28 Best Winter Hikes in Washington State (Family-Friendly to Epic Views)
Last Updated: January 2025 | By Teri Walzenbach
Winter hiking in Washington doesn’t mean waiting for summer. From frozen waterfalls near Seattle to moody coastal beaches on the Olympic Peninsula, some of the state’s most magical moments happen when the crowds thin out and the snow starts falling.
This guide covers 28 of my favorite winter hikes across Washington — trails I’ve done with my kids, solo, with family, and with friends. Some are easy strolls with hot chocolate at the end. Others will earn you epic alpine views. All of them are worth bundling up for.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend gear I actually use on trail.
Quick Reference: Winter Hikes by Type
Amazing for families with young kids: Middle Fork Snoqualmie Bridge, Gold Creek Pond, Marymere Falls, Ruby Beach
Dreamy winter waterfalls: Franklin Falls, Wallace Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Boulder River Falls
Best views for the effort: Rattlesnake Ledge, Garfield Ledges, Heybrook Lookout, Hurricane Hill
Great for when it’s moody/rainy: Robe Canyon, Hoh Rain Forest, Cape Flattery, Rialto Beach
Top snowshoe options: Gold Creek Pond, Heather Lake, Paradise (Rainier)
Best coastal winter escapes: Cape Flattery, Rialto Beach, Second Beach, Ruby Beach, Deception Pass, Rosario Head
Best for avoiding crowds: Robe Canyon, Oyster Dome, Rosario Head, Second Beach
What to Pack for Winter Hiking in Washington
Winter hiking in Washington means being ready for mud, ice, rain, snow — sometimes all in one day. Here’s what I bring:
Footwear & Traction
Waterproof hiking boots — I’ve worn through multiple pairs of La Sportiva Nucleo High II GTX Boots. They handle wet trails without feeling heavy, and the ankle support matters on icy descents.
Microspikes — Essential for icy trails, especially January through February. I use Kahtoola MICROspikes on almost every winter hike.
Snowshoes — For deeper snow at higher elevations (Gold Creek Pond, Heather Lake, Paradise). Don’t skip them — I learned the hard way at Heather Lake. My family of four all use MSR EVO trail snowshoes.
Clothing Layers
Waterproof shell — For rain and wind on exposed ridges. I use the Black Diamond Fineline Stretch Shell.
Warm midlayer — A fleece or light puffy for cold mornings that warm up fast.
Extra hats, gloves, socks — Always. Wet gloves are miserable. My FAVORITE gloves in the world are the OR Coldfront Down Mittens. (I am obsessed)
Gear
Trekking poles — Helpful on icy descents and snowy traverses. I use Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Trekking Poles.
Daypack — My Osprey Tempest 20 carries layers, snacks, and hot chocolate without feeling bulky.
Headlamp — Days are short. If you’re chasing sunrise or sunset, you’ll need it for the return. We all use the Black Diamond Spot 400.
Hot chocolate — Non-negotiable. We bring it on every winter hike.
I-90 Corridor: Winter Hikes Near Seattle
The I-90 corridor is your best bet for quick winter escapes from Seattle. Lower elevation means less snow, but you’ll still want microspikes after cold snaps.
Middle Fork Snoqualmie (Bridge)
The vibe: Hot chocolate, happy kids, no pressure.
Cross the beautiful suspension bridge and stroll along the river as far as your group wants — then turn around. We brought the kids, watched them run back and forth on the bridge about a hundred times, headed down to the water to skip rocks, then walked a little into the woods for hot chocolate.
There’s no real endpoint. Just a continuous path through gorgeous forest. Perfect for little legs or days when you want to be outside without a destination.
Stats
- Distance: Flexible (most families do 2–4 miles RT)
- Elevation Gain: Minimal
- Difficulty: Easy
Garfield Ledges
The vibe: The forest is the destination.
I don’t remember the view as much as I remember getting there. The woods on this trail are a dream — mossy logs, towering trees, that Pacific Northwest magic. My kids were climbing stumps and walking across logs (probably shouldn’t have, but they were having the time of their lives).
Short, steep, big payoff.
Stats
- Distance: 1.9 miles RT
- Elevation Gain: 616 ft
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Tip: Microspikes if icy
Franklin Falls
The vibe: Washington’s iconic frozen waterfall.
Always a goodie, especially if you wait until it freezes over. I’ve been with the kids, by myself, with my family, with my sister — it’s just one of those trails everyone should do at least once in winter.
Try to go on weekdays because it gets busy. And if there’s heavy snow, the winter route from Snoqualmie Pass is beautiful — the kids were falling into powder the whole way down. Wonderful.
Stats
- Distance: ~2 miles RT
- Elevation Gain: ~400 ft
- Difficulty: Easy
- Tip: Microspikes or snowshoes Dec–Feb depending on conditions
Twin Falls
The vibe: Two waterfalls, one beautiful forest.
Just a beautiful hike. The waterfalls are gorgeous — but make sure you go past the first falls and up over the bridge to the second viewpoint. It’s really worth it.
The forest is really pretty too. Another one of those classic Cascades experiences.
Stats
- Distance: 2.5 miles RT
- Elevation Gain: ~590 ft
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
- Tip: Microspikes after cold snaps
Rattlesnake Ledge
The vibe: Classic view hike, better in winter.
If you can go for sunrise or sunset, it makes all the difference. Just bring a headlamp for the descent. I’ve done it with the kids, with friends, by myself, and with my daughter when she was 6 months old strapped to my chest.
The woods at the bottom are really gorgeous, and winter means fewer crowds on the ledge.
Stats
- Distance: 5.3 miles RT
- Elevation Gain: 1,459 ft
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Tip: Microspikes Jan–Feb (shaded sections hold ice)
Gold Creek Pond
The vibe: The winter winner.
This is probably the easiest big payoff in the state. Bring hot chocolate, walk around the whole lake — don’t just stop at the pond.
If you can go early before the lake freezes, the emerald color against the snow and trees is a dream. And on a clear day, the views past the pond are incredible.
Stats
- Distance: ~4.4 miles RT (includes winter road walk)
- Elevation Gain: ~167 ft
- Difficulty: Easy
- Tip: Snowshoes recommended Dec–Mar
Talapus & Olallie Lakes
The vibe: Two lakes, one winner.
Really beautiful hike to both lakes. The only downside of Talapus is that you can’t really enjoy the lake — there are just a couple of logs to try to see it from.
Olallie has more of a beach area. Even in snow, it feels more like a destination — somewhere you want to sit and stay for a while.
Stats
- Distance: 5.7 miles RT to both (~4.0 to Talapus)
- Elevation Gain: 1,223 ft
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Tip: Snowshoes often needed mid-winter
Highway 2: Waterfalls & Lookouts
Highway 2 is waterfall country in winter. The falls rage, the forests drip, and if you time it right, you’ll catch ice formations that don’t last long.
Wallace Falls
The vibe: Always incredible.
The woods are beautiful, the state park is well maintained, and I’ve been here many times with many different people. It’s just a winner for all levels.
If you can get a little bit of ice on the falls, it’s incredible.
Stats
- Distance: 4.9 miles RT
- Elevation Gain: 1,469 ft
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Tip: Microspikes helpful Jan–Feb
Heybrook Ridge
The vibe: Big views, no tower crowds.
I’ve only done this in early winter without snow, but it’s really beautiful. You don’t get the lookout, but there’s a bench at the top where the kids and I sat and had hot chocolate (we’re big hot chocolate people on hikes).
The views are insane.
Stats
- Distance: 3.3 miles RT
- Elevation Gain: 775 ft
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Tip: Microspikes when icy
Bridal Veil Falls
The vibe: Pick your waterfall.
I’d almost say the lower Bridal Veil Falls on your way to Lake Serene is better than the upper falls — less spray, less wet.
But the hike to the upper falls is really pretty with all the staircases. Just be prepared to get soaked if you get too close.
Stats
- Distance: 4.2 miles RT (upper falls)
- Elevation Gain: 1,043 ft
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Tip: Microspikes on stairs when icy
Heybrook Lookout
The vibe: Fire tower magic.
Always a winner. I’ve tried to book a stay and never could, but we’ve brought kids and family and it’s always a great time.
The woods are beautiful — this gorgeous mix of some sort of laurel-type plant down below and tall pines above. And the views from the lookout are incredible. You can see Mount Index and beyond.
Stats
- Distance: 1.9 miles RT
- Elevation Gain: 879 ft
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Tip: Supervise kids on tower stairs; can be icy
👉 Love fire towers? See my full guide: Best Fire Lookout Hikes in Washington
Skyline Lake
The vibe: Steep but short — earn it fast.
This one is a leg burner, but it’s over quickly. The trail climbs hard through forest, then opens up to a beautiful alpine lake. In winter with snow, it feels much more remote than its short distance suggests.
Good option if you want a workout without a long day. And lots of snow to play in.
Stats
- Distance: ~2.5 miles RT
- Elevation Gain: ~1,000 ft
- Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous (steep)
- Tip: Snowshoes or microspikes depending on conditions
Mountain Loop Highway: Forest & Waterfall Magic
The Mountain Loop stays accessible in winter at lower elevations. Expect moss, mist, and that deep green Pacific Northwest forest that photographs so well in flat light.
Robe Canyon
The vibe: Hidden gem adventure.
I love this one, especially if you go all the way to the caves. You’re not really supposed to, but we did with the kids and it was an adventure.
Once you get down to the river, it’s really beautiful — just be careful because it’s roaring. Kind of a hidden gem.
Stats
- Distance: 2.5 miles RT
- Elevation Gain: ~285 ft
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Boulder River Falls
The vibe: Waterfalls raging, trail raging.
All levels can do this one, and if the waterfalls are raging in winter, it’s really fun. I’ve brought the kids.
I would say dress really well — especially your footwear — because I’ve been on this trail when it’s basically a river. Water everywhere. And I’d turn around at the falls in winter. I’ve gone all the way to the end and it’s nice in summer (you hit the river, maybe swim), but in winter I wasn’t as impressed with the ending.
Stats
- Distance: ~4.3 miles RT (to falls)
- Elevation Gain: ~700 ft
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
- Tip: Waterproof boots + gaiters essential
Heather Lake
The vibe: Alpine magic, snowshoes required.
One of my favorites. The old-growth approach is gorgeous, and the lake sits in this cliffy cirque that feels special.
But do not go without snowshoes if there’s significant snow. I forgot them once and couldn’t get around the lake or even to the edge — the snow gets really deep up there.
Stats
- Distance: 4.4 miles RT
- Elevation Gain: 1,024 ft
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Tip: Snowshoes essential mid-winter
South Sound: Winter Waterfall Near Tacoma
Little Mashel Falls
The vibe: Big adventure, multiple routes.
The falls are really gorgeous but can be roaring, misty, raging, and slippery. It’s kind of a big adventure — we’ve brought the kids and it’s really fun.
I’ll be honest, one of the routes there isn’t great (logging road). Park at the lower lot of the recreation area, cross the cool bridge, and go up from there — it’s a lot more scenic.
Stats
- Distance: ~5 miles (varies by route)
- Elevation Gain: ~500 ft
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
- Tip: Waterproof boots (muddy in winter)
Mount Rainier: The Winter Favorite
Paradise (Alta Vista / Panorama Point)
The vibe: My favorite winter destination in Washington.
Probably my favorite place to go in winter. You can hike as little or as much as you want in the snow. The views on the way up to Paradise are always incredible.
The beauty is you don’t have to hike far to get the views. Alta Vista trail is great, or you can push to Panorama Point if conditions allow.
Don’t forget chains — they’re mandatory, even if you think you don’t need them.
Stats
- Distance: Varies (Alta Vista ~1.5 miles RT, Panorama Point ~5 miles RT)
- Elevation Gain: Varies (500–1,500 ft)
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate (depending on distance/conditions)
- Tip: Snowshoes required; check road conditions
👉 More Rainier options: 15 Best Mt Rainier Hikes & Trails
Olympic Peninsula: Mountains, Rainforest & Coast
The Olympics offer everything in winter — alpine views, temperate rainforest, and dramatic coastline. This is where I go when I want to escape the gray and find something different.
Hurricane Ridge / Hurricane Hill
The vibe: One of my favorites, honestly.
The views on the way up are gorgeous. If you can hike even halfway to Hurricane Hill, once it starts to open up, it’s worth it. There are little peekaboo spots where you can get off the main trail and see all the big mountains.
Don’t forget to check if the road is open — it’s only open some days during winter.
Stats
- Distance: 3.2 miles RT (Hurricane Hill)
- Elevation Gain: ~700 ft
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Tip: Check road schedule; chains often required
Storm King
The vibe: Probably one of the most epic hikes in Olympic National Park.
Always a favorite. I’ve done it like five times and only had really good weather once — an epic sunset. I’ve had it snowing up there. My kids have done it.
It’s a little sketchy at the end with the rope. It’s not so much the rope part as the skinny section of rock to the final ledge everyone goes to — it can be slippery if wet. But the views are insane.
Stats
- Distance: 4.4 miles RT
- Elevation Gain: 2,100 ft
- Difficulty: Strenuous
- Tip: Use caution on final section; not ideal for young kids
Marymere Falls
The vibe: Just a dream.
Always a favorite, just beautiful. The whole experience is really nice — crossing the bridges, the water, the lush forest. Easy enough for everyone, beautiful enough to feel special.
Stats
- Distance: 1.8 miles RT
- Elevation Gain: ~400 ft
- Difficulty: Easy
Hoh Rain Forest
The vibe: The amenities make it worth it.
Pretty and remote. You can go as far as you like (within reason). Honestly, you can find this type of rainforest feel all over the coast, but Hoh is great because of the amenities — bathrooms, ranger station, maintained trails.
The Hall of Mosses is the classic short loop. Spruce Nature Trail is another easy option.
Stats
- Distance: Hall of Mosses 0.8 miles RT; Spruce Nature Trail 1.2 miles RT
- Elevation Gain: Minimal
- Difficulty: Easy
Cape Flattery
The vibe: Oh my goodness, just the best.
Really, really beautiful. It’s a haul to get there and you have to remember to pick up a pass from the Makah Museum, but whether it’s a moody stormy day or the sun is out, it is just the bomb.
The sea stacks, the crashing waves, the cliffs — it’s unlike anywhere else in Washington.
Stats
- Distance: 1.5 miles RT
- Elevation Gain: ~200 ft
- Difficulty: Easy
- Tip: Makah Recreation Pass required; check road conditions
Rialto Beach
The vibe: Moody or sunny, it works.
You can do it on a gorgeous day or when it’s misty and moody. It fits all the vibes — crazy waves, driftwood, sea stacks.
If it’s a nice day, try to go at sunset. And time yourself so you can walk through Hole in the Wall — always a cool experience. Go out to the point.
In winter it tends to be really quiet.
Stats
- Distance: 3 miles RT to Hole in the Wall
- Elevation Gain: Minimal
- Difficulty: Easy
- Tip: Check tide tables for Hole in the Wall access
Second Beach
The vibe: Short, sweet, big payoff.
Similar vibe to Rialto but a shorter hike to get there. I’ve only backpacked here in spring, but it works as a year-round coastal option.
Big sea stacks, dramatic views, and fewer people than Rialto.
Stats
- Distance: 1.4 miles RT (to beach)
- Elevation Gain: ~200 ft
- Difficulty: Easy
Ruby Beach
The vibe: Quickest coastal hit.
The quickest of the Olympic beaches to access — basically a short walk to dramatic sea stacks and tide pools. Iconic Pacific Northwest coastal photography spot.
Works any time of year, any weather.
Stats
- Distance: 0.5 miles RT
- Elevation Gain: Minimal
- Difficulty: Easy
North Sound: Coastal Views Without the Drive
If the Olympic Peninsula feels too far, the North Sound offers coastal vibes closer to Seattle. These trails give you water, cliffs, forest, and views without the 3+ hour drive.
Oyster Dome
The vibe: Pretty from start to finish.
Really beautiful views from the top, and the forest down below is gorgeous. I’ve only done it in late winter/early spring, but it’s such a pretty hike from start to finish.
A good alternative when you want views but don’t want to deal with mountain snow.
Stats
- Distance: 6.2 miles RT
- Elevation Gain: 1,050 ft
- Difficulty: Moderate
Deception Pass
The vibe: So much variety.
It’s so nice to hike down and around the bridge, onto the beach. You get so much variety — forest, cliffs, bridge views, beach.
A really nice taste of coastal Washington. Not coastal coastal, but coastal. If that makes sense.
Stats
- Distance: Varies (1–4 miles depending on route)
- Elevation Gain: Varies
- Difficulty: Easy
Rosario Head
The vibe: All the coastal goods.
A favorite because you can start at Rosario Beach, which is really beautiful, and walk around. You get the same sort of thing as Deception Pass — coastal views, bridges, water, forest, cliffs.
The kelp floating in the water, the views out to the islands — it’s really just beautiful.
Stats
- Distance: ~2 miles RT
- Elevation Gain: Minimal
- Difficulty: Easy
Trails to Add Later
I’m planning to add these once I have more winter-specific photos:
- Artist Point — When the road opens for winter access
- Ebey’s Landing — Coastal bluffs on Whidbey Island
More Winter Adventure Guides
- Start Snowshoeing in Washington State
- Amazing Winter Adventures in Washington
- Best Fire Lookout Hikes in Washington
- How to Get Out on Your First Hike
Final Thoughts
Winter hiking in Washington is its own kind of magic. Frozen waterfalls, moody coastlines, powder-covered trails with nobody else around. The key is picking the right trail for conditions, dressing properly, and bringing hot chocolate (seriously, it makes everything better).
Start small if you’re new to winter hiking. Gold Creek Pond, Middle Fork Snoqualmie, Marymere Falls — these are forgiving and beautiful. Build from there.
And if you’re chasing something bigger? Paradise at sunrise. Storm King in the snow. Hurricane Hill when the road finally opens.
Washington in winter isn’t just survivable. It’s unforgettable.
