Float On

Washington Guide to Snowshoes and Winter Hiking

Winter’s most accessible sport—with the goofiest footwear—keeps getting bigger. Here's how to do it safely.

11/25/2020 By Allison Williams

Winter walks

10 Best Snowshoe Hikes in Western Washington

Trails look a little different in winter, but with the right footwear there's no reason to stay inside.

11/25/2020 By Allison Williams

Lumberjacked up

How to Cut Down a Christmas Tree in the Woods

Free-range evergreens from our national forests await your tinsel. Just grab a permit first.

11/25/2020 By Allison Williams

Gun Shy

How to Hike in Hunting Season

And why the camo crew and the backpack brigade are really on the same team.

10/16/2020 By Allison Williams

Feature

The 15 Best City Trails in Seattle

The greatest urban escape routes in the Seattle area, threading downtown, the waterfront, far-flung neighborhoods, and the abundant nature beyond.

08/10/2020 By Allison Williams

GO FOR IT

Hiking Is the Safest Way to Have Fun This Summer

Bears? Bees? Nah. As long as you bring a jacket and look where you’re walking, Northwest trails are a safe place to spend the pandemic.

07/24/2020 By Allison Williams

Outward Bound

Best Washington Hikes

Hit the trail on 20 of the most spectacular and most accessible routes in the state.

07/02/2020 By Allison Williams, Craig Romano, and Seattle Met Staff

Guide to Mount St. Helens

Journey Into the Crater of Mount St. Helens

A visit to the inner sanctum of a fitful volcano, as Bill Nye the Science Guy tags along.

05/06/2020 By Allison Williams

Potty Plight

Hiking Trails Are Open! But What About Going to the Bathroom?

What to do when nature calls while you're socially distancing.

05/05/2020 By Allison Williams

Cabin Fever

How to Get Outside: An Updated Primer

We're all craving the great outdoors. Get the latest on how and where to get some nature.

03/16/2020 By Allison Williams

WIDE OPEN SPACES

How to Get Outside to Beat Cabin Fever

Social distance yourself right out into the woods and ski slopes—but take a few precautions.

03/13/2020 By Allison Williams

Day Tripper

To the Woods—It’s Wild Mushroom Season

Want to try foraging for fungi? Now’s the time to do it.

10/16/2019 By Stefan Milne

Shade Index

Washington's Worst Hiking Trails

Deception Pass and Cape Disappointment aren’t even the half of it.

07/23/2019 By Mac Hubbard

Get the Dirt

10 Best Hikes at Mount Rainier National Park

A totally subjective list from a lifelong Rainier hiker.

07/23/2019 By Allison Williams

Work Hard, Play Hard

Local Essentials: An Intern's Guide to Seattle

Skip the Space Needle and live like a Seattleite with this roundup of our favorite off-the-clock spots.

07/18/2019 By Seattle Met Staff

Hiker's Guide

Get Your Spring Mountain Fix, No Car Required

Metro's Trailhead Direct, a shuttle between the Seattle area and the Cascade foothills, returns April 20 with an expanded service area.

04/12/2019 By Philip Kiefer

Adventure Awaits

10 Best Hikes Close to Seattle

Hiking is the Northwest's signature pastime, and some of the state's best trails are less than an hour from downtown.

09/21/2018 By Seattle Met Staff

Adventure Climb

Climb at Peshastin Pinnacles

Scale the crag—or hike a more solid footpath—for lush views of fruit orchards.

07/17/2018 By Allison Williams

Adios, John Wayne

Introducing the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail

The cross-state route has been reborn under a new name. Horse-drawn wagons still welcome.

07/17/2018 By Allison Williams

Cover Story

The Insider’s Guide to Pacific Northwest Hiking

Welcome to the age of next-level gear, dog rescue squads, and campsites with hot tubs—and a new list of do’s and don’ts. Dig into our guide to the brave new world of playing outside.

05/22/2018 By Allison Williams

Hiking & Biking

Washington Guide to Snowshoes and Winter Hiking

10 Best Snowshoe Hikes in Western Washington

How to Cut Down a Christmas Tree in the Woods

How to Hike in Hunting Season

The 15 Best City Trails in Seattle

Hiking Is the Safest Way to Have Fun This Summer

Best Washington Hikes

Journey Into the Crater of Mount St. Helens

Hiking Trails Are Open! But What About Going to the Bathroom?

How to Get Outside: An Updated Primer

Popular Content

How to Get Outside to Beat Cabin Fever

To the Woods—It’s Wild Mushroom Season

Washington's Worst Hiking Trails

10 Best Hikes at Mount Rainier National Park

Local Essentials: An Intern's Guide to Seattle

Get Your Spring Mountain Fix, No Car Required

10 Best Hikes Close to Seattle

Climb at Peshastin Pinnacles

Introducing the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail

The Insider’s Guide to Pacific Northwest Hiking

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The Go-To Winter Guide