The best hikes in Washington are the ones that lead to something amazing, whether it be a gorgeous view, a serene waterfall, or in this case, some of our awesome historical ruins. If you’re a fan of both fitness and history, check out these scenic trails! Which amazing hiking trails in WA would you add to this list? Let us know! 

1. Iron Goat Trail
Robert Littleton / alltrails.com
Iron Goat Trail, Washington 98826, USA
Amy McDowell / alltrails.com
The Iron Goat Trail combines breathtaking mountain views with a lot of history and a tragic story. In 1910, an avalanche took the lives of 96 people, most of them train passengers and railroad employees. This 5.5-mile trail is located near Skykomish and takes you past the old railway tunnels, which date back to the late 1800s. This beautiful hike also doubles as one of the most haunted hikes in Washington, so beware!
2. Fort Ebey State Park Loop
April Sanders / alltrails.com
Fort Ebey State Park, 400 Hill Valley Dr, Coupeville, WA 98239, USA
Wikimedia
Fort Ebey State Park, a 645-acre park on Whidbey Island, was originally built as a coastal defense fort during World War II. This loop trail, which is about 6.5 miles, takes you right past the remains of the fort. When it comes to excellent Washington hiking trails, this one is among the best.
3. Monte Cristo Trail
Tom McCurnin / alltrails.com

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Monte Cristo Trail, Washington, USA
Tom McCurnin / alltrails.com
Once a booming mining town in the 1890s, Monte Cristo is now an abandoned place in the mountains on the east side of Snohomish County. The hiking trail here is lengthy (over 8 miles) but the terrain is easy and the relics you'll see make it worth it. This is one spooky and interesting WA ruins hike you will NOT forget.
4. Fort Flagler Trail
Kenneth Hatton / alltrails.com
MayraSolis / alltrails.com
Fort Flagler State Park is the site of an old army fort on the northern end of Marrowstone Island. The three-mile trail leads to historic remains, some of which date back to 1897. Come experience one of the best hikes in Washington!
5. Columbia Hills State Park
Matthew Reeder / alltrails.com
Columbia Hills Historical State Park, 85 WA-14, Lyle, WA 98635, USA
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers / Flickr
Located on the shores of the Columbia River, this park has a 10-mile trail that shows off the best aspects of the park, including the ancient pictographs and petroglyphs hidden on a cliffside perch. This one is known as Tsagaglalal (or "She Who Watches") and is thought to be about 300 years old. We love this historical state park in Washington and we think you will, too.

There you have it: some of the best hikes in Washington, all of which lead to some truly fascinating places. Washington has some of the best hiking trails in the country! Can’t get enough? Do some of our favorite hikes to epic sunset views in Washington.

Another excellent idea: check out these 15 short hikes in Washington under five miles in length that you can do in a day or less. They vary in difficulty, but trust us when we say each and every one is positively magical! Enjoy!

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More to Explore

Best Hikes in Washington

Tori Jane | December 07, 2022
  1. What are some of the best hikes in Washington?  

There are so many options for WA hiking trails that it’s hard to narrow the list down. But, some of the best hikes in Washington include the following: 

 

2. Which Washington hiking trails should I add to my bucket list? Washington is full of amazing, must-do hikes! The Washington hiking trails you should add to the ol’ bucket list are amazing treks such as:  

 

3. What are the most popular hikes in WA?  

Of course, some hiking trails in Washington are more popular than others! Some of the most popular hikes in WA as of the time of this writing include:  

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