We love it when friends and family visit us in Seattle, and no matter who it is they ALWAYS want recommendations on our favorite hikes. Showing visitors all the beauty that Washington has to offer is one of our favorite things to do, especially when we get to join in on the adventure! With five active volcanoes and three national parks the amount of choices can be overwhelming for visitors with a limited time frame, but no matter what you choose you can’t go wrong if you’re getting outside! We love the Washington Trails Association and their website is great for finding hikes, recent beta, and details on directions or which permit (if any) you need. So without further ado, here are some nearby favorites of varying intensity for visitors to Seattle!
- Twin Falls (Olallie State Park)
- 35 minutes from Seattle
- 2.6 miles round trip and 500 feet of elevation gain
- By far the closest option to Seattle on our list, Twin Falls does not sacrifice beauty for convenience. Located in a state park not far from i90 Twin Falls is easy to access and gorgeous. Along the trail you hike along the beautiful South Fork Snoqualmie River as it cascades through a series of waterfalls and flows through old growth pine groves. This gorgeous hike is awesome for beginner hikers who want to see some waterfall action and stick close to the city.
- WTA trail description
- Snow Lake (Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest)
- 54 minutes from Seattle
- 7.2 miles round trip and 1800 feet of elevation gain
- Snow Lake is a classic hike and also very popular. Located near the infamous Pacific Crest Trail, Snow Lake tracks back into pristine wilderness and is great as a day hike or even as a backpacking trip with numerous established backcountry sites. Located at Snoqualmie Pass, the trail to Snow Lake is surrounded by lush green forests exposed to the wet (west) side of the Cascades. The 1,800 feet of elevation gain is moderate, so expect a challenge, but should be no problem at all for experienced hikers.
Bonus: continue your hike down along the eastern shore of Snow Lake where there are some hidden cliff jumping spots! If you continue beyond Snow Lake you will be rewarded by finding the smaller but even more secluded Gem Lake, which is highly recommended. Bring bug spray in the summer! - WTA trail description
- GPS track of hike
- Lake Serene and Bridal Veil Falls (Mt Baker Snoqualmie National Forest)
- 64 minutes from Seattle
- 8.2 miles round trip and 2000 feet of elevation gain
- When Katie first visited Seattle, we came here. It was a rainy, humid, and slippery good time. In fact it was so awesome that Katie moved to Seattle later that year, all because of this hike, obviously.
The hike is moderate, but offers a stunning diversity of wilderness from a towering waterfall to the crumbling cliffs of Mt Index high above the lake. Summer time hikers can reward themselves with a refreshingly cold swim in the lake which is fed year round by snow melt. The best way to get an epic yodeling echo is to swim out 20-30 yards into the lake – ask me how I know. - WTA trail description
- Heliotrope Ridge (Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest)
- 2 hours and 35 minutes from Seattle
- 5.5 miles round trip and 1400 feet of elevation gain
- For those visitors willing to make the longer drive up north to Mt. Baker, Heliotrope Ridge WILL NOT disappoint. Long used as the approach trail for climbers ascending the Coleman Glacier route to the summit of Mt. Baker the Heliotrope Ridge trail takes you through old growth forest, across numerous glacial melt rivers and finally up to the toe of the Coleman Glacier Icefall. What other trail takes you from your car to a glacial icefall on an active volcano in under 3 miles? I’m waiting for your answer….
We highly recommend waterproof boots and trekking poles for the stream crossings. They are safe if you are careful, but poles and dry feet make everyone a little safer and happier. - WTA trail description
- Talapus and Olallie Lakes (Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest)
- 55 minutes from Seattle
- 6.2 miles round trip and 1220 feet of elevation gain
- Another closer option is Talapus and Olallie Lakes. With moderate distance and elevation gain over a gradually inclining slope this trail is a favorite of our friend Mike who introduced it to us as a great place to easily find peace and quiet among alpine lakes. Another great option for backpacking, these lakes are beautiful and accessible to a wide variety of hikers. Just don’t steal our secret campsite!
- WTA trail description
- Lake Ingalls (Alpine Lakes Wilderness)
- 2 hours and 18 minutes from Seattle
- 9 miles round trip and 2500’ gain
- Lake Ingalls is infamous in the Zamos and Smith families as the place where Katie and Cristin got swept away on a Unicorn wearing only bikinis. Known by most (normal) people as the lake underneath Ingalls Peak, Lake Ingalls is well worth the drive, and offers a completely different perspective of the drier side of the Cascades. Situated in a low saddle between magnificent Mt. Stuart and Ingalls Peak the lake is a popular year round destination for hikers, backpackers, climbers, and backcountry skiers. In the fall this hike offers a unique opportunity to see Washington’s Larch trees turn a magnificent golden color before losing their needles (deciduous coniferous trees!!). Separated from the enchantments only by the massive Mt. Stuart, this corner of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness is truly unique and worthy of protection forever.
- WTA Trail description
- GPS track of hike
For more great hiking ideas in Washington and beyond check out the posts on our hiking homepage !