Hikes in Washington

Washington is a great state for hikers. The Cascade Mountains are the principal range in Washington, running the entire length of the state. This range of volcanic peak includes the famous peaks, Mount Rainier and Mount Saint Helens. Mount Rainier has more glaciers than any mountain in the contiguous United States, making it a stupendously rugged and beautiful environment. The state border-straddling Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is also a lovely place to hike.

Highlights of Washington

  • This tremendously scenic 5.5-mile loop explores the slopes of Mount Rainier and should be consider the park's must-do hike.
  • The 7.75-mile lollipop loop in Beacon Rock State Park visits bombastic waterfalls and panoramic cliffs along the Columbia River Gorge.
  • This 6-mile hike visits a fire lookout tower near the summit of Mount Fremont with incredible views over Mount Rainier and the surrounding mountains.
  • This 3.75-mile loop crosses fields of summer wildflowers, passes subalpine lakes, and offers great views of Mount Rainier.
  • This 3-mile loop travels through an old-growth forest to a waterfall on Ohanapecosh River in the southeast corner of Mount Rainier National Park.
  • This 1.25-mile loop explores a colorful canyon re-carved by the 1980 eruption of Mount Saint Helens.
  • This adventurous 0.75 to 3.75-mile underground hike travels through one of the longest lava tubes in the world.
  • This 0.25-mile nature trail tours a landscaped that was transformed by a molten lava flow, and for extra fun, visitors can crawl through a 50-foot long lava tub that runs beneath the trail.
  • This 2.6-mile hike visits a small lake and a waterfall on the southern slopes of Mount Saint Helens.

Washington Hiking

This collection of trails in Washington lists hikes from north to south. The table may also be sorted alphabetically or by distance to help you pick your next hike. Each trail links to its own report complete with photos, GPS maps, elevation profiles, directions, and all the other information needed to locate and enjoy these hikes. Below the table is an interactive map showing the location of each hike.

Trail
Description
Distance
Location
Mount Fremont Lookout550Mount Fremont Lookout Trail in Mount Rainier NP
This out and back hike visits a fire lookout tower near the summit of Mount Fremont with incredible views over Mount Rainier and the surrounding mountains.
6 miles
800 feet
46.914598,
-121.642045
Mount Rainier Naches Peak600Naches Peak Loop Trail in Mount Rainier NP
This colorful loop crosses fields of summer wildflowers, passes subalpine lakes, and offers great views of Mount Rainier.
3.75 miles
575 feet
46.869727,
-121.520033
Mount Rainier Skyline Trail650Skyline Trail in Mount Rainier NP
This tremendously scenic loop on the slopes of Mount Rainier is considered the park's must-do hike.
5.5 miles
1,625 feet
46.786691,
-121.734536
Mount Rainier Silver Falls700Silver Falls Loop Trail in Mount Rainier NP
This loop travels through an old-growth forest to a waterfall on Ohanapecosh River in the southeast corner of the park.
3 miles
300 feet
46.7362,
-121.5664
Lava Canyon Trail750Lava Canyon Trail in Mount Saint Helens NVM
This loop explores a colorful canyon re-carved by the 1980 eruption of Mount Saint Helens.
1.25 miles
250 feet
46.165878,
-122.088824
June Lake Trail800June Lake Trail in Mount Saint Helens NVM
This out and back hike visits a small lake and a waterfall on the southern slopes of Mount Saint Helens.
2.6 miles
450 feet
46.137203,
-122.156568
Ape Cave850Ape Cave in Mount Saint Helens NVM
This adventurous underground hike travels through one of the longest lava tubes in the world.
0.75 - 3.75 miles
400 feet
46.108362,
-122.211432
Trail of Two Forests900Trail of Two Forests in Mount Saint Helens NVM
This short nature trail tours a landscaped that was transformed by a molten lava flow. For extra fun, crawl through a 50-foot long lava tube beneath the trail.
0.25 miles
25 feet
46.099126,
-122.212565
Guler Ice Cave910Guler Ice Cave in Gifford Pinchot NF
This short hike goes underground to explore an old lava tube with frozen stalactites and stalagmites, plus other interesting cave features.
0.25 miles
25 feet
45.9613,
-121.63265
Coyote Wall Hike920Coyote Wall
This partial loop hike has panoramic views from basalt cliffs rising from the Columbia River.
5.8 miles
1575 feet
45.7006,
-121.4012
Catherine Creek Arch921Catherine Creek Arch
This hike leads to the base of a curious natural arch in a basalt bluff.
1 mile
100 feet
45.7105,
-121.3621
Coyote Wall Hike922Catherine Creek Interpretive Trail
This paved loop with plentiful views across the Columbia River Gorge explores meadows that burst with seasonal wildflowers, passing an overlook for a small waterfall.
0.9 miles
100 feet
45.71041,
-121.36165
Dog Mountain Hike925Dog Mountain
This hike explores forests, wildflower-covered slopes, and grand views from a mountain along the Columbia River Gorge.
6.65 - 7.4 miles
2825 feet
45.6992,
-121.7080
Hamilton Mountain Trail928Hamilton Mountain
The beautiful lollipop loop visits bombastic waterfalls and panoramic cliffs along the Columbia River Gorge in Beacon Rock State Park.
7.75 miles
2025 feet
45.6326,
-122.0198
Beacon Rock Trail930Beacon Rock Trail
This hike takes an impressively engineered trail packed with switchbacks that scale a monolith along the Columbia River in Beacon Rock State Park.
1.6 miles
600 feet
45.62854,
-122.02222
Round Lake Loop & Pothole Falls940Round Lake Loop & Pothole Falls
This circuit wraps around a soothing lake with a side trail to cubbyhole cascades.
1.6 miles
200 feet
45.60395,
-122.4070
Palouse Falls State Park980Palouse Falls
This short walk leads to a clifftop viewpoint facing a bold 180-foot waterfall in a basalt-walled canyon.
0.15 miles
40 feet
46.6637,
-118.2275
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Palouse Falls State Park Waterfall Trail Campground Viewpoint Washington
Palouse Falls appears like magic. The drive into Palouse Falls State Park crosses a broad grassy plain where you would never expect to find a waterfall. At the end of the dusty road, the land opens up to reveal a beautiful scene. A 180-foot waterfall plunges from the basalt wall of a gouged-out canyon. A short, 0.15-mile round trip walk explores a clifftop viewpoint with great... Read more.
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Tagged with · LaCrosse · Palouse Falls State Park · Washington State Parks · Waterfalls
Distance: 0.15 miles · Elevation change: 40 feet
By: Published: Last updated: June 5, 2018
Catherine Creek Arch Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Hike Washington
Catherine Creek Arch is a surprising creation - a bridge-like span of rock along a ledge of basalt. A 1-mile round trip hike leads to the foot of Catherine Creek Arch (and longer loops in the area are also possible). This short and sweet outing entertains hikers of all ages. Part of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Catherine Creek is located on the Washington side of the west... Read more.
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Tagged with · Arches · Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area · Free Trails · Lyle
Distance: 1 mile · Elevation change: 100 feet
By: Published: Last updated: May 9, 2018
Catherine Creek Trail Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Wildflower Loop Hike Washington
Hikers pack the slopes of Dog Mountain to see spring wildflowers, but tackling a lot of elevation is not required to see one of the best blooms in Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Instead, visit Catherine Creek, where an easy, paved 0.9-mile loop (with just 100 feet of elevation change) floods with wildflowers in the spring and early summer. Catherine Creek Interpretive Trail... Read more.
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Tagged with · Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area · Free Trails · Lyle · Nature Trails · Wildflowers
Distance: 0.9 miles · Elevation change: 100 feet
By: Published: Last updated: May 9, 2018
Pothole Falls Round Lake Loop Lacamas Potholes Lacamas Lake Regional Park Camas Washington Hike
Potholes aren't always bad. The creatively carved-out bedrock at Pothole Falls adds to the allure of the cascades. Pothole Falls is just a stone's throw from Round Lake, a 26-acre body in Lacamas Lake Regional Park in Camas, Washington. Round Lake Loop Trail offers a relaxing nature trail through lake-edge forest. Circle Round Lake and check out Pothole Falls on a 1.6-mile outing with 200... Read more.
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Tagged with · Camas · Free Trails · Lacamas Lake Regional Park · Lakes · Nature Trails · Waterfalls
Distance: 1.6 miles · Elevation change: 200 feet
By: Published: Last updated: November 7, 2018
Dog Mountain Trail Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Dog Mountain Loop Hike Washington
It isn't pack mentality that makes Dog Mountain one of the most popular hikes on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge. The grassy slopes near the summit put on a winning display of spring wildflowers, enhancing year-round views over the gorge's beautiful surroundings. Dog Mountain Trail is steep and largely forested, ascending 2,825 feet in 3 1/3 miles. Two viewpoints along the... Read more.
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Tagged with · Cascade Range · Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area · Free Trails · Stevenson · Summits
Distance: 7.4 miles · Elevation change: 2825 feet
By: Published: Last updated: September 9, 2019