The 15 Most Epic Winter Hikes in Washington State
Washington might be known for it’s cold, rainy, and dreary winters – but don’t let that deter you from getting outside and enjoying all the beautiful trails Washington has to offer! This state is filled with so many incredible trails snow and snow-free trails during the winter time. And we’re counting down our all-time favorite winter hiking trails to inspire you to get outside this season! So layer up, grab some snowshoes or microspikes, a warm jacket, and let’s hit the trails! You’ll be so happy you did.
Winter Playlist
Research + Navigation
I recommend downloading the Alltrails app – this is the best app in my opinion for finding trails that are suitable for backpacking. You can filter out the trails you are searching through with the keywords like “Waterfall,” “Forest,” and “Lake” for example so you can find your very perfect summer trail! Also, we love using Washington Trails Association Trip Reports if you’re planning on hiking/backpacking in Washington, where we are based out of, it is another great place to research trails and look up recent trip reports.
People also provide great reviews of the trail as well so you know what you’re getting into especially for winter hiking. You never know what to expect from mountain weather! These resources help us gauge whether the trail is safely accessible in the winter time – is the road to the trailhead easily accessible or snowed out, is there a downed tree, are the conditions icy and require microspikes, is there lots of deep snow on the trail that requires you to have snowshoes? All very important to consider when choosing a winter hiking trail!
Alltrails also comes in handy for having navigation right on your cell phone – you can download the trail before you go so you have the map downloaded on your phone and it will automatically track you on the app so you know where you are on the trail and so you don’t make any wrong turns.
Safety
With the winter season, comes avalanche and mudslide risks! NWAC (Northwest Avalanche Center is a great resource). Make sure the trail you are planning on heading to is not under an avalanche or mudslide threat. REI also is a great resource that has free virtual avalanche safety classes on their website.
https://www.rei.com/learn/series/avalanche-awareness
Passes for hiking trails in Washington
To hike most of the trails in Washington you need a Discover Pass, Northwest Forest Pass, or America the Beautiful Pass (or can pay the entry fee to the national park). Check Alltrails to see if the trail you are going to require one of these passes.
What to Pack
I have some of my all time favorite winter hiking gear linked here. Always remember to hike with the 10 essentials and come prepared to all your hiking trips. I highly recommend investing in microspikes as well!
What to Pack for Winter Hiking ✨
The Ten Essentials
The 10 essentials will help you be prepared no matter the adventure, whether you’re going for a day hike, a weekend getaway, or an overnight campout. These items are intended to help you reduce your impacts on the natural world, while also keeping you safe in any sort of emergency:
- Navigation
- Headlamp
- Sun protection
- First aid
- Knife
- Fire matches or lighter
- Shelter
- Extra food
- Extra water
- Extra clothes / Warm Layers
Lake 22
Location: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest
Distance: 6.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,473 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Pass: Discovery Pass
Drive from Seattle: 1 hour
Dog Friendly: Yes
Explore this 6.8-mile loop trail near Granite Falls, Washington in Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest. Hike through a beautiful old growth forest up to a lake surrounded by snowy mountain peaks and is one of our favorite trails to explore every winiter! Be sure to be prepared with microspikes as it can get very snowy and icy at the top. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.
Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Trail
Location: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest
Distance: 24.7 miles (hike as much as you’d like and turn around)
Elevation Gain: 3,375 feet
Difficulty: Hard
Pass: Discovery Pass
Drive from Seattle: 1 hour
Dog Friendly: Yes
One of the most beautiful and lush winter hikes we have ever been on. A trail where you can truly choose your adventure and hike for however long and far as you would like. The iconic bridge is not even 1/4 of a mile into the trail over a stunning blue-green river. We only hiked about 2 miles in and then turned around making this a very easy trail for us! The trail weaves in and out of the forest, passing under overhanging cliffs and offering views across the river of jagged Garfield Mountain. Lots of different mushrooms and beautiful forest trails that makes this a must for a snow-free winter hike!
Skyline Trail (Snowshoe)
Location: Mount Rainier National Park
Distance: 6.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,788 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Pass: America the Beautiful Pass or pay $30 entry fee
Drive from Seattle: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Dog Friendly: No
*Note: The winter of 2022-23, public access to Paradise is limited to Saturdays and Sundays, weather/staff/equipment dependent due to staffing shortages. Chains for your vehicle are required in your vehicle while driving around the park November 1 – May 1.
Skyline Trail at Mount Rainier National Park is one of our favorite places to snowshoe in Washington and is our favorite trail maybe of all time to do in the summer and the fall as well. During the winter – this place truly is a winter wonderland. Snow capped mountains and pine trees as well as views of beautiful Mount Tahoma herself if the clouds aren’t hiding her away.
Silver Falls Trail
Location: Mount Rainier National Park
Distance: 2.9 miles
Elevation Gain: 518 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Pass: America the Beautiful Pass or pay $30 entry fee
Drive from Seattle: 2 hours and 45 minutes
Dog Friendly: No
A highly underrated trail at Mount Rainier National Park since there is no view of Rainier – but in the winter time it’s hard to access any trails at the park that offer view of Rainier due to snow. This forest is so beautiful, mossy and lush and typically snow-free in the winter that features a beautiful river and waterfall along your hike.
Artist Point (Snowshoe)
Location: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest
Distance: 3.9 miles
Elevation Gain: 964 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Pass: Recreation Pass
Drive from Seattle: 2 hours and 45 minutes
Dog Friendly: Yes (but if the snow is too deep, it will be very hard for them to hike there)
Another one of our favorite snowshoe spots in Washington – Artist Point is a beautiful snowshoe hike that takes you up to 360 views of the mountains surrounding. This trail can be difficult – especially with snowshoes and how vertical it gets with the snow pack – but the view at the top is so worth it! Our favorite time to go is during sunset to try to catch some beautiful pink sunset lighting on the landscape and the mountains.
Wallace Falls Trail
Location: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest
Distance: 4.9 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,489 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Pass: Discover Pass
Drive from Seattle: 1 hour
Dog Friendly: Yes
The most epic waterfall close to Seattle – Wallace Falls is a must-do on your hiking list while exploring Seattle. Only being an hour away – it’s a beautiful trail that skirts along a river and up to one of the best waterfalls in Washington state. The forest is incredibly magical and mossy . And one of our favorite parts is that this trail is typically snow-free all year round!
Dirty Harry’s Balcony
Location: Middle Fork Snoqualmie Natural Resources Conservation Area
Distance: 4.1 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,358 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Pass: Discover Pass
Drive from Seattle: 40 minutes
Dog Friendly: Yes
A beautiful and moderately easy trail that takes you up to a beautiful view of the mountains and road below. This trail typically does not get too snowy – although bringing microspikes is always a great idea in case it gets icy!
Heybrook Lookout
Location: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest
Distance: 1.9 miles
Elevation Gain: 879 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Pass: Discover Pass
Drive from Seattle: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Dog Friendly: Yes
Hike up through a lush, green forest to a fire lookout that overlooks the beautiful snowy mountain peaks. Pro-tip: bring a jetboil and some hot chocolate to enjoy the views with a tasty treat to warm up inside the lookout.
Rosario Head Trail
Location: Deception Pass State Park
Distance: 1.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 206 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Pass: Discover Pass
Drive from Seattle: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Dog Friendly: Yes
Looking for an easy hike with ocean views, no snow, and probably some sunshine? This trail is for you! Whenever we hike here it’s always sunny and beautiful and a great escape from the Seattle winter. Hike along the ocean while looking out for wildlife like seals or orcas. This hike is the perfect location to unwind and sit on the rocky beach enjoying the sounds of the waves crashing ashore while exploring and taking in all the coastal views.
Lower Lena Lake
Location: Olympic National Forest
Distance: 7 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,630 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Pass: Discover Pass
Drive from Seattle: 2 hours
Dog Friendly: Yes
The Olympic Peninsula is the perfect location to find snow-free hikes that are beautifully lush and green. This trail might have been the greenest and lushest trail I’ve ever been on!
Franklin Falls
Location: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest
Distance: 2 miles
Elevation Gain: 364 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Pass: Discover Pass
Drive from Seattle: 1 hour
Dog Friendly: Yes
An easy hike with big pay off views of a massive waterfall in Washington. The hike along the river is gorgeous and so relaxing. Don’t miss the iconic red cabin across the river along the trail.
Murhut Falls
Location: Olympic National Forest
Distance: 1.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 390 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Pass: No pass required
Drive from Seattle: 2 hour and 30 minutes
Dog Friendly: Yes
Another incredible waterfall hike located on the Olympic Peninsula. A short and sweet hike that take you to one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Washington.
Gold Creek Pond
Location: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest
Distance: 1.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 45 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Pass: Discover Pass
Drive from Seattle: 1 hour
Dog Friendly: Yes
The perfect beginner snowshoe hike – Gold Creek Pond is a beautiful trail that skirts around Gold Creek Pond surrounded by beautiful snowy mountain peaks. The pond can also ice over in the winter making the perfect sledding location!
Snow Lake
Location: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest
Distance: 6.7 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,699 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Pass: Discover Pass
Drive from Seattle: 1 hour
Dog Friendly: Yes
A beautiful and moderately hard trail that takes you up to a stunning alpine lake. Get an early start or avoid weekends to avoid crowds – this one can get very crowded! We also saw so many people slipping on the ice on the trail – so don’t forget your microspikes!
Lower Falls Creek Trail
Location: Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Distance: 3.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 695 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Pass: Discover Pass
Drive from Seattle: 4 hours and 30 minutes
Dog Friendly: Yes
Even though this is such a long drive from Seattle – this trail had to be added to the list because it is hands down my favorite waterfall in Washington. It is much closer to Portland so make a weekend out of it and book a place down in Portland to visit this trail along with so many other waterfall trails in Oregon!
Leave no trace
It is so important to respect these beautiful places and leave them even better than you found them! To brush up on how to leave no trace and learn about the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace – head over to Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics website
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