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.

Length: 2.5 miles
Distance from Seattle Southside: 14 miles

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.

Length: 14 miles
Elevation: 1,100 feet
Distance from Seattle Southside: 25 miles

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.

Length: 8 miles
Elevation: 3,800 feet
Distance from Seattle Southside: 52 miles

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.

Length: 8 miles
Elevation: 2,300 feet
Distance from Seattle Southside: 52 miles

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.

Length: 5.5 miles
Elevation: 1,200 feet
Distance from Seattle Southside: 55 miles

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.

For the adventurous, the Haystack at Mt. Si is a short scramble to the top and is considered a moderate class 2/3 climb.

We sat in the sunshine and relaxed for a bit, taking in the expansive view, wildlife and some snacks. After posing for a few photos to document our accomplishment we headed back down the mountain offering our own encouragement to hikers on their way to the top.

Since we had worked up such an appetite on the climb we stopped at North Bend Bar and Grill for burgers. This is a good ol' home town restaurant with great food and a cozy atmosphere. There is even a fireplace with a huge couch to cozy up on in the colder months.

Length: 4 miles
Elevation: 3,700 feet
Distance for Seattle Southside: 40 miles

Grab your hiking boots, water, and possibly a rain coat, and get outdoors before the sunshine is gone for the winter.