Hiking in Washington State

The Pacific Northwest is home to some of the most rugged and splendid hiking in the entire world, including a decent-sized stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail, which extends from Mexico all the way to Canada. With jaw dropping peek-a-boo views of jagged peaks, gushing waterfalls, and reflective lakes, there is no shortage of wonderful hiking in Washington State.

For more on hiking in Washington State, check out my blog posts on:

Olympic National Park
Hiking in Mount Baker
Mount Saint Helens Hiking

Below I’ll detail some of my favorite hikes, all within a few hours’ drive from Seattle.

If you’ll be visiting Seattle, be sure to check out my blog posts on Where to Eat in Seattle and The Ultimate Seattle Guide – Things to Do.

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*Hikes are in alphabetical order*

Blanca Lake – 2-hour drive from Seattle
Location: Central Cascades / Stevens Pass
Round Trip Duration: 7.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 3,300′
Northwest Forest Pass required

Discovery Park – 10-minute drive from Seattle (Magnolia)
This is a mellow trail system of over 20 miles of both paved and dirt, good for biking, running and walking. Trails lead to a beach and lighthouse where you can see Mt. Rainier on a clear day (easy and good for strolling, dog and kid-friendly)
No parking pass/fee required

Lake Serene & Bridal Veil Falls – 1-hour drive from Seattle
Location: Central Cascades/Stevens Pass
Round Trip Duration: 8.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,000′
Northwest Forest Pass required

Lake 22 – 1.5-hour drive from Seattle
Location: North Cascades
Round Trip Duration: 5.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,350′
Northwest Forest Pass required

 

Lime Kiln Trail – 1-hour drive from Seattle
Location: North Cascades/Mountain Loop Highway
Round Trip Duration: 7 miles
Elevation Gain: 625′
No parking pass/fee required

Melakwa Lake – 1-hour drive from Seattle
Location: Snoqualmie
Round Trip Duration: 8.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,500′
Northwest Forest Pass required

Mount Angeles 
Location: Olympic National Park, Hurricane Ridge
Round Trip Duration: 6.25 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,254′
National Park Pass required

Mount Rainier National Park – 2-hour drive from Seattle

 

Mount Baker – 3-hour drive from Seattle
For more on hiking in the Mt. Baker area, check out my blog post: Hiking in Mt. Baker

Mount Si (pronounced “sigh”) – 45-minute drive from Seattle
Location: Snoqualmie
Round Trip Duration: 8 miles
Elevation Gain: 3,150′
Discover Pass required

North Cascades National Park – 2-hour drive from Seattle

Olympic National Park / Olympic Peninsula (Rialto Beach, Ruby Beach, Hoh Rainforest, Hurricane Ridge) – 2-hour drive/ferry from Seattle
For more information on hiking in the Peninsula, check out my blog post: Olympic National Park & Port Angeles

 

Oyster Dome – 2-hour drive from Seattle
Location: Bellingham
Round Trip Duration: 5 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,050′
Discover Pass required

Rattlesnake Ledge – 45-minute drive from Seattle
Location: Snoqualmie
Round Trip Duration: 4 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,160′
TIP: This is one of the most popular and crowded hikes in this area, so go early and avoid weekends
No parking pass/fee required

Ross Dam Lake and Lake Diablo – 2.5-hour drive from Seattle
Great for camping (recommended overnight because of the far drive)
Location: Sedro-Woolley
Round Trip Duration: 12.4 miles (you can go as far as you’d like and turn around if you don’t want to trek the entire trail)
Elevation Gain: 2,312′

Snow Lake – 1.5-hour drive from Seattle
Location: Snoqualmie
Round Trip Duration: 7.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,800′
Northwest Forest Pass required

Tolmie Peak Lookout & Eunice Lake – 3-hour drive from Seattle
Location: Mt. Rainier National Park
Round Trip Duration: 7.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,100′
National Park Pass required

 

Talapus & Ollalie – 1.5-hour drive from Seattle
Location: Snoqualmie
Round Trip Duration: 6.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,220′
Northwest Forest Pass required

 

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