Surrounded by the rain forests of the Olympic mountains, the rugged Cascade mountains, the Pacific Ocean and the prominent Mount Rainier, Seattle is central to some of the country’s most colorful and spectacular landscapes. Within just a few hours drive, the best hikes in Seattle go from sea level to 7,000 feet, with ever-changing views that transform each season.
Go for the food, the culture, the rich history – but don’t forget about hitting some of the best hikes in Seattle. Rarely does a huge city have so much to offer in terms of epic and unique hiking. The summer season certainly gets crowded at the trailhead, so you’ll have to start early, pay attention to weather, and plan your trips accordingly. But when the weather is good, there isn’t a better big city to hike around than Seattle.
The rain forests of Olympic National Park are to the West. The rugged Cascades are to the North and East. Mount Rainier sits to the South. Water and waterfalls everywhere. There’s no shortage of once in a lifetime hiking experiences near Seattle, Washington. For one of the largest cities in the country, it’s conveniently located to some of the best scenery around.
Due to the weather, there are specific seasons and weather you need to pay attention to when hiking around Seattle. And unless you’re in peak summer, you’re likely to hit rain, snow or both as you travel to some of the most stunning landscapes in the country.
What if you only have 1 free day in Seattle? The most bang for your buck hike is the Skyline Trail Loop in Rainier National Park. Each season will treat to you a different set of spectacular landscapes. Just make sure to beat the crowds because this hike is - for good reason - extremely busy.
The Best Hikes in Seattle
Mount Rainier National Park
Just two hours from the heart of Seattle, Mount Rainier National Park offers some of the most photogenic landscapes in the country. If you can manage to beat the crowds, it’s hard to find better hiking this close to a large city.
The best overall hiking in Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier (Tahoma) is visible from just about anywhere near Seattle on a clear day. It stands prominently amongst its otherwise flat surroundings. So you may be wondering the best hike in Mount Rainier National Park. The Skyline Trail Loop is one of the best 6 mile hikes in the country. From gorgeous alpine meadows, arrays of colorful wildflowers, and the stunning backdrop of the mountain itself makes this hike truly memorable. Start early for this hike. Despite the large parking lot, the trail gets crowded. Additionally, the entrance into the park can sometimes be backed up a mile on busy days and weekends. But this one is worth it.
Check out our video slideshow for Skyline Trail.
An easy detour once you complete the Skyline Trail Loop is to drive a couple extra miles away to Reflection Lake. Anybody can look like a professional photographer with the iconic views of Rainier perched above the glassy lake and green meadows.
Looking for more? Head a few more miles away to Narada Falls. It’s a quick walk down to check out another one of Washington’s great waterfalls.
There are certainly other amazing hikes in this national park. The Tolmie Peak Trail and the Naches Peak Loop Trail are both highly rated and recommended.
Key Things to Know
Most come from Seattle when they head to Rainier. Once you get off the main highways (Highway 5 most likely) there are only a smattering of small towns, amenities and services along the way. And when the park gets a ton of visitors on busy days or weekends, these small towns and shops can be overwhelmed, so it’s best to prepare everything before heading out.
Once you wrap up your hiking, we recommend you eat your carbs at Rainier BaseCamp Bar & Grill. The food is good, especially post-hike, and the outdoor seating arrangements are perfect to soaking in the sun and stretching out after a long day of driving and exercise.
Olympic National Park (West)
The Olympic National Park boasts some of the most unique landscapes in the world. This section focuses on the West side of the park. With Highway 101 skirting around this gigantic park, it’s best to tackle things in sections.
The best way to see Olympic National Park (West)
The West side of Olympic National Park is where the temperate forests are. The Hoh Rain Forest is the main attraction and for good reason. From the visitor center, you can journey 17 miles along the Hoh River Trail from rain forests to the massive Blue Glacier. Old growth greenery, toppled trees sprouting new trees and one of the continent’s most unique ecosystems.
This is not a day hike. There are a few great campgrounds along this trail. But consider the steep elevation at the turnaround of this trail, the overall distance, and then likelihood of rain and wet weather. Bring your hiking poles for added stability, especially at the turnaround since you have to hike up and scramble a bit, typically when your legs are already sore from the hike in.
Key Things to Know
The closest amenities are in the tiny town of Forks. There are a few motels you can stay the night before or after your trip, but don’t expect any 5 star accommodations. Hit the coffee carts in Forks for a quick and convenient caffeine boost for the road.
Olympic National Park (North)
Closer than the West side, the North side of Olympic National Park gets a ton of visitors. You can take a variety of hikes, short or long, to experience some of the grand vistas in this region of the park. Stay nearby in Port Angeles for good food, culture and accommodations.
How to spend a day in Olympic National Park (North).
For the perfect day in the northern part of Olympic National Park, start early and head to the Mount Storm King Trail for panoramic Lake Crescent views. You have to work for this view, and that’s why we suggest knocking it out early. But once you ascend to the top, after a relatively easy rope climbing section, you’re greeted with some of the best views in all of Washington.
Once you complete this rewarding hike, head safely back to your car and then head to the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center. It’s just 18 miles from Port Angeles. From here, you can wander around close to the visitor center to soak in the 360 views around. The Hurricane Ridge Trail is a short but stunning hike.
Key Things to Know
A lot of the roads and highways in this area are single lanes, so pay attention to slow park-goers or trucks. Despite being on Highway 101 you’ll zip through a variety of tiny towns. Port Angeles is especially fun – eclectic coffee shops that serve delicious crepes (Bella Rose Coffee House) and budget-friendly restaurants with ocean views.
North Cascades National Park
Oft forgotten, the North Cascades National Park offers some of the most ruggedly beautiful mountains in the country. You have to pay attention to weather, because many roads back here get snowed in, but if you time it right you can experience some incredible hikes.
The best hiking near the North Cascades National Park
There are plenty of amazing hikes in this region of the Cascades. Many are within the boundaries of the North Cascades National Park. But our specific suggestion is adjacent to the park, located in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. We also recommend waiting for September or October when the leaves start to change. Then hit the Maple Pass Trail for incredible variety of landscapes and colors.
Key Things to Know
This trail is very popular, and there is very limited parking so you’ll often times end up on the Highway outside. Prepare for slow traffic and weather delays. Your best bet is to get up super early and try to beat most people on the trail, otherwise you’ll be hiking in a line.
Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Yes, there are spectacular national parks surrounding Seattle. But there’s also some national forest land with hikes that are just as unique and rewarding. Plus, you can try and stay in some of the nearby towns and rent a cozy cabin on the river.
One of the best waterfall hikes in Washington
Washington has a lot of waterfalls, and they’re all worth visiting. Some get extremely crowded, so it helps to find some that require a bit of a climb before the reward. The Bridal Veil Falls hike ends at a 1,300 foot waterfall where you stand so close you’ll get covered in mist. There’s a lot of steps on this hike, and it’s often wet or rainy so be prepared with reliable boots and hiking poles.
Key Things to Know
The towns around here are great. Index and Skykomish have a lot of history, as do many others in the area. Most of the history revolves around railroads and gold. There are also plentiful options of cabin rentals that sit above the Skykomish River.
On your way back from hiking this area, stop at Smokey’s for good food and cold beer. Or hit up the Whistling Post Saloon to socialize with friendly locals and soak up the history of the tiny town.
Other things to do around Seattle
Each hike around Seattle has its own areas for good food, beer and hangout spots. And there’s just endless options for things to do in and around Seattle. So it’s challenging to narrow this down to any sort of definitive list. But if you’re looking for some inspiration, we found these spots to be great experiences.
One of the best oyster restaraunts in Seattle is The Walrus and the Carpenter in Ballard. Mamnoon serves incredible middle-eastern food. And there are about 100 great sushi spots. Too many to list.
For history buffs, there’s a variety of fun and interesting museums in the area. The Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) gives a great history on the business history of the region. Next door is the Center for Wooden Boats. The Burke Museum on the University of Washington campus is a small but incredible natural history museum where you can read about the current excavation efforts, ways to get involved, support, etc. The Wing Luke Museum highlights the significant history of Asian-Americans not only in Seattle but worldwide.
The art scene in Seattle has a rich history. One of the best and most unique experiences is the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum in downtown Seattle. The Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) highlights Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, and all things pop culture.
Still looking for ideas? Take a ferry. Go anywhere. There are hundreds of options. Whale watch from the San Juan Islands. Go fishing for wild salmon. Seattle is the kind of place where you can never run out of things to do, so pick your fun and remember to always take advantage of the sun.
