Our Trails

Every trail is vetted for little hitchhikers — from in-city loops to full alpine days

ZoneA · In-CityB · Issaquah AlpsC · Cascades
DifficultyEasy · 2–3 hrsMedium · 3–5 hrsDifficult · 5–8 hrs

16 trails

Washington Park ArboretumEasy
2 mi · 100 ft

Washington Park Arboretum

Zone A — In-City · 0–20 min from downtown

Gentle garden and wetland paths through a world-class tree collection. Ducks, bridges, and shade — a calm sensory walk for the smallest hitchhikers.

2 mi 100 ft gain 2–3 hrs Year-round
Carkeek ParkEasy
2.2 mi · 300 ft

Carkeek Park

Zone A — In-City · 0–20 min from downtown

Creek-side forest trails down to a beach with train-spotting over the pedestrian bridge — a guaranteed toddler crowd-pleaser. Salmon runs in fall.

2.2 mi 300 ft gain 2–3 hrs Year-round
Seward ParkEasy
2.4 mi · 50 ft

Seward Park

Zone A — In-City · 0–20 min from downtown

Flat, paved loop around an old-growth peninsula on Lake Washington. Eagles overhead, water on both sides, zero elevation stress — ideal for young infants.

2.4 mi 50 ft gain 2–3 hrs Year-round
Discovery Park LoopEasy
2.8 mi · 140 ft

Discovery Park Loop

Zone A — In-City · 0–20 min from downtown

Seattle's biggest park: forest, meadow, and bluff views over Puget Sound. Wide, stroller-adjacent paths and endless stop points make it the classic first BabyHitchHikers outing.

2.8 mi 140 ft gain 2–3 hrs Year-round
St. Edward State ParkEasy
3 mi · 400 ft

St. Edward State Park

Zone A — In-City · 0–20 min from downtown

Quiet second-growth forest rolling down to a wild stretch of Lake Washington shoreline, with a destination playground at the trailhead.

3 mi 400 ft gain 2–3 hrs Year-round
Cougar Mountain — Coal Creek FallsEasy
2.5 mi · 450 ft

Cougar Mountain — Coal Creek Falls

Zone B — Issaquah Alps · 25–40 min

Soft forest trails in the Cougar Mountain wildland network to a tucked-away 28-foot falls. Shaded, quiet, and rarely crowded midweek.

2.5 mi 450 ft gain 2–3 hrs Year-round
Twin FallsEasy
2.6 mi · 500 ft

Twin Falls

Zone B — Issaquah Alps · 25–40 min

River walk through mossy old growth to a two-tier waterfall with a viewing bridge. The best waterfall-per-effort ratio in the region.

2.6 mi 500 ft gain 2–3 hrs Year-round
Poo Poo Point via ChiricoMedium
3.8 mi · 1,760 ft

Poo Poo Point via Chirico

Zone B — Issaquah Alps · 25–40 min

Stair-stepped climb to the famous paraglider launch meadow — kids get mountain views plus takeoffs and landings. A real workout for the carrying hiker.

3.8 mi 1,760 ft gain 3–5 hrs Year-round
Rattlesnake LedgeMedium
4 mi · 1,160 ft

Rattlesnake Ledge

Zone B — Issaquah Alps · 25–40 min

The Issaquah Alps classic: a steady switchback climb to a ledge over Rattlesnake Lake with big Cascade views. Well-graded trail, big payoff.

4 mi 1,160 ft gain 3–5 hrs Year-round
Little SiMedium
4.4 mi · 1,300 ft

Little Si

Zone B — Issaquah Alps · 25–40 min

Mount Si's little sibling: forest, boulder fields, and a rocky summit with valley views. A perfect step up from the Easy tier.

4.4 mi 1,300 ft gain 3–5 hrs Year-round
Gold Creek PondEasy
1.9 mi · 50 ft

Gold Creek Pond

Zone C — Cascades · 45–70 min

Paved, flat loop around an alpine pond ringed by Cascade peaks. The easiest "real mountains" experience on the catalog — snowshoe-friendly in winter.

1.9 mi 50 ft gain 2–3 hrs Year-round
Franklin FallsEasy
2 mi · 400 ft

Franklin Falls

Zone C — Cascades · 45–70 min

Short river-grade walk to a 70-foot falls at the foot of Snoqualmie Pass. Magical in winter snow (and a snow-walk package favorite).

2 mi 400 ft gain 2–3 hrs Year-round
Talapus & Olallie LakesMedium
6.2 mi · 1,220 ft

Talapus & Olallie Lakes

Zone C — Cascades · 45–70 min

Gentle-for-the-Cascades grade through deep forest to two swimmable alpine lakes. The mellowest true alpine-lake day we offer.

6.2 mi 1,220 ft gain 3–5 hrs May – October
Snow LakeDifficult
7.2 mi · 1,800 ft

Snow Lake

Zone C — Cascades · 45–70 min

The Alpental classic: granite basins and a huge turquoise lake below jagged peaks. The most scenic Difficult-tier day within an hour of Seattle.

7.2 mi 1,800 ft gain 5–8 hrs May – October
Mount SiDifficult
8 mi · 3,150 ft

Mount Si

Zone C — Cascades · 45–70 min

The halo hike: 3,150 feet of relentless climbing to a huge view over the Snoqualmie Valley. Expert-tier hikers only — the "someone carried my toddler up Mount Si" story.

8 mi 3,150 ft gain 5–8 hrs May – October
Lake SereneDifficult
8.2 mi · 2,000 ft

Lake Serene

Zone C — Cascades · 45–70 min

Stair-built climb past Bridal Veil Falls to a dramatic lake under the sheer face of Mount Index. A premium full-day adventure on the Stevens Pass corridor.

8.2 mi 2,000 ft gain 5–8 hrs May – October