Often I am asked for hike recommendations. There are many fun, easy hikes in the Pacific Northwest and I have hiked a few of them. Below is a list of some of the hikes that I enjoy.
I get most of my hike information from Washington Trails Association. They give good information about the hikes (like difficulty, passes required, and seasons available), directions, and trip reports. My recommendation is to seek further information from them if you see a hike that interests you. I included a link for all of the hikes that have a WTA description.
HAPPY HIKING!!!
Good hikes in Grays Harbor:
Porter Creek Falls – forest and waterfall – only one significant hill
the trailhead is now marked with a large wood sign - trail is often muddy
Lake Sylvia lake trail – lake, covered bridge, and forest
trail can be extremely muddy and wet after rainfall - spring flowers are fabulous
Friends Landing – easy with views of lake
trail is paved other than boardwalk areas - no significant change of elevation - beautiful summer flowers
- Wynooche Falls, Maidenhair Falls and Spoon Creek Falls – lots of waterfalls - all are in the Wynooche Dam area – Maidenhair Falls forms a chute along a huge log right now - the picture below was taken when the falls were visible.
it is easy to hike to all waterfalls in one day
gravel roads usually are in decent condition although we have encountered bad potholes
No Name falls (first picture) is along the road (on the right) to Wynooche Falls
Sylvia Creek Forestry trail – forests and waterfall
we have hiked both Lake Sylvia trails in the same morning
Damon Point at Ocean Shores – beach
there is no trail - it is a beach walk . . . there are tide pools along the rocks when the tide is out.
Westport lighthouse state park paved bike/hike trail – lighthouse and beach
the trail is paved and bikes are welcome
- Roosevelt Beach – Mocrocks - beach and Copalis Rock - we entered the beach near Iron Springs resort and walked to Copalis Rock
- there is no trail - it is a walk along the beach - at some seasons the creek crossing is high water
- Schafer State park loop trail - river, forest along an easy one mile loop trail
- Quinault National Recreational trails - majestic forests, Lake Quinault and waterfalls
- https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/quinault-national-recreation-trails
- dogs are allowed in this area of the national park
Good hikes in Thurston county:
Millersylvania State Park – majestic forests with lots of trail options
https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/millersylvania-state-park
we often encounter squirrels and bunnies, and one time we saw eagles
Mima Mounds – easy hike in mounds of flowers from spring to summer
every season brings different flowers and foliage - it is a different hike each week
dogs are NOT allowed
Mima Falls – forest and trickling waterfall - I have only hiked the short loop
https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/capitol-state-forest-mima-falls
trail can be somewhat confusing to follow, but now is well marked
I avoided this trail for years because poor reviews. It is well worth the hike and the waterfall more impressive during spring runoff.
McClane Creek nature trail – swamp wildlife - almost no elevation change -
adding the Connector trail adds an additional 2 miles and some elevation gain.
lots of boardwalk to ease possibility of mud
Billy Frank Wildlife Refuge in Nisqually – wetland and good boardwalk
trail is gravel and boardwalk with almost no elevation change
dogs are NOT allowed
Tumwater Falls – spectacular waterfall and fun bridges – now Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls
downtown Tumwater
there is a paved trail to Historic Tumwater Park
Four Cedars trail at Tolmie State Park – forest and beach
trail can be muddy
Ellis Cove trail at Priest Point County park – forest and beach
Woodard Bay – paved trail, information kiosks and interesting marine wildlife
https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/woodard-bay-conservation-area
there also is an offshoot dirt trail that winds through the woods and meets paved trail
dogs are NOT allowed
Burfoot County Park – forest and beach
there are at least 4 trails to the beach so you can take one down and another back
Watershed park - forest
right in downtown Olympia
- Hartstine Island State Park/Jarrell Cove
- https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/harstine-island-state-park
- there are three separate areas within this state park . . .
- Frye Cove County park - forest, beach and about 2 miles of up and down trail
Good hikes in Lewis County:
- Covel Creek Falls at Cispus Learning Center – multiple waterfalls and forest – we did get lost there (not forever), though. . .the map provided at Cispus Center was not good
great hike despite getting lost!
Chehalis River Discovery Trail – right in Centralia – along the river
https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/chehalis-river-discovery-trail
sorry, no pictures
Willapa Hills trail – not very exciting, but safe to bike on
paved trail - good for bikes and walking
- Cathedral Falls - waterfall that be walked under/behind, forest, creek crossings
- https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/goat-creek-1
Good hikes in Pacific County:
Willapa Hills Wildlife Refuge – fun art walk and forest
https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/willapa-national-wildlife-refuge-art-trail
very interesting art along the forested walk
Cape Disappointment – 2 lighthouses and great paved beach trail
https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/cape-disappointment-state-park
https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/cape-disappointment-state-park-cape-disappointment-lighthouse
https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/cape-disappointment-state-park-coastal-forest-loop
https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/ilwaco-long-beach-discovery-trail
numerous trails - paved, dirt and boardwalk
bikes are allowed on many of the trails (all of the paved ones)
Good hikes in Mason County:
Staircase
great trail with lots of options for hiking farther
dogs are NOT allowed
Mary Theler Wildlife Refuge – birds and forest along the swampy water
https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/mary-e-theler-wetlands-nature-preserve
easy, pleasant trail with little elevation change
dogs are NOT allowed
- Lake Isabella State Park - pleasant, easy hike around meadow and through forest
Good hikes in Jefferson County:
Murhut Falls and Rocky Brook Falls – beautiful falls and forested trails
Rocky Brook falls is only steps from the roadway - although it is a bit difficult to find
Kaloloch beach – tree of life, tide pools, bald eagles and beach
beautiful rocky beach that is not as crowded as Ruby Beach
there is no trail after reaching beach - it is a beach walk
- Beach 4 - beach, rock outcroppings, reportedly a good place for tide pools, but I have not been able to catch them.
- https://www.outdoorproject.com/united-states/washington/kalaloch-beach-4
Good hikes in Pierce County:
Naches Peak loop - views of Mt. Rainier, wildflowers in summer and spectacular fall colors, mountain views
https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/naches-peak-loop
probably my favorite hike ever . . .
dogs are only allowed on the PCT portion, but NOT the Mount Rainier portion
- Tipsoo Lake loop - short trail with impressive views of Mount Rainier and wildflowers
- part of the Naches Peak trail, but can be hiked separately for an easy stroll through wildflowers (in the summer) and views of colorful leaves in the fall
- dogs are NOT allowed
- Little Mashel Falls - Bud Blancher trail (I have hiked both Pack Forest and Bud Blancher trails) - beautiful waterfalls
- https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/little-mashel-falls-bud-blancher-trail
- Sequalitchew Creek Trail in DuPont - wide, forested trail to beach with gradual elevation change
- https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/dupont-sequalitchew-creek
- Carter and Madcap Falls - waterfalls, interesting bridge over Nisqually River, forests
dogs are NOT allowed on any trails within Mount Rainier National park
- Comet and Bloucher Falls - numerous waterfalls, forests, not an easy hike (but worth it!)
- https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/comet-falls dogs are NOT allowed on any trails within Mount Rainier National park
- dogs are NOT allowed on any trails within Mount Rainier National park
- Bench and Snow Lakes - alpine forests, pristine lakes, mountain reflections
- https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/bench-and-snow-lakes
- dogs are NOT allowed on any trails within Mount Rainier National park
- Sheep Lake to Sourdough Gap - lake, wildflowers in season, forest
- drop off next to trail is VERY steep, so this trail is not for people afraid of heights
- Paradise area hikes - Waterfall, Nisqually Vista, Skyline, Golden Gate and more - views of Mount Rainier, wildflowers or fall foliage, marmots
- the wildflowers in the summer are stellar, but fall foliage is not far behind. . .and we almost always see a marmot or two
- dogs are NOT allowed on any trails within Mount Rainier National park
- High Lakes trail - Reflection Lake, forest, wildflowers in season, views
- dogs are NOT allowed on any trails within Mount Rainier National park
- Silver Falls - waterfall, forest
- I usually hike this from an unmarked trailhead off hwy 123 - near Laughing Creek, but have hiked from Grove of the Patriarchs also
- dogs are NOT allowed on any trails within Mount Rainier National park
- Grove of the Patriarchs - immense forests - often crowded - currently closed (2022)
- dogs are NOT allowed on any trails within Mount Rainier National park
- Box Canyon - huge canyon gorge
- dogs are NOT allowed on any trails within Mount Rainier National park
- Moulton Falls - beautiful falls, forested hike, picturesque bridge - parking in overflow parking area is much easier
- Lucia Falls - short walk through trees along river
- pictures below show a FEW of the spectacular falls
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