15 Of The Most Beautiful Places To Hike In Washington
The Evergreen State is a natural beauty. From waterfalls that are positively sublime to forests that look like something out of a fairy tale, the Evergreen State has some of the very best hiking in the entire country. With that in mind, we’ve handpicked some of the most beautiful places to hike in Washington, from beginner-level trails to more advanced treks.
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Admire some of the biggest and oldest trees (some nearly 40 feet in diameter and more than 300 feet tall!) in the state while hiking the Grove of the Patriarchs Loop. You'll be awestruck by nature's power and beauty while hiking this trail, located in Mount Rainier National Park.
Clocking in at about seven and a half miles round-trip, this picture-perfect trail at North Cascades National Park is a perennial favorite. Heather-Maple Pass features ridgelines blanketed in wildflowers in the summer, sun-drenched foliage in the fall, and Robert Frost-worthy beauty in the winter. It's a true Washington treasure.
This classic hike by North Bend is perfect during the early spring season. The moderate route heads up the summit of Mount Si, with sweeping, panoramic views to enjoy from the top. It's also one of Washington's most popular trails, attracting upwards of 100,000 hikers each year.
The 12-mile trail through this landscape on the eastern edge of the Pasayten Wilderness is almost too breathtaking for words. Horseshoe Basin is one of the few places in the Lower 48 states to contain arctic tundra, and is home to bears, deer, and bighorn sheep.
You can find the scenic Skyscraper Pass trail in the Mount Rainier area. It's perfect for hikers looking for more of a day trek, as the hike has several noteworthy spots worth the extra effort.
The Cape Alava Loop is basically a "choose your own adventure" kind of hike: a forest stroll and a walk on the beach. Take the Cape Alava Trail out to the beach and back for a 6.2 mile hike, or continue south along the beach to connect up with the Sand Point Trail for a 9.4 mile loop. Either way, you'll start your hike at Lake Ozette, the largest unaltered natural lake in Washington.
This five-and-a-half mile trip is in the Mount Baker area of the North Cascades. Heliotrope Ridge truly is one of the most spectacular hiking areas in the state.
You'll feel like you've conquered the world on top of Mount Constitution! Located in Moran State Park, this hike offers some of the best panoramic views in Washington.
Mailbox Peak is iconic. Literally a mailbox on top of a mountain peak, folks have found everything from beer and toys to even a fire hydrant waiting at the top! Oh, and, of course, some of the best views of Mt. Rainier and the Middle Fork Valley.
This challenging 7-mile trek leads up a forested mountain by the Columbia River Gorge. The scenic views and glorious wildflowers make this one of the most popular hikes in the Gorge.
If you're a more experienced hiker, check out this 6-mile trail in the North Cascades. One of the most beautiful hikes in Washington, from the top, you'll be rewarded with 360-degree views of Mount Baker, Mount Rainier, and the Olympics. This is a bucket list kind of hike, for sure.
An easy loop from Sol Duc Hot Springs, this trail in the Olympic National Park winds through old-growth trees in a lush rainforest, leading to one of one of the most enchanting waterfalls in the state.
Ah, Washington. We sure do love you. If these hikes have brought on a major case of wanderlust, we can help with that! Here are 12 beautiful hikes in Washington, one for each month of the year. Happy hiking!
Address: N Cascades Hwy, Marblemount, WA 98267, USA
Address: Mount Rainier, Washington 98304, USA
Address: Mount Si Trail, Washington 98045, USA
Address: Horseshoe Basin, Washington, USA
Address: Cape Alava, Washington 98326, USA
Address: Nisqually Vista Trail, Washington 98304, USA
Address: Heliotrope Ridge, Washington 98244, USA
Address: Mount Constitution, Washington 98279, USA
Address: Port Angeles, WA 98362, USA
Address: Mailbox Peak, Washington 98045, USA
Address: Olympic Peninsula, Washington 98331, USA
Address: Dog Mountain, Washington 98605, USA
Address: Mt Pilchuck, Washington 98252, USA
Address: Sol Duc Falls, Washington 98363, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Beautiful Places To Hike In Washington
February 02, 2021
Sarah
What are some beautiful places to hike in Washington that are suitable for families?
Washington is such a great place to raise a family. And if our roundup of best places to hike in Washington inspired you, know that there are definitely trails for even the littlest legs! Check out these 9 kid-friendly hikes in Washington — all are under a mile long, making them just-the-right length for tiny trekkers.
Where is the most beautiful place in Washington?
Washington is an incredible state. Whether you prefer a bustling city or a small town, a mountain hike or a beach walk, or a relaxing weekend spent by the lake, the Evergreen State is a total natural beauty. In terms of “most beautiful” — we absolutely adore Mount Rainier. Mount Rainier is a Washington State icon, and it’s pretty much perfect any time of the year. The Skyline Trail may give you the very best views of this Washington beauty, however. It’s a 6-mile loop that will give you some of the most incredible scenic views of Mount Rainier.
What are some under-the-radar outdoor places to visit in Washington?
If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path kind of adventure in the Evergreen State, you’ve come to the right place! One of our favorite hidden gems in Washington is Finch Arboretum. This 56-acre park has over 600 species of trees and is free and open to the public every day. Blue Lake Rhino Cave is another Washington gem. Contrary to its name, the Blue Lake Rhino Cave is not named after a rhinoceros, but — it was formed by basalt that was once a Diceratherium bull, an ancestor of the rhino. The bull was killed by lava, and the lava that covered the bull cooled into molten rock and hardened into the shape that you now see today. Is that not one of the coolest things ever?
Address: N Cascades Hwy, Marblemount, WA 98267, USA
Address: Mount Rainier, Washington 98304, USA
Address: Mount Si Trail, Washington 98045, USA
Address: Horseshoe Basin, Washington, USA
Address: Cape Alava, Washington 98326, USA
Address: Nisqually Vista Trail, Washington 98304, USA
Address: Heliotrope Ridge, Washington 98244, USA
Address: Mount Constitution, Washington 98279, USA
