Best Trails of Washington

This list represents the most popular trails in Washington (learn more about Top Trails). Use this list to plan your next Washington outdoor trip. Select a state and/or activity below to find even more top trails.

Learn more about Top Trails

Activity: State: Reset

#1. Big Creek Falls (Taylor River)

It seems impossible: Finding quiet solitude on a backcountry trail leading through ancient cathedral forests and past magnificent waterfalls less than a hour from Seattle. Yet the Taylor River Trail o…

From the guidebook "Best Hikes with Dogs in Western Washington"
North Bend , WA - Hiking - 10 miles

(About Top Trails)

#2. Carson Mineral Hot Springs Resort

A sleepy Victorian-era hotel and bathhouse that features a regimen of therapeutic hot mineral baths reminiscent of old European spas. If you’re looking for a luxurious spa treatment with elegantly fur…

From the guidebook "Touring Washington and Oregon Hot Springs"
Carson , WA - Hot Springs

(About Top Trails)

#3. Central Alpine Lakes Loop (Backpacking)

The 75-mile stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail between Snoqualmie Pass and Stevens Pass is a very popular backpack trip, and it deserves to be. The route is supremely scenic with countless viewpoints,…

From the guidebook "Backpacking Washington"
Cle Elum , WA - Hiking - 35 miles

(About Top Trails)

#4. Mount Rainier - Wonderland Trail Loop (Backpacking)

The famous Wonderland Trail, which completely circles Mount Rainier, is not only the finest long hike in Washington; it is considered by many to be one of the best in the world. The route provides a g…

From the guidebook "Backpacking Washington"
Buckley , WA - Hiking - 93 miles

(About Top Trails)

#5. Olympic Hot Springs

Includes: Appleton Pass and Boulder Lake. A day hike or overnighter to popular soaking pools in Olympic National Park. Skinnydippable with (much) discretion. Without a doubt the hot spot of the Olympi…

From the guidebook "Hiking Hot Springs in the Pacific Northwest"
Port Angeles , WA - Hot Springs - 5 miles

(About Top Trails)

#6. Enchantment Lakes

The quintessential Alpine Lakes Wilderness hike to the fabled Enchantment Lakes. No hike in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness compares with a walk through the Enchantment Lakes. Not even close. It is the hi…

From the guidebook "Backpacking Washington's Alpine Lakes Wilderness"
Leavenworth , WA - Hiking - 25 miles

(About Top Trails)

#7. John Wayne Pioneer Trail (West)

The John Wayne Pioneer Trail crosses most of Washington State. The developed portion lies within the Iron Horse State Park. It parallels I–90 from Cedar Falls, near North Bend, to Kittitas, then drops…

From the guidebook "Rails-To-Trails: Washington & Oregon"
North Bend , WA - Rail-Trails - 113 miles

(About Top Trails)

#8. Eastern North Cascades Campgrounds

Stretching from Ellensburg in the south to Oroville in the north, this vast region contains some of the most remote and spectacular stretches of the North Cascades as well as Lake Chelan and the Lake…

From the guidebook "Camping Washington"
Wenatchee , WA - Campgrounds

(About Top Trails)

#9. South Puget Sound and Western South Cascades Campgrounds

The region covered in this eTrail include the Olympia area, Capital Forest, Vancouver area, Mt. St. Helens area, Highway 410, Highway 12, and the South Cascade Mountains west of the Cascade Crest. Cam…

From the guidebook "Camping Washington"
Olympia , WA - Campgrounds

(About Top Trails)

#10. Black Diamond Coal Mine

Located on the edge of the historical town of Black Diamond, the Coal Mine trails weave and bob around the south end of Lake Sawyer, Frog Lake, and Ravensdale Creek. Mountain bikers will find a circui…

From the guidebook "Mountain Biking the Puget Sound Area"
Black Diamond , WA - Mountain Biking - 20 miles

(About Top Trails)

#11. Olympic Peninsula Campgrounds

There is a lot of watching to be done on the Olympic Peninsula: storm watching, whale watching, storm watching, bird watching, storm watching. From July through September, the region is relatively dry…

From the guidebook "Camping Washington"
Hoodsport , WA - Campgrounds

(About Top Trails)

#12. Waterfalls of Washington's Central Cascades

This Trail Guide contains maps, descriptions, and directions to 43 waterfalls in the region. The falls include Snoqualmie Falls, Middle Twin Falls, Twin Falls (North Cascades: North Bend), Upper Twin…

From the guidebook "Waterfall Lover's Guide to the Pacific Northwest 4th"
Seattle , WA - Waterfalls

(About Top Trails)

#13. Seattle's Favorite Loop - Tiger Mountain

Each New Year, Northwest ultrarunners join together for two loops on this route to take care of excess holiday eating. This tradition allows guilt-free meals all through the holidays. The route offers…

From the guidebook "50 Trail Runs in Washington"
Issaquah , WA - Trail Running - 16 miles

(About Top Trails)

#14. Olympic National Park Campgrounds

Olympic National Park occupies the center of the Olympic Peninsula, and boasts spectacular mountain wonderlands, dense rain forests, sweeping vistas, and rugged glaciers. Camping opportunities abound…

From the guidebook "Camping Washington"
Port Angeles , WA - Campgrounds

(About Top Trails)

#15. Olympic Coast - North (Backpacking)

The wild Olympic coast is a national treasure. With most of our country’s shoreline altered by roads, cities, and mobs of tourists, it’s a blessing to have this stretch of wilderness beach to remind u…

From the guidebook "Backpacking Washington"
Forks , WA - Hiking - 24 miles

(About Top Trails)

#16. Commonwealth Basin

The section of the Pacific Crest Trail north of Snoqualmie Pass is overrun with hikers every summer weekend, but put a few feet of snow on the trail, and the crowds ignore it. That’s great news for sn…

From the guidebook "Snowshoe Routes: Washington"
North Bend , WA - Snowshoeing - 10 miles

(About Top Trails)

#17. Hoh River

A 17.5-mile backpack from the Hoh Rainforest Visitor Center to Glacier Meadows. This trail offers an outstanding sample of the diverse habitats of Olympic National Park, from primeval rain forests to…

From the guidebook "Hiking Olympic National Park"
Forks , WA - Hiking - 35 miles

(About Top Trails)

#18. Seattle Trail Ramble

The route offers more than 25 miles of delightful bicycling separated from motor-vehicle traffic. Along the way you'll see Seattle at its best and enjoy the beauty of the quiet countryside. It's a p…

From the guidebook "Best Bike Rides in the Pacific Northwest"
Seattle , WA - Road Biking - 24 miles

(About Top Trails)

#19. Mount Rainier National Park Campgrounds

Mount Rainier National Park welcomes visitors to a mountain wonderland of dense forests, dazzling wildflowers, tremendous snowfields, and rugged glaciers. Campers can look forward to enjoying the fres…

From the guidebook "Camping Washington"
Enumclaw , WA - Campgrounds

(About Top Trails)