17 Breathtaking Easy Hikes In Washington State

Washington state is known to have some of the most breathtaking hikes in the USA. What is even better is that there are so many easy hikes in Washington that are exceptional, and you don’t have to be an expert hiker to get these fantastic views. After living in Washington for years and many mothers have asked me for advice for hikes to take their kids, I decided to make a list of my favorite hikes. These include waterfalls, mountain views, beaches, and desert views. Have fun!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, I may receive a small commission (for which I am very grateful for) at no extra cost to you. 

What To Pack When Hiking Washington

1. Sunscreen: Super important and it is part of the ten essentials!  >Buy Sunscreen
2. Chapstick: This one has SPF so your lips won’t get burned! >Check Out This Chapstick
3. Hiking Boots/Shoes: If you use tennis shoes, you can easily hurt your toes hitting a rock by accident (Trust me, I have done it so many times before). >Check Out My Hiking Shoes
4. Hiking socks: Having the correct socks helps you prevent getting blisters. Smart Wool is probably my favorite brand out there. >Buy Hiking Socks
5. Water Reservoir: Water reservoirs help prevent me from getting dehydrated while hiking. The great thing about this reservoir is that it doesn’t have the plastic taste. >Here Is My Water Reservoir
6. Water: Stay nice and hydrated.
7. Sunglasses: It can get sunny even in the fall and spring, so make sure to pack some sunglasses. >Check Out These Sunglasses
8. Snacks: The best snacks are jerky, nuts, and energy bars. >>>Check Out These Bars
9. Camera: The Sony A6000 was one of the first cameras I started traveling with. The Sony A6000 is an excellent camera for people that want to start improving at travel photography.  >Buy Sony Camera Here
10. First Aid Kit: This is one of the first things I bought when I first started going on adventures. It is super portable. >Buy This Awesome First Aid Kit Here
11. Day Pack to carry all your things: To carry all your gear, water, and food, you need a good backpack. Osprey is known to have some of the best backpacks in the market. >Buy This Great Quality Backpack
12. Headlamp: A headlamp is an absolute must in case you get stranded in the dark! It is a lot more portable and easier to use than a flashlight. >Buy A Headlamp Now
13. Leggings or Hiking Pants: I always wear leggings while hiking because it is what I feel most comfortable with! >Click For My Favorite Hiking Leggings
14. Breathable sweat-wicking shirts: Cotton shirts soak up your sweat when hiking, so make sure to wear something breathable. >Check out this awesome breathable shirt here.
15. Mid Base Layer: If you are hiking in the fall or spring, this might be a great idea. >Check Out My Sweater Here
16. Sports Bra: For women. >Check This One Here
17. Jacket: I always have a jacket in my backpack, even if it is hot. I do it just in case of an emergency.  >Buy My Favorite Jacket
18. Rain Jacket: The worst feeling in the world is being wet and cold while hiking. You can get hypothermia, so always carry a poncho or a rain jacket when you hike Washington. >Check Out My Rain Jacket Here
19. Tripod: This is an optional item, but it is excellent for getting the ideal sunset pictures. >Check out this tripod
20. Knife: I always carry a knife in my backpack just in case. >Check Out My Knife Here

Map Of Easy Hikes In Washington State

A Note On Trash On Washington Hiking Trails

This year there has been a more significant number of people hiking the trails in Washington. While I am happy that more people are connecting outdoors, it makes me sad that the trails are trashed in the process.

Please pack out EVERYTHING you pack in. That includes orange peels, sunflower seeds, etc. Let’s keep our trails beautiful for years to come.

Want To Read More On Leave No Trace? Check Out This Post

Parking Pass When Hiking In Washington State

Most of these hikes need the Northwest Forest Pass, Discover Pass, or a National Park Pass. I highly recommend getting an America The Beautiful Pass because it covers Northwest Forest Pass and National Park Pass. The Discover Pass covers any state park in Washington.

Below I link each trail to its Washington Trails Association page, where it has even more information on the hike and the type of pass you need.

Easy Hikes In Washington State

Barclay Lake

• Distance: 4.3 miles, round trip
• Elevation Gain: 387 ft.
• Route Type: Out and Back
• Trail Guide: Link

This hike is one of my favorite easy hikes in Washington. The mountain is just so glorious! Even on a gloomy day, it looked stunning. I even saw many parents backpacking this with their babies and kids.

Twin Falls

• Distance: 2.5 miles, roundtrip
• Elevation Gain: 636 ft.
• Route Type: Out and Back
• Trail Guide: Link

I get asked what the best easy trail near Seattle is. I usually recommend Twin Falls because this waterfall is pretty epic and close to Seattle. I have taken my mom on this hike, and she is not a hiker, and she loved it! This is an excellent beginner hiker trail.

Rattlesnake Ledge

• Distance: 5.3 miles, roundtrip
• Elevation Gain: 1,459 ft.
• Route Type: Out and Back
• Trail Guide: Link

The one hike that everyone in Seattle has probably done is this one right here: Rattlesnake Ledge! This trail has a blue/green lake with mountain views in the distance. Since this is one of the most popular hikes in Washington, it will most likely be crowded.

Please note that you should definitely be careful when walking around the ridge. There have been people that have unfortunately fallen off.

Read More: The Best Hikes In Washington State

Gold Creek Pond

• Distance: 1.2 miles, roundtrip
• Elevation Gain: 45 ft.
• Route Type: Loop
• Trail Guide: Link

Gold Creek Pond is probably the most popular winter hiking trail in Washington. It is relatively close to Seattle and is mostly flat, so it is perfect for first-time snowshoers. But if you want to go in the summer, it is even better because the trail is even shorter!

The pond has outstanding mountain views, and it is an excellent spot for sunset. Many photographers flock here in the summer for photography shoots.

Heybrook Lookout

• Distance: 1.9 miles, roundtrip
• Elevation Gain: 879 ft.
• Route Type: Out and Back
• Trail Guide: Link

If you are looking for one of those famous fire tower lookouts in Washington, then this is the perfect spot for you! Heybrook Lookout is such a fun and short hike! I also love that the trail has some of the mossiest lush green trees. I love taking pictures of the trees near the trailhead!

You can also reserve a spot on the top of the lookout for a backpacking trip. This can be an excellent backpacking trip for beginners.

Rialto Beach

• Distance: 3.3 miles, roundtrip
• Elevation Gain: 108 ft.
• Route Type: Out and Back
• Trail Guide: Link

I know many people love those Pacific Northwest beach vibes, so that is why I included Rialto Beach. It is one of my favorite areas to get those beautiful photos of those Insta famous sea stacks. I also love the Hole in the Wall because it is a great spot to take a picture. You can even go backpacking in this area and camp on the beach! It is so fun!

Read More: The Ultimate Guide to Rialto Beach and The Hole In The Wall Washington

Blue Lake

• Distance: 4.6 miles, roundtrip
• Elevation Gain: 921 ft.
• Route Type: Out and back
• Trail Guide: Link

When people go to North Cascades National Park, I always tell them to check out Blue Lake! It is such a beautiful lake for the whole family, and if you go in the Fall there are even yellow larches (evergreen trees that turn bright yellow)! Many people do love to come here in the summer and swim! So make sure to bring your bathing suit.

Pro Tip: Before or after your hike, make sure to stop at the “Washington Pass Observation Site”. It is a stunning overlook just a few minutes from the trailhead.

Read More: The Best Hikes In North Cascades National Park

High Rock Lookout

• Distance: 3.2 miles, roundtrip
• Elevation Gain: 1,299 ft.
• Route Type: Out and Back
• Trail Guide: Link

This trail has been on my list for years! I finally did it last October, and it was so stunning. It is an excellent spot for sunset because the trail is so short, and it also has banger views of Mount Rainier. Getting to the trailhead can be a pain, though, as the road is pretty bad, but the views are worth it!

Red Top Lookout

• Distance: 1.0 miles, roundtrip
• Elevation Gain: 308 ft.
• Route Type: Out and Back
• Trail Guide: Link

One of the least well-known lookouts on this list is the Red Top lookout trail. The views are extraordinary here with relatively no crowds! The layers of mountains in the distance combined with the fire lookout and short trail make this a perfect sunset spot.

Marymere Falls

• Distance: 1.7 miles, roundtrip
• Elevation Gain: 298 ft.
• Route Type: Out and Back
• Trail Guide: Link

Marymere Falls is one of the most accessible trails in Olympic National Park, so this is a must if you are on the Olympic Peninsula. The trailhead is also located at Lake Crescent, so make sure you stop at the lake and take in the beauty. The lake is bright blue/green and is a great place to relax at.

Chain Lakes Loop

• Distance: 7.1 miles, roundtrip
• Elevation Gain: 1820 ft.
• Route Type: Loop
• Trail Guide: Link

One of my favorite hikes in all of Washington is this one right here: Chain Lakes Loop! The Mount Baker Area is truly a gem in Washington and not well known to people outside of Washington. Chain Lakes Loop is a great trail to do with the family, and when I was hiking with my husband and dog, we even saw people backpacking here with their babies. Such a fun and underrated trail!

Read More: Hiking the Chain Lakes Loop Trail | What You Need to Know About This Amazing Hike

Hall Of Mosses

• Distance: 1.1 miles, roundtrip
• Elevation Gain: 78 ft.
• Route Type: Loop
• Trail Guide: Link

I avoided this trail for a while because it was a very far drive, and I am more of a mountain chick. But when I arrived here, I was in awe! The green moss in this area is on another level! It is breathtaking! It is one of the easiest hikes I have done in Washington. The Hall Of Mosses is a great place to go on a rainy afternoon.

Read More: The Best Hikes In Olympic National Park

Skyline Loop Trail

• Distance: 6.2 miles, roundtrip
• Elevation Gain: 1,788 ft.
• Route Type: Loop
• Trail Guide: Link

Skyline Loop trail is the most popular hike at Mount Rainier National Park, and for a good reason. You get non-stop views of Mount Rainier the whole way. You can do the entire loop, or you can do a small portion of it. There is a waterfall on the trail called Myrtle Falls, so if you don’t want to do the whole trail, you can get a gorgeous view of Rainier behind the stunning waterfall.

Franklin Falls

• Distance: 2.0 miles, roundtrip
• Elevation Gain: 364 ft.
• Route Type: Out and Back
• Trail Guide: Link

Franklin Falls is another trail that is pretty close to Seattle and is extremely easy to get to. Families love coming here in the summer, especially because you can get pretty close to the waterfall. It is also another excellent winter destination because the waterfall freezes over, and it looks like a winter wonderland.

Falls Creek Falls

• Distance: 3.2 miles, roundtrip
• Elevation Gain: 695 ft.
• Route Type: Out and Back
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Trail Guide: Link

Falls Creek Falls is probably my favorite waterfall in Washington. I would do this hike all over again! I am kind of sad that it is so far away from Seattle, though. I hiked the trail on a stormy day, but the views were glorious even with it pouring on us.

Deception Pass

I didn’t add mileage to this one because it is one of those areas that has countless trails. The picture above was taken at Rosario Beach. You don’t have to park in that area, though because there are many other beaches and parking lots. Many people love to come here and relax at the beach, or they love to hike. This is a great place to explore in the Spring.

Ancient Lakes

• Distance: 4.6 miles, roundtrip
• Elevation Gain: 288 ft.
• Route Type: Loop
• Trail Guide: Link

Ancient Lakes is a great spot if you are a little tired of all the lush green scenery and want a little more desert in your life. I like coming here in the Springtime when the snow still hasn’t melted in the mountains. I know the 4.6 miles above must be daunting, but that is the max miles you can hike. It is one of those areas you can do as little or as much as you want. The elevation gain is insignificant, so it is a great trail for beginner hikers. Try not to get off the trail, though, as this is a place well known for rattlesnakes and ticks.

Final Thoughts On Beginner Hikes Washington

Thanks for reading all about the best easy hikes in Washington! I really enjoyed exploring all these hikes, and I hope you do too. Also, check out my other awesome blog posts:

• The Most Incredible Washington Road Trip Itinerary: 7-14 days
• 25 Best Waterfalls In Washington State
• Best Winter Hikes In Washington
• Soft Hiking: Enjoy Nature & Movement at Your Own Pace

Pin For Later: Easy Hiking Trails Washington