Get out of the city and hit the trail on these seven hikes in the mountains and forests surrounding Seattle.
LessA tidy network of trails crisscross this landscape of forests, meadows, and wetlands. There are 3.5 miles of trails here, and a 2-mile loop can be hiked from either the east or west trailhead, circling through the heart of the preserve. Take one of the many connector trails to create a shorter loop.
This is a popular route, and for good reason. Reaching the summit takes some work (5 miles roundtrip, 2,100 feet elevation gain), but the views are worth the effort. The trail is fairly wide as it climbs the forested slopes.
A 3.7-mile out-and-back hike ascends 1,300 feet to the summit of Little Si. From the top, hikers can drink in the panoramic views above the North Fork Snoqualmie River and the city of North Bend.
The Wallace River plunges 392 feet in four drops, with the upper drop measuring a staggering 265 feet in height. Getting a view of the falls requires a moderately challenging 5.5-mile out-and-back hike along the Woody Trail through Wallace Falls State Park. The trail rises 1,300 feet en route to the viewpoints, so take your time and enjoy the verdant woods that line the river along the way.
The South Fork Snoqualmie River runs alongside I-90, but its most scenic wonders can't be seen from the road. Hike upstream through the forests that flank the river for dazzling views of Upper and Lower Twin Falls as the South Fork courses through a gorge. It's a moderate 2.5-mile out-and-back hike with 600 feet of elevation gain.
This park has miles and miles of trails ripe for exploring, and the trek to Coal Creek Falls is a great route to explore first. It's a relatively easy 2.5 miles round-trip from the Red Town Trailhead, gaining 416 feet en route to this serene cascade.