The Pacific Northwest is full of spots where wild berries grow freely, and there’s really nothing better than picking them yourself and enjoying the fruits of your labor. And if you choose to go huckleberry picking on a hiking trail, you can get some great exercise at the same time. Hit up one of these trails during peak berry season and you’ll see what we mean.

1. Park Butte Lookout Trail
Park Butte Lookout, Concrete, WA 98237, USA
Collins Machyo / alltrails.com
The best time to attempt this seven-mile trail in the North Cascades near Concrete is late summer — the snow can stick pretty late into the season. But late summer also happens to be peak huckleberry-picking season, and you'll find plenty on this path if you look hard enough. Schriebers Meadow, which you'll hit early on the trail, is a prime spot for berry picking. Help plan your hike with this listing.
2. Kendall Katwalk Trail
Kendall Katwalk PCT North Trail Head, Pacific Crest Trail, North Bend, WA 98045, USA
Mitch Walker / alltrails.com
This trail is long (around 15 miles), and it's pretty challenging — but you'll reach the fresh huckleberries just a few miles in. This is part of the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike. Find the details for tackling Kendall Katwalk in its entirety.
3. Naches Peak Loop
Naches Peak Loop Trailhead, Pacific Crest Nat'l Scenic Trl, Naches, WA 98937, USA
Bryce White / alltrails.com
This Mt. Rainier hike stays easily accessible well into October, but for huckleberry season in Washington, you'll want to come in September. Black bears also love the fresh berries here, so be aware of your surroundings. Get to know more about this hike.
4. Little Huckleberry Trail
Trailhead: Little Huckleberry, NF-66, Carson, WA 98610, USA
Shane Burpee / alltrails.com
Located near Bingen in the Columbia River Gorge, this five-mile trail is appropriately named. The huckleberry picking here tends to be best near the top, so you should plan on completing the whole hike if you want to pick some. Get further info on this trail.
5. Salmo-Priest Loop
Salmo - Priest Loop, Unnamed Road, Metaline Falls, WA 99153, USA
Bill Grace / alltrails.com
Eastern Washington has hiking trails with berry picking as well. The Salmo-Priest Loop is located near Metaline Falls, and at 17 miles in length, it's far from easy. But that just means any berries you find will be all yours since the trek is never crowded. Use this listing so you don't get lost on the way!
6. Yellow Aster Butte Trail
Yellow Aster Butte, Washington, USA
Natalia Leonova / alltrails.com
This beautiful 8.5-mile trail can be found near the town of Glacier in the North Cascades. Known for its impressive wildflowers in the summer, you'll also find berry picking in the late summer and early autumn. Check out All Trails for a write-up on this hike.
7. Flapjack Lakes Trail
Joey Summerson / alltrails.com
The 15.8-mile Flapjack Lakes Trail located in the Olympics near Lilliwaup isn't an easy trek. But aside from the stunning views of the magnificent Sawtooth Range, you'll find an abundance of fresh berries along the way. Due to the length of this trail, you may want to prepare for a backpacking adventure if you want to complete the entire thing. Get all the details before you head out.

These hikes are all perfect for berry-picking, but they’re not always easy. If you’re a beginning hiker, start with one of these trails for mere mortals.

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Rachel Raimondi | April 26, 2022

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