Known as the Emerald City for a reason, Seattle sits lush and verdant at the western edge of the craggy Cascade Range, providing world-class hiking opportunities from sea level to Washington's many summits. Whether you're looking for a 30-minute jaunt through urban woods to spot spawning salmon, a long dayhike to a secluded alpine lake, or a week-long summer trek across a section of the Pacific Crest Trail, you'll find thousands of miles of wild terrain just a short drive away.
July and August are the busiest hiking months, especially in Mount Rainier National Park, which draws thousands of visitors for the annual wildflower bloom. But summertime hiking isn't Seattle's only claim to outdoor fame: Known for its hallways of mossy rainforest, Olympic National Park comes alive with the eerie sound of bugling Roosevelt elk in September. In October, the lowlands burst with fall foliage as the larch trees turn an iridescent gold at higher elevations. In the winter months, Mount Baker often receives more snowfall than any other winter resort, with miles of slopes to explore on skis or snowshoes. Seattle offers something for everyone, all year long.