The Pacific Northwest is renowned for its moss-draped forests, rugged mountains, and breathtaking coastlines. While iconic hikes like Mount Rainier or Multnomah Falls draw crowds, there’s a wealth of lesser-known trails offering equally stunning scenery with fewer people. These hidden gems feature waterfalls, alpine lakes, ocean vistas, and old-growth forests. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a weekend adventurer, these 15 underrated hikes showcase the region’s natural beauty, solitude, and unforgettable views.
1. Eagle Creek Trail (Oregon)
Eagle Creek Trail winds through the Columbia River Gorge, offering dense forests, mossy cliffs, and hidden waterfalls. Twister Falls and Punch Bowl Falls are less-traveled gems along this moderate path. The trail’s combination of shaded forest, creek crossings, and canyon overlooks makes it ideal for adventurous hikers seeking solitude. Spring brings blooming wildflowers, while summer keeps the creek flowing, offering refreshing misty coolness amid towering evergreens.
2. Mailbox Peak (Washington)
Mailbox Peak is a challenging trail with steep elevation and rocky terrain, rewarding hikers with sweeping views of the Snoqualmie Valley and Mount Rainier. The summit’s iconic mailbox serves as a landmark and photo opportunity. Its strenuous ascent keeps crowds away, letting hikers enjoy solitude and a sense of accomplishment. The trail’s mix of dense forest, switchbacks, and open ridgelines provides variety, making the climb both demanding and incredibly scenic.
3. Rattlesnake Ledge (Washington)
Rattlesnake Ledge offers a relatively short but steep hike near North Bend, culminating in a breathtaking overlook of Rattlesnake Lake and the surrounding Cascade foothills. Morning hikes provide peace and quiet before crowds arrive. Evergreen forests line the ascent, while the open summit offers panoramic views perfect for photography. Its accessibility makes it a favorite for day hikers, but timing and early starts allow for solitude and appreciation of the crisp mountain air and dramatic vistas.
4. Cape Falcon Trail (Oregon)
Cape Falcon Trail along the northern Oregon Coast combines temperate rainforest with cliffside viewpoints overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Hikers traverse shaded forest, rocky outcrops, and open meadows with panoramic vistas. Wildlife sightings, including eagles and migrating whales, are common in season. Its moderate difficulty keeps it accessible while rewarding explorers with solitude and striking coastal scenery. The trail is ideal for photographers and nature lovers seeking dramatic ocean panoramas.
5. Quiring Trail (Washington)
Hidden in the lush forests near Alger, the Quiring Trail offers a tranquil hike through towering evergreens, soft moss beds, and gentle switchbacks. The path winds gradually upward, rewarding hikers with glimpses of the surrounding foothills and peaceful forest solitude. Ideal for those seeking a meditative walk rather than a strenuous climb, this trail captures the serene beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Few visitors make it here, ensuring an intimate connection with nature and a truly quiet hiking experience.
6. Lewis and Clark Trail (Oregon & Washington)
The Lewis and Clark Trail follows the legendary explorers’ route through the Columbia River Gorge and into coastal forests, combining rich history with natural grandeur. Hikers trace the same paths used over two centuries ago, with interpretive signs sharing stories of exploration. Towering cliffs, river overlooks, and quiet forest stretches create a rewarding balance of adventure and reflection. This trail’s historical depth, scenic variety, and accessible sections make it one of the Pacific Northwest’s most meaningful hiking experiences.
7. Alger Alp South Route Trail (Washington)
Tucked away near Bellingham, the Alger Alp South Route Trail is a short but rewarding climb that delivers panoramic views of the Skagit Valley and the North Cascades. The path winds through mossy forest and rocky switchbacks before opening to a scenic summit perfect for sunrise or sunset. Despite its accessibility, it remains uncrowded, offering peace and solitude. The modest elevation gain makes it ideal for a quick escape into nature, combining a light workout with breathtaking vistas
8. Mount Pilchuck (Washington)
Mount Pilchuck Trail ascends through forests and flower-filled meadows to a historic fire lookout. From the summit, hikers can see 360-degree views of the Cascades, Mount Rainier, and Puget Sound. Less trafficked than nearby peaks, it offers quiet, reflective moments for hikers willing to tackle its steady incline. The trail combines alpine beauty, challenging terrain, and rewarding vistas. Summer wildflowers and clear autumn skies provide especially memorable scenery for adventurous photographers.
9. Twin Falls Trail (Washington)
Twin Falls Trail in the Snoqualmie region is a short, scenic hike to moss-draped waterfalls and tranquil forested areas. The moderate elevation makes it accessible, but the lush surroundings create a sense of escape from busier trails. Rushing water, vibrant greenery, and natural rock formations make it ideal for photography and peaceful contemplation. The trail’s serene environment feels secluded, providing hikers with immersive forest experiences without the crowds often found in more famous Northwest locations.
10. Willamette National Forest Trails (Oregon)
The Willamette National Forest is a hiker’s dream, stretching across volcanic ridges, deep river valleys, and dense evergreen woods. Hidden within are countless underrated trails leading to waterfalls, hot springs, and panoramic mountain overlooks. Paths like the McKenzie River Trail and Proxy Falls Loop showcase the region’s diversity, with turquoise streams and mossy lava fields. Despite its size and beauty, many sections remain quiet and uncrowded, offering pure Pacific Northwest wilderness at its most enchanting.
11. Brown Pass Trail (Montana)
Brown Pass Trail in Glacier National Park offers a true backcountry escape through rugged peaks, alpine lakes, and sprawling meadows bursting with wildflowers. The route climbs steadily, revealing dramatic vistas of Bowman Lake and the Livingston Range. Fewer hikers venture this far, making it perfect for those craving solitude and sweeping mountain views. Wildlife sightings are common, and the crisp alpine air enhances the sense of wilderness that defines this remote and rewarding Pacific Northwest adventure.
12. Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail (Washington & Oregon)
The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail slices through the heart of the Cascades, revealing snow-capped peaks, alpine meadows, and pristine wilderness stretching from Oregon’s volcanic ridges to Washington’s rugged north. Though known for its 2,650-mile span, many short sections offer incredible day or weekend hikes with fewer crowds. Hikers experience sweeping views, wildflower-filled slopes, and deep solitude. Each mile of the PCT in the Pacific Northwest captures the wild spirit and vast beauty that define the region.
13. Little Si (Washington)
Little Si is a moderate, steep climb near North Bend that leads to sweeping views of the Snoqualmie Valley and surrounding peaks. Dense forest lines the trail, while the summit opens to panoramic vistas, making the effort worthwhile. Less crowded than its larger counterpart, Mount Si, it provides solitude, quiet reflection, and excellent sunrise or sunset opportunities. Hikers enjoy challenging terrain, diverse ecosystems, and rewarding scenery without the congestion of more popular trails.
14. Cape Lookout Trail (Oregon)
Cape Lookout Trail stretches along the Tillamook Coast, winding through forest and grassy ridges to dramatic cliffside views. Its moderate difficulty keeps it accessible while providing uninterrupted vistas of the Pacific Ocean. The trail’s combination of shaded forest and open headlands allows hikers to experience both quiet woodland paths and expansive ocean panoramas. Far fewer visitors than nearby Cannon Beach ensure a peaceful hike with incredible sunset or storm watching opportunities.
15. Heather Lake Trail(Washington)
Heather Lake Trail in the North Cascades features mossy forests, cascading streams, and a serene alpine lake at the summit. Its moderate incline and forested path offer immersive solitude, with snow-capped peaks reflected in calm waters. Summer wildflowers add vibrant colors to the scenery, while clear winter skies enhance panoramic views. The trail’s combination of forest shade, water features, and mountain backdrops provides hikers with a peaceful, photogenic escape from crowded regional trails.
