Looking for a scenic hike at one of Seattle's neighboring national parks?
There are 3 main national parks and we compiled some of the best hiking trails for each national park, 24 of them that you are going to have to add to your bucket list.
As a local resident in Seattle Washington, you can never go wrong exploring our beautiful parks and trials. So let's jump right into the list!
Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier National Park is a stunning destination for hikers and nature lovers. With its iconic snow-capped peak and diverse ecosystems, this park offers some of the best trails near Seattle. Let's explore some of the most popular hikes in the area.
Skyline Trail (Paradise)
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Trail Rating: 4.8
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Difficulty: Hard
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Length of trail: 5.5 miles
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Why it’s a top pick: Incredible views of Mount Rainier and vibrant wildflower meadows.
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Direction: AllTrails link
The Skyline Trail is one of the best trails near Seattle, Washington, offering breathtaking views of Mount Rainier and the surrounding wildflower meadows. Starting from the Paradise area, this memorable loop climb rewards visitors with panoramic vistas of the Cascade Range and wildlife sightings, making it a must-do in Mount Rainier National Park.
Burroughs Mountain Trail (Sunrise)
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Trail Rating: 4.9
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Difficulty: Hard
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Length of trail: 9.4 miles
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Why it’s a top pick: Unparalleled views of glacier-covered slopes and distant peaks.
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Direction: AllTrails link
The Burroughs Mountain Trail, one of the best trails near Seattle, Washington in Mount Rainier National Park, offers a challenging yet rewarding experience with unparalleled views of Mount Rainier and the glacier-covered slopes. As you journey from the Sunrise Visitor Center through alpine meadows and rocky terrain, you'll reach the highest accessible points in the park, where on clear days, other Cascade peaks like Mount Adams and Mount Baker are visible, especially breathtaking in late summer when wildflowers bloom.
Tolmie Peak Trail
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Trail Rating: 4.8
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Difficulty: Moderate
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Length of trail: 5.6 miles
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Why it’s a top pick: Offers serenity and spectacular panoramic views from the fire lookout.
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Direction: AllTrails link
Tolmie Peak Trail, one of the best trails near Seattle, Washington, offers a quieter experience within Mount Rainier National Park, starting from Mowich Lake, the largest and deepest in the park. As you journey through beautiful forests and pass by the picturesque Eunice Lake, you'll make a steep ascent to a fire lookout that rewards you with stunning panoramic views of Mount Rainier and the Cascade Range.
Spray Park Trail
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Trail Rating: 4.7
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Difficulty: Hard
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Length of trail: 6.9 miles
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Why it’s a top pick: Hidden gem with striking scenery of forests, meadows, and falls.
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Direction: AllTrails link
The Spray Park Trail is a hidden gem in Mount Rainier National Park, offering one of the best hiking experiences near Seattle, Washington. This challenging trail, starting from Mowich Lake, leads you through old-growth forests, expansive wildflower meadows in late summer, and past the picturesque Spray Falls, all while providing remarkable views of Mount Rainier.
Grove of the Patriarchs Trail
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Trail Rating: 4.7
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Difficulty: Easy
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Length of trail: 1.2 miles
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Why it’s a top pick: Family-friendly trail through ancient forests.
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Direction: AllTrails link
For those seeking a relaxed hiking experience near Seattle, Washington, the Grove of the Patriarchs Trail in Mount Rainier National Park is one of the best family-friendly trails. This easy path takes you across a suspension bridge along the Ohanapecosh River into an ancient forest, where interpretive signs enhance your journey among giant Western red cedars, Douglas firs, and Western hemlocks, some over 1,000 years old.
Naches Peak Loop Trail
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Trail Rating: 4.6
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Difficulty: Moderate
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Length of trail: 3.3 miles
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Why it’s a top pick: Easy hike with remarkable views of Mount Rainier.
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Direction: AllTrails link
The Naches Peak Loop Trail is one of the best trails near Seattle, Washington, offering a relatively easy hike with stunning views of Mount Rainier and the surrounding landscapes. Starting from Tipsoo Lake, the trail circles Naches Peak, coinciding with the Pacific Crest Trail in sections, and showcases diverse scenery from subalpine meadows to small lakes, especially vibrant with wildflowers and huckleberries in late summer and early fall.
Summerland Trail
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Trail Rating: 4.7
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Difficulty: Hard
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Length of trail: 8.4 miles
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Why it’s a top pick: Breath-taking views and access to Fryingpan Glacier.
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Direction: AllTrails link
The Summerland Trail, one of the best trails near Seattle, Washington, is a popular day hike in Mount Rainier National Park that takes you through forests and meadows, eventually reaching the edge of the Fryingpan Glacier. While it opens into a stunning subalpine meadow called Summerland, more adventurous hikers can continue to Panhandle Gap for even more spectacular views of the surrounding peaks.
Mystic Lake Trail
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Trail Rating: 4.5
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Difficulty: Hard
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Length of trail: 20.5 miles
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Why it’s a top pick: Perfect for those seeking solitude and backcountry adventure.
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Direction: AllTrails link
The Mystic Lake Trail is among the best trails in Mount Rainier National Park, offering a challenging yet rewarding backcountry hike away from the more crowded areas near Seattle, Washington. Starting from the Carbon River entrance, the trail ascends through forests and meadows, passing the impressive Carbon Glacier and culminating at the stunning Mystic Lake, making it a fantastic spot for those seeking a multi-day adventure.
Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park is a diverse wonderland of ecosystems, from rugged coastlines to lush rainforests and alpine meadows. This park offers a wide variety of hiking experiences for all skill levels.
Hoh Rainforest
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Trail Rating: 4.8
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Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
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Length of trail: 0.8 to 34 miles
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Why it’s a top pick: Unique rainforest ecosystem and versatile trail options.
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Direction: AllTrails link
The Hoh Rainforest, among the best national parks near Seattle, Washington, is a magical destination, receiving up to 14 feet of rain annually, which nurtures a lush, green wonderland. For those exploring top trails, the short Hall of Mosses Trail offers an easy loop for families, while the Hoh River Trail provides longer options through the heart of this unique rainforest, suitable for both day hikes and multi-day backpacking trips.
Marymere Falls
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Trail Rating: 4.6
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Difficulty: Easy
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Length of trail: 1.7 miles
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Why it’s a top pick: Accessible trail leading to a picturesque waterfall.
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Direction: AllTrails link
Marymere Falls offers one of the best and most accessible trails in Olympic National Park, near Seattle, Washington, guiding you through old-growth forests to a picturesque 90-foot waterfall. Starting near Lake Crescent Lodge, you cross charming log bridges over Barnes Creek and Falls Creek, with a series of stairs leading to viewpoints where you can savor the mist and power of the cascading water, particularly stunning in spring.
Hurricane Hill
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Trail Rating: 4.7
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Difficulty: Moderate
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Length of trail: 3.2 miles
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Why it’s a top pick: Panoramic views of mountains and straits.
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Direction: AllTrails link
The Hurricane Hill trail is one of the best trails in Olympic National Park, near Seattle, Washington, offering a moderately challenging hike to a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the Olympic Mountains and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Starting from the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center, you ascend through subalpine meadows, with opportunities to spot wildlife, and at the summit, you're rewarded with 360-degree views that include Vancouver Island, making it an ideal spot for sunsets and stargazing on clear summer nights.
Ozette Triangle
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Trail Rating: 4.6
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Difficulty: Moderate
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Length of trail: 9.4 miles
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Why it’s a top pick: Unique coastal hiking with ancient petroglyphs.
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Direction: AllTrails link
The Ozette Triangle is one of the best trails near Seattle, Washington, offering a unique coastal hiking experience in Olympic National Park. Starting at Lake Ozette, this loop trail combines scenic boardwalks through coastal forests with rugged beaches where hikers can explore tide pools and view ancient petroglyphs, before returning through another forested path.
Sol Duc Falls
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Trail Rating: 4.6
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Difficulty: Easy
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Length of trail: 1.6 miles
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Why it’s a top pick: Family-friendly hike to a scenic viewpoint.
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Direction: AllTrails link
The Sol Duc Falls trail is among the best in Olympic National Park near Seattle, Washington, offering a short and easy hike ideal for families seeking a quick nature fix. Starting from the parking area, it meanders through lush, moss-covered old-growth forests, leading to a picturesque viewpoint at Sol Duc Falls, where the river cascades into a narrow canyon.
Spruce Railroad Trail
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Trail Rating: 4.5
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Difficulty: Moderate
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Length of trail: 10.8 miles
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Why it’s a top pick: Scenic hike with historical features.
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Direction: AllTrails link
The Spruce Railroad Trail is one of the best national park trails near Seattle, Washington, offering a scenic hike along the shores of Lake Crescent, with accessible paths for hikers of all abilities, due to its relatively flat terrain following an old railroad line. Along this historical route, you’ll enjoy beautiful views of the clear, turquoise waters and surrounding mountains, with highlights like the trail’s two former railroad tunnels and the Devil's Punchbowl, a popular spot for cliff jumpers.
Rialto Beach to Hole-in-the-Wall
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Trail Rating: 4.8
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Difficulty: Moderate
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Length of trail: 3.3 miles
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Why it’s a top pick: Coastal trail with tide pools and sea stacks.
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Direction: AllTrails link
The hike from Rialto Beach to Hole-in-the-Wall is one of the best trails near Seattle, Washington, offering a fantastic way to experience the rugged beauty of Olympic National Park's coastline. Starting from Rialto Beach, this walk passes stunning views of sea stacks and driftwood, and it's best done at low tide to explore tide pools teeming with marine life while ensuring you have appropriate footwear for navigating rocky and slippery surfaces.
North Cascades National Park
North Cascades National Park is often called the "American Alps" due to its jagged peaks, glaciers, and alpine lakes. This park offers some of the most challenging and rewarding hikes near Seattle.
Maple Pass Loop
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Trail Rating: 5.0
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Difficulty: Hard
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Length of trail: 7.1 miles
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Why it’s a top pick: Stunning views of jagged peaks and vibrant fall colors.
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Direction: AllTrails link
The Maple Pass Loop is one of the best trails in the North Cascades National Park, offering breathtaking views of jagged peaks and alpine lakes with vibrant fall colors, making it a must-visit near Seattle, Washington. Starting from the Rainy Pass trailhead, this moderately challenging loop trail climbs through forests and emerges above the treeline, treating you to panoramic mountain views, especially stunning in late September and early October.
Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm
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Trail Rating: 5.0
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Difficulty: Hard
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Length of trail: 12 miles
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Why it’s a top pick: Breathtaking views of glaciers and alpine meadows.
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Direction: AllTrails link
The Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm trail, considered one of the best day hikes near Seattle, Washington, in the North Cascades National Park, offers a challenging yet rewarding experience with breathtaking views of glaciers, peaks, and alpine meadows. Starting with switchbacks up to Cascade Pass, the trail becomes steeper and more exposed as it continues to Sahale Arm, culminating at Sahale Glacier Camp, one of the most scenic campsites in the park.
Blue Lake Trail
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Trail Rating: 4.8
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Difficulty: Moderate
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Length of trail: 4.6 miles
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Why it’s a top pick: Stunning alpine scenery with wildflower meadows.
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Direction: AllTrails link
The Blue Lake Trail is among the best national park trails near Seattle, Washington, offering moderate difficulty with stunning alpine scenery, including jagged peaks and vibrant wildflower meadows. As you approach Blue Lake, you'll be rewarded with views of Liberty Bell and Early Winters Spires, making it an ideal spot for a picnic or a refreshing swim on a hot day.
Thornton Lakes Trail
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Trail Rating: 4.5
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Difficulty: Hard
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Length of trail: 10 miles
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Why it’s a top pick: Three stunning alpine lakes beneath Trapper Peak.
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Direction: AllTrails link
The Thornton Lakes Trail is one of the best trails in North Cascades National Park near Seattle, Washington, offering a challenging hike to three stunning alpine lakes beneath Trapper Peak, away from the crowded areas. As you traverse the dense forest and transition to open terrain, you'll be rewarded with impressive views and the ultimate prize, Upper Thornton Lake, surrounded by rocky peaks and dotted with icebergs into summer.
Trail of the Cedars
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Trail Rating: 4.4
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Difficulty: Easy
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Length of trail: 0.9 miles
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Why it’s a top pick: Immersion into old-growth forests.
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Direction: AllTrails link
The Trail of the Cedars is one of the best, short, and accessible national park trails near Seattle, Washington, offering a beautiful immersion into the old-growth forests of the North Cascades. With towering Western red cedars and Douglas firs over 500 years old, it features a protective boardwalk and interpretive signs that enhance the experience, especially during early morning or late afternoon light.
Gorge Creek Falls Loop
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Trail Rating: 4.4
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Difficulty: Easy
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Length of trail: 0.5 miles
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Why it’s a top pick: Scenic hike with views of a dramatic waterfall.
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Direction: AllTrails link
The Gorge Creek Falls Loop is one of the best trails in the North Cascades National Park, near Seattle, Washington, offering a short yet scenic hike with views of a dramatic waterfall and Gorge Lake. With two bridges providing unique perspectives and interpretive signs detailing the area's geology and hydroelectric projects, this trail is a fantastic option for a quick stop along the North Cascades Highway.
Thunder Knob Trail
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Trail Rating: 4.5
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Difficulty: Moderate
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Length of trail: 3.6 miles
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Why it’s a top pick: Panoramic views of Diablo Lake.
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Direction: AllTrails link
The Thunder Knob Trail, one of the best trails in national parks near Seattle, Washington, offers moderate hiking with panoramic views of Diablo Lake and the surrounding peaks. Starting near Diablo Lake and climbing through forest and rocky outcrops, hikers are rewarded with expansive vistas of the striking turquoise waters and rugged landscape, making it a perfect spot to pause and appreciate the natural beauty.
Copper Ridge Trail
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Trail Rating: 5.0
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Difficulty: Hard
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Length of trail: 34.6 miles
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Why it’s a top pick: Spectacular views of national park landscapes.
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Direction: AllTrails link
The Copper Ridge Trail is one of the best challenging backcountry trails near Seattle, Washington, offering spectacular views of North Cascades National Park. Starting in the Hannegan Pass area, it climbs steeply to Copper Ridge, passing through diverse national park landscapes, providing panoramic views of Mount Shuksan, Mount Baker, and other peaks, with the Copper Ridge Lookout as a prime spot for sunsets.
McAlester Pass and Rainbow Lake Loop
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Trail Rating: 4.7
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Difficulty: Hard
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Length of trail: 25.3 miles
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Why it’s a top pick: Challenging adventure through lush valleys and lakes.
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Direction: AllTrails link
The McAlester Pass and Rainbow Lake Loop is one of the best backcountry trails in the North Cascades National Park, near Seattle, Washington, offering a challenging yet rewarding multi-day adventure through lush valleys, high passes, and stunning alpine lakes. Beginning at the Bridge Creek trailhead, the loop continues over Rainbow Pass and descends into the remote Stehekin Valley, providing a true wilderness experience with diverse ecosystems and wildlife.
