The 10 most magnificent hikes in Washington

07.04.2024 - 10:05 / lonelyplanet.com

With its impressive terrain of imperious mountains, volcano-ravaged landscapes and sumptuous rainforest, Washington State is understandably renowned amongst keen hikers.

It is home to the northern terminus of the Pacific Crest Trail (part of the "Triple Crown" of US hiking), the headquarters of the American Alpine Institute, and three pioneering national parks: iconic Mt Rainier, the primeval Olympic peninsula, and the lonesome mini-Alaska of the North Cascades.

When you’re done pacing the state’s saw-toothed mountains and rain-soaked forests, you can stroll the less threatening fields and hedgerows of the bucolic San Juan Islands, or warm down on the pleasantly paved (and accessible) Burke-Gilman trail in urban Seattle. We've got all the information you need to tackle some incredible hikes in the Evergreen State – these are 10 of our favorites.

93-mile loop, 10–12 days, hard

Backcountry endurance athletes will love the Wonderland Trail, Mt Rainier's classic long-distance hike, a 93-mile pilgrimage that completely circumnavigates the mountain and logs a cumulative elevation gain of 21,400ft. Conceived in 1915, the trail is well-marked and completed by between 200 and 250 hikers a year. Incorporating multiple ecosystems into its course, it reveals captivating vistas of Rainier and its 25 glaciers from every angle.

Longmire near Mt Rainier National Park’s Nisqually entrance is the most popular starting point for the multi-day extravaganza. Most hikers tackle the route in a clockwise direction in July or August after the snow has melted, and the mountain’s famous wildflowers are in bloom. There are 18 backcountry campsites en route. Don't worry if you're new to backcountry camping and don't know where to start. Our handy guide will ensure you have the time of your life.

27 miles round-trip, 2 days, easy

Billed as one of the easiest and downright charming ways to delve into the roadless interior of Olympic National Park, this gentle, easy-to-follow trail stretches for 13.5 miles from the Graves Creek trailhead to a large riverside meadow, the site of a handsomely mildewed wooden cabin dating from the 1930s. Much of the early miles are through a wooded valley studded with magnificent old-growth trees and bisected by the gurgling Quinault River.

After passing the O’Neil Creek campsite, the trees slowly thin out to reveal sheer cliff faces and peaks rising 2000ft from the valley floor. During the spring snowmelt, the precipice is drizzled by innumerable waterfalls (locals claim there are 10,000!), while the valley is decorated with a rich rainbow of wildflowers. You can camp by the enchanting but closed-to-public cabin before hiking back the way you came. Berry-seeking bears, shy deer and herds of elk are common