Washington State hikes
With its stunning natural scenery and vast network of trails, Washington State is a hiking paradise.
With over a decade of experience hiking and backpacking in Washington’s wilderness, it has became the place where I feel my best - a sentiment I’m sure I’m not alone in feeling. Below is an overview of various hiking areas in the state and corresponding hiking guides and backpacking reports to help you prepare for your next adventure.
If you’re unsure where to begin, I recommend reading Seven Best Washington Hikes and 2020 Goal: 200 Miles of Hiking which includes over 20 hikes in the state. If you’re new to hiking and eager to learn how to get started, may I humbly suggest perusing my Hiking 101 Series and then getting yourself packed using the Must-Have Hiking Gear post.
POPULAR Hiking Regions
SNOQUALMIE | OLYMPICS | MT. RAINIER | NORTH CASCADES | CENTRAL CASCADES | SOUTH CASCADES
With its proximity to Seattle, Snoqualmie is a popular area for day hikes and backpacking. Not only is it accessible year round, but it is well known for its classic PNW palate of lakes, forest and mountain peaks.
Snoqualmie includes the North Bend area as well as one of my favorite regions to hike, Alpine Lakes Wilderness.
GUIDES & POSTS
My Favorite Trails
Granite Mountain
Lake Ingalls
Sitting in Washington’s rain shadow, the Olympics are a temperate hiking locale year round. Here you can easily frolic between the Pacific Ocean, the Olympic Mountains, Hood Canal and the rainforest within the national park.
Because it is a trek to reach from Seattle, it tends to offer more seclusion and solitude.
GUIDES & POSTS
Mount Townsend via Little Quilcene River
My Favorite Trails
South Coast Wilderness Trail
Mount Townsend
Mt. Storm King
Hikes in and around Rainier offer amazing views of the mountain.
GUIDES & POSTS
My Favorite Trails
Summit Lake
Crystal Lake
Tolmie Peak Lookout
Epic glaciers and peaks are on the menu in North Cascade National Park, though plenty of gems can be found outside its boundaries as well, especially in the Mt. Baker area.
The hiking season is short and sweet, mainly just summer and early fall, and permits are needed to overnight in the national park.
GUIDES & POSTS
My Favorite Trails
Park Butte
Cascade Pass and Salahe Arm
Blue Lake
A large hiking area filled with a variety of landscapes; hot and dry, mountains and snow, dense forest. This region includes Steven’s Pass as well as the famous Enchantments.
GUIDES & POSTS
Posts coming soon!
My Favorite Trails
West Foss Forks
The South Cascades, which include Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Adams, is known for its more arid and dry landscape.
GUIDES & POSTS
Posts coming soon!
My Favorite Trails
Harry’s Ridge