Post Summary: Amazing Hikes Near Seattle (within a ~1-hour drive)
We may be biased, however living within the Pacific Northwest has some fairly rad perks. Seattle is just a quick drive away from beautiful mountains, epic trailheads, and there are so much of opportunities to get out in nature – even out on the water!
It’s no shock then, that hikes near Seattle are a popular recreational activity for locals and guests alike. When places just like the powerful Snoqualmie Falls or the jaw-dropping Rattlesnake Ledge are simply on the outskirts of the city, these amazing hikes in Washington can’t be missed!
In this post, we’re sharing our favourite Seattle hiking trails, Washington, and what you presumably can anticipate outside on these amazing trails. We’ll be giving necessary data like trail distances, elevation gain, and tips on the way to benefit from your time hiking in the Pacific Northwest.
For this submit, we’re additionally going to attempt to share places to hike near Seattle that require a 1-hour’s drive from the city or less. Any longer than that, we would consider it a weekend getaway from Seattle, so we’re just covering things you are in a place to do in in the future in this weblog post!
Amazing Hikes Near Seattle For A Fresh Dose Of The Outdoors
What To Bring When Hiking Near Seattle
You don’t have to pack a lot for these Seattle hikes, but there are some crucial gadgets that you simply shouldn’t depart house with out when hiking within the Pacific Northwest. Here’s our record beneath:
Boots – Choose a pair of hiking boots which may be comfy, and ideally waterproof (you’ll be hiking in Washington, after all). We really love the St Elias GTX boots from Vasque, as they are lightweight, waterproof (Gor-tex) and stylish!
Layers – When planning your Seattle hikes, it’s necessary to know that the mornings begin out very cool, and warm up shortly during the day. Make sure you might be carrying all your layers when beginning your hike, as they are much simpler to peel off than placed on when you’re on the trail!
Day Pack – We like this Luzon 24L Day Pack from Cotopaxi as a end result of it holds a lot of gear, and packs down really small when in storage.
Water – Fill a water bottle and place it in the side pocket of your day pack for straightforward access. You can’t go mistaken with considered one of these basic Nalgene bottles!
Sunscreen/Bug Spray – If you are taking hikes near Seattle through the summer season season, you’re going to wish to pack bug spray to ward off these pesky mosquitos. Even more essential, nonetheless, is sunscreen. Those excessive elevation hikes can expose you to the sun much more than you might realize!
Optional: Hiking Poles, a Camera, and additional friends!
What Types of Passes Do I Need To Go Hiking In Seattle?
One of one of the best issues to do in Washington is to get outside and explore the countless forests that encompass the cities. In order to benefit from this, you’ll need to get the right recreation passes!Forest cross necessities range per trailhead, and it depends on where you go hiking near Seattle.
We’ve included whether or not you need a move (and which one) within the data beneath each of the trail titles. However, if you’re looking for more info on Pacific Northwest forest passes and the place they can be utilized, here’s an overview:
* Washington Discover Pass – Entry to all the state park day-use areas
* Northwest Forest Pass – Recreation sites in Washington and Oregon that require a day-use payment. You can discover these places in National Forests.
* National Park Pass – Entry to National Parks, together with the national parks near Seattle (Mount Rainier, Olympic National Park, and North Cascades National Park)
Read More: The Complete Guide To Pacific Northwest Forest Passes (And Exactly Where To Use Them)
1. Discovery Park
* Trail Length: Varies up to 5 miles
* Elevation Gain: feet
* Difficulty:Easy
* Seattle Hiking Features: Lighthouse, Urban Hike, historic buildings, a community of trails
* Trailhead Location:forty seven. , -122. * Pass Required: None
Discovery Park is an excellent convenient place to go hiking in Seattle if you don’t have entry to a car. You can reach Discovery Park by the King County Metro Bus System (on the 19, 24, and 33 lines), or should you reside near the park, like within the Magnolia Neighborhood, you can even walk!
At Discovery Park there is a huge community of trails to discover, so arm your self with Google Maps and set out to discover new places! Some great features to examine out at Discovery Park include the West Point Lighthouse, Fort Lawton Homes, Magnolia Bluff, and the Fort Lawton Beach.
2. Heather Lake
* Trail Length: four.2 miles out and again
* Elevation Gain: 1,200 toes
* Difficulty:Moderate
* Heather Lake Features: Old-growth forest, alpine lake
* Trailhead Location: On the Mountain Loop Highway forty eight. , -121. * Pass Required: Northwest Forest Pass
Heather Lake is an all-around great hike for a fun day trip from Seattle. The trail begins out on an old logging highway after which quickly turns into root-tangled and rocky for some difficult steep components. You’ll end up deep within the Pacific Northwest vegetation on this trail, with every thing from little stream crossings to moss-covered timber lining your path.
At the highest, you’ll come to a peaceable lake, excellent for a snack break and a lake leap (if you dare – it’s cold!). This is a great hike to take kids or first-time hikers. The variety of scenery encountered on the trail paired with a relatively short distance makes this a really pleasant journey for everyone!
Read More: A Quick Morning Hike To Heather Lake on the Mountain Loop Highway
three. Lake Twenty-Two
* Trail Length: 5.4 miles out and again
* Elevation Gain: 1,500
* Difficulty:Moderate
* Lake 22 Features: Alpine lake, old-growth forest, some switchbacks
* Trailhead Location: On the Mountain Loop Highway forty eight. , -121. * Pass Required:Northwest Forest Pass
Lake Twenty-Two was one of the first day hikes near Seattle that Berty and I took together! Located in the same space of the Mountain Loop Highway (which is amongst the most scenic drives in Washington state!) as Heather Lake and Mount Pilchuck Lake, that is an easy option so far as day hikes in Seattle go as a end result of it’s only a 1-hour drive from Seattle.
This trail features a handful of switchbacksand a boulder subject crossing for some attention-grabbing mountain terrain. Once on the high, you’ll be greeted with considered one of Seattle’s most iconic alpine lake views – bonus points should you see an avalanche on the opposite side of the lake (but keep your distance please!).
Trail Tip: Pack a picnic to eat up at the top! If you would possibly be considering hiking Lake 22 in the shoulder season (late fall or early spring) think about bringing a pair of microspikes too to maintain regular footing. This is a well-liked Seattle day hike, so the snow will doubtless be packed into ice in sure areas.
four. Poo Poo Point
* Trail Length: three.2 miles (or 7.2 miles)
* Elevation Gain: 2,000 ft
* Difficulty:Moderate
* Seattle Hiking Features: Easy accessibility, city views, rolling hills
* Trailhead Location:47. , -122. * Pass Required: None
Located on Tiger Mountain in Issaquah, this is considered one of the nearest hikes in Seattle, just a fast 25-minute drive east on Interstate-90. It is claimed to be named for the sounds the loggers engaged on the mountains would hear as the practice chugged alongside. “…Poo-poo!” Once on the high, you will be rewarded with attractive views of Lake Washington and the hills that encompass the world.
Considered an ‘urban-hike’, you won’t find jagged mountain views or pristine alpine lakes, but quite gorgeous rolling hills and the glimmer of the city in the night. This can additionally be a very popular spot for paragliders, so if you’re lucky you’ll have the ability to spot some leaping off the hill on a sunny day!
Take certainly one of these two trail choices for day hikes near Seattle:
* Chirico Trail (Shorter Route): three.2 miles out and again, however a much steeper climb.
* High School Trail (Longer Route): 7.2 miles out and again, extending your Washington hike for a longer, more enjoyable trail experience.
5. Wallace Falls
* Trail Length: 5.6 miles out and again
* Elevation Gain: 1,300 ft
* Difficulty:Moderate
* Wallace Falls Features:Waterfall views, picnic tables, riverside benches, interpretive signs
* Trailhead Location:47. , -121. * Pass Required:Discover Pass
Wallace Falls Trail is a Washington waterfall day hike that can’t be missed. This beautiful Pacific Northwest trail has a little little bit of everything – moss-covered timber, riverside views up the Wallace River, dense forest, and naturally, Washington picture ops! The trail will deliver you to three tiers of the Wallace Falls waterfall, each with their very own viewing platform.
This is a well-liked trail for hikers of all ability ranges. The elevation achieve is good sufficient to work up an excellent sweat for training, however the frequent benches (and picnic area) also make this a great spot to deliver the whole family for plenty of breaks. If you’re in search of hikes near Seattle with waterfalls, think about trying out Wallace Falls in your next getaway from Seattle!
Note: A Washington Discover Pass is required to park at the trailhead. Read our Pacific Northwest forest passes guide to search out out about what kind of passes you need for sure hikes near Seattle!
> Read More: 16 More Waterfalls in Washington To Explore
Photo Credit to BrewBooks (See License Here)6. Mount Si and Little Si
* Trail Length: 8 miles out-and-back
* Elevation Gain:3, one hundred fifty toes
* Difficulty:Challenging
* Mount Si Features:Switchbacks, Views of Mt Rainier (on a clear day), Bragging Rights
* Trailhead Location:47. , -121. * Pass Required:Discover Pass
Climbing Mount Si is like checking off a traditional Seattle bucket list item. During someone’s time living within the metropolis, almost everybody makes it out to this in style hike near Seattle to beat its intimidating elevation and distance for themselves! It’s one of many few hikes you’ll find a way to take year-round, which makes it a fantastic alternative for people who desire a good outdoor workout regardless of the time of 12 months.
Drive to the Mount Si trailhead in North Bend, only a 30-minute drive east on Interstate-90 from Seattle. The Mount Si trail takes you into the dense woods of the Cascade Mountains and almost immediately you’ll start to gain elevation. After a sequence of grueling switchbacks, you’ll attain the highest which might be value all of the sweat and water breaks!
Don’t let the popularity fool you, nonetheless. It’s a challenge to climb over three,000 toes in simply four brief miles, let alone a chore to save your knees on the trek again all the method down to the automotive. Arm your self with plenty of hiking snacks, water, and time as you conquer this present day hike in Seattle once and for all!
Whether you would possibly be coming for training or bragging rights, this is among the greatest hikes near Seattle for beginning hikers and skilled ones alike!
Read More: 30 Of The Best Hikes In Washington State You Need To Experience This Season!
7. Rattlesnake Ledge
* Trail Length:4 miles out and back
* Elevation Gain:1,000 toes
* Difficulty:Moderate
* Seattle Hiking Features:Gorgeous Mountain views, lake access, big car parking zone, elective trail extensions
* Trailhead Location:forty seven. , -121. * Pass Required: None
Rattlesnake Ledge is among the most popular hiking trails near Seattle for its short distance, dog-friendly trek, and accessible trailhead. The huge car parking zone can maintain a ton of cars, and there are also loads of signs to information you to the beginning of the trailhead.
Along the trail, you’ll weave your means up via the tall timber and encounter a quantity of switchbacks for a enjoyable sweat session. Once you arrive at the top, you can climb round on the rocky cliff edge to discover a spot to relaxation with views of the lake and surrounding hills in front of you. Be cautious around the edge – there are not any guard rails!
Rattlesnake Ledge can get extraordinarily busy on a nice spring or summer season season weekend in Seattle, so when you have the power to come back through the weekdays we’d counsel coming then!
Read More: Discover More Photos of Rattlesnake Ledge Trail
eight. Mailbox Peak
* Trail Length: 9.6 miles
* Elevation Gain: 4,000 Feet
* Difficulty:More Challenging
* Seattle Hike Features: Mailbox photograph op, sweeping views (and possibly Mt Rainier on a transparent day!)
* Trailhead Location:forty seven. , -121. * Pass Required:Discover Pass
Mailbox Peak is situated in North Bend, Washington (like the Mount Si trails) and is among the hardest hikes near Seattle. This 9.6-mile out and back trek gains 4,000 toes over a sequence of switchbacks to succeed in the iconic mailbox on the very top.
The mailbox is said to be brought up by a daring mail carrier within the 1960s and is a popular place to snap a photo of your victory at the top! The trail was rebuilt in 2014 by the Washington Trails Association, so the path is clear and wide to the end.
Read More: 20 Energizing Hikes In The Pacific Northwest
9. Deception Pass (Lighthouse Point Loop)
* Trail Length: 2.6 miles
* Elevation Gain: 300 feet
* Difficulty:Easy to Moderate
* Deception Pass Features: Bridge, water entry, tenting
* Trailhead Location:48. , -122. * Pass Required: Discover Pass
Deception Pass State Park is situated on the north aspect of Whidbey Island within the Puget Sound. With over four,000 square acres of recreation land (most alongside the water!) this is a wonderful place to find new hikes near Seattle – there are greater than 30 main trails here!
Some of the preferred hiking trails in Deception Pass include the Lighthouse Point Loop (2.6 miles) which is great for photographers and wildlife viewers. Another nice trail is Hoypus Point Loop, a 5.1-mile loop with low elevation acquire, which is nice for hikers who want to choose more endurance than effort!
Finally, don’t forget to stop on both aspect of the Deception Pass Bridge and experience walking across it! Berty and I had a lot of luck spotting some bald eagles flying overhead, in addition to sea lions taking half in in the water below. Don’t overlook to convey your binoculars!
Deception Pass State Park is a superb place for day hikes from Seattle for the various unique trails and surroundings out there to visitors.
10. Gold Creek Pond Loop
* Trail Length: 1-mile loop
* Elevation Gain: one hundred feet
* Difficulty:Easy
* Seattle Hiking Features: Picturesque lake, easy access, great photoshoot location
* Trailhead Location:forty seven. , -121. * Pass Required:Northwest Forest Pass
Gold Creek Pond is the perfect choice for Seattle hikers who are simply starting their outside journey, people who’ve babies, and individuals who would like an ADA-accessible trail. Gold Creek pond is a gorgeous and easy 1-mile loop round this man-made lake, positioned near the highest of Snoqualmie Pass.
This brief and sweet trail is probably certainly one of the best hikes near Seattle. It contains a paved walkway, sections of boardwalk, and a photogenic bridge. You’ll usually find teams of people taking household photos or PNW engagements sessions here! The glassy lake and plush surrounding forest make this an unimaginable place to soak within the scenery.
Read More: 15+ Top PNW Engagement Photos Locations
11. Snow Lake Trail
* Trail Length: 7.2-mile round journey
* Elevation Gain: 1,seven hundred toes
* Difficulty:Moderate to Challenging
* Snow Lake Features:Alpine lake, waterfalls
* Trailhead Location:forty seven. , -121. * Pass Required:Northwest Forest Pass
Snow Lake is certainly one of the most popular day hikes near Seattle – this one with a little bit extra elevation gain. Located simply throughout from the Alpental Ski Resort (near Snoqualmie Pass), Snow Lake is a good option if you’re trying to seek out a enjoyable summer time lake jumping spot!
Want a little extra challenge? Keep going to Gem Lake! (And you can even camp overnight for a perfect Washington backpacking journey for beginners!)
Note: While Snow Lake might look like an invitation to take this trail in the snow, is it NOT beneficial to take it as a winter hike in Washington, for its high avalanche danger area. Save these hikes near Seattle for a late spring or summer adventure!
12. Mount Pilchuck
* Trail Length:5.4 miles out and again
* Elevation Gain: 2,300 ft
* Difficulty:Moderate to Difficult (Very Steep)
* Mount Pilchuck Features: Historic Washington fire lookout, mountain views
* Trailhead Location:forty eight. , -121. * Pass Required: Northwest Forest Pass
Do you like dramatic scenery and Instagram-worthy spots? You’re going to like this present day hike from Seattle to Pilchuck Lookout. This is doubtless one of the closest fireplace lookouts to the city, so you possibly can anticipate it to be fairly busy on any given spring or summer season weekend. However, don’t let the crowds deter you – the top’s 360-degree view of the encircling mountains (including Mount Rainier, Mount Baker, and the Olympics) are price it!
Located off the Mountain Loop Highway, this hike takes you through a portion of the old-growth forest near Granite, and across boulder fields to achieve the highest. This is a challenging hike, but the views on the prime are absolutely value every step.
If you’re looking for a short weekend getaway from Seattle, you have the choice of camping within the fireplace lookout! Be ready though – staying within the constructing is on a first-come-first-serve foundation, and there are crowds on the high almost 99% of the time. Come with backup sleeping choices like a tent or a hammock!
thirteen. Franklin Falls
* Trail Length: 2 miles out and back
* Elevation Gain: four hundred toes
* Difficulty:Easy
* Franklin Falls Features: Forest walks, accessible waterfall
* Trailhead Location:47. , -121. * Pass Required:Northwest Forest Pass
If you’re just starting out your hiking journey, we expect that Franklin Falls is the right hike for you! It’s top-of-the-line hikes near Seattle to hook anybody on hiking within the Pacific Northwest– easy elevation gain, short distance, and a huge payoff on the end!
Franklin Falls is a 70-foot tall waterfall that utterly freezes over in the winter months! For probably the most powerful flow within the spring and summer months, come anytime between April and July to enjoy the powerful mist coming from Franklin Falls!
Read More: 19+ Amazing Washington Winter Hikes To Experience (See Franklin Falls Frozen!)
14. Lake Serene Trail and Bridal Veil Falls
* Trail Length: eight.2 miles out-and-back
* Elevation Gain:2,000 toes
* Difficulty:Challenging
* Trail Features: Alpine Lake, Waterfall
* Trailhead Location:47. , -121. * Pass Required: Northwest Forest Pass
With both a waterfall and a stunning alpine lake, this is a hiking give you won’t want to refuse! The trail to Lake Serene and Bridal Veil Falls is a little bit harder than most day hikes near Seattle, but it’s price every step for the beautiful Washington photo spots at the path’s end!
Your first cease might be Bridal Veil Falls, at about 2.5-miles into the trail. This 1,328-foot cascading waterfall is the tallest accessible falls in Washington State, which glides down the rock cliff for some unbelievable scenery! After a go to to the falls, proceed on to the foot of Lake Serene, with great views of Mount Index in the distance.
15. Cherry Creek Falls
* Trail Length: 5.5 miles out and back
* Elevation Gain: 300 ft
* Difficulty:Easy
* Seattle Hiking Features: Waterfall
* Trailhead Location:47. , -121. * Pass Required: None
Cherry Creek Falls is a simple and fun hike, perfect for young children and individuals who want a simple hiking trail near Seattle! This hidden spot in King County follows an old logging road (no longer in use), so you can count on the trail to be relatively flat and wide. Once you reach the end, you can enjoy picturesque views of the 25-foot waterfall that plunges gracefully into a large pool below!
If you would possibly be on the lookout for hikes near Seattle with minimal driving time to the trailhead, I would positively contemplate this trail to Cherry Creek Falls!
16. Coal Creek Falls Trail
Trail Length: 2.5 miles out and back
Elevation Gain: 416 toes
Difficulty:Easy
Seattle Hiking Features: Waterfall, Old coal mines
Trailhead Location:47. ,-122. Pass Required: None
Coal Creek Falls is located in Cougar Mountain Regional Wildlife Park in Issaquah. It’s a brilliant convenient hike near Seattle because it’s only a 20-minute drive from the city!
This is a wonderful trail option for individuals who have children or pets. It’s a average grade with tons of features to see alongside the means in which, including old coal mines! You can’t go in them (they are blocked off) however they will look a bit spooky in the evenings.
Read More: The 15 Most Haunted Places In Washington State
MORE ADVENTURES NEAR SEATTLE
10 Amazing Weekend Getaways From Seattle to Book Now
The sixteen Most Amazing Waterfalls In Washington State
How To Have a Dreamy 24 Hours At the Kalaloch Lodge on the Washington Coast
The Complete Guide To The Olympic National Park, Washington
The Ultimate Olympic Peninsula Road Trip Route (For a Long Weekend)
The 10 Best Washington Beaches To Explore On Your Next Trip To The Coast
The 20+ Best Instagram Spots In Washington State
46 Cheap, Fun, and Free Things To Do In Seattle, Washington