Western Washington is home to thousands of hiking trails and three National Parks. The best resource on the web for trail descriptions is the Washington Trails Association. Keep in mind that we have some significant mountains and many of the trails have quite a bit of elevation gain. Additionally, the temperature and weather can change quickly (make sure you’re prepared before you go). August is probably the least snowy time of year but some trails have snow-covered sections year round. The WTA site’s recent trip report section for each trail will give you a good idea of the current trail conditions, which you should always check before you go.  We’ve attempted to rate the difficulty of the hikes, but that’s completely subjective to your experience level.

Recommended Day Hikes within a 1-2 hour drive of Seattle:
Mt. Townsend  (Moderately Easy) – The views from the top of this hike in the eastern Olympic mountains are stunning.  On a clear day you’ll be able to see from Mt. Rainier in the SW all the way up to Victoria, BC on Vancouver Island and beyond.  The round trip is about 8 miles but keep in mind half of it is downhill.

Mt. Pilchuck (Moderate) – With a trailhead only 60 miles from downtown Seattle, this is a very popular hike (i.e., get there early or you’ll be hiking with a lot of new friends).  From the fire lookout on top of Mt. Pilchuck, you’ll get breathtaking views of Mt. Rainier, several glaciers, Seattle, and all the rocky peaks that line the Mountain Loop Highway.

Wallace Falls State Park (Easy) – This hike is all about the waterfall views. You’ll primarily be below the treeline, hiking upwards with waterfall-viewing platforms spaced intermittently to keep you motivated.

Mailbox Peak (Strenuous – Not for the faint of heart) – From the trail guide: “Wimpy hikers, turn the page. This trail offers nothing for you but pain and heartbreak.”  For those willing to schlep up the 1000-veritcal-feet-per-mile trail, the views from the top are as incredible as the workout.  If the weather is not clear, don’t bother unless all you want is a strenuous hike.  If it has rained recently be prepared for lots of mud.

Mount Si (Moderate) – This trail is steep, but nothing compared to Mailbox Peak.  It’s also one of the most popular hikes in Seattle.  The top offers incredible views of the Snoqualmie Valley.

Snoqualmie Falls (Easy) – Not a hike so much as viewing area of an 82-foot waterfall with the option of a 20-minute walk down to the base of the falls. If you’re a Twin Peaks fan, the falls will look very familiar. This is a kid-friendly option in our estimation.

Mt. Rainier National Park (Varies) – Lovingly referred to as “The Mountain” by many Seattleites, Mt. Rainier is the tallest peak in Washington (and the second tallest peak in the lower 48) at 14,410 feet (Mt. Whitney in California beats it by a whopping 95 feet). There are many good day hikes that launch from Sunrise on the north east corner of the mountain and Paradise on the south west. This is a great place to go for people of all hiking capabilities as you don’t even have to leave the lodge to get close-up views of the glacier-covered summit (assuming it’s a clear day, of course).