The Best Hikes Near Seattle

For the perfect early fall stroll, head to West Seattle's Alki Beach Park, a long beach strip that runs from Alki Point to the Duwamish Head (a landmark that overlooks Elliott Bay). All along the 2.5 mile walk, you'll enjoy panoramic views of Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains, and the downtown Seattle skyline. Start at Jack Block Park, then round the point at Anchor Park and make for the Alki Point lighthouse.

Länge: 2,5 Meilen
Entfernung von Seattle Southside: 14 Meilen

East of Seattle Southside, Cougar Mountain Park offers more than 35 well-maintained trails that wind through forests, wetlands, cliffs, and caves. Coal Creek Trail is a popular, forested hike with historical artifacts, waterfalls, and wooden bridges. Follow the trail down a deep ravine, past old mine shafts, rail ties, and other coal-mining remnants from the late 1800s. You won't gain a ton of elevation, so it's a good choice if you don't want to push yourself too hard.

Length: 6 miles round-trip
Distance from Seattle Southside: 13.5 miles

Grand Ridge Park features 7 miles of scenic trails that wind through forests of western red cedar. This 1,300-acre wilderness area is located just north of Issaquah and Lake Sammamish, and open to hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians. A highlight of the trail is a beautiful 40-foot-long, hand-built bridge that spans Canyon Creek.

Länge: 14 Meilen
Höhenlage: 1.100 Fuß
Entfernung von Seattle Southside: 25 Meilen

The Granite Mountain Trail is the Snoqualmie Pass corridor's most heavily traveled summit path. Though it's a bit of a calf-burner, the 360-degree views of Mt. Rainier and Snoqualmie Pass make the 3,800-foot climb in 4.3 miles well worth it.

Länge: 8 Meilen
Höhenlage: 3.800 Fuß
Entfernung von Seattle Southside: 52 Meilen

Pratt Lake near Snoqualmie Pass is ideal for this transitional season, and the Pratt Lake Trail is great for accessing fishing, scrambling, and other hiking trails. Roundtrip, this is an 8-mile hike through forest and an occasional rocky slope featuring mountain views, wildflower meadows, and old-growth forest.

Länge: 8 Meilen
Höhenlage: 2.300 Fuß
Entfernung von Seattle Southside: 52 Meilen

Located on the western side of the Cascade Mountains, Wallace Falls features a breathtaking series of nine waterfalls, the tallest of which plunges 265 feet. The round-trip hike spans 5.5 miles and takes adventurers through old-growth coniferous forests, alongside fast-moving rivers, with scenic mountain views and abundant wildlife along the way. While the falls are beautiful year-round, locals suggest visiting on a rainy day—each raindrop feeds into the Wallace River, amplifying the power and drama of the cascading torrents.

Länge: 5,5 Meilen
Höhenunterschied: 1.200 Fuß
Entfernung von Seattle Southside: 55 Meilen

Mount Si is a strenuous and popular hike located in the Mount Si Natural Resources Conservation Area near North Bend, Washington. The trail spans approximately 8 miles round trip with an elevation gain of about 3,150 feet. The route begins in dense conifer forest and steadily ascends via well-maintained switchbacks. About 3.5 miles in, hikers are rewarded with sweeping views from a rocky slope, including sights of Mount Rainier on clear days. The final section reaches a plateau below the summit; experienced hikers can scramble up the "Haystack" for panoramic views.

Für Abenteuerlustige ist der Haystack am Mt. Si eine kurze Kletterpartie zum Gipfel und gilt als moderater Aufstieg der Klasse 2/3.

Wir saßen in der Sonne und entspannten uns ein wenig, genossen die weite Aussicht, die Tierwelt und aßen ein paar Snacks. Nachdem wir für ein paar Fotos posiert hatten, um unsere Leistung zu dokumentieren, machten wir uns auf den Rückweg und sprachen den Wanderern auf dem Weg zum Gipfel unsere eigene Ermutigung aus.

Da wir uns auf dem Aufstieg so viel Appetit geholt hatten, kehrten wir in der North Bend Bar und Grill für Burger. Dies ist ein gutes altes Restaurant mit tollem Essen und einer gemütlichen Atmosphäre. Es gibt sogar einen Kamin mit einer großen Couch, auf der man es sich in den kälteren Monaten gemütlich machen kann.

Länge: 4 Meilen
Höhenlage: 3.700 Fuß
Entfernung für Seattle Southside: 40 Meilen

Schnappen Sie sich Ihre Wanderschuhe, Wasser und eventuell eine Regenjacke und gehen Sie nach draußen, bevor die Sonne für den Winter verschwindet.