Top Hiking Areas in Seattle

Seattle, a city known for its vibrant culture and scenic beauty, offers numerous opportunities for hiking enthusiasts. Here are some of the best hiking areas in Seattle:

1. Discovery Park

• Location: Magnuson Park, Puget Sound
• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
• Highlights: Beaches, forest trails, and stunning views of the Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains.

Discovery Park is Seattle’s largest park, offering a variety of hiking trails for all skill levels. The park features beautiful beaches, dense forests, and offers breathtaking views of the Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains.

2. Rattlesnake Ledge

• Location: Tahoma Creek Trailhead, North Bend
• Difficulty: Moderate (2.8 miles round trip)
• Highlights: Stunning views of Rattlesnake Lake and the surrounding mountains.

Rattlesnake Ledge is a popular hiking destination that offers panoramic views of Rattlesnake Lake and the nearby mountains. The trail is moderately difficult, but the stunning view at the end makes it worthwhile.

3. Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park

• Location: Issaquah
• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate (various trails with different lengths and difficulties)
• Highlights: Old-growth forests, diverse wildlife, and numerous hiking trails.

Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park is a 3,100-acre park that features over 45 miles of hiking trails. The park offers a unique opportunity to explore old-growth forests and witness diverse wildlife.

4. Olympia Parklands (Twin Falls and Priest Point)

• Location: Olympia (Approximately 2 hours from Seattle)
• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate (various trails with different lengths and difficulties)
• Highlights: Waterfalls, wildlife viewing opportunities, and beautiful landscapes.

Olympia Parklands, specifically Twin Falls and Priest Point, offer a variety of hiking trails for all skill levels. The park is known for its stunning waterfalls, wildlife viewing opportunities, and beautiful landscapes.

5. Mount Si

• Location: North Bend
• Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging (7.2 miles round trip)
• Highlights: Stunning views of the Snoqualmie Valley and the surrounding mountains.

Mount Si is a popular hiking destination that offers panoramic views of the Snoqualmie Valley and the nearby mountains. The trail is moderately to challenging, but the view at the top makes it worthwhile.