12 Best Hikes in Washington State

Washington State has three incredible national parks, at least 64 named mountain ranges, and endless stunning natural sights. Narrowing down the best hikes in Washington is tricky, as there are many great trails to explore!

At Skyhook, we’ve gained plenty of experience in Washington by providing hiking and kayaking tours in the Cascades and Olympic National Park.

From this experience, we’ve narrowed down some of the state's best hikes. 

Ask anyone about the best hikes in Washington, and they’ll almost certainly recommend the Skyline Loop in Mount Rainier National Park. This is one of the most popular trails in the area and one of the top hikes in Washington to experience some of the state’s best nature.

The trail is a 5.7-mile (9.2km) loop that offers a little bit of everything - lush vegetation, waterfalls, and glacier views.

It’s a versatile hike you can do in either direction, with most hikers choosing the clockwise route. 

The trail is moderately challenging and provides stunning views of Mount Rainier and the surrounding landscape.

It’s a must-do for anyone visiting the park!

The Yakima Park area in Mount Rainier National Park offers some of the best views of Mount Rainier, especially on clear days.

Hiking to this point is definitely one of the best ways to experience this park.

The trail winds through beautiful alpine meadows, where wildflowers bloom in late summer. The higher you go, the more rugged the landscape becomes, with rocky terrain and stunning panoramic views. 

This hike isn’t too challenging and offers a great opportunity to see the park’s wildlife and breathtaking scenery.

Experience this hike as just one of many great sections of trail in our Washington Olympics and Cascades adventure.

Of course, if you’re looking for the best hikes in Washington’s Mount Rainier National Park, then you can’t ignore the park’s iconic mountain summit.

This is obviously one of the best hikes in Mount Rainier National Park - as long as you’re prepared for a serious ascent.

The Mount Rainier Summit hike is reserved for experienced hikers looking for a serious challenge.

At 14,411 feet (4,392m), Mount Rainier is the highest peak in the Cascade Range and requires technical climbing skills to reach the top. 

The route passes glaciers, snowfields, and rocky slopes. You’ll need the right gear, plenty of hiking experience, and a good understanding of the landscape. 

The summit offers a once-in-a-lifetime view, with a breathtaking panorama of the surrounding peaks. It’s not easy to reach the top, but it is enormously rewarding.

The Rattlesnake Ledge Trail is one of the best day hikes in Washington among locals and visitors alike.

Located just 30 minutes from Bellevue, this hike is easily accessible and offers a rewarding climb with panoramic views from the top. 

The trail is moderate in difficulty and is popular during the warmer months. At the summit, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of Rattlesnake Lake and the surrounding mountains. 

It’s the perfect trail for a quick escape from the city.

Wallace Falls is a scenic hike located in Wallace Falls State Park. It’s one of the best hikes in Washington state for anyone wanting to experience what makes this park so special.

The Woody Trail follows the Wallace River and offers beautiful views of the waterfalls along the way.

It’s a relatively easy hike, perfect for families or anyone looking for a straightforward, pleasant day hike. 

The trail can be busy, especially on weekends, so arriving early is best. The stunning waterfalls and lush vegetation make this hike a favourite for nature lovers.

Rialto Beach is a unique coastal hike located in the Olympic National Park. 

The hike takes you along the rugged Pacific coastline, where you’ll encounter striking sea stacks and driftwood-covered shores.

The highlight is the Tree of Life, a fascinating tree that seemingly hovers mid-air, with its roots exposed but still clinging to life. 

This relatively easy hike offers a peaceful, scenic experience, perfect for those who love the ocean.

It’s also one of the best hikes in Washington for anyone wanting to discover a lesser-explored area of this famous national park.

You can also experience this hike as part of our epic Washington Olympics and Cascades adventure. 

The Bridal Veil Falls and Lake Serene Trail is a stunning hike in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. 

The trail takes you to the impressive Bridal Veil Falls, where water cascades down a rocky cliff. From there, you can continue to Lake Serene, an alpine lake in the Cascade Mountains. 

The hike is reasonably tricky, with some steep sections, but the views of the waterfall and lake make it one of the most rewarding hikes in the area.

So, if you’re after a challenge, then this is definitely one of the best Washington hikes for a fun day out.

The Snow Lake Trail is one of the most popular hikes in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. It’s also one of the best hikes in Washington to experience a beautiful, remote lake.

This trail starts at the Alpental Ski Area and leads up to the stunning Snow Lake, surrounded by towering peaks.

The hike isn’t the easiest, with steep switchbacks. However, the numerous waterfalls along the way offer perfect excuses to stop for plenty of breaks.

You’ll be rewarded at the lake with breathtaking views of crystal-clear water and rugged mountain scenery. 

We’d recommend doing this hike in late summer when the snow has melted.

The Park Butte Trail offers one of the best North Cascades hikes for anyone exploring this region. 

The trail winds through alpine meadows, with wildflowers in bloom during late summer and fall. It’s one of those hikes that’s completely scenic the entire way.

The moderately challenging hike offers spectacular views of Mount Baker and the Twin Sisters.

You’ll pass waterfalls and campsites along the way, making it a great option for day hikes and overnight trips. 

The trail is lovely in the fall when the foliage turns to vibrant colours.

Mount Si is a well-known hike near North Bend.

If you’re looking for a mountain summit to be proud of, we recommend it as one of the best hikes in Washington.

It’s a challenging trail with a steady climb that rewards hikers with incredible views of the Snoqualmie Valley and the surrounding mountains. The trail is popular year-round, but the parking lot can fill up quickly on weekends, so you’ll want to hit the trail early. 

Despite the steep ascent, the hike is doable for most people with a moderate fitness level. Reaching the summit feels like a significant achievement, and the views are worth the effort.

Horseshoe Basin in the Pasayten Wilderness is remote and beautiful, perfect for a longer hike or backpacking trip.

It’s an expansive area where some of Washington’s best hikes can be found.

The main trail takes you through alpine meadows, with stunning views of the surrounding peaks. At the highest point, you can even peep into Canada.

If you want to spice up your adventure, there are several side trails to explore from the main route. 

This hike is ideal for those looking to escape the crowds and fully immerse themselves in nature.

Just be aware that the area is known for its wildlife, including marmots and coyotes, so be prepared and know how to respect wildlife.

The Kendall Katwalk is a popular hike along a narrow, rocky trail in the Snoqualmie Region. The trail is part of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), a true bucket list hike in the USA. 

While the entire PCT is a major undertaking, this section has become one of the best for a day hike.

The main reason is the stunning views of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. However, the hike is also thrilling, as the Kendall Katwalk itself is a narrow ledge carved into the side of a mountain. Carefully walking this ledge is an exhilarating experience for any hiker.

The hike is moderately difficult, with an elevation gain of 2,600 feet, so be prepared to climb. 

We recommend you do this hike from late July to September when the wildflowers bloom. 

These are some of the best hikes in Washington state for all kinds of hikers and experiences. Whether you want to summit a towering mountain peak or take a relaxed stroll along the Pacific coastline, you can experience some awesome adventures here. 

Are you inspired to get out there and explore even more of the US? Then check out our complete list of the best hikes in the USA for more trails.