Best Hikes Near Seattle, Washington
Seattle is surrounded by mountains on three sides: the Cascades to the east, the Olympics to the west, and Mount Rainier looming 60 miles to the south. Within a 2-hour drive, you have access to some of the best hiking in the contiguous United States. The challenge isn't finding good trails. It's choosing which ones to prioritize. Many Seattle-area hikers also make the three-hour drive south to the Gifford Pinchot National Forest for volcanic landscape hiking near Mount St. Helens that offers a completely different experience from the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.
Here are the hikes that consistently deliver, organized by the areas you'll be driving to.
The Short List
One hike for visitors: Snow Lake for alpine scenery with moderate effort. One hike for ambitious locals: Camp Muir for the Mount Rainier experience. One hike for a rainy day: Twin Falls in the Snoqualmie Valley for waterfall beauty under a forest canopy.
Snoqualmie Pass Area (1 hour from Seattle)
The I-90 corridor is Seattle's most accessible mountain playground. Snoqualmie Pass sits at 3,022 feet, and the trails on either side of the highway reach alpine terrain quickly.
Snow Lake
7.2 miles out-and-back, 1,800 ft elevation gain, moderate
The most popular alpine lake hike near Seattle, and for good reason. Snow Lake is the largest alpine lake in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, and the trail from the Snoqualmie Pass trailhead reaches it with a manageable amount of climbing. The lake sits in a granite basin at 4,016 feet with views of Chair Peak. Expect crowds on summer weekends; this trail sees 70,000+ visitors per year. Northwest Forest Pass and Alpine Lakes Wilderness permit required.
Rattlesnake Ledge
5.3 miles out-and-back, 1,160 ft elevation gain, easy-moderate
The after-work hike that half of Seattle's tech industry does on summer evenings. A well-maintained trail climbs to a rock ledge with views of Rattlesnake Lake and the Cedar River Watershed. It's short, accessible, and scenic. The trailhead lot is huge and still fills on weekends. Discover Pass required.
Mount Si
8 miles out-and-back, 3,150 ft elevation gain, moderate-hard
Seattle's training hike. Locals use Mount Si to build fitness for bigger mountains, and the relentless switchbacks up the 4,167-foot summit will test your legs. The "Haystack" at the top is a Class 3 scramble (optional). Views of the Snoqualmie Valley and the Cascades from the summit. Discover Pass required. The parking lot can accommodate several hundred cars and still fills on nice weekends.
Mount Rainier (2 hours from Seattle)
Mount Rainier National Park is the crown jewel of Washington hiking. The park charges a $30 entry fee per vehicle (or use your America the Beautiful Pass).
Skyline Trail (Paradise)
5.5 miles loop, 1,700 ft elevation gain, moderate
The best day hike at Mount Rainier. The Skyline Loop from Paradise climbs through wildflower meadows (peak bloom in late July and early August) to Panorama Point with views of the Nisqually Glacier. On a clear day, Mount Adams, Mount St. Helens, and Mount Hood are visible to the south. The trail is well-maintained and popular. Go on a weekday if possible; Paradise parking is a nightmare on summer weekends.
Camp Muir
9 miles out-and-back, 4,600 ft elevation gain, strenuous
The base camp for Rainier summit climbers at 10,080 feet. You don't need to climb the summit to hike to Camp Muir, and doing so gives you an unforgettable high-altitude experience. The route follows the Muir Snowfield above the Skyline Trail, crossing permanent snow for the upper 3 miles. Microspikes or crampons, sunscreen, and several liters of water are essential. This is not a casual hike: the altitude, the snow travel, and the potential for whiteout conditions make it a serious mountain day. Best from July through September.
Spray Park Trail
7 miles out-and-back, 1,500 ft elevation gain, moderate
A less-crowded alternative to the Paradise trails. Spray Park, on Rainier's northwest side, offers spectacular wildflower meadows with Rainier looming directly above. The drive from Seattle is longer (2.5 hours via the Carbon River entrance), but the relative solitude compared to Paradise makes it worth the extra time. Best in late July and August.
Gifford Pinchot National Forest (2 hours from Seattle)
South of Mount Rainier, Gifford Pinchot offers waterfalls and volcanic landscapes near the Columbia River.
Lewis River Falls
9 miles out-and-back, 400 ft elevation gain, easy-moderate
Three major waterfalls along the Lewis River, connected by a trail through old-growth forest. Lower Lewis River Falls is the star, but Middle and Upper Falls are impressive in their own right. This is a great hike for waterfall enthusiasts and is manageable for families. About 2.5 hours from Seattle. Northwest Forest Pass required.
Read the full Lewis River Falls trail guide
Lava Canyon
6.4 miles out-and-back, 1,400 ft elevation gain, moderate-hard
A canyon carved by the 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption. The upper section is paved and accessible, while the lower section involves ladders, cables, and dramatic volcanic terrain. One of the most geologically interesting hikes in Washington. About 2.5 hours from Seattle.
Read the full Lava Canyon trail guide
Closer to Seattle (Under 1 Hour)
Twin Falls
2.6 miles out-and-back, 500 ft elevation gain, easy
A short, forested hike to two waterfalls on the South Fork Snoqualmie River, just 35 minutes from Seattle. The trail passes through old-growth forest and reaches a viewing platform at the upper falls. Good year-round (the falls flow strongest in winter and spring), and the forest canopy provides cover on rainy days. Discover Pass required.
Franklin Falls
2 miles out-and-back, 400 ft elevation gain, easy
A 70-foot waterfall reached by a short, mostly flat trail off I-90 near Snoqualmie Pass. The falls drop into a grotto where you can feel the mist. It's a quick, easy payoff and works well as a stop on the way to or from other Snoqualmie Pass trails. No parking pass required at the Denny Creek Trailhead.
Mailbox Peak (New Trail)
9.4 miles out-and-back, 4,000 ft elevation gain, strenuous
Seattle's other training hike (alongside Mount Si), with nearly twice the elevation gain. The new trail is longer but more gradual than the old trail. The summit has an actual mailbox where hikers leave notes. Views of Mount Rainier, the Snoqualmie Valley, and the surrounding Cascade peaks. The old trail (shorter, steeper, more brutal) is still accessible for masochists.
When to Hike Near Seattle
July through October is the reliable window for alpine hikes. Mountain snow can linger into July at higher elevations.
April through June works for lower-elevation trails (Rattlesnake Ledge, Twin Falls, Franklin Falls). Rain is likely but the waterfalls are at their best.
November through March is rain season. Stick to low-elevation forest and waterfall hikes. Expect mud.
The "Seattle sunny weekend" effect: When a sunny weekend is forecast after weeks of rain, every trailhead within 100 miles of Seattle fills to capacity. Check WTA (Washington Trails Association) trip reports for real-time conditions and crowding.
Permits and Passes
Northwest Forest Pass: $5/day or $30/year. Required at most USFS trailheads.
Discover Pass: $10/day or $30/year. Required at Washington State Parks and DNR trailheads (Rattlesnake Ledge, Twin Falls, Mount Si).
Mount Rainier National Park: $30/vehicle for a 7-day pass, or use the America the Beautiful Pass (linked above). Veterans and active military can get that pass for free. See also best hikes near Portland for trails accessible from the south end of this same mountain corridor.
Alpine Lakes Wilderness Permit: Required for overnight trips and some popular day hikes (including Snow Lake). Check Recreation.gov for specific trail requirements. Our guide on how to get a national forest camping permit walks through the Recreation.gov booking process.
Getting There
Seattle's freeway network provides direct access to mountain trailheads:
- Snoqualmie Pass (I-90): 50 miles east, about 1 hour
- Mount Rainier (Paradise): 95 miles south, about 2 hours via SR-706
- Gifford Pinchot (Lewis River area): 130 miles south, about 2.5 hours via I-5 and SR-503
- North Bend (Mount Si, Rattlesnake): 30 miles east, about 35 minutes via I-90
Seattle's hiking access is one of its best features. The combination of Cascade Range trails, Olympic Peninsula options, and Mount Rainier National Park gives you more high-quality hiking than you could explore in a decade of weekends. Familiarize yourself with the Leave No Trace principles before heading out, especially on the heavily trafficked alpine lake trails. For additional Gifford Pinchot options beyond Lewis River Falls, the Norway Pass trail offers views of Spirit Lake and Mount St. Helens with far less traffic than the main Johnston Ridge trails. The price of entry is a willingness to wake up early, check the weather, and accept that yes, it will probably rain at some point.