Hiking is by far my favorite activity. It combines a great workout with some of the best views you can find. And, out of all regions I have hiked, Washington State is still my favorite place to explore. Alright, I might be a little bias since I did live there for 24 years of my life (so like… nearly all of it?) BUT I will always come back to the beautiful Pacific Northwest for my favorite adventures. This is what led me to put together my top 10 hikes in Washington State.

After hiking well over 100 trails, both for personal and for educational adventures (I am a geologist after all…), I have had the amazing pleasure of seeing some of the best places you can see in Washington! I will admit, I still have many more trails to explore, and that is why I have enlisted the help of my husband Jaegger and brother Levi. Both guys are Eagle Scouts and have hiked on numerous trails I haven’t. As an added bonus, my brother Levi was a backcountry Park Ranger for the Olympic National Park and knows the ins and outs of each trail. With their assistance, I believe we have covered the best trails there are in Washington State!

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Of course, before I go any further, I should mention that hiking always has an element of risk. If you choose to hike any of these trails, please do so with caution and be prepared with the proper gear and information. Be aware of weather conditions and wildlife. Personally, I never go on any trail, no matter the distance, without the ten hiking essentials and a good pair of hiking boots.

And with that, let’s get right to it!

Related: The Ten Hiking Essentials

1. The Enchantments

It is no secret that The Enchantments area is the best of the best. This region is located in the Wenatchee National Forest and utterly breathtaking. There are numerous trails to hike in the area with two main entrances: Snow Lake and Colchuck Lake. However, with beauty comes a price. The Enchantments is an incredibly difficult and advanced hiking trail. There is a lot of elevation gain over a relatively short distance. But the climb is well worth it!

The entire Enchantments Trail is 18 miles one way (from parking lot to parking lot) but the Colchuck Lake hike is only 8 miles (roundtrip). Be aware that camping is prohibited unless you have a permit, which is difficult to come by. If you plan to backpack and see the entire area, which I highly recommend, make sure to put in for the lottery as soon as it opens in February. I know many people who have gotten them the first year they applied, and many who have been applying for years and still have had no luck.

Tip: Hike this area in the summer. The snow and ice can be a problem, so the best time to hike is July through October. To be on the safe side, bring a pair of Yaktrax to make the climb that much easier. Have fun and watch for wildlife!

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2. Enchanted Valley

An INCREDIBLY close second to The Enchantments is Enchanted Valley. This 26-mile hike, also known as the Valley of a Thousand Waterfalls, definitely lives up to the hype. I have only hiked in once but the guys have hiked it countless times. This is a great hike to get started in backpacking and is well worth the journey. It is completely packed with waterfalls, beautiful trees, the Quinault River, and elk. At the end of the trail is the famous Enchanted Valley Chalet. For safety reasons, the chalet is closed to hikers but it is still an incredible site!

The best time to hike the trail is in the spring when the waterfalls are at their peak. You can also decide to add a day hike up to Anderson Glacier for a great view! However, you will need a minimum of one night of camping to see the entire hike, two to three if you want to take your time. Be sure to get a permit and check in at the Quinault Ranger Station for updates on the trail and, of course, your permit!

Tip: There are a couple substantial stream crossings. Be sure to bring your favorite durable hiking sandals!

Related: Discover How to Create a Motivational Bucket List (+50 Ideas to Get You Started!)

3. High Divide, Seven Lakes Basin & Sol Duc Falls

High Divide is another backpacking hike. It is 19 miles roundtrip with around 4000 ft elevation gain but worth every step. In fact, this hike is my husbands all time favorite hike… ever. It is clear why! Seven Lakes Basin was created from glacial activity, leaving behind over eight gorgeous alpine lakes. (Thought I was going to say seven lakes huh? I guess maybe there were seven when they named it?) Reservations are required for overnight stays in this area as well as bear cans, be sure to plan for this in advance!

A huge bonus of this hike is as you’re hiking in, you will pass by the beautiful Sol Duc Falls! And if you’re not up for the full 19 mile hike, the Sol Duc Falls Hike is only 1.6 miles roundtrip!

Tip: If you choose to forgo this spectacular high, always be aware of your surroundings. Black bears are incredibly prominent in this area as well as mountain goats. It is pretty common to see over 10 of each on a single trip. And don’t forget your bear can! AND BUG SPRAY!

4. Mount Pilchuck

Mount Pilchuck is a 5.4-mile hike located on the western edge of the north cascades. It is a moderate hike with a 2300 ft elevation gain. An amazing feature of this hike is that the environment changes from a temperate forest to an alpine forest, making for a gorgeous afternoon hike. The hike ends at a restored historic fire lookout that is open when volunteers are present. When hiked on a sunny and cloudless day, the panoramic view is spectacular! Mount Baker, Mount Rainier, the Olympics and the sound are easily seen.

Tip: To get to the fire lookout, you will need to do a bit of easy rock climbing. Not a problem unless you have dogs with you.

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5. Colonel Bob

Colonel Bob is a great hike for so many reasons. The combination of its large elevation gain (3500 ft) and moderate distance (8.2 miles) makes it a great training trail. In fact, the boy scout troop my husband’s family led used it a minimum of three times per year to train and learn different hiking techniques. But the aerobic benefits are not all that Colonel Bob has in store. The temperate and alpine forests are gorgeous and the views on clear days are some of the best in the Olympic Mountains. The views at the top are completely 360 degrees and include Mount Rainier, Quinault Lake, Mount Olympus, and the gorgeous Pacific Ocean.

Tip: There are two main trails to get up Colonel Bob. Even though it is, in our opinion, a bit more difficult, we have always preferred the Pete’s Creek trail. If you are looking for a longer (14 miles) but easier hike, check out the Colonel Bob trail. I also highly recommend bringing your gators on this one!

6. Palouse Falls

Palouse Falls is the first hike on this list I would consider easy. However, this hike is a must-see for anyone hiking in Washington State. It is an utterly gorgeous area with an incredible geologic history. The falls itself is just over 180 feet, pouring over gorgeous basalt columns. The hike will take you from a few viewing points, through the smaller falls above, then spit you out around the falls and down below to the Palouse River. It is a gorgeous afternoon trek!

Note: I used the All Trails link for this hike, as opposed to the Washington Trails Association because All Trails give information on all of the unofficial trails. But, of course, check both links before departing for current conditions.

7. Ozette Triangle

Ozette Triangle, also known as Cape Alava Loop, is a gorgeous coastal hike. This hike is located on the far northern coast of Washington. It has very little elevation gain but is a good 9.4 miles long. Great for a short backpacking trip or a long day hike.

For most hikes, the greatest feature is the view at the top. For this trail, that isn’t the case; and that is what makes it such an amazing hike. The majority of this hike is on beautiful winding boardwalks or on the gorgeous Washington beach. You will wind through coastal forests and rocky beaches for the entirety of the hike. There are countless tide pools and wildlife to see as well!

Tip: Bring bug repellent!

8. Ape Caves and Lava Canyon

Mount St. Helens has some of the most unique and interesting hikes in Washington State. Among them are Ape Caves and Lava Canyon. We enjoy combining these hikes together, they are near each other and both unique! Ape Caves is a large and spacious lava tube, narrowing down to a smaller cave while Lava Canyon is an interpretive trail with gorgeous waterfalls and even a suspension bridge!

These hikes are great for one of those frequent rainy days. But, be sure to keep in mind that the caves are pitch black, headlamps are a requirement! It is also good to keep in mind that the Lava Canyon hike has three main segments, all with different difficulties. Be prepared for this and be sure to know what segments you would like to visit before you visit. The Forest Service created an awesome video that summarizes this area, check it out!

9. Second Beach

At first glance, all of Washingtons northern beaches may look the same. We highly disagree. Second Beach is our favorite and let me tell you why. First, because Second Beach is located away from US-101 and requires a hike in, it is less popular and therefore less crowded. Next, Second Beach has gorgeous jutting rocks, both in the surf and on the beach. It also has gorgeous sand and pretty spectacular rocky cliffs as well.

Near Second Beach, you can also explore Hole in the Wall, Third Beach, and Ruby Beach, a few of our favorite beaches. They are driving distance away (or long hiking distance). If you plan on camping here, make sure you grab an overnight permit and keep track of the tides!

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10. Mount Si

Of course, this list would not be complete without Mount Si. The most scenic and perhaps most popular hike in all of Washington. However, because of its popularity, it can be a highway of people traveling on it, which is why it is number ten. In fact, it is locally known as Mount Si-Way. If you plan to explore Mount Si, be sure to get there incredibly early to not only find a parking spot but to avoid the crowds! Also, the views are hands down the best on a clear day, when you can truly see everything! You can catch similar views on Little Si and Rattlesnake Ledge too!

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Honorable Mentions:

I will be honest, it is incredibly difficult to narrow down the list to ten, so I have added some extra incredible hikes that just barely didn’t make the cut. All of them are amazing!

• Franklin Falls: Incredibly easy Snoqualmie Pass waterfall hike, 400 ft elevation, 2 miles

  

  

• Ancient Lakes: Eastern Washington rocky coulee hike, 625 ft elevation, 12 miles

  

• Red Top Lookout: Fire Lookout Tower near Blewett Pass with rock hounding, 350 ft elevation, 1.5+ miles

  

• Wallace Falls: Gorgeous but VERY popular forested waterfall hike, 1300 ft elevation, 5.6 miles

  

• The Hoh Rainforest: Gorgeous forested hike near the river, 300 ft elevation, 10.6 miles (if you turn around at 5-mile Island)

  

• Royal Basin: A wildflower-filled alpine lake hike in the Olympics, 2650 ft elevation, 16 miles

  

  

  

• Manastash Ridge: Although this is just a popular hike for Kittitas County locals, I still think it is worth the hike if you’re passing through the Ellensburg area! Gorgeous views of Kittitas Valley, 1700 ft elevation, 4 miles

  

• Home Lake: A gorgeous alpine Olympic National Park hike, 19.4 miles, 3000 ft elevation

  

• Marmot Pass: Marmot filled mountain hike, 11.5 miles, 3489 ft elevation

  

  

• Van Trump Park and Comet Falls at Mount Rainier: Gorgeous waterfall and alpine meadows on Mount Rainer, 6 miles, 2150 ft elevation

  

  

• Low Divide: A gorgeous area in the Olympics, accessible from multiple trails, check out the park map!

  

  

Well, as you can see there are so many amazing and breathtaking hikes in Washington! These are just some of our favorites. There are hundreds more! Check out the Washington Trails Association page for their recommended hikes of the season! You can search for hikes in your area or the most popular to check out. Always be sure to check the hike’s webpage before you leave for the trailhead for current conditions, parking requirements, and trail rules!

I hope that my husband, brother, and I were able to give you some hiking inspiration! We loved putting this together and hope you enjoyed! Happy hiking!

Check what we always pack for our day and overnight hikes HERE!