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.

Longitud: 2,5 millas
Distancia desde Seattle Southside: 14 millas

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.

Longitud: 14 millas
Elevación: 1.100 pies
Distancia desde la zona sur de Seattle: 25 millas

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.

Longitud: 8 millas
Elevación: 3.800 pies
Distancia desde el sur de Seattle: 52 millas

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.

Longitud: 8 millas
Altitud: 2.300 pies
Distancia desde el sur de Seattle: 52 millas

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.

Longitud: 5,5 millas
Elevación: 1.200 pies
Distancia desde la zona sur de Seattle: 55 millas

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.

Para los aventureros, el Haystack del monte Si es una corta escalada hasta la cima y se considera un ascenso moderado de clase 2/3.

Nos sentamos bajo el sol y nos relajamos un rato, disfrutando de las amplias vistas, la fauna y algunos aperitivos. Después de posar para unas cuantas fotos y documentar nuestro logro, bajamos la montaña animando a los excursionistas que se dirigían a la cima.

Como se nos había abierto el apetito en la subida, nos detuvimos en el North Bend Bar and Grill para comer hamburguesas. Se trata de un restaurante de pueblo con buena comida y un ambiente acogedor. Incluso hay una chimenea con un enorme sofá para acurrucarse en los meses más fríos.

Longitud: 4 millas
Elevación: 3.700 pies
Distancia para Seattle Southside: 40 millas

Coge tus botas de montaña, agua y posiblemente un chubasquero, y sal al aire libre antes de que el sol desaparezca para el invierno.