21 Amazing Easy Hikes in Washington That You MUST Do
There’s no doubt about it that the Pacific Northwest is the ultimate destination for adventure and hikers.
Washington is filled with amazing hikes that feature some of the best views you’ll ever see from mountains to coastline to waterfalls to the desert.
Even if you’re a beginner, there are some really epic easy hikes in Washington that will be perfect for you.
From short trails with no elevation change at all to longer ones with just a little bit more, these are all great choices.
This list features 19 of those beginner-friendly hikes, all of which have incredible views and aren’t too difficult.
Best Beginner Friendly Hikes in Washington
Here are some of the very best hikes in Washington that are beginner friendly and perfect for seeing the state’s beauty.
Some of them are longer while others are shorter, but all of them are rated between easy and easy-moderate with under 1,600 feet of elevation gain.
They all are well-maintained trails and typically have a decent amount of people on them.
1. Falls Creek Falls
Location: Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Distance: 6.1 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,300 feet
Type: Out & Back
Pass Required: Northwest Forest
Road Condition: Dirt, 2X2 accessible
Best Time to Hike: Year-Round
This is one of my all-time favorite waterfalls in Washington, and it is perfect for beginners.
It’s a huge waterfall, and you seriously won’t believe the size of it until you’re standing below it when the mist is spraying you.
Once you round the corner and are within 1/4 mile of the falls, you’ll start to see the top tier, which seems like it’s touching the sky.
After you’ve reached the viewpoint, you won’t even be able to see the top tier because of how tall it is!
Falls Creek Falls is in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and is fairly close to the Columbia River Gorge.
While it’s gotten more and more popular in recent years, you aren’t likely to see as many people as you would on other trails.
2. Rattlesnake Ledge
Location: North Bend
Distance: 5.3 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,500 feet
Type: Out & Back
Pass Required: None
Road Condition: Paved
Best Time to Hike: Year-Round
Rattlesnake Ledge is a pretty classic hike that you must check out if you’re visiting or living in the PNW.
It’s definitely one of the longer trails on this list and is closer to a moderate rating, rather than easy. But it’s absolutely doable if you just take your time.
And contrary to the name, there are no rattlesnakes on this trail. 😉
You’ll start at the Rattlesnake Lake Recreation Area and get to have an up-close view of the lake that you’ll view from above.
Hike just about 2 miles up a trail through the woods before you reach the first ‘ledge.’ This is the most popular overlook, where you’ll find the most people.
Stop here and admire the incredible views of the teal waters in Rattlesnake Lake surrounded by green trees and rolling hills.
You can then choose to either stop here or continue on to the second and third tiers, which are just a bit further up the trail.
At these tiers, you’ll definitely get to enjoy a more secluded view of the lake.
3. Windy Ridge
Location: Mount St. Helens NVM
Distance: 0.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 250 feet
Type: Out & Back
Pass Required: National Parks Pass
Road Condition: Paved
Best Time to Hike: Summer
Mount St. Helens is definitely one of the most unique mountains in Washington and is the most active volcano in the state.
The Windy Ridge trail is a great and easy hike to embark on and get some great views of the blast zone from the 1980 eruption.
It starts on the east side of the mountain, which is noticeably less busy than the north side where the Johnston Ridge Observatory is.
At the top, you’ll have epic views of Mount St. Helens, Spirit Lake, and Mount Rainier in the distance.
The stairs to the top are steep, but the walk is short, so it’s still a good one for those looking for a nice beginner hike in Washington.
Pay attention to the area surrounding the mountain that was affected by the eruption!
4. Wallace Falls
Location: Wallace Falls State Park
Distance: 4.9 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,500 feet
Type: Out & Back
Pass Required: Discover
Road Condition: Paved
Best Time to Hike: Year-Round
Heading out on the hike to Wallace Falls is the perfect way to experience some of Washington’s temperate rainforests and a waterfall!
For most of the trail, you’ll walk through mossy trees and large ferns, following the Wallace River.
After a few miles of hiking, you’ll come to Lower Wallace Falls, before continuing on to see the middle and upper tiers of the falls.
The waterfall drops a total of almost 400 feet in 4 different sections, although you can’t see 2 of the sections from the trail.
It’s really an impressive waterfall that is easy to get to and perfect for a day hike.
This easy hike also makes for the perfect day trip because it’s just under an hour from Seattle, making it easy to leave in the morning and return by mid-day.
5. Lake Twenty Two
Location: Granite Falls
Distance: 6.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,400 feet
Type: Out & Back
Pass Required: Northwest Forest
Road Condition: Paved
Best Time to Hike: Summer
The hike to Lake 22 is longer than most other hikes on this list, but it’s one of the easiest ways to see one of Washington’s alpine lakes.
Alpine lakes are one of my favorite things to hike to because they provide so much beauty in just one single area.
Lake Twenty-Two is no exception to this and truly will leave you feeling amazed at how incredible the PNW is.
After a windy and somewhat hilly hike through the woods and across a few bridges and streams, you’ll finally come across a huge mountain face.
Below this mountain, known as Mount Pilchuck, sits Lake 22.
The dramatic, rigid cliffs behind the lake will blow you away and are extremely photogenic.
There are plenty of spots to sit and take a rest around the lake, perfect for enjoying a delicious hiking lunch.
As one of the most easily accessible alpine lakes around, this hike gets very busy, especially during the summer months.
Because of this, I highly recommend that you arrive early (preferably by 7:00 am!).
6. Hole in The Wall
Location: Olympic National Park
Distance: 3.3 miles
Elevation Gain: 100 feet
Type: Out & Back
Pass Required: National Parks Pass
Road Condition: Paved
Best Time to Hike: Year-Round
Olympic National Park is such a unique place to visit and is filled with plenty of hikes that are perfect for beginner hikers.
The hike to Hole in the Wall from Rialto Beach is one of the most unique hikes on this list, as it takes you right along the coast of the Pacific Ocean.
Along the 2-mile hike to Hole in the Wall, you’ll have the chance to admire off-shore sea stacks, driftwood along the beach, and wildlife.
Out in the ocean, you may see whales surfacing or sea otters floating around. On shore, keep an eye out for starfish and other small tidal creatures.
Once you’ve reached Hole in the Wall, take some epic shots of yourself with the large sea stack arch before heading back along the beach.
It’s definitely a different type of hike than others, but that’s what makes it so worthwhile!
7. Hurricane Hill
Location: Olympic National Park
Distance: 3.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 900 feet
Type: Out & Back
Pass Required: National Parks Pass
Road Condition: Paved
Best Time to Hike: Summer
Here’s another epic hike in Olympic National Park, but is unbelievably different than the hike from Rialto Beach.
Starting just down the road from the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center, head out on this short and easy hike to Hurricane Hill.
The trail is paved, so it’s a nice, flat walk without having to worry about lifting your feet over tree roots or rocks.
I’d say that this hike features some of the best and most dramatic views for such little effort, distance, and elevation gain.
The summit of Hurricane Hill sits at 5,757 feet above sea level and features incredible views of the Olympic Mountain range and Puget Sound.
Animals such as marmots and bears call Olympic National Park home, and you may spot them on your hike.
Mountain goats have moved into the Olympic Mountains, but are not native to the area, so efforts have been taken to relocate them back to the Cascades.
8. Blue Lake
Location: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
Distance: 4.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 900 feet
Type: Out & Back
Pass Required: Northwest Forest
Road Condition: Dirt, 2X2 Accessible
Best Time to Hike: Summer
The North Cascades is one of the most beautiful parts of Washington, featuring jagged mountains, snow-capped hills, and unbeatable views.
Alpine lakes are another huge part of the mountain ranges in Washington, and Blue Lake is one of the best near the national park.
Although it technically isn’t in the national park, it’s still one of the best hikes in the area!
Make your way through a forest and admire the views of the mountains towering above you before you reach the lake.
You won’t ever have to question why it’s called ‘Blue Lake’ because it becomes obviously apparent once you see it.
It’s somewhat of a busier trail, but if you visit in the morning or on a weekday, you’re more likely to have Blue Lake all to yourself.
During the fall months, experience the beautiful larches around the lake.
9. Naches Peak
Location: Mount Rainier National Park
Distance: 3.3 miles
Elevation Gain: 700 feet
Type: Loop
Pass Required: National Parks Pass
Road Condition: Paved
Best Time to Hike: Summer
If you’re looking for some epic views of the tallest mountain in Washington, Mount Rainier, then look no further than Naches Peak Loop.
This trail features some of the most incredible views, for minimal effort on a short hike.
It’s the perfect beginner hikes in Washington that certainly doesn’t skimp on the views or adventure.
Sharing a trailhead with the short and simple Tipsoo Lake trail means that you’re able to knock out two hikes at once!
After you’ve rounded Tipsoo Lake, start making the short ascent up to the trail and loop around Naches Peak, sitting at just under 6,300 feet.
On this hike, you’ll have the chance of seeing wildlife such as marmots and mountain goats, and will have endless photo ops.
I recommend going clockwise and making a stop at Dewey Lake just after you round the final corner. This is one of the best photo spots on the trail.
10. Thunder Knob
Location: Ross Lake National Recreation Area
Distance: 3.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 700 feet
Type: Out & Back
Pass Required: Northwest Forest
Road Status: Paved
Best Time to Hike: Summer
One of the most fascinating places near North Cascades National Park are Diablo Lake and the Thunder Knob trail.
About halfway up you’ll make it to the best view of the mountains surrounding the incredible blue Diablo Lake.
With such a unique color, you have to check out this hike and witness Diablo with your own eyes.
It’s really quite unbelievable!
It’s a relatively short hike with somewhat of an uphill climb to the best viewpoints, but it’s great for even beginners.
This hike is only accessible at certain times of the year because of heavy snowfall during the winter, so take advantage of it when it’s open!
11. Heybrook Ridge
Location: Index
Distance: 2.3 miles
Elevation Gain: 800 feet
Type: Out & Back
Pass Required: None
Road Condition: Paved
Best Time to Hike: Summer
You may have heard of the popular Heybrook Lookout, found near Index, but the hike to Heybrook Ridge is much less popular, and just as incredible!
Hike through the forest until you reach a clearing, about 1.25 miles up the trail, where you’ll be met with views of Mount Index.
We hiked up for sunset and were extremely impressed with this short and easy hike that has phenomenal views!
This hike does have a fairly steady uphill climb, but it’s not very steep and is doable for those who are in shape.
Hiking on the I-90 Corridor in Washington is a great way to see some of the best views, and many of them are easy hikes near Seattle.
12. Ape Cave
Location: Mount St. Helens NVM
Distance: 3 miles
Elevation Gain: 500 feet
Type: Out & Back
Pass Required: National Parks Pass
Road Condition: Paved
Best Time to Hike: Summer
If you’re searching for something a bit different from the other easy hikes in Washington on this list, then I highly recommend you check out Ape Cave.
This 2.5-mile-long cave is one of the longest lava tubes in North America and it’s open for exploring with a timed reservation.
It’s a super interesting experience to hike through a cave in Washington, rather than over a mountain or to a waterfall.
Lower Cave is the easier portion of the hike, with just simple rocks and dirt piles to step over as you make your way through the cave.
If you head into Upper Cave, expect a bit more challenging hike with scrambling over rocks being involved.
Beginners should stick to the lower cave, as upper cave can get really tricky at points.
Be sure to pack a headlamp or lantern because it will be pitch black once you get underground and cell phone lights don’t suffice.
13. Barclay Lake
Location: Baring
Distance: 4.3 miles
Elevation Gain: 400 feet
Type: Out & Back
Pass Required: Northwest Forest
Road Condition: Dirt, 2X2 Accessible
Best Time to Hike: Summer
It’s not every day that you can find a hike to an alpine lake that is as easy as the one to Barclay Lake.
After just over 2 miles of hiking on a very flat and easy trail, you’ll reach the beautiful Barclay Lake surrounded by towering mountains.
The hike to the lake is through an old-growth forest that also has plenty of new growth coming in.
Spend some time admiring the huge, jagged mountains that sit behind the lake for a while, maybe by enjoying some lunch or a snack.
Then make your way back to the trailhead the same way that you came.
Even many kiddos can handle this trail, so it’s perfect for families.
14. Huntoon Point
Location: Mount Baker Wilderness
Distance: 1.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 300 feet
Type: Out & Back
Pass Required:
Road Condition: Paved
Best Time to Hike: Summer
The area around Huntoon Point is one of my absolute favorite places in all of Washington and most likely the entire PNW!
For the extremely short distance that you’ll have to walk, you’re going to get some unbelievable views.
In one direction, you’ll have views of Mount Shuksan and in the other, the 10,786-foot Mount Baker.
And in all other directions, admire the beautiful Cascade mountain range that completely surrounds the area.
If you have time, make a stop at Picture Lake on your way to or from the trailhead to see Mount Shuksan reflecting into the aptly named lake.
The only bad part about the Artist and Huntoon Point area is that the snow typically lingers pretty late into the season.
We visited in early July and the road to the parking lot was still closed, making the hike about 4 miles roundtrip.
During this time, the hike starts from the Mount Baker Lodge area.
But many people use this trail as a snowshoe trail as well in the winter.
15. Coyote Wall
Location: Columbia River Gorge
Distance: 6.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,600 feet
Type: Loop
Pass Required:
Road Condition: Paved
Best Time to Hike: Summer
One of the best parts about spring in Washington is the wildflowers that line hiking trails all over the state.
I would say that Coyote Wall has to be one of the top places to see wildflowers in the entire state, especially because it’s surrounded by amazing views.
The months of May and July are typically the best times to see the purple lupines and yellow balsamroot.
Outside of the flowers, you’ll be able to see the Columbia River cutting through the land on its way to the Pacific Ocean.
And on a clear day, Mount Hood peaks out in the skyline, creating one of the most magic hikes that I’ve ever done.
There are other wildflowers hikes in the Columbia River Gorge, but Coyote Wall is the easiest and best for beginners.
While it is a moderately long hike, the elevation gain isn’t terrible, since it’s spread out over the entire 7 miles.
16. Franklin Falls
Location: Snoqualmie Pass
Distance: 2 miles
Elevation Gain: 400 feet
Type: Out & Back
Pass Required:
Road Condition: Paved
Best Time to Hike: Year-Round
There are so many waterfalls in Washington that are great for exploring, but Franklin Falls is definitely one of the most accessible.
It’s just a short drive from Seattle, making it a perfect quick trip for the day, and it’s definitely one of the best easy hikes in Washington.
Dropping 70 feet, Franklin Falls is a pretty impressive waterfall that has almost a fully shaded trail.
On summer days, the trailhead gets very busy, so arrive early or visit on weekdays.
17. Snoqualmie Falls
Location: Snoqualmie
Distance: 1.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 400 feet
Type: Out & Back
Pass Required: Discover
Road Condition: Paved
Best Time to Hike: Year-Round
It would be tough to visit or live in Washington without having heard of or seeing Snoqualmie Falls.
This huge waterfall isn’t too far from Seattle and is extremely powerful!
It’s been used for over 100 years as a hydro-electric power plant and is visited by over 1 million people each year.
There are a few ways to see the falls, one of which is just walking a short distance from the parking lot to reach the overlook.
The other option is to take a short but steep trail down to the base of the falls, but this is definitely tougher.
Although if you take your time, it’s doable for a lot of people because it’s so short!
18. Lake Lenore Caves
Location: Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park
Distance: 1.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 200 feet
Type: Out & Back
Pass Required: Discover
Road Condition: Paved
Best Time to Hike: Year-Round
There are many caves all over the state of Washington and Oregon, because of all of the volcanic activity.
The Lake Lenore Caves in eastern Washington are much less visited than some of the more popular ones, and they’re very easy to get to.
Park in the small lot and make your way up a few stairs before you reach the first of many caves.
These caves are pretty short, but you are able to walk in them and explore a little bit.
The largest one is the last one, about 1/2 mile down the trail, where you loop down into the cave from the upper trail.
We sat down for a while and just enjoyed the cool air in the cave, compared to the warm summer air on the outside.
Best Easy Hikes in Washington in Winter
While many of the hikes on this list are doable in the winter, some are shut down due to snow coverage.
Here are 3 of the best beginner hikes in Washington that are great for even the winter months.
For more hikes that are great for winter, check out my post here about winter hiking in Washington.
19. Moulton Falls
Location: Moulton Falls Park
Distance: 5.3 miles
Elevation Gain: 300 feet
Type: Out & Back
Pass Required:
Road Condition: Paved
Best Time to Hike: Year-Round
Moulton Falls is a nice and easy paved trail that is found in southwest Washington, not too far from Vancouver and Portland.
You’ll start the hike at Moulton Falls and will head towards Lucia Falls before looping back around to the parking lot.
There are a few other waterfalls around that make great additions to your day including Yacolt Falls.
This hike is great for winter because it rarely snows in this part of the state, making for clear trails, even in the middle of winter!
The waterfalls here are smaller than what much of the rest of Washington offers, but it’s the perfect place to escape from the city.
20. Hall of Mosses
Location: Olympic National Park
Distance: 1.1 miles
Elevation Gain: 100 feet
Type: Loop
Pass Required: National Parks Pass
Road Condition: Paved
Best Time to Hike: Year-Round
Olympic National Park is one of the most diverse places to visit in Washington with rainforests, coastline, and mountain ranges covering the landscape.
The Hall of Mossessis a nice easy trail that winds its way through the Hoh Rainforest and showcases some of the temperate rainforests.
I love the bright greens that cover this area between the mosses, ferns, towering trees, and grass.
Keep an eye out on the forest floor for banana slugs, little yellow slugs that may sometimes resemble a banana. 😉
The trail through the forest is really flat and easy for people of all skill levels.
This trail is open year-round, so it’s perfect even for chilly days in the middle of January.
21. Beacon Rock
Location: Beacon Rock State Park
Distance: 1.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 600 feet
Type: Out & Back
Pass Required: Discover
Road Condition: Paved
Best Time to Hike: Year-Round
Beacon Rock is one of the most popular hikes on the Columbia River Gorge and is definitely a fairly busy trail.
Climb up the side of a giant rock, following bars and platforms that have been built into the side of Beacon Rock.
Once you reach the top, you’ll have great views of the Columbia River Gorge and will understand why this is such a popular hike.
It is quite a climb up, and you’ll definitely need a few breaks because this is closer to the moderate rating.
But it’s a short climb, so you won’t have to endure that leg-burning pain for too long.
Arrive early when hiking Beacon Rock because it is a busy trailhead!
Map of Easy Hikes in Washington
When is the Best Time to Hike in Washington?
There are many hikes in Washington that are available any time of year, but you’ll find that most are best done in warmer months.
Ultimately, the best times to hike in Washington are between July and October because you’re likely to find melting snow, warmer temperatures, and more accessibility.
Hiking in Spring and Winter
Spring and winter tend to blend together pretty well in Washington, because snow lingers for so long.
Winter typically begins in October and sticks around until May.
There’s then a short stent of spring in June where wildflowers and warm temperatures start to emerge.
But between the months of October and May, there’s a lot of snow on the ground and the temperatures are chilly.
A lot of hiking trails are inaccessible because of the snow, and you may need to wait for certain ones to open up.
Hiking in Summer and Fall
The best times to hike are in summer and fall because the temperatures are warm and the trails are mostly clear of snow.
You can also expect to see the most wildlife on the trails during these months!
The prettiest time to hike is in the fall months because the fall foliage is absolutely incredible!
The bad part about these months is that it’s when everyone wants to hike, so you’re likely to find very busy trailheads almost anywhere.
Passes Required for Trailheads
You may have noticed above that I listed a few different passes that are often required to park at a trailhead in Washington.
Here you’ll find the 3 main passes that you’ll need for any of the hikes above.
Discover
For any state parks in Washington, you’ll need a Discover Pass, which you can buy annually or daily.
Unfortunately, state parks are the only thing that this pass covers.
So if you plan to do a lot of hiking, you’ll probably want to grab a Discover and a Northwest Forest Pass.
Northwest Forest
The Northwest Forest pass is the most common pass that you’ll see required at trailheads.
It’s a bonus having this pass because it actually covers all national forest land and many other places in both Oregon and Washington.
America the Beautiful
Lastly, an America the Beautiful pass covers all trailheads in National Parks and on BLM land and costs $80 for the entire year.
I would recommend grabbing one of these because you can use this in place of a Northwest Forest pass, plus it’s a great deal!
Tips for Hiking in the PNW
- Always check trail conditions and reports using All Trails and WTA to ensure that they’re safe and accessible.
- Follow the 7 Leave No Trace principles when on the trail.
- Prepare yourself by packing the 10 Essentials.
- Wear sunscreen, especially when there’s snow on the ground, even if it’s cloudy because the sun reflects off the snow.
- Arrive to trailheads early, as they tend to fill up in the early mornings, especially in the summer.
- Be prepared for changing weather, especially when hiking in the mountains.
- Enjoy wildlife from a distance for their safety and yours.
- Always have the proper pass for the trailhead to avoid fees and to support the trail systems.
What to Wear Hiking in Washington
There are definitely a few key things that you should wear to ensure that you have a safe and comfortable hike in Washington.
Here are a few of my top recommendations for what to wear hiking any time of year! (Remember that there’s more, these are just the basics.)
Moisture Wicking Clothes: These wick away sweat from your body and help keep you either cool or warm when on the trail. Smartwool has some of my favorite options.
Sturdy Hiking Shoes: Protect your feet from rocks and tree roots by wearing a good pair of hiking shoes, such as my tried and true Oboz Sawtooths.
Merino Wool Socks: Keep your feet either cool or warm with Darn Tough merino Wool hiking socks.
Comfortable Backpack: Store all of your gear for the day in a good backpack such as the Osprey Tempest 20, which is what I use for every hike!
Rain Jacket: With how often it rains in the PNW, you’re going to want a raincoat. This one from Marmot is a great choice.
Trekking Poles: Use poles to support yourself on trails and make hiking easier. I love my Cascade Mountain Tech poles because they’re affordable and have saved my knees.
Crampons: In the winter, you’ll want crampons to give you traction when on snowy trails. This is the affordable pair that I use during all snowy hikes.
👉🏼 Read more about Packing for a Day Hike here! 👈🏼
Conclusion: Beginner Hikes in Washington
Washington truly has some of the most incredible places to visit in the country, and many of them are accessible for beginner hikers.
Between blue lakes, tall mountain peaks, roaring waterfalls, and the ocean’s coastline, you’ll never be disappointed.
The easy hikes in Washington are mostly short distances with minimal elevation gain, so they’re perfect for many skill levels!
