The Simplest thing we can do to improve our physical & mental health for ourselves, our family and the planet is to exercise outdoors in nature every day.
In this decade-long project our family explored peaks, valleys, beaches, and forests to bring you the best trails within a day’s drive of the Seattle metropolitan area year-round.
90 second trail videos give an idea of what the trail will be like and what the payoffs are. This can be a great way to preview a trail and selecting a weekly objective before packing up the car (and family). GPS map links on each trail page give detailed information on location, elevation gain, distance etc. The categories above will give an idea of other similar trails in each location or level.
The Pacific Northwest is filled with outdoor recreation opportunities.
We aspire to introduce you to some of the most loved passageways in Western Washington. Through East-to-West corridors along the Cascades. National Parks Mount Rainier The North Cascades The Olympics Urban Corridors and Seaside. The Trails Await.
A Year of Best of the NW Family-Friendly Trails
There is something unique and special to experience in every season in Western Washington. Best of the NW strives to encourage a youthful spirit of exploration, and fitness exploring these treasures year-round.
Hike The Highline Trail
Glacier National Park dubbed “Crown of the Continent” by George Bird Grinnell is one of our National Treasures.
From Cascade Hiker Podcast
“Bryan Schaeffer has been busy bringing outdoor scenes to life with his new venture; Drawn to Animate. His slogan is - Rendering memories with real people and places in our collective big backyard. I was honored when Bryan animated my daughter, which I used the picture for this episode! Check out his hard work and find out what he's up to in our discussion.”
Listen to Best of the NW 2.0 Drawn to Adventure story on the Cascade Hiker Podcast #24
Listen to Best of the NW Founding Story on Cascade Hiker Podcast #174
Welcome to Best of the NW 2.0!
You get to explore our beautiful public lands. Ocean Beaches, Seaside bluffs, meandering paths through Old-growth forests, roaring Cascades and mountain peaks!
Find year-round trail videos and GPS maps by season, location, and difficulty.
Our family spent a decade exploring the best trails in Western Washington year round.
Read creation story and see REI presentation here.
Western Washington is a special place with a wealth of hiking adventure opportunities. Filled with lush forests, jagged peaks and volcanoes, alpine lakes and stream corridors, not to mention seaside and oceanfront beaches. While we have many favorites, here is a sampling of 10 that will give you a broad taste of the different types of trails in Western Washington.
The Emerald city has over 400 city parks. Use this Best of the NW virtual guide to discover the top 10 Seattle City Park Trails and get out and enjoy your Seattle City Park Trails!
The Mountains to Sound Greenbelt from Issaquah extending over Snoqualmie Pass along I90 is home to a plethora of trail accessible dramatic peaks. Why train solely on Mount Si when you can build up fitness and mountain skills exploring each of these peaks.
Experience high adventure on the classic high routes of Washington. These are a selection of trail accessed mountain crossings ranging from third class to technical terrain.
Lakes and streams freeze over in the high-country. Rain turns to snow and the woods begin the annual transformation from greens to whites. Many trails that were easy passage in the summer become entirely different contours under feet of snow.
Skis become the ideal mode of pedestrian transport over this new mountain canvas.
Explore Western Washington Nordic Skiing Trail Systems and Shoulder-season back country ski routes below on this page.
