Seattle Hiking & Trekking Guide 2026

Top trails

Routes worth lacing up your boots for.

1. 1

   Discovery Park Loop Trail

   About 2.8 miles (4.5 km) loop1-1.5 hourseasyAbout 140 ft (43 m) of elevation change

   Seattle's largest park, with forest, meadows, beach and the West Point Lighthouse; the loop is mostly flat.

2. 2

   Rattlesnake Ledge

   About 4 miles (6.4 km) round trip2-3 hoursmoderateAbout 1,160 ft (354 m) gain; high point 2,078 ft

   Popular switchback trail to a rock ledge above Rattlesnake Lake; no Discover Pass or Northwest Forest Pass is needed at the lot.

3. 3

   Mount Si

   About 8 miles (12.9 km) round trip5-7 hourshardAbout 3,150 ft (960 m) gain; high point 3,900 ft

   Steep switchback climb to the Haystack viewpoint over the Snoqualmie Valley; the lot is patrolled and the Discover Pass is required.

4. 4

   Mailbox Peak

   About 9.4 miles (15.1 km) round trip5-8 hourshardAbout 4,000 ft (1,220 m) gain; high point 4,822 ft

   One of the area's steepest hikes, ending at a summit with a mailbox at 4,822 ft and wide views over the Cascades and Mount Rainier.

5. 5

   Twin Falls (Olallie State Park)

   About 3 miles (4.8 km) round trip to the lower falls1.5-2.5 hourseasyAbout 500 ft (152 m) gain

   Forest trail beside the South Fork Snoqualmie River to viewing platforms of the lower falls; upper viewpoints have had flood-related closures, so check conditions.

6. 6

   Skyline Trail at Paradise (Mount Rainier)

   About 5.5 miles (8.9 km) loop3-5 hoursmoderateAbout 1,700 ft (518 m) gain

   Loop above the Paradise meadows with views of Nisqually Glacier and Mount Rainier; wildflowers peak late July-August.

7. 7

   Lincoln Park Shoreline Loop

   About 3-5 miles (5-8 km) depending on route1.5-2.5 hourseasyMinimal; some bluff stairs

   Waterfront loop with forest, beach walking and views of the Olympic Mountains and Vashon Island.

8. 8

   Seward Park Loop

   About 2.4 miles (3.9 km) loop45-75 minuteseasyFlat on the paved loop; interior forest trail adds modest climbing

   Paved loop around a peninsula in Lake Washington with old-growth forest and eagle viewing.

9. 9

   Carkeek Park Piper's Creek Trails

   About 1-3 miles (1.6-4.8 km) depending on route1-2 hourseasyModest forest-trail climbing

   Forested ravine trails along Piper's Creek reaching a Puget Sound beach with views of the Olympic Mountains.

10. 10

    Washington Park Arboretum Loop

    About 3.5 miles (5.6 km) of loop and boardwalk paths1.5-2 hourseasyMinimal

    Urban garden park with Azalea Way, a Waterfront Trail boardwalk and the Japanese Garden nearby.

Trail difficulty levels

Pick a route that matches your fitness and experience.

When to hike

Seasonal conditions in Seattle.

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Local hazards

What to watch out for on the trail.