When I first moved to Seattle, one of the first pieces of advice I received from a local was that you need to have a hobby for every season, especially winter. With the shorter days and rainy weather, it is easy to spend your entire winter inside, but you shouldn’t. Determined to keep hitting the trail in winter, I found the best winter hikes in Seattle. 

The following hikes are some of my favorites and require various experience levels. All of the winter hikes are less than a 2 hour’s drive from Downtown Seattle. But I did include a section at the end with hikes a little further away, as well as some recommended hiking gear for snowy conditions.  

Before setting out on any winter hike, always check road and trail conditions. Be aware of any avalanche danger and snow conditions. I have included a section in the post that goes over some of the important safety concerns when it comes to winter hikes in and near Seattle.

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Comprehensive Guide to Winter Hiking near Seattle

Snowy lake in washington

Let’s discover some of the best hikes in Seattle, how to safely access the outdoors in winter, phenomenal hikes outside of Seattle, and then hit the trail! 

With a little preparation, hiking in the winter is a magical experience. Even trails you’ve hiked before feel new as they transform into a winter wonderland. Popular trails are a little quieter as hiking dies down in the winter months.

So if you’re searching for mountain views on incredible hikes, keep reading.

Franklin Falls (Snow Route)

  • Length: 6.9 miles
  • Elevation Gain: 816 feet  
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Permits: Sno-Park Permit
Female Hiker on a snowy bridge near Snoqualmie Pass Washington
Frozen Waterfall Franklin Falls in Washington near Snoqualmie Falls.

Franklin Falls is a classic winter hike in Seattle. This popular waterfall turns into a dreamy day hike in the winter months. Something to note is that snow closes down the parking lot, so you will need to take the winter route, which is longer. Parking on the road does require a Sno-Park pass.

If you want to hike to Franklin Falls when the waterfall is frozen, you will have to wait until February. Earlier in the season, the waterfall will still be rippin’ and roarin’.

This is one of my favorite winter hikes to snowshoe.

Mount Si

  • Length: 7.9 miles
  • Elevation Gain: 3,395 feet 
  • Difficulty:  Challenging 
  • Permits: Discover Pass
Exploren Borgen on Mount Si

Mount Si is a popular trail in North Bend on the way to Snoqualmie Pass. Mount Si Recreation Area was the first Natural Resource Conservation Area (NRCA) and for good reason. The area is absolutely breathtaking. The dense forest lines the side of the trail, making it the perfect hike when you’re looking for cover. While accessible all year round, it is most popular in the summer months. I will note that this trail is best done on a clear day to take in the incredible views after a steep hike.

If you’re looking to stay in “hiking shape” during the winter, Mount Si is a great way to get some elevation gain and distance training without dealing with a ton of snow.

Read a Complete Guide to Hiking Mount Si Here!

Gold Creek Pond

  • Length: 1.2 miles
  • Elevation Gain: 45 feet 
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Permits: Sno-Park Permit
Gold Creek Pond in the Winter with blue skies and flowing water
Frozen Gold Creek Pond in Winter in the Snoqualmie Pass Sno Park

A phenomenal beginner snowshoe area, Gold Creek Pond is one of the best easy hikes in the area, with phenomenal views. The trail has minimal elevation gain as you hike around the pond. This is the best hike for a short, round-trip trail with spectacular views. Highly recommend stopping at Dru Bru in Snoqualmie Pass. Warming up around the fire at Dru Bru with a hot dog and beer is one of my favorite things after a snowy hike.

NOTE: Gold Creek Pond is under restoration for the next ten years (2035). This trail will be closed in the summer months, but is accessible for snowshoeing and winter hiking from December to March.

Twin Falls

  • Length: 2.4 miles
  • Elevation Gain: 940 feet 
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Permits: Discover Pass
Upper Twin Falls
Lower Twin Falls

Twin Falls is a short trail and another phenomenal hike in the winter and summer months. This hike is a great option for anyone looking for a short hike with a little elevation gain. The cascading falls are a magnificent contrast with the snowy scenery. Be mindful of the gravel road leading to the trailhead, as the potholes are a little crazy in the late winter.

Since this trail is at a mid-level elevation, I would recommend hiking with trekking poles and crampons, since it can get pretty icy in the winter.

Wallace Falls

  • Length: 4.9 miles
  • Elevation Gain: 1,469 feet  
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Permits: Discover Pass
Wallace Falls waterfall in Washington State.

Wallace Falls is a classic trail outside of Seattle. With options to hike to the lower and upper falls, you can decide with your hiking group how far you want to go. Trail conditions for this hike are easy to find and are updated regularly by the Wallace Falls State Park Staff as well as by day hikers. This hike is great regardless of the time of year.

This trail is great for anyone looking to get out and hike, but wants to avoid the snow!

Read Next: Best Winter Hiking Outfits

Heybrook Lookout

  • Length: 2.6 miles
  • Elevation Gain: 850 feet 
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Permits: None
Heybrook Lookout Trail in Washington
Heybrook Lookout
Heybrook Ridge lookout with a female hiker looking at distant mountains
Heybrook Ridge

Heybrook Lookout has epic mountain views leading up to an old fire lookout.  The trail winds through some old-growth forests, making for a whimsical journey to the base of the lookout. There are some sections of the trail that can get rather slippery, so a good pair of hiking boots is a necessity on this popular trail. Fire lookouts are a staple of the Pacific Northwest. If you haven’t hiked to one, this is a great trail to start with. 

Heybrook Ridge is a separate trail from Heybrook Lookout and is also a popular winter hike. It is a shorter trail, but can get pretty slick in the winter.

Heather Lake Trail

Snowy boardwalk on the Heather Lake Trail
Snowy Mountains and Trees

Heather Lake Trail is a phenomenal year-round trek, but in winter, it is absolutely gorgeous. The snow-covered mountain views surrounding the lake are amazing. This trail is one of the best bang-for-your-buck trails because the elevation is steady, and you see some of the best views in the area. The Mountain Loop Highway has some of the best Washington winter hikes of various difficulties. This trail is a great option if you’re looking for a hike with a gradual elevation gain. 

Lake 22

  • Distance: 6 miles round-trip
  • Elevation Gain: 2,500 feet of elevation gain
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Permits: Northwest Forest Pass
Lake 22 Bridge over a semi-frozen lake with mountains in the back

Lake 22 off of Mountain Loop Highway is an area of Washington that boasts some of the most iconic, beautiful trails in the state. While Lake 22 is extremely popular all year-round, including in the winter, there is some moderate avalanche danger for this trail.

For most of the winter, you will wind around through the forest and not experience snow until you reach about 2,000 feet.

If you plan on hiking this trail, be sure to check avalanche conditions prior to heading out on the trail. The avalanche danger is typically near the far side of the lake, unless you bring snowshoes with you, and avalanche conditions are limited; I would not walk around the entirety of the lake.

Honorable Mentions: Winter Hikes Near Seattle

Note: These hikes were included, but Snow Lake Trail, McClellan Butte, and Granite Mountain were not included because of the avalanche danger. While these trails are phenomenal in the summer, they are dangerous to attempt in the winter.

These hikes are also great winter hikes in Seattle:

Best Winter Hikes in Seattle (2+ Hours Away)

Snowy lake in washington

Washington winter hikes are plentiful across the entire state, so if you’re open to driving a little further out of the city, these are some of the best winter hikes you can do in the state. You can plan to spend a weekend in some of these areas or simply do a longer day trip.

Rialto Beach

  • Length: 3.3 miles
  • Elevation Gain: 286 feet  
  • Difficulty: Easy/Moderate  
  • Permits: Olympic National Park Daily/Annual Pass or America The Beautiful Pass

Located in Olympic National Park, Rialto Beach in the winter gives moody, Pacific Northwest vibes. You feel like you’re on the set of Twilight. Rialto Beach is worth a stop whenever you’re in Olympic National Park and is the perfect hike for wintery coastal views.

Artist Point – Mount Baker

  • Length: 4.0 miles
  • Elevation Gain: 1,000 feet 
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Permits: None
Hiking boots in snow

When the Artist Point parking lot closes for the winter, it becomes a popular destination for snowshoers. On a clear day, the snow-covered road turns into the perfect hiking trail. Mount Baker, in general, is a beautiful place, but there is something about the 4+ feet of snow covering the ground that makes it even more so. The North Cascades are home to incredible hikes, the snowshoe route up to Artist Point being one of them.

Mount Storm King

View overlooking Lake Crescent from Mount Storm King

Mount Storm King is an iconic trail looking over Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park. This steep trail brings hikers to a breathtaking overlook with panoramic views. This trail does have a rope section that can get slick in the winter. You need to wear waterproof gloves on this section of the hike. The rocky sections of this trail will be slick if there is freezing water, so a pair of microspikes and hiking poles are recommended. There is so much to do on the Olympic Peninsula. If you can’t do this hike in the winter, do it in the summer!

Big Four Ice Caves (Snowshoe Route)

The Big Four Ice Caves are a popular destination along the Mountain Loop Highway in the winter due to the impressive ice caves at the base of the mountain. In the wintertime, the road to the ice caves parking lot is closed to cars and turns into a snowshoe route. The trail is significantly longer in the winter, so be prepared for the additional miles!

NOTE: Do not climb on or venture into the ice caves. It is extremely dangerous.

Paradise at Mount Rainier (Panorama Point)

Mount Rainier is one of the best winter hikes near Seattle

My all-time favorite place to snowshoe in the winter is Paradise at Mount Rainier National Park. The mountain looks so different in the winter months, covered in a blanket of snow. When hiking and snowshoeing at Mount Rainier, you can expect to be hiking on top of 3+ feet of snow. Follow the pole system that is in place to keep visitors on the trail. While there are established trails around Paradise at Mount Rainier, you can snowshoe and hike around to your content on miles of trails.

Want to Car Camp this Winter? Here’s How to Stay Warm

Winter Hiking Precautions

Hiking in the winter is magical. To ensure a safe and enjoyable hike, consider these precautions before hitting the trail. 

  • Always check weather, avalanche, and trail conditions & trail reports before heading out
  • Wear layers! Always have a waterproof layer with you. 
  • Use traction devices and trekking poles on icy trails 
  • Carry the Ten Essentials always. 
  • Be cognizant of the shorter winter days.

Links to Save for Winter Hiking in Washington: 

Northwest Avalanche Center

WSDOT for Road Conditions on Mountain Passes

NOAA Mountains Forecast Page

US Forest Service Contact Information

Washington Trails Association is a great resource for trail conditions, as they update reports regularly. You will see the alerts at the top of each trail page for your winter adventures.

Gear for Winter Hiking in Seattle

Female Hiker on a snowy trail

Winter hiking is all about layers. For a complete guide to what to wear for winter hiking, see this blog post for layering tips. 

  1. Waterproof Gloves – These gloves will help keep your hands stable in icy conditions. 
  2. Gaiters – In deep snow, wear gaiters to prevent snow from getting inside your boots. 
  3. Spikes – Use a traction device to prevent slipping on icy surfaces. 
  4. Hiking Poles – Use trekking poles to help with balance and stability in icy and snowy areas. 
  5. Waterproof Hiking Boots – Keep your feet dry by using waterproof boots. Insulated and waterproof are an even bigger plus, like these Oboz Bridgers! 
  6. Hand Warmers – I don’t leave without my hand warmers in the winter! They’re great for keeping in your pockets or mitts.
  7. Permits & Passes – To visit state parks, you will need a Discover Pass, and to visit national parks & forests, you will need an America the Beautiful Pass. Some trails require a Sno-Park Pass, which incurs an additional cost.

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Pack It Up

Washington State has incredible hikes, but you don’t have to travel far outside of Seattle to experience a winter wonderland. This post created a short list of the best hikes in Seattle to experience a snowy adventure. While you can take a long drive to experience gorgeous winter hikes, like Artist Point and Deception Pass, you don’t have to. 

Spending time outdoors in the winter is a great way to see the Pacific Northwest in a new light. The summer months are captivating, but the winter months are magical. 

So lace up your boots, throw on your layers, check the conditions of the trail, and hit the road to your new favorite winter hike in Seattle!

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