Washington Trails

Crest a 3,600-foot high point overlooking the Spokane Valley on this 5-mile loop in Iller Creek Conservation Area.

Tag Mount Kit Carson, Day Mountain, and Mount Spokane on this 14-mile dayhike that tracks through 100-year-old Douglas fir and meadows covered in larkspur and phlox.

A 3 day trip into the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, that encompasses Rachel Lake, Rampart Lakes, Lila Lakes, and Alta Mt.

Hike a 5.5-mile loop to a small lake on the south side of Mount St. Helens, then cross the Worm Flows lava field to a waterfall on Swift Creek.

It'll take you longer to drive to this trail than to hike it, but the endless, bird's-eye views of Oregon and Washington forest and cascade peaks make the trip—and the climb—worth it.

This 4 day, 60 mile trip into Glacier Peak Wilderness has a bit of everything, from lakes to glaciers to fire lookouts.

Track beneath waterfalls and icicle-hung trees to a soothing soak.

Follow the fledgling Change Creek Trail from Deception Crags to Hall Point on this 2.3-miler serving up huge Snoqualmie Valley panoramas.

This 25-mile point-to-point in North Cascades National Park weaves past electric wildflower displays and climbs to an airy, 6,525-foot alpine pass.

Come for the sheer, glaciated peaks, but be mesmerized by rain-fed waterfalls that pour down on all sides along this weeklong trip in North Cascades National Park.

This little-known 8.8-mile trail an hour outside of Seattle weaves through lush forest to the stunning and secluded Rainy Lake beneath the east face of Preacher Mountain.

Stroll through root-wrapped rocks, venerable hemlocks, and moss carpeted undergrowth on this 4.4-mile hike to Barclay Lake in the Washington Cascades' new Wild Sky Wilderness.

Take this beloved and well-maintained 6.6-mile trail through abundant greenery and past the enchanting Bridal Veil Falls to arrive at the snowy peaks of Mount Index reflecting in Lake Serene.

Pack for a quick overnight in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and discover hidden alpine lakes and the stunning panorama of peaks that is the Central Cascades.

Hike this 13.2-mile there-and-back just outside of Seattle to summit Green Mountain along a path where vibrant magentas and yellows bloom between your feet.

Take a walk though Washington's mining and logging history by exploring the area once known as Mineral City on this 15-mile out-and-back.

Get near-instant mountain view gratification from the top of this steep, one-mile trail to a still-operational fire lookout near Stevens Pass.

Exercise your route-finding skills on this steep fiver-miler up a little-known peak named for a Seattle-area mountaineer offering wide panoramas over the Snoqualmie Pass area.

If you like splendid isolation with a little challenge, try this messy 11-mile out-and-back to the Blethlen Lakes along Quartz Creek.

This short but challenging 1.3-mile route climbs 1,300' above an old mining quarry to a scenic viewpoint high above the small town of Index, WA.

Massive stands of old growth forest, an abundance of cascading waterfalls, and an azure alpine lake resting below the sheer cliffs of Mt. Pilchuck await on this 6.2-mile lollipop loop.

This two-mile walk up an old mining road visits the remains of the Sunset Copper Company. Exercise extreme caution when exploring in or around mine openings.

Try this less-crowded alternative to the top of popular Mount Si on the original, steeper 2.7 mile route.

Climb two miles up the switchbacked flanks of Greider Peak to a pair of lovely lakes in a deep, glacier-carved basin.

Take this unofficial two-mile trail to the top of a little-known mountaintop offering views over Annette Lake and several Snoqualmie Pass peaks.

This short (1.5 miles) but steep (more than 3,000 feet elevation gain) ends atop one of the highest peaks in Snoqualmie Pass.

Hike or bike this former forest road to the Dingford Creek trailhead.

Spend a few days wandering through Necklace Valley's chain of lakes on this 18-mile trek through a remote section of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. For more adventure, peak bag nearby Mt. Hinman and Mt. Daniel.

Hike to the edge of a glacier through some of the best views in the North Cascades.

Only have a day to see the North Cascades? Then, this should be at the top of your priority list. Hike to a base camp for climbers, at the base of Sahale Peak, in 5 ½ miles, and 3966ft of elevation gain, and marvel at the best view the North Cascades has to offer.

A classic out and back hike that encompasses all that is wild and original in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Difficult trails, an abundance of beautiful alpine lakes surrounded by massive granite outcroppings, jagged peaks, and an attendant herd of Mountain Goats. What’s not to love?

Washington's iconic 14,411-foot peak rises just five miles southwest of this route, and you'll get in-your-face views of it on this 12.5-mile loop in Mount Rainier National Park.

This 11-mile loop trail circles the new lake created by the 1980 eruption. Start along the northern lakeshore where summer wildflowers abound, then climb to the south ridge traverse for big views and to witness the effects of nature's fury—and recovery.

This 10-mile loop in the heart of Washington's Indian Heaven Wilderness is overflowing with wildflower meadows, summer huckleberries, and sparkling lakes. Do it as a dayhike, or backpack it with several side trip options.

This 10.5-mile out-and-back in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness leads to Larch Lake, a backcountry pool rimmed with larch trees and 7,000-foot peaks.

This 18-mile loop hike through the heart of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness follows parts of the PCT, with a bonus scramble up Summit Chief Mountain’s south side.

Scramble a sneak route to the highest mountain in the Enchantment Range on this challenging, 11.3-mile out-and-back in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.

This 6.7-mile lasso loop near Longmire travels through old-growth forest to Rampart Ridge, then drops to Kautz Creek for picture-perfect views of Mount Rainier.

Hike to one of the tallest waterfalls in the park, climb through a meadowland paradise, and crest 5,935-foot Mildred Point on this 6.2-mile hike.

Climb to unforgettable wildflower-filled meadows, then ascend even higher past turquoise pools to 6,800-foot Panhandle Gap, where views stretch out across Ohanapecosh Park.

Find plenty of raw adventure on the Pacific Northwest Trail while hiking a 120-mile roadless stretch from Cold Springs Camp to Ross Lake in Washington’s remote Pasayten Wilderness--the Lower 48’s longest such track outside of the John Muir Trail.

Explore Mount Rainier from nearly every angle on this classic, weeklong stretch of the Wonderland Trail in Mount Rainier National Park.

This 8-mile out-and-back, less than four miles northeast of Mount Rainier, leads to stunning views of glaciers, expansive valleys, and Washington's signature mountain.

Gobble the PCT's tastiest morsel.

Explore an alpine oasis amid volcanic terrain along the crest of the Cascades.

Whether you want an uncrowded hike in Zion National Park or a five-miler through a gypsum dune field in New Mexico, our scouts have paved the way.

Orbit an alpine lake on the edge of North Cascades National Park.

The following is adapted from Northwest editor Michael Lanzas new book, Before Theyre Gone: A Familys Year-Long Quest to Explore Americas Most Endangered National Parks ($24.95, beacon.org, TheBigOutside.com).

Trek to a lofty, iconic basecamp on Rainier's snowy slopes.

See scores of wildflowers, waterfalls, and peaks.

Explore Mt. Rainier from nearly every angle on this hike from Fryingpan Creek to Mowich Lake. The classic route tags the subalpine meadows of Summerland, crests 5,000-foot Cowlitz Divide, and links dozens of crystalline lakes and waterfalls.

We mapped nearly 300 miles of trail to bring you the only resource you'll need to jump-start your adventures in this premier park.

Scramble a class 3 route and claim your own private peak.

Climb through towering evergreens to in-your-face Cascade views.

Scramble a sneak route to Rainier-worthy views-of Rainier and much more.

Tryout tips from a Rainier Mountaineering, Inc. Veteran

Come for the sheer, glaciated peaks, but be mesmerized by rain-fed waterfalls that pour down on all sides.

Track beneath waterfalls and icicle-hung trees to a soothing soak.

Discover a hidden basin filled with wildlife, lakes, and granite peaks.

Cross a rugged coastline on the edge of Washington's Hoh Rainforest.

Think you know all there is to know about these famous peaks? Get an insider's guide right here.

Online or via your cellphone these trips are ready to be downloaded and explored.

Tackle a challenging, rocky route in the shadow of America's most famous volcano.

Our editor in chief digs through his years of trips, trails, and tales to share some of his adventures in the wild, from the Grand Canyon to Mount Rainier.

Stroll through wildflower-filled meadows to a frozen slice of the Cascade Range.

See glowing plankton, mushrooms, and bugs on these brilliant adventures.

Pack snowshoes for these nine epic treks to snowy solitude in the Pacific Northwest, Rockies, and Northeast.

With the fervor of a pulpit-pounding evangelist, Ron Strickland has wandered the land, preaching the gospel of the Pacific Northwest Trail he hoped to create.

The 50-mile-long Massanutten range in Virginia may be D.C.'s top-secret hiking getaway.