington treks for you to check off your list. The following are the most scenic hikes in Washington state.

1. The Enchantments Trail, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest

The Enchantments Trail in Washington is the pinnacle of high alpine exploration. The arduous 18-mile “Enchantment Core” trek in the Okanagon-Wenatchee National Forest’s aptly called Alpine Lakes Wilderness can be completed in multiple days by acquiring a highly sought-after permit. The entire course can also be completed in one long day of trekking for a genuine challenge.

The Enchantments Trail, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest

The hike is full of breathtaking peaks, beautiful lakes, and, if you’re lucky, mountain goats! This hike begins at the same trailhead as Colchuck Lake, but leads you up Aasgard Pass, through the Enchantments Basin, past Snow Lake, and drops back. You will arrive at the Snow Lake trailhead.

To do this as a thru trek, which we recommend to avoid having to go up and down Aasgard Pass, you’ll need two automobiles. And you should start early no matter how fit you think you are, this hike will take at least 12 hours for most people.

In the summer, the sun sticks around well past 9 pm, this is less of a concern, but in the fall, you’ll want to be sure you’ve finished your descent before it gets dark between 5 and 6 p.m. That means you should begin between 5 and 6 a.m.

  • Difficulty: Very Hard
  • Elevation Gain: 4,500 ft.
  • Length: 18+ miles
  • Dog-Friendly: no
  • Fee: $5

2. Skyline Trail, Mount Rainier National Park

The Skyline Trail is one of Mount Rainier National Park’s most well-known hiking trails. On Mount Rainier’s south side, it makes a huge loop with uninterrupted vistas above Paradise. During peak season (July and August), your journey will be rewarded with vistas of cascading waterfalls, towering glaciers, and subalpine meadows bursting with vibrant wildflowers.

Skyline Trail, Mount Rainier National Park

The trail system leading out of Paradise is quite extensive, so stop by the visitor center to pick up a free map of the area. The Trail can be completed either clockwise or counterclockwise. I’ve hiked the trail counterclockwise in the past.

Hiking in this manner allows you to cut a mile and a half off the total length by taking the Golden Gate Trail up through the valley. If you’re short on time, this is a wonderful alternative!

  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Elevation Gain: 1450 ft.
  • Length: 5.5 miles
  • Dog-Friendly: no
  • Fee: $11.50 for online reservation, 13.50 per phone reservation

3. Cascade Pass Trail, North Cascades National Park

The Cascade Pass Trail is one of the most accessible paths in North Cascades National Park, despite its isolated location. The trail is one of the greatest in the North Cascades and offers some of the simplest terrains for getting deep into this wonderful alpine setting.

Cascade Pass Trail, North Cascades National Park

This trail is one of the most popular in the park due to its ease of access, but with many vistas of craggy Cascade peaks and the glaciated valleys that characterize them, the Cascade Pass Trail is worth the sometimes-crowded circumstances.

The route is partially covered at first but goes to gravel around halfway. Cascade Pass is a 3-mile round-trip hike with almost 1800 feet of elevation gain spread out over multiple switchbacks. Greater experienced hikers can continue on the Sahale Arm Trail for even more views of subalpine meadows and rugged terrain.

  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Elevation Gain: 1800 ft.
  • Length: 3.7 miles
  • Dog-Friendly: No
  • Fee: No entry fees

See Also: Romantic Things To Do In Portland 

4. Hoh River Trail, Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park, located on Western Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, contains a diverse range of stunning scenery. The national park has a magnificent rain forest as well as a craggy ocean shore and the snowcapped Olympic Mountains. The Hoh River Trail on the park’s northwest side is one of the greatest places to explore this lush area.

Hoh River Trail, Olympic National Park

The Hoh River Trail, which is more than 17 miles long, allows tourists to create their own trips. Users can travel as far as they like through the deep jungle before returning. The trail is pretty flat the entire way and large enough at the start to accommodate the summer crowds.

  • Difficulty: Challenging
  • Elevation Gain: 786 ft.
  • Length: 3.8 miles
  • Dog-Friendly: No
  • Fee: $20 per private vehicle

5. Colchuck Lake

Colchuck Lake is the most difficult trek on this list, but it is a well-known and well-maintained track that is easily accessible. If you’re new to hiking, I wouldn’t recommend this as your first path, but it’s a must-see once you’ve logged some miles! The views of Colchuck Lake from the summit are among the best in Washington, and on a hot summer day, you can even plunge in to cool off.

Colchuck Lake

A permit (obtained through a lottery system) is required to camp here, however, day hikers are welcome. Keep in mind that the parking lot frequently fills up extremely early, so try to arrive as early as possible (especially if you are visiting on a weekend).

This trek is also best done in the summer when the snow melts, so plan to hike between June and October, depending on snow conditions. I highly recommend stopping in the nearby town of Leavenworth for a nice supper before returning to Seattle!

  • Difficulty: Moderate-Strenuous
  • Elevation Gain: 2280 ft.
  • Length: 8 miles
  • Dog-Friendly: No
  • Fee: $5 per vehicle/per day

See Also: Things To Do In Lauterbrunnen 

6. Wallace Falls Trail, Wallace Falls State Park

Because of its close proximity to Seattle, this is a very popular hiking trail in Washington, particularly on weekends.

Wallace Falls Trail, Wallace Falls State Park

The Wallace Falls Trail begins on a flat, gravel walk beneath electric poles. On a clear day, the mountains can be seen in the distance. Look for the bench at the far end of the gravel walk, just before the left turn into the woods.

You can sit here for a long and take in the vista while reading the interpretative sign that lists all of the mountain peaks in the distance.

Aside from the waterfall, there are many other great attractions to discover on the Wallace Falls Trail! There is so much to see and do here, from the moss-covered trees to the beautiful streams that run through the trail.

  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Elevation Gain: 1300 ft.
  • Length: 3.7 miles
  • Dog-Friendly: Yes
  • Fee: $30

7. Steamboat Rock Trail, Steamboat Rock State Park

Take a look at this 4.0-kilometer circular trail near Electric City, Washington. It takes an average of 2 hours and 1 minute to finish this moderately difficult route. Although this is a popular trail for birding, hiking, and trail running, you can still find seclusion during quieter times of the day.

The optimum months to visit this trail are from March through October. Dogs are permitted but must be kept on a leash.

Steamboat Rock Trail, Steamboat Rock State Park

The Steamboat Rock Trail entails a bit of a climb to get to this remarkable geological formation. The panoramic vistas of the surrounding countryside, on the other hand, are well worth the sore calf muscles.

Atop the butte, you can see the impact of the Ice Age on Eastern Washington thousands of years ago. If you arrange your journey for the spring, you’ll most likely be hiking beside a plethora of wildflowers to complement this age-old scenery.

  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Elevation Gain: 550 ft.
  • Length: 4.0 miles
  • Dog-Friendly: Yes
  • Fee: $25

8. Wonderland Trail, Mount Rainier National Park

The Wonderland Trail is a 93-mile hiking trail that surrounds Washington’s most iconic volcano, Mount Rainier. Every year, hikers compete for permission to go on a backpacking trip on it, with just a select few obtaining the permits to complete this hard hike.

Wonderland Trail, Mount Rainier National Park

While it’s one of the most beautiful paths in Washington, it’s also one of the most difficult, with loads of elevation gain and loss as hikers climb in and out of lahars, up into ridges, and on Mount Rainier’s flanks.

Doing plenty of research, having a good awareness of your hiking skills and abilities, and creating a specific, day-by-day itinerary for your trek are the best ways to be prepared for this hike.

  • Difficulty: Strenuous
  • Elevation Gain: 3500 ft.
  • Length: 93 miles
  • Dog-Friendly: No
  • Fee: $6

See Also: Waterfalls Near Bend Oregon 

9. Sol Duc Falls Trail, Olympic National Park

The Sol Duc Falls Trail is a popular family-friendly way to explore the nearby Sol Duc Valley, which includes the cascading Sol Duc River. The trail is easily accessible from Olympic National Park’s Sol Duc Campground or Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort.

The roughly two-mile climb to the magnificent Sol Duc Falls is only the beginning of a lengthier trail that takes you deep into the national park’s center.

Sol Duc Falls Trail, Olympic National Park

The trail continues into the Seven Lakes Basin, providing vistas of alpine lakes and subalpine meadows for those looking for a longer hike. To camp in the park’s Seven Lake Basin, you must obtain a permit in advance.

The Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort itself has a variety of amenities to enjoy before or after your trip, such as mineral baths, massages, and a comfortable spot to rest before your next hike in the park.

  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Elevation Gain: 200 ft.
  • Length: 1.6 miles
  • Dog-Friendly: Yes
  • Fee: $25 for 7 consecutive days or $50 for an annual Olympic National Park pass

10. Lake Ann Trail, Mount Baker Highway

This Lake Ann Trail is not to be confused with the nearby Lake Ann found at Rainy Pass in North Cascades National Park; instead, it is located in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.

Lake Ann Trail, Mount Baker Highway

This hike, accessible from the Mount Baker Highway, provides unrivaled views of Mount Baker and, more importantly, Mount Shuksan, all from the tranquil beaches of Lake Ann. Artist Point, as the name suggests, represents the start of this wild and fascinating journey.

The trail begins in the cool woods and descends around 2 miles and 800 feet to a lovely meadow and Swift Creek. The trail then climbs 1000 feet via boulder fields and meadows. After about 4 miles, you’ll arrive at the saddle above Lake Ann. The view of Mt.

Shuksan and its glaciers from up close is amazing. The crack and crash of ice calving from glaciers, as well as the thunder of dozens of waterfalls, can be heard from time to time.

  • Difficulty: Hard
  • Elevation Gain: 1900 ft.
  • Length: 3.4 miles
  • Dog-Friendly: Yes
  • Fee: $5/vehicle/day

11. Umatilla Rock Trail, Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park

There is no better spot to immerse yourself in the eastern Washington countryside than Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park near Coulee City. The cliffside of Dry Falls is a striking feature of this high desert environment. This gigantic water feature was more than twice the size of Niagara Falls thousands of years ago, during massive Ice Age floods.

Umatilla Rock Trail, Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park

While there are other ways to see this gigantic geological namesake, including the neighboring Lenore Caves Trail, the vista along the Umatilla Rock Trail is the best. This five-mile walk offers an upward view from the base of the 400-foot cliff that is Dry Falls.

The Umatilla Rock Trail is a circular trail that circumnavigates Umatilla Rock, affording a unique view of Eastern Washington’s dry landscape.

  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Elevation Gain: 200 ft.
  • Length: 2.6 miles
  • Dog-Friendly: Yes

See Also: Plan A Trip Zion To Bryce Canyon

12. Ape Cave Trail, Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument

Discover this out-and-back trek in the area of Cougar, Washington. It takes an average of 1 hour and 18 minutes to accomplish this moderately difficult route. This is a popular hiking region, so you’ll almost certainly run into other people while exploring. The optimum months to visit this trail are from March through October.

Ape Cave Trail, Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument

Ape Cave is a lava tube discovered in 1951 in Gifford Pinchot National Forest, immediately south of Mount St. Helens in Washington State.

With a length of 2.5 miles, it is the longest continuous lava tube in the continental United States and the third-largest (in total mapped length) lava tube in North America (4,023 meters). Ape Cave Trail No. 239, which passes through the cave’s interior, is designated as a National Recreation Trail receiving 170,000 visitors each year.

  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Elevation Gain: 350 ft.
  • Length: 2.5 miles
  • Dog-Friendly: allowed on the surface trails around the cave, they are NOT permitted inside the cave itself.
  • Fee: $5/vehicle/day

13. Hidden Lake Lookout

Hidden Lake Lookout was my first lookout hike in Washington, and what a great way to get started! Hidden Lake Lookout, perched precariously on a rocky outcropping at 6,850 feet, provides expansive views of the southern North Cascades National Park and the Glacier Peak Wilderness.

Hidden Lake Lookout

This hike, in my mind, is divided into three sections. The journey begins in a dense forest and then opens up into a rocky slope with massive zig-zagging switchbacks that run all the way up to the pass.

Once you reach the pass, the trail leveled out (though it’s still a climb), and you wound your way through a massive boulder field until you reach the big rock pinnacle overlooking Lost Lake far below.

DO NOT head down to the lake from the overlook, which is located at the top of a granite pinnacle. The lake is much further away than it appears, and it’s not a pleasant backtrack. It can be difficult to make your way up to the overlook at this point, but there is a track that leads most of the way.

  • Difficulty: Moderately Difficult
  • Elevation Gain: 3300 ft.
  • Length: 8 miles
  • Dog-Friendly: Yes
  • Fee: $5/vehicle/day

See Also: Best Parks In Portland

14. Maple Pass Loop

Maple Pass Loop is the only hike in Washington that I undertake every year. Occasionally, more than once. The first half of October is undoubtedly the greatest time to visit because the larches are at their golden peak. This is a sight you do not want to miss!

Maple Pass Loop

The loop trail can be hiked either clockwise or counterclockwise. I’ve done both, and I’m not sure which is preferable. Going clockwise completes the steep section of the route, allowing your knees to enjoy a more moderate drop on the home stretch.

The views gradually expand as you climb if you do the hike counterclockwise, and the ascent is, of course, a little more gentle on the way up. You truly can’t go wrong though!

  • Difficulty: Moderately Difficult
  • Elevation Gain: 2000 ft.
  • Length: 7.5 miles
  • Dog-Friendly: Yes
  • Fee: $5/vehicle/day

Names of Mountains In Washington State

Washington is one of the most mountainous states in the US, with 3,167 recognized mountains, the highest and most prominent of which is Mount Rainier. Below we have mentioned the name of 25 beautiful Mountains in Washington.

  1. Mount Rainier
  2. Mount Adams
  3. Mount Baker
  4. Glacier Peak
  5. Bonanza Peak
  6. Mount Stuart
  7. Mount Fernow
  8. Goode Mountain
  9. Mount Shuksan
  10. Buckner Mountain
  11. Mount Logan
  12. Jack Mountain
  13. Mount Spickard
  14. Black Peak
  15. Mount Redoubt
  16. North Gardner Mountain
  17. Dome Peak
  18. Silver Star Mountain
  19. Eldorado Peak
  20. Dragontail Peak
  21. Forbidden Peak
  22. Oval Peak
  23. Mesahchie Peak
  24. Fortress Mountain
  25. Mount Lago

Best Hikes In Washington – FAQs

What is the hardest hike in Washington?
The Middle Index is often regarded as the most difficult summit to reach in all of Washington. It is located on the Index Massif between the Main Peak and the North Peak (both of which are already on this list!). The Index Traverse is the most accessible path, yet it is also one of the most difficult traverses in the state.
What is the dangerous hike in America?
Mount Ranier in the state of Washington is at the top of the list for a variety of reasons. Over 400 people have died on the trail, making it America’s worst hike. Mount Rainier has an unpredictable volcano, harsh weather that changes swiftly, falling rocks, and avalanches.
Is Mount Washington a difficult hike?
The top of Mount Washington, considered one of the most challenging walks in the world, is both a courageous and rewarding effort. While the journey is just about eight miles round-trip (depending on which path a hiker takes), it is not without its hazards, many of which have taken lives.
What is the easiest hike up Mount Washington?
The Jewell Trail is the most direct route up Mount Washington. It begins on Base Road in the parking area of the Cog Railway station. The trail is around 5.2 miles one-way and climbs “just” 4,000 feet of elevation, making it more moderate than the other trails to the peak.
Is it safe to hike alone in Washington?
Hiking alone on the trail can make you feel much more exposed than hiking with others. Chances are, you’ll never need it, but it can help to carry along a form of protection that you’re familiar with.
How long does it take to hike Washington?
A pace of roughly 1 1/2 to 2 miles per hour is more typical for ordinary hikers, resulting in ascent times of two to three hours. We frequently see periods of five or six hours or longer for folks who have not hiked regularly and are taking on Mount Washington as a physical challenge. Don’t be worried.

 

Conclusion

I hope this list motivates you to plan some walks and go outside! Washington has some absolutely great hiking paths for hikers of all skill levels.

It’s difficult to go wrong with any of these paths, with crystal blue alpine lakes, meadows blooming with wildflowers, and spectacular views of craggy peaks.

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