Region: Seattle

Distance: 0 to 5 miles

Elevation: 0 to 350 feet

Parking pass: None

Located in the corner of northwest corner of Magnolia, Discovery Park is an urban gem. The former Army Post has forest, meadow, a beach, a lighthouse, and old officer housing. And you can get there via the 19, 24, and 33 Metro buses.

The classic choice is the 2.8-mile Loop Trail which takes you through the woods and meadows to the park’s literal and figurative highpoint: a bluff overlooking Puget Sound that offers a great view of the downtown skyline. If you’re looking for more you can drop down to the beach and lighthouse before hiking back up to the Loop Trail.

Region: Issaquah

Distance: 3.8 to 7.2 miles

Elevation: 1,760 to 1,858 feet

Parking pass: None

Poo Poo Point is an open grassy knoll on the west wide of Tiger Mountain. Supposedly it’s named for the sound of train steam whistles that loggers could hear while working on Tiger. Looming above downtown Issaquah, it’s another urban hiking gem. Those that hoof it up the steep slopes are rewarded with great views of Lake Washington and the surrounding foothills. Paragliders use it as a launch point. Kicking back and watching them float through the air makes for a lovely mid-hike break.

Chirco Trail is the shorter way to Poo Poo Point. It’s only 1.9 miles each way. But covering the same elevation in fewer miles, of course, means it’s the steeper option of the two. High School Trail is the longer, but somewhat less steep option. See the WTA guide for detailed directions.  

Region: Duvall

Distance: 5.5 miles

Elevation: 300 feet

Parking Pass: None

Cherry Creek Falls is a King County gem. Located in old logging forest outside of Duvall, the 25-foot, waterfall pours straight down into a lovely pool. Because it mostly follows decommissioned logging roads, the trails are fairly-smooth and the hills are quite gentle. From the trailhead, you follow a network of unsigned roads and trails. Navigation can be a little tricky, but the directions from the Washington hiking guide Hiking With My Brother will get you to the falls and back.

Region: North Bend

Distance: 9.6 miles

Elevation: 4,000 feet

Parking Pass: Discover Pass

Another North Bend classic, Mailbox Peak is a notch tougher than its neighbor Mount Si. It’s named for the mailbox that sits at its peak, carried there by an ambitious mailcarrier in the 1960s. In 2014, the WTA opened a new trail to the top.

While still difficult, it’s less steep and easier to navigate than the old trail, which was essentially just a boot path straight up the mountain in spots. Make it up the many switchbacks and you’ll be rewarded with 360-views of the north and central Cascades. Plus, you’ll get the classic photo-op with the mailbox that’s amazingly still up there.

See Hiking With My Brother for detailed trail directions.

Region: North Bend

Distance: 1 to 12 miles

Elevation: 200 to 1500 feet

Parking Pass: Northwest Forest Pass

Not every hike in the area requires slogging up a mountain. The Middle Fork Snoqualmie trail winds its way along the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River. It features beautiful forest backdropped by jagged mountain peaks. At times the trail is right along the river. Sometimes it climbs high above the water. You can always hear calming sound of rushing water. Because the hike is just an out and back along the river, you can make it as short or long as you want. Many hikers head six miles out to the Dingford Creek bridge before turning around and heading home.

See the WTA guide for detailed directions.

Region: North Bend

Distance: 4 miles

Elevation: 1,200 feet

Parking Pass: None

Rattlesnake Ledge is a steep, but relatively easy hike with a nice payoff in the form of cliffside views. Leaving from Rattlesnake Lake, the trail switchbacks up two miles to the first of three rocky ledges jutting out from the mountain. The lower ledge provides a nice view of the peaks surrounding North Bend. Pro tip: The lower ledge is always crowded. Hike a few more minutes up the trail to the middle or upper ledge and you’ll be rewarded with fewer people and even better views.

See Hiking With My Brother for detailed directions.

Region: Snoqualmie Pass

Distance: 4-6.5 miles

Elevation: 1,150 feet

Parking Pass: Northwest Forest Pass

There’s little better in life than lunch by an alpine lake. They’re serene, aesthetically stunning, and, in the heat of the summer, perfect for an ice-cold swim.

Talapus and Ollalie Lakes are two easily accessible parts of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness near Snoqualmie Pass. Two miles of hiking a fairly gentle climb gets you to Talapus Lake. Another 1.25 miles past that gets you to Ollalie.  

See Hiking With My Brother for detailed directions.

Region: Snoqualmie Pass

Distance: 6.5 miles

Elevation: 2,420 feet

Parking Pass: Northwest Forest Pass

The Ira Springs Trail to Mason Lake is one of those nearby places that makes you marvel at how wild Washington is. Just 45 minutes from Seattle, the trail takes you through a forest, past a waterfall, over a rocky mountain ridge, and drops you down to an alpine lake. Though you’re unlikely to ever find solitude on this popular hike, the varied landscapes and perfect lakeside lunch spots make it a worthwhile adventure.

See the WTA guide for detailed directions.

Region: Gold Bar

Distance: 5.6 miles

Elevation: 1,300 feet

Parking Pass: Discover Pass

It’s easy to see why Wallace Falls is one of the most popular hikes in the state. A relatively easy hike up hill along the beautiful Wallace River takes you to a series of three large waterfalls. You’ll reach the lower falls after just two miles of hiking. Push on another half mile to reach the best viewpoint of the middle falls. Those looking to get the most from their day on the trail can push up the steep switchbacks to the upper falls.

See the WTA guide for detailed directions.