9 Low-Key Hikes In Washington With Amazing Payoffs
Exercise is great and all, but the best hikes in Washington are all about the views and the surrounding scenery. Luckily, you don’t have to scale any impossible mountains or navigate tough terrain to reap those benefits – and that’s because there are lots of easy hikes in Washington. Some of the easiest, kid-friendly hikes around Washington, these trails are easy enough for just about everyone, but the payoffs are fantastic.
Not only is this trail to Hurricane Hill a mere 3 miles in length, but every foot of it is breathtaking. From the sweeping peninsula views to the abundance of wildflowers, this is a perfect pick for nature lovers. If you want to avoid snow, wait until late June to go.
2. Riverside State Park Loop, Spokane
North Riverside State Park Drive, N Riverside State Park Dr, Spokane, WA, USA
Like the rest of the Cougar Mountain hikes, the 3.5-mile Whittaker Wilderness Peak Trail starts with a somewhat steep incline. After that, it's all smooth sailing - and the lush greenery along the way is beautiful.
The 4.5-mile Ancient Lakes Trail is great for all skill levels, and it shows you the underrated natural beauty of central and eastern Washington. The trail starts near the head of Potholes Coulee, where the Missoula flood spilled out of the Quincy Basin into the Columbia Gorge. And if you start early in the morning, you just might have it all to yourself.
5. Catherine Creek Trail, Columbia River Gorge
Catherine Creek Universal Access Trail, Washington 98635, USA
Between the GORGEous Gorge views (see what we did there) and the 90+ varieties of wildflowers you'll see from late spring to late summer, it's no wonder people tend to fall in love at first sight with the 2.5-mile Catherine Creek Trail. Just a heads up; the hike has a lot of poison oak, so wear long pants and be cautious.
Located in the highly underrated Olallie State Park, the 3.5-mile Twin Falls Trail is an easy trek that also happens to be easy to find (the trailhead has parking off I-90 Exit 34).
Unique basalt rock pillars, Twin Sisters Rock looks fantastic set against the majestic Columbia River, and you won't even have to hike a full mile in to see them. Geologists say the rock formation is the result of erosion from a great flood near the end of the last Ice Age, about 12,000 to 15,000 years ago.
Washington's official state waterfall, Palouse Falls, requires a brief, easy hike (the "round trip" duration is just over 2 miles). But really, the reward speaks for itself.
We highly recommend you take the 3.7-mile hike to Bridal Veil Falls. The waterfall is just one of many spectacular sights you see along the way.
We definitely have some amazing hiking trails in the state, but these are without a doubt some of the best hikes in Washington. And if you want to hike but you’re short on time, you’ll want to check out these short, easy hikes in Washington, which are all 3 miles or less.
Address: Hurricane Hill, Washington 98363, USA
Address: North Riverside State Park Drive, N Riverside State Park Dr, Spokane, WA, USA
Address: Jim Whittaker Wilderness Peak Trailhead, Renton Issaquah Rd SE, Renton, WA 98059, USA
Address: Ancient Lakes Trail, Washington 98848, USA
Address: Catherine Creek Universal Access Trail, Washington 98635, USA
Address: Twin Falls Trail, Washington 98045, USA
Address: Twin Sisters, Washington 98244, USA
Address: Palouse Falls, Washington 99143, USA
Address: Bridal Veil Falls, Washington 98251, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes In Washington
April 21, 2022
Daniella DiRienzo
What other treks are among the best hikes in Washington?
When seeking the best hikes in Washington, you’ll definitely want to pay a visit to the Heather-Maple Pass Loop. Spanning just over 7 miles and featuring a 2,000-foot elevation gain, it’s rated as moderate. However, those willing to put forth the effort will be more than rewarded as the trail is brimming with stunning sights that change throughout the seasons. Depending on the time of year you visit, you’ll find the landscape consumed with wildflowers, vibrant foliage, or blankets of snow.
Are there any kid-friendly hikes around Washington?
If searching for kid-friendly hikes around Washington, you’ll be happy to know there are trails in the state for hikers of all ages. One of the state’s top hikes for kids is the Gold Creek Pond Trail. The ADA-accessible paved loop trail winds around an idyllic mountain pond atop Snoqualmie Pass. The trail’s short distance combined with its paved surface makes it an ideal hike for small children as well as for parents pushing strollers and those in wheelchairs.
What are the most scenic hikes in Washington?
There are tons of scenic hikes in Washington and the Sol Duc Falls Trail is one of them! As the name implies, the trail leads straight to a waterfall. More specifically, it leads to an overlook above the falls, affording visitors a unique perspective on the 50-foot cascade. Absolutely breathtaking, Sol Duc Falls is revered as the most beautiful waterfall in Olympic National Park. The best part of all is that it doesn’t require much effort to reach the waterfall. The trail to the cascade is just over 1.5 miles, round trip.
Address: Hurricane Hill, Washington 98363, USA
Address: North Riverside State Park Drive, N Riverside State Park Dr, Spokane, WA, USA
Address: Jim Whittaker Wilderness Peak Trailhead, Renton Issaquah Rd SE, Renton, WA 98059, USA
Address: Ancient Lakes Trail, Washington 98848, USA
Address: Catherine Creek Universal Access Trail, Washington 98635, USA
Jessica Wick is a writer and travel enthusiast who loves exploring new places, meeting new people and, of course, beautiful Big Sky Country and every part of Washington State.
