11 of The Best Moderate Day Hikes in Washington State
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In this blog post, you will find I have compiled a list of 11 of the best moderate day hikes in Washington.
These hikes range from 5-8 miles round trip with elevation gains sitting at an average of 1500ft!
You can expect to find beautiful alpine lakes, lookouts on mountain tops, and an endless amount of views!
This post is for you if have already begun your hiking journey, you want more of a workout from your hikes and are looking to get farther into the wilderness.
If this sounds like you, this list will be a perfect step up in terms of difficulty and length. Not to mention, the harder you work, the better the views!
If you think these may be a bit out of your comfort zone, check out my blog post:15 Beautiful and Beginner-Friendly Hikes in Washington.
These hikes have been placed in order of locations!
Hiking Resources For Beginners!
In addition to this post, I have other blog posts on hiking guides and Washington destinations that will add so much to your hiking and destination knowledge! Be sure to go give those posts a save 🙂
Washington Day Hikes- Map
Day Hikes In Washington
Ranked by location
Snoqualmie Day Hikes
Snoqualmie and the I-90 corridor is the closest hiking area to Seattle, it has some beautiful hikes and is only an hour/ hour and a half away! It’s a win-win!
1. Rachel Lake Trail
Length: 8 Miles RT
Elevation Gain: 1600 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Information: Link
Permit: Northwest Forest Pass
Rachel lake has hands down some of the most amazing water I have seen in Washington. The hike itself is beautiful, even if it is a bit of a thigh burner.
The one bummer is that the hike gains most of it elevation in the last mile, making it a pretty tough mile.
On the bright side this isn’t a very popular hike so you won’t be fighting the crowds at all the normal I-90 hiking locations!
The best time of year for this hike is late June- early October!
Central Cascade Day Hikes
The Central Cascades has some of the most beautiful and rugged mountains in Washington. It boasts tons of alpine lakes and includes the area from Index to Stevens Pass and even the Alpine Lake Wilderness near Leavenworth, WA.
2. Lake 22 Trail
Length: 5.4 miles rt
Elevation Gain: 1350ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Information: Link
Permit: Northwest Forest Pass
Out of every hike on this list, Lake 22 tops it for one of the most popular. It is only an hour away from Seattle and a solid 5 miles round trip making it an easy late afternoon hike.
The top of this hike looks like Narnia and has drawn me back to it time and time again. There is even a wooded boardwalk around part of the lake, and in the summer it makes a great spot to picnic and swim!
If you want a challenge, try snowshoeing this in the winter, it is supposed to be beautiful ( and even more like Narnia)!
*Make sure to keep an eye on the avalanche reports as this area has been known to have slides.
READ MORE: Check Out These 11 Hikes In Olympic National Park
3. Lake Valhalla Trail
I hiked this trail last year and I wasn’t disappointed in the least. The length of the trail makes the 1500 ft of elevation gain feel natural and easy and you get an amazing view of Mt. Mc Causland!
The trail begins at the top of Stevens Pass and follows the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail), it slowly meanders through the woods until you reach the lake.
There are first come, first serve campsites at the lake as well for those of you who enjoy overnight trips!
Like many this trail is best hiked during the summer months from July- early October!
WTA Trail Information:https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/lake-valhalla
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4. Colchuck Lake Washington
Length: 8 miles rt
Elevation Gain: 2280ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Information: Link
Permit: Northwest Forest Pass
I remember the first time I saw a photo of this lake, I was in complete awe. This existed in Washington?! I had to see it for myself.
Since my first trip there in 2016 I have gone back 3 more times. Since then it has grown hugely in popularity and I would highly recommend going on a weekday or head up for sunrise unless you want to be hiking with 50 other people.
This trail is best hiked from July- October. It is possible to hike it during the winter but you add around 12 miles onto your already long 8 mile trip.
While popular this is one of the more difficult trails on this list, don’t underestimate the elevation gain, it will get you. I recommend bringing hiking poles and snacking along the way!
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Bellingham Day Hikes
Right near Bellingham is one of the most scenic stretches of road in Washington called Chukanut Drive.
It hugs the cliffs of Chukanut mountains while it winds along through the forest, overlooking the Samish Bay and the San Juan Islands.
In and of itself Chukanut drive is worth going to, but hiking along it is even better!
5. Oyster Dome Hike
Length: 5 miles rt
Elevation Gain: 1050 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Information: Link
Permit: Discover Pass
This is my personal favorite hike along Chukanut Drive, the top has a magnificent view of the San Juan Islands and really can’t be beat!
You can enter this trail from two different locations- one is from along the Chukanut drive road- you simply pull off, park along the road and head up a steep trail into the woods.
The other entrance is much more gentle and starts from the Samish Overlook Parking lot.
If you don’t want as much of a workout I definitely suggest heading in from the Samish Overlook direction.
You can hike this trail almost year round- it makes for a beautiful spring and fall hike as it winds through the forest for quite some time, exposing you to beautiful foliage.
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Mount Rainier National Park Day Hikes
Rainier is the crown jewel of Washington.
This national park is one of my very favorite places to hike in Washington and it’s truly hard to get enough! From wildflowers in the summer to stunning volcano overlooks Rainier is really quite the place.
I would highly recommend heading here from July through early October, the views are absolutely beautiful.
6. Summit Lake Hike
Length: 6.1 miles rt
Elevation Gain: 1300 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Information: Link
Permit: Northwest Forest Pass
Summit Lake is right outside of the National Park, making it much closer to Seattle and boasting insane views of the mountain from a bit farther back.
The lake really isn’t that far of a hike and with a gain of only 1300ft it becomes quite leisurely.
At the top there are campsites hidden among the forest and a beautiful one that looks straight at Mt.Rainier.
You can head left or right at the top you you will be greeted with a beautiful view no matter what you choose!
This trail is best hiked in the summer months into early Fall as the road closes into the winter.
You can also backpack this trail! Check out the link below for more information.
READ MORE: 11 Of The Best Backpacking Trails In Washington
7. Tolmie Peak Lookout
Length 7.5 miles rt
Elevation Gain: 1100 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Information: Link
Permit: National Park Pass
Tolmie Peak Lookout is one of the 4 lookouts built in the Rainier National Park.
This particular lookout is absolutely stunning and well worth the 7.5 miles round trip.
In the summer you hike amongst beautiful bear grass and have humongous views of Rainier for the final third of the trip.
Initially, you will be approaching Eunice lake below the lookout, when you look up you will be able to spot the lookout high above you.
Don’t worry, the ridgeine will take you right there! It is well worth the climb to the top.
Unlike many other lookouts in Washington this one does not allow the public to stay in it.
If you want to stay overnight to get an early sunrise start, you can take a look at the Mowich campgrounds near the beginning of the hike!
Mt. Baker/ North Cascades Day Hikes
My favorite spot in all of Washington! The mountains up here are of a different breed. They are stunning, jagged and boast some of the highest peaks in the state.
Mt. Baker and Shuksan also grace this area and are known to be some of the most photogenic mountains in Washington.
In fact, Mt. Shuksan has been called the most photographed mountain in the world (may be a bit of a stretch but it definitely is the most photographed in Washington!)
8. Park Butte Lookout
Length: 7.5 miles RT
Elevation Gain: 2200 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Information: Link
Permit: Northwest Forest Pass
Ahh yes my favorite lookout of them all. This is a lookout that will make your jaw drop. Perched on a high jagged ridge, this lookout is 100% worth the 2,200 ft of elevation gain it takes to get here.
Unlike Tolmie Peak Lookout, this one allows you to stay the night! It is first come first serve so try to get here quick as it can fill up fast.
Inside the lookout is a little cot, some furniture and a table for you to rest at.
Personally, I have hiked this trail 3x and backpacked it once.
It is always worth it and I couldn’t recommend it more.
This trail is best hiked in the summer months -late June to early Fall is best before it gets completely snowed in and the lookout locked.
9. Winchester Lookout
Length: 3.4 Miles rt
Elevation Gain:1300 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Information: Link
Permit: Northwest Forest Pass
While one of the shortest hikes on this list, Winchester is also one of the most beautiful.
Perched high in the North Cascades you get amazing views of the sea of peaks that makes up this mountain range.
On a clear day you also can get a stunning view of Mt. Baker.
This trail begins at twin lakes and winds itself up the mountain to the lookout. You have views the entire time and it is magnificent.
This trail is made easy by the fact the road you drove takes you so high in elevation itself!
In fact the road is probably the worst part about the whole experience- make sure to have a high clearance vehicle- you will need it!
If you want to stay overnight you can do so at one of the campsites along Twin Lakes, in the lookout itself if you are lucky or along one of the ridges or next to the lookout.
There are many spots for a tent and spending the night here is one of my favorite memories.
Similar to many of the others on this list, this trail is best and probably only hiked from early July- late September. Snow covers the road and makes it inaccessible for most of the year.
10. Skyline Divide Trail
Length: 7.2 Miles rt
Elevation Gain: 2400 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Information: Link
Permit: Northwest Forest Pass
UPDATE (May 2024): The road to this hike is currently washed out and the trailhead is not accessible by car.
This trail is INSANE. I have never been so absolutely blown away by a trail like I was by this one.
The trail itself gains most of its elevation in the very beginning. Hey, at least you get it over with!
Once you reach the ridge you are in for quite the treat. Along the ridge you have views of Shuksan, Baker and all the peaks in the North Cascades.
We backpacked it in early August and the wildflowers were in full bloom- making it easily the most gorgeous place I have ever set up camp.
Speaking of backpacking, this trail is first come first serve and has small campsites along the ridge.
It is a beautiful day hike and an even better backpack- if your willing to haul all of your stuff up there!
It is best to hike from July to early September- possibly into October depending on the weather!
Road Closure until January 2023- Closed!
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Olympic National Park Day Hikes
The Olympics is a stunning area to hike in, it can be a bit difficult to get to depending on where you are coming from but it is well worth the drive.
This stunning temperate rain-forest boasts waterfalls galore, a beautiful coastline, and some wonderful nature walks.
11. Mt. Storm King Trail
Length: 5.3 miles rt
Elevation Gain: 2076 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Information: Link
Permit: None
Probably my favorite hikes in all the Olympics.
You have probably seen a photo of this on social media before as it is one of the most photogenic & iconic places in Washington!
The hike itself is not for the faint of heart- it gains elevation quickly and doesn’t let up on the legs but the views are well worth it.
At the top you come to a ropes section- my personal favorite part about the hike!
It can be a bit daunting if you are scared of heights- just take your time and watch your feet!
For more information click the image down below to read my entire guide!
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed my guide to the top 11 Moderate Day Hikes in Washington State!
I personally love all of these hikes and have done many of them over and over again simply because they are just that good.
Let me know in the comments below if you have gone on any of these or if I missed any amazing ones!
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