My Favorite Hikes Near Seattle

Trying to choose between the hundreds of great hikes near Seattle can be overwhelming. I’m a local who can point you to tried-and-true trails in the area, along with a few of my favorites.

Hiking is one of the best things to do in Seattle and this list includes something for people of all abilities. I’ve included hikes that will take you through city parks and forests, along mountain ridges, and to gushing waterfalls and beautiful alpine lakes.

So grab your boots and poles — let’s go hiking!

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22 Best Hikes Near Seattle

Rattlesnake Ledge

This super popular trail in North Bend is a great introductory hike for Washington newcomers and year-round trekkers.

Rattlesnake Ledge is an easy drive from the city and a decent trek for beginners and novice hikers. Whenever a friend from out-of-state visits, I’ll take them on this hike to help them understand why people are so obsessed with the outdoors out here.

Expect great views of the Cascade Mountains and Rattlesnake Lake from the top, even if you visit during winter. The trail is extremely well-maintained and can be hiked year-round, which is why I included it in my Seattle itinerary.

Rattlesnake Ledge is a good introductory hike for Washington newbies, but its popularity also means it’s almost always crowded. Don’t expect complete solitude on this hike.

👉 Make A Day of It: It’s easy to turn this adventure into a day trip from Seattle! After completing the hike, drive back to North Bend and pop into Twede’s cafe for burgers and pie. After your meal, drive north to admire and snap photos of the beautiful Snoqualmie Falls.

Discovery Park

A 500-acre park in Seattle with forest, beach, and bluff trails along with wildlife-watching opportunities.

Discovery Park is the largest of all the parks in Seattle and tucked away in the Magnolia neighborhood. Want to get away from the city without actually leaving it? This is the place to do so.

Discovery Park boasts numerous trails that wind through forests, along bluffs, and to the beach. Search for bald eagles, herons, and Cooper’s hawks on your visit — this is a great place for birdwatching.

Seals, otters, and sea lions are also common visitors. Look out for them if you take the trail to the historic West Point Lighthouse on the beach. Discovery Park is also known to have some spectacular sunsets, making it one of the best Seattle date ideas.

Fremont Lookout

Hike along a rocky ridge trail to a historic fire lookout with breathtaking views of the surrounding Mount Rainier National Park.

The Fremont Lookout hike is perfect for the person who wants a semi-challenging hike with an amazing payoff. Just keep in mind that you’ll have to make a reservation for Mount Rainier National Park hikes if you visit during peak hours.

The hike will take you along the NE (Sunrise) side of Mount Rainier and up to a fire lookout from the 1930s. The trail winds through an expansive and open landscape with few trees. You won’t have much shade on this trek, but you will have incredible views of Rainier and the surrounding valley on the way up.

Look out for mountain goats and black bears from the top. Do this hike at sunrise or sunset to make it even more awe-inspiring.

❗ Know Before You Go: Washington Trails Association (WTA) is a gem of a resource — I never hit the trails before looking there first. Read trip reports from other hikers to see current conditions and closures, download a map, and find additional hikes. You can also learn the basics and safety tips if you’re new to hiking and have questions about getting started.

Snow Lake

This North Bend hike leads trekkers past a rocky field teeming with pikas and to a beautiful alpine lake.

The author Chelsea Booker, posing for a photo with majestic views of the mountain ranges reflecting on the lake in the background — *Being the first one to the lake on this morning trek felt pretty amazing!*

🥾 Moderate | 7.2 miles | 📍 Google Maps | Website | 55-minute drive from Seattle | Cost: Northwest Forest Pass ($30 annual, $5/car day pass)

Snow Lake is a wonderful hike for those interested in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. This hike is not far from Snoqualmie Pass.

The trail will take you up through a beautiful forest and down past rock outcroppings full of chattering pikas. Do your best to catch a glimpse of them or just soak in the mountain, tree, and open sky views before arriving at the beautiful Snow Lake.

This popular trail can get crowded, especially during summer. And while it might be tempting to do this one outside of peak season, there’s avalanche risk during the winter. Be sure to check trail conditions before setting out.

Summerland

The perfect hike in Mount Rainier for adventurers who love wildflower meadows, mountain vistas, and wildlife spotting.

Squirrels wandering in Summerland — *You’ll see plenty of these little guys at the top*

Any hike around Mount Rainier is a delight, but I’m obsessed with Summerland. It’s the trail that made me fall in love with hiking.

Summerland is varied enough that it never feels boring. You’ll wander through an old-growth forest, past waterfalls, across streams, and up to a colorful wildflower meadow with views of snow-capped Mount Rainier.

Love spotting wildlife? There’s a lot to see on this hike, and you may spot chipmunks, marmots, hummingbirds, and possibly foxes or bears on the way.

I like to end the hike with lunch in the meadow, but you can also continue up the Panhandle Gap for more mountain vistas. For intermediate hikers, Summerland is just long and varied enough to be an exciting outdoor adventure.

Lincoln Park

Enjoy a stroll along the waterfront or through the forest of this super-accessible Seattle city park.

Make your way to West Seattle to explore the trails in lovely Lincoln Park. Wander through the forested part of the park to get lost among the mossy trees and ferns. Or walk down the paved waterfront trail where pretty views of Vashon Island and the Olympic Mountains will keep you company.

Watch for seals offshore or herons fishing at low tide. This city park is one of the best Seattle attractions for families. Lincoln Park even has a playground, wading pool, and heated outdoor saltwater pool if you want to spend the day here.

Poo Poo Point

This hike through Issaquah’s Tiger Mountain ends in a clearing with city, forest, and water views (and sometimes launching paragliders).

First, go ahead and giggle at the silly name. Poo Poo Point is a reference to the sound of steam whistles heard from Tigers in the years when logging was a primary activity in the area.

Hike to Poo Poo Point on a sunny day! The trail will take you along the west side of Tiger Mountain through a mossy and well-shaded old-growth forest. The trail has some steep points, but it’s not too hard to find a spot to catch your breath if needed.

The hike ends in a large clearing with city, lake, and mountain views (on a clear day, anyway). Stop for a picnic when you reach the clearing. You may see paragliders launching themselves off the top if your timing is right!

📚 Related Reading: Interested in hiking up Poo Poo Point and paragliding down? Check out my article on things to do in Bellevue to learn how you can do this!

Gold Creek Trail, Green Mountain

Head west to Bremerton’s Green Mountain to hike this rarely crowded trail with surprisingly expansive views.

View of the hikers admiring the view from the top of Gold Creek Trail — *My mother and sister-in-law admiring the view from the top on a clear winter day*

I’m hesitant to share this gem of a hike, but the Gold Creek Trail on Green Mountain is perfect for avoiding crowds. It’s west of Seattle in the Bremerton area, a little over an hour’s drive (or ferry ride and drive) away.

The trail is an uphill climb through a forest with peekaboo waterfall sightings before it opens up to a stunning clearing with views of the Olympic Mountains. Continue to the top for great views of Seattle and possibly Mount Rainier on a clear day. Keep in mind that the trails are shared with mountain bikers, so it may be a bit noisy sometimes.

This is a great hike to do in the winter. I’ve done it in snow and loved it (hot cocoa for the top is a must, though). However, I’d avoid doing it when it’s too rainy. Between the muddy trail and the lack of coverage, you’ll be soaked before making it a mile in (learned from experience).

Franklin Falls

An easy, kid-friendly hike in North Bend that leads to a gorgeous waterfall.

You’ll adore Franklin Falls if you’re a beginner hiker or have young kids ready to transition from city park hiking.

This short and easy journey is a fun one with an obvious payoff: the gorgeous Franklin Falls. And because it’s so popular among families with kids, the Washington Trails Association works hard to keep the trail well-maintained so it’ll be a safe trip for even the littlest humans.

Go between April and July to see the best flow. There’s plenty of shade along the mostly flat trail, so it’s not a miserable hike to do on hot days.

Dege Peak

The perfect Rainier hike to watch the sunrise with 360-degree views of Washington’s tallest mountains.

Dege Peak is a good Mount Rainier hike to try if you’re on the hunt for a relatively easy trek with a phenomenal payoff. It’s on the Sunrise side of the mountain. And yes, you should plan to do this one during the early morning hours.

Park in the visitor center parking lot and follow the signs for Dege Peak. The trail is not incredibly steep, but poles may come in handy. Admire pretty blooms and search for mountain goats and shy little marmots on the way up.

Even if you don’t make it to the top by sunrise, you’ll still reap the rewards of your efforts. You’ll have 360-degree views of Rainier, Baker, Mount St. Helens, and Mount Adams from the top. That alone makes this hike worth it.

Kendall Katwalk

Expect unbeatable views on this challenging Snoqualmie Pass hike that’s also part of the Pacific Crest Trail.

Up for a challenge? Kendall Katwalk should deliver! This steep alpine ridge hike takes you up through old-growth forests and along a catwalk with views of Rainier and snowy valleys. At the top, there are meadows, alpine lakes, and some great spots to camp.

Bring plenty of water if you’re doing the Kendall Katwalk as a day hike because there’s very little shade along the trail. Both day hikers and backpackers should beware of bugs by the lakes in the summer — they can be a real pain.

Seward Park

Hike through an accessible Seattle city park with pretty views of Lake Washington, plus plenty of places to cool off with a swim.

Seward Park is yet another city park that will make you forget that you’re in a busy city. The park has a 2.5-mile walking loop with slightly harder trails through non-paved, forest terrain. Heed the warnings for poison oak in certain places and you’ll have a pleasant trek.

This is a great park for running, biking, dog walking, and nature spotting. Step outside the tree canopy to walk alongside Lake Washington and go for a swim during warmer weather.

🛏️ Read Next: The Best Places to Stay in Seattle, Washington

Twin Falls

This moderate North Bend hike follows a meandering river up steep hills to get to the namesake waterfall.

Twin Falls in Olallie State Park ranks among the best Washington waterfalls. It’s another one of North Bend’s gems, meaning it’s easy to get to from Seattle. The super cool waterfall makes the hike worthwhile.

Wind your way through a classic PNW forest full of towering trees, with the South Fork Snoqualmie River meandering beside you for most of it. The hike is a decent workout, despite the relatively short mileage. This makes it a good bridge for beginner and intermediate-level hikers.

There are several spots for you to view the waterfall. First, you’ll see it from a distance. Then, you’ll wander down precarious-feeling, but sturdy stairs to see it from a viewing deck. Complete the trifecta with a steep climb to see it from above on a bridge.

Lake 22

You’re in for a treat on this alpine wetland hike — find a dazzling green lake at the foot of Mount Pilchuck.

Nestled at the foot of Mount Pilchuck, the hike to Lake 22 will take you on a steady climb through alpine wetlands, old-growth forests, and rainforests.

The trail is extremely wet, which means you’ll spot plenty of ferns, mossy trees, and little waterfalls along the way. Bring the right gear for the muddy paths — good waterproof hiking shoes are a must on your Seattle packing list. Like snow? Come in winter for a snowshoeing adventure.

Mount Si & Little Si

These popular North Bend hikes are great for exercise and good practice for people working their way up to more strenuous climbs.

The author on top of Little Si in North Bend — *The final stretch of Little Si gets pretty steep – prepare to sweat 🙂*

Chelsea Booker with her friend at the top of Mt Si — *My friend and I at the top of Mt Si*

Mount Si is a local favorite. It’s close to the city, good for intermediate and experienced hikers, and great for anyone looking for a workout.

The trail is well-maintained, but super steep. I recommend poles for anyone who wants to spare their knees. People also use Mount Si as a practice run for summiting Rainier (you’re ready to tackle the giant if you can reach the top of Mount Si with a weighted pack in under 2 hours).

Little Si is like Mount Si’s younger sibling. The hike isn’t quite as intense, but you’ll still get a decent workout as you wander through the forest and past a bouldering field before a steep climb to the top. Take a peek at Mount Si if it’s a clear day when you reach the top (and plan to tackle that one next time).

👉 Pro Tip: Mount Si and Little Si are both serviced by Trailhead Direct. This bus service will take you from Seattle directly to the trailheads, so you don’t have to worry about driving! The service typically operates from early June to late September. Use the online maps to plan your trip.

Mailbox Peak

An intense North Bend hike with panoramic views and a mailbox at the top.

Expect an intense hike if you choose the Mailbox Peak trail. This one is for more conditioned hikers. The climb is brutal, particularly during the last half mile. But the panoramic views at the top make it worth it.

On a clear day, you’ll see Middle Fork Valley and Mount Rainier. And if the fog decides to obscure your view? Well, at least you’ll have made it to the mailbox at the top where you just might find goodies left behind by other hikers.

Margaret’s Way Trail

A shady and relaxing hike through Issaquah’s Squak Mountain with multiple viewpoints along the way.

Me, always striking a pose on the trail!

View of the Margaret’s Way Trail under the shade of the trees — *Shady paths make this a good hike for a warm day*

The Margaret’s Way Trail is in the Issaquah Alps on Squak Mountain. This one is for people craving a long hike along a mostly flat, well-maintained trail with enough incline to get you sweating. Bring plenty of snacks and water.

Take the trail to Debbie’s View, where you’ll see Mount Rainier on a clear day. Or go on a foggy day for those moody Pacific Northwest vibes.

This isn’t the most unique trail, but it’s great for examining the plants in the surrounding forest. Keep your eyes peeled for mushrooms in the fall and search for trillium and other wildflowers in the spring. When you finish, I highly recommend venturing to Issaquah to get some well-earned, post-hike burgers.

Gold Creek Pond

This stunning Snoqualmie Pass hike is loved by couples, families, and people with limited mobility.

Gold Creek Pond is an accessible, well-maintained loop trail not far from Snoqualmie Pass. The trail is paved all along the loop, making it great for people in wheelchairs, anyone pushing strollers, and younger kids.

You’ll end up by the water where there are numerous picnic areas and spots to relax while taking in views of the lovely alpine lake. This is a popular spot for photos. Prepare to capture as many shots as possible, and be on the lookout for people taking their engagement photos.

Lake Serene & Bridal Veil Falls

This two-for-one hike in Gold Bar is as beautiful as it is strenuous (and not for the stairs-averse).

The rocky Bridal Veil Falls — *Rocky Bridal Veil Falls*

Lake Serene and Bridal Veil Falls are two remarkable hikes that you can do separately or in conjunction with one another. You might run into crowds along these popular but challenging trails, but they’re worth it.

Check out the falls first if you do both. You’ll climb lots of steps and be rewarded with a waterfall that you can stand by as you let the spray cool you down from the exhausting first half of your trip.

Afterward, follow the trail back to the breathtaking Lake Serene. Both trails can be wet and slippery, so watch your step — and always carry hiking safety essentials, just in case.

Dash Point State Park

You’ll work up a sweat on the trails in this out-of-the-way state park in Federal Way.

My pup was a real trooper for this ultra-muddy part of the hike

Dash Point State Park is an ideal place to go if you want to get out of the city, but aren’t in the mood to go to the mountains. It’s about equidistant from Seattle and Tacoma and feels a bit like a secret since it’s tucked away in Federal Way.

Dash Point State Park has multiple trails. They’re well-maintained and on par with the difficulty of the trails in Seattle city parks. However, that’s not to say you can’t work up a good sweat here!

I recommend taking the Old Boundary Loop Trail for a good workout through a forest with lots of hills, little bridges, mossy trees, and sword ferns. After your hike, head to the park’s beach to dip your toes in the water or search for crabs and clams.

📚 Related Reading: Best Seattle Beaches to Visit

Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve

This Whidbey Island hike has some of the best views of Puget Sound and the Olympics.

The mountains are not your sole option for hikes in the Seattle area. Travel an hour north and take the ferry to Whidbey Island.

The Ebey’s Landing National Historic Reserve hike takes you through open fields and along the bluffs with breathtaking views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. You might see sea lions playing in the water or eagles soaring overhead. You’ll certainly see lots of birds around the lagoon.

This is a great scenic hike to take year-round. Just know that the trail can get narrow, and you’ll probably want to bring a jacket with you — you’re completely exposed to the elements up here.

Wallace Falls State Park

Check out the falls from three different viewpoints on this moderate hike in Gold Bar.

Wallace Falls State Park is a choose-your-own-adventure sort of hike. You have a choice of three different viewpoints of the falls, each a bit more difficult than the next.

Those with kids or beginner hikers can take a pleasant hike to the lower falls. Continue further to the middle falls, where you’ll find arguably the best of all the views.

Want to extend your hike and complete the trifecta? Go on to the upper falls viewpoint. It may not be the most phenomenal view, but you’ll earn some bragging rights from completing the hardest part of this hike.

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These are just a few of the great hikes near Seattle. Hiking is one of the best things to do in Washington, so you’ll find hundreds of other options around the state. Have a question? Let me know in a comment. Otherwise, happy hiking!

5 Comments

Nikhar Maheshwari says:

September 8, 2023 at 11:31 am

This is super helpful for a newcomer to Seattle like me! Thanks a ton.

Mia says:

September 22, 2022 at 3:50 pm

Hi! In early October I will be visiting Seattle for the first time (we live in the midwest and am so excited to see the mountains and water). For the first couple of days we are visiting friends who live on Bainbridge Island. The next several days we are looking to stay in or nearby Seattle. I would like to take my 10 yr old on a fairly easy hike with a fantastic view. What are your top 3 recommendations? I am willing to go as far as Orcas Island, but might prefer to go somewhere closer. Any tips are much appreciated. Thank you!

Anonymous says:

April 15, 2022 at 11:22 am

Good list . Thanks!

Ken P says:

January 28, 2022 at 7:06 pm

Solid list, Chelsea! Great mix of urban and mountain adventures; something for everyone.

1. Chelsea Booker says:
  
  February 4, 2022 at 10:41 am
  
  Thank you, Ken! We really are spoiled for choice up here in Seattle, and it’s nice that anyone can begin hiking at whatever level they’re at. Glad you enjoyed the list! 🙂

My 22 Favorite Hikes Near Seattle (As a Local)