Hidden Hiking Trails in Washington State: 5 Quiet Trails Worth the Effort
Hidden hiking trails in Washington State are lesser-visited routes where a rough road, a long climb or a short season keeps crowds thin.
This guide covers five, from the North Cascades to Olympic National Forest and the Columbia Basin, with distances, passes and road warnings checked against public trail sources.
What Makes Hidden Hiking Trails in Washington State “Hidden”
Hidden here means quieter, not secret: rough access roads, steep climbs and short seasons keep most hikers away.
Hidden hiking trails in Washington State are the ones that ask for a little more: a rutted forest road, a long climb or a narrow snow-free window. That effort is what keeps them quieter.
Hidden hiking trails in Washington State are the ones that ask for a little more: a rutted forest road, a long climb or a narrow snow-free window.
No trail on a public map is truly secret, and some on this list are busy on summer weekends.
We chose five that suit different regions and seasons, then checked each against the Washington Trails Association (WTA), The Mountaineers, the US Forest Service and the National Park Service.
We compiled this guide from those public sources and did not walk each trail ourselves, so confirm conditions before you go.
Five Hidden Hiking Trails in Washington State
Pick your hidden hiking trails in Washington State by region and season: two North Cascades climbs, a Mount Rainier lookout, an Olympic summit and a desert coulee.
1. Thornton Lakes and Trappers Peak, North Cascades
The Mountaineers list Thornton Lakes at 10.2 miles round trip with about 2,900 feet of gain, and Trappers Peak at 10.6 miles with about 3,300 feet, reaching 5,964 feet.
Other sources differ slightly, so treat the figures as approximate.
The trail climbs steeply through forest to a ridge, where you choose between resting near the lowest lake or scrambling towards Trappers Peak for views of the Picket Range.
WTA notes that reaching the second and third lakes means a climber’s path through heavy brush.
The turn-off is on Thornton Lakes Road, between mileposts 117 and 118 on SR 20.
A 2022 WTA trip report warned that road conditions stopped some low-clearance cars. Camping needs a backcountry permit. See the WTA guide for current details.
2. Hidden Lake Lookout, North Cascades
The Mountaineers give 9 miles round trip with about 3,300 feet of gain to the lookout at 6,890 feet.
The National Park Service lists 4.5 miles each way with 2,900 feet of gain, so expect a range of figures.
From Marblemount, Cascade River Road leads about 10 miles to Forest Road 1540, then a steep, rutted, rocky road of about 4.5 miles reaches the trailhead.
WTA calls the trail one of the crown jewels of Washington hiking, and other guides describe it as busy on sunny summer weekends, so aim for midweek.
The lookout, built in 1932, can be used without a special permit, but camping at Hidden Lake needs a backcountry permit from Marblemount. See the WTA guide.
3. Tolmie Peak Lookout and Eunice Lake, Mount Rainier
The Mountaineers list a 7.5-mile round trip with about 1,830 feet of gain and a high point near 5,940 feet, while another guide gives 1,640 feet.
The hike starts at Mowich Lake, which is the real filter: the road runs about 17 miles to its end and is unpaved after the first 3 miles, rough for much of it.
Spray Park, nearby, is much busier, so this trail works as a quieter option. No camping is allowed at Eunice Lake or the lookout, and a national park pass applies. See the WTA guide.
Spray Park, nearby, is much busier, so this trail works as a quieter option. No camping is allowed at Eunice Lake or the lookout, and a national park pass applies.
4. Colonel Bob Peak, Olympic National Forest
From the Pete’s Creek trailhead, the US Forest Service gives about 8.25 miles round trip with roughly 3,300 feet of gain to the 4,492-foot summit.
The longer Colonel Bob Trail from the Lake Quinault side is about 14.5 miles with about 4,200 feet of gain.
The Colonel Bob Wilderness has temperate rain forest conditions and more than 150 inches of annual precipitation.
A 2025 WTA trip report advises long pants because of brush, and notes that the Pete’s Creek trail starts across the road from the parking area.
A Northwest Forest Pass is listed for that trailhead. See the WTA guide.
5. Ancient Lakes, Columbia Basin
This is the easy one. Sources describe about 4 to 5 miles round trip with 200 to 600 feet of gain, depending on the route.
Four small lakes sit at the head of a flood-carved coulee, with a waterfall dropping about 160 feet into the easternmost lake, according to WTA.
A Discover Pass is required, and WTA calls the Quincy Lakes area popular, so weekdays are quieter. Spring and fall are the best seasons.
One reviewer warned that Google Maps led to private farmland, so use the WTA directions. Water in the lakes is untested runoff, so carry your own. See the WTA guide.
Hidden Hiking Trails in Washington State at a Glance
Distances and gain vary by source and route, so use this table to compare these hidden hiking trails in Washington State, then confirm on the land manager’s page.
| Trail | Area | Round trip | Gain | Pass or permit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thornton Lakes and Trappers Peak | North Cascades | 10.2 to 10.6 miles | 2,900 to 3,300 ft | Backcountry permit to camp |
| Hidden Lake Lookout | North Cascades | About 9 miles | 2,900 to 3,400 ft | Backcountry permit to camp at the lake |
| Tolmie Peak and Eunice Lake | Mount Rainier | About 7.5 miles | 1,640 to 1,830 ft | National park pass |
| Colonel Bob Peak (Pete’s Creek) | Olympic National Forest | About 8.2 miles | About 3,300 ft | Northwest Forest Pass |
| Ancient Lakes | Columbia Basin | 4 to 5 miles | 200 to 600 ft | Discover Pass |
Figures come from WTA, The Mountaineers, the US Forest Service and the National Park Service pages linked above. Passes and fees change, so we have not listed prices.
Passes, Permits and Trail Closures
Each land manager sets its own pass rules, and trails can close for months after wildfires, so check before you drive.
Hidden hiking trails in Washington State cross different jurisdictions.
Forest Service trailheads often need a Northwest Forest Pass, state wildlife land such as Ancient Lakes needs a Discover Pass, and national parks have their own entry rules.
Overnight stays in North Cascades National Park need a backcountry permit.
WTA and The Mountaineers both listed the Sourdough Mountain Trail in the North Cascades as closed after the 2023 fires, which is why we left it out. Check the land manager’s alerts before every trip.
WTA and The Mountaineers both listed the Sourdough Mountain Trail in the North Cascades as closed after the 2023 fires, which is why we left it out.
Staying Safe on Remote Washington Trails
Hidden hiking trails in Washington State call for the Ten Essentials and offline maps: tell someone your plan, and turn back when weather or tiredness changes the day.
Quiet trails mean fewer people to help if something goes wrong.
Pack the Ten Essentials, a warm layer and rain shell even in summer, plenty of water, and a map you have downloaded for offline use.
Phone signal drops off quickly at many remote trailheads.
Plan for the road as well as the trail: the rough access roads above can damage low-clearance cars and may wash out.
Tell someone your route and return time, and start early so you finish in daylight.
Snow can arrive early at higher elevations and hide the trail. If conditions worsen, turn back. A summit is optional, but getting home is not.
Best Time to Hike Hidden Trails in Washington
Hidden hiking trails in Washington State are best in late summer at height, forest and desert routes stretch the season, and Mowich Lake Road closes in winter.
The Mountaineers list July to October for Hidden Lake Lookout and June to October for Colonel Bob.
Thornton Lakes keeps snow into early summer in some years, so check recent trip reports.
Ancient Lakes is best in spring and fall, when it is cooler.
Tolmie Peak depends on Mowich Lake Road, which is closed in winter, so confirm that it is open with Mount Rainier National Park first.
How to Find More Hidden Trails
Read recent trip reports, pick trailheads at the end of rough roads, and go midweek and early.
WTA’s hike finder and trip reports are the best way to judge crowds and conditions. Look for trails with few recent reports, long access roads or a steep first mile.
Then check the land manager’s page for passes and alerts. The quietest trails are rarely the ones that appear first in a search.
The best way to find hidden hiking trails in Washington State is to combine trip reports with a map, then test one short route before you commit to a long day.
Beyond Washington: More Trail Reading and Adventures
If hidden hiking trails in Washington State have you hooked, these guides cover other trails and stories.
For campfire reading before your next trip, try our scary hiking stories. For a non-hiking break in the Rockies, see our things to do in Glacier National Park besides hiking.
For a serious Karakoram adventure, see the Baltoro Glacier trek itinerary.
Dreaming of a trek in Pakistan’s Karakoram? Tormik Valley Tourism, based in Skardu, can plan routes, guides and timing around your dates.
Hidden hiking trails in Washington State reward preparation: pick the right season, carry the right pass and respect the road in.
Do that, and a quiet trail can feel like your own private mountain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Short answers to what hikers ask most about hidden hiking trails in Washington State.
What are the best hidden hiking trails in Washington State?
Our picks are Thornton Lakes and Trappers Peak, Hidden Lake Lookout, Tolmie Peak and Eunice Lake, Colonel Bob Peak and Ancient Lakes.
They span the North Cascades, Mount Rainier, Olympic National Forest and the Columbia Basin, and each has rough access or a long climb that keeps crowds thinner.
Do hidden hiking trails in Washington State need a pass?
It depends on who manages the land.
Colonel Bob’s Pete’s Creek trailhead lists a Northwest Forest Pass, Ancient Lakes needs a Discover Pass, and Tolmie Peak sits inside Mount Rainier National Park, so a park pass applies.
Camping in North Cascades National Park needs a backcountry permit.
When is the best time to hike hidden trails in Washington?
July to October is the usual window for Hidden Lake Lookout, June to October for Colonel Bob, and spring or fall for Ancient Lakes.
Mowich Lake Road to Tolmie Peak closes in winter. Snow can linger, so read recent WTA trip reports before you go.
Are hidden hiking trails in Washington State safe for solo hikers?
They carry more risk, because rough roads, steep climbs and patchy phone signal make help slower to reach you.
Carry the Ten Essentials, offline maps and a way to call for help. Tell someone your route and return time, and turn back when weather or tiredness changes the plan.
How do I find more hidden hiking trails in Washington?
Use the Washington Trails Association hike finder and recent trip reports, look for trailheads at the end of rough roads, and start early on weekdays.
Check which agency manages each trail for passes and closures. Quieter trails have fewer reports, so verify current conditions before you drive.