5 Best Scenic Hikes In Washington State 

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Visiting the Pacific Northwest for a hiking trip is incredibly exciting.

You will get your fill of lush forests, extreme mountain ranges, and exquisite alpine lakes.

Some of the 5 best scenic hikes in Washington state are short and easy, while others are more physically demanding. 

In this post you will gain knowledge on some of the best hikes with the best views and photographic spots in the entire state.

There is a photo of each hike at the bottom of the description.

Sol Duc Falls

This easy trail is only 1.6 miles long with an elevation gain of 226 ft. 

It is perfect for families with small children or those who just want to take an easy stroll through the rainforest. 

You will descend a bit at first, which means you will have to go back up on the way out, but that is pretty much the only elevation change.

After this, the trail flattens out with the beautiful Sol Duc Falls at the end. 

While you might think going on a sunny day is preferable, this hike is best done in the early morning, evening, or when it is drizzly outside. 

The canopy of the tall evergreens and spruce trees provides a decent amount of coverage from the rain, but the dim sky really makes all the colors of the forest come to life. 

Maple Pass Loop

The second trail of the five best scenic hikes in Washington State is Maple Pass Loop. 

This moderate/hard hike is in the North Cascades National Park and is 7.4 miles with 2,191 feet of elevation gain.

I recommend doing this hike counterclockwise and going up first to get the hard part out of the way.

There is spectacular views the entire way, and you look down on Lake Ann and out towards several mountain peaks. 

On this hike, you will be up very high, so I do not recommend it if you are afraid of heights.

However, even if you are, I still recommend going up counterclockwise and then turning around at the top and going back down the same way. 

Also, unlike most national parks, the North Cascades does not require an entry pass or fee.

Keep in mind the north cascades scenic byway closes seasonally and the day it opens varies from year to year.

Check out https://www.nps.gov/noca/index.htm for more information on seasonal openings and closures.

Yellow Aster Butte

This trail is rated as hard on https://www.alltrails.com, with a total distance of 8.5 miles and 2,791 feet of elevation gain.

This hike is challenging, but you are rewarded with stunning close-up views of Mt. Baker and Mt. Shuksan after the first mile or so. 

Yellow Aster Butte is best done in the summer or fall when the snow is melted, the streams are flowing, the alpine lakes are thawed, and the trail is easy to navigate.

There is only one route for this hike so it’s out and back.

Pinnacle Peak 

The 4th trail out of the 5 best scenic hikes in Washington State is Pinnacle Peak trail.

This trail is in Mt. Rainier national park, and you will need a national park pass or pay the daily entrance fee to get in. 

I was pleasantly surprised by this hike and how beautiful it was on a clear day.

The views of Mt. Rainier are unbelievable!

Pictures don’t do it justice at all, so you have to see it to believe it!

It’s a steady incline with some steep areas but plenty of room for hikers headed up and back down.

I would recommend sunscreen and bug spray as the first mile is through dense forest, and the second half is complete exposure to the sun. 

If you hike a little farther on a crystal-clear day to a lookout point veering right past the trail “end,” you will be able to see Mount St. Helen, Mt. Adams, and Mt. Hood to the south. 

It’s a hard hike with a distance of 2.9 miles and 1,5584 feet of elevation gain. 

I found this trail moderately challenging. 

Mt. Freemont Lookout 

Mt. Freemont Lookout is in Mt. Rainier National Park and requires access to the Sunrise Visitor Center, which is only open during the summer months. 

Visit this website for road conditions to and from Mt. Rainier NP year-round! https://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/road-status.htm

This hike is stunning from the get-go and is just under 6 miles round trip with 1,112 feet of elevation gain and is considered moderate.

The trail is wide open.

You will be exposed to the sun except for a brief distance about a third of the way in after starting, so I would highly recommend sunscreen. 

I can’t vouch for the summer months, but when I did this hike in October I did not need bug spray. 

I would bring some just inc case, though.

Pictures don’t do this incredible place justice.

With that, it is a very popular hike.

An early start is suggested unless you want some amazing milky way shots and have the necessary night-hiking equipment. 

Also, if you plan your trip accordingly, you can snag a night at the lookout tower itself! 

This trail steadily inclines, but is at a higher elevation, making it seem more difficult.

If you’re having trouble deciding which hikes to do, these are my top 5 best scenic hikes in Washington State.

Some are easy, but others are moderate/hard.

However, there are less crowds at the hikes that are rated as hard.

Choosing only a couple is possible, but if you have time, do them all!

Seeing such beauty is always worth it.