A city ringed by emerald waters, glaciated volcanoes, and jagged peaks, Seattle has no shortage of great hikes within a short drive of downtown. But with so many options, the biggest challenge is deciding where to start. Save yourself some time and reference this guide for the best trails and views within a 3-hour drive of the city.

Whether you’re looking for a weekday trek close to home or a chance to push your limits in the mountains, you’ll find what you need in this list of top Seattle-area day hikes. Check out the links for full descriptions, plus detailed maps, and driving directions.

1. Heather-Maple Pass Loop

The Gaia GPS community ranks this hike #1 within the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, and the views of alpine lakes, meadow, and craggy ridges covered in wildflowers make it easy to see why. If you can’t carve out a weekend to experience this trail in the summer, don’t feel like you’re settling: Come fall, larch trees beckon hikers with dazzling gold foliage.

Length: 7.2 mile loop
Elevation gain: 2,051 feet
Distance from downtown Seattle: Approximately 3 hours

2. Alta Mountain via Rampart Ridge Backdoor Trail

While many hikes feel incomplete if you turn around halfway, this trail’s non-stop views and a seemingly endless string of alpine lakes means you can call it a day just about anywhere. Plan a casual day out by setting your finish line at the easier-to-access Lake Lillian, Rampart Lakes, or Rachel Lake, or push your limits and complete the whole trek up to 6,151-foot Alta Mountain.

Length: 8.8 miles out-and-back
Elevation gain: 2,438 feet
Distance from downtown Seattle: Approximately 1.5 hours

3. Mount Pilchuck

Ask a Seattleite what their first mountain summit was, and chances are it was Mount Pilchuck. The iconic hike’s trailhead starts right around 3,250 feet above sea level, which means the relatively short (albeit steep) climb deposits hikers high above the surrounding landscape for big visual payoffs. Soak up the 360-degree views of Mount Rainier, the Olympics, and Mount Baker from the summit shelter lookout.

Length: 5 miles out-and-back
Elevation gain: 2,020 feet
Distance from downtown Seattle: Approximately 1.5 hours

4. Kendall Katwalk Loop via PCT

Experience the wonders of the PCT without the months of body odor and blisters. Often regarded by thru-hikers as the most scenic spot along the whole Washington PCT, Kendall Katwalk shows off the best of the Pacific Northwest. And it won’t just be the altitude pumping up your heart rate: Hikers are rewarded with views of the surrounding mountains above Snoqualmie Pass via a narrow path blasted out of the cliff face. This is a local favorite in the summer, and frequented by backcountry snowshoers and skiers in the winter.

Length: 12 miles out-and-back
Elevation gain: 2,550 feet
Distance from downtown Seattle: Approximately 1 hour

5. Lake Serene and Bridal Veil Falls

Nestled in by jagged peaks, Lake Serene is the perfect spot for a swim and an idyllic picnic atop Lunch Rock. With lush forest, alpine surrounds, and snow-capped mountains, it lives up to its name and calls hikers back year after year. On the way up, the short one-mile round-trip excursion to see Bridal Veil Falls is well worth the bit of extra effort and makes a fine turnaround point for hikers with young children. It’s also not very far from Seattle, making it an ideal retreat for those looking for pristine nature without a long drive.

Length: 8.3 miles out-and-back
Elevation gain: 2,067 feet
Distance from downtown Seattle: Approximately 1 hour 15 minutes

6. Sahale Mountain

If the idea of climbing a non-technical peak in the mountaineering haven of the North Cascades National Park piques your interest, don’t miss this summit trek up Sahale Mountain. Though the nearly 5,000 feet of elevation gain might seem daunting, smart trail construction and 30-something generous switchbacks make this hike surprisingly manageable. Plus, it’s hard to focus on the quad burn with near-constant North Cascades views putting you face-to-face with peaks to add to your tick list.

Summiting Sahale Mountain is a great first step for aspiring mountaineers as it includes a short snow crossing and an exposed 4th class scramble to the summit block. For those less inclined to try the steep final pitch, there are equally beautiful views to be had from just below the summit. Go in summer when the snow has receded and purple lupines blanket the slopes.

Length: 13.4 miles out-and-back
Elevation gain: 4,941 feet
Distance from downtown Seattle: Approximately 3 hours

7. Little Si

The Mount Si Natural Resources Conservation Area is home to a couple of classic Seattle-area hikes. Though well-loved and busy, the Little Si trail is a great choice year-round, with less snowfall than surrounding alpine areas during the winter months. It also makes for great training grounds for those looking to get some miles in not too far from the city and is perfect for new hikers, families, runners, and those with dogs. Whereas the nearby Mount Si trail has a series of switchbacks over steeper elevation, Little Si meanders more easily through lush woods over undulating terrain. The straightforward but scenic trail through Pacific Northwest forest culminates with stellar views of the valley below.

Length: 7.6 miles and 3.6 miles out-and-back
Elevation gain: 3,252 feet and 901 feet
Distance from downtown Seattle: Approximately 45 minutes

8. Camp Muir

Get high in Washington’s alpine country at Mount Rainier’s 10,000-foot base camp. Reaching Camp Muir is considered a right of passage for some Seattleites, and a worthy summer hike for those looking for a challenge. It’s also the highest you can climb on Mount Rainier without a climbing permit. And if you decide you can’t make it the whole way, even the first section will give you a mountain experience you won’t soon forget. Get awesome views of the volcano and glaciers while ascending to the Muir Snowfields and historic huts dating back to the early 1900s. Mountain weather can change quickly, so make sure you’re prepared for high winds and precipitation no matter how the sky looks at the trailhead.

Length: 8 miles out-and-back
Elevation gain: 4,639 feet
Distance from downtown Seattle: Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes

9. Rattlesnake Ledge

Like on nearby Mt. Si, this hike’s easy access and moderate elevation gain belie the vastness of its views. It makes a great hike for beginners, families, or those looking to stretch their legs without the commitment of nearby alpine trails. Though it does get a lot of traffic, it’s a great choice for a mid-week outing or an easier jaunt with your pup. That said, the trail does continue on through the Rattlesnake Mountain Scenic Area for those looking for a bigger workout and further viewpoints from above, and is worth extra time and exploration.

Length: 4.3 miles out-and-back
Elevation gain: 1,117 feet
Distance from downtown Seattle: Approximately 40 minutes

10. The Enchantments Thru-Hike

Due to its unique geography and delicate ecosystem, the alpine Enchantments zone is highly protected, making backpacking permits difficult to come by via the annual lottery system. But those with a strong will and sturdy legs can complete the whole 18-mile thru-hike in a single day without a permit. If you’re not ready for the whole shebang, build up your strength and get a taste of the untamed peaks with one of the shorter out-and-back trails to Snow Lakes, Colchuck Lake, or Eightmile Lake on the periphery of the Enchantments.

Length: 17.8 mile thru-hike (with much shorter out-and-back variations possible)
Elevation gain: 6,484 feet via Snow Lakes
Distance from downtown Seattle: Approximately 2.5 hours

Want more? Search for hikes near Seattle using the Discover tab in the Gaia GPS app, or go to the web and use the Seattle hikes page as a launching point to find your next adventure.

Note: These hikes were checked for accuracy, but the routes themselves were ultimately sourced from the Gaia GPS community. The exact mileage and elevation gain tracked may vary from device to device.

Cool temps and active wildlife make fall popular among both hikers and hunters—and the prospect of crossing paths with a loaded firearm leaves plenty of hikers with concerns.

The good news is that, nowadays, hiking during hunting season is pretty safe. Most hunters are conscientious, and incidents are becoming almost non-existent. Pennsylvania, for example, saw zero hikers killed by hunters in 2015, the last year data was recorded. The state had just two hunting related-fatalities that year overall, one of which was self-inflicted.

Still uneasy? There are some things you can do to double-down on your safety (and that of your pets). To hone in on the best advice for sharing the trail, we talked to Joe Kosack, who’s spent 28 years working in hunter education at the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Here are some of his top tips for staying safe this season.

Learn when hunters are allowed to hunt

The busiest days of any hunting season are opening day, the day after opening day, and the first and last Saturdays of the season. Big game seasons (like those for deer, elk, and bear) draw out more hunters than seasons for smaller game, “but you’ll find the lion’s share of hunters in rifle season for deer,” Kosack says, and that holds true across the country.

To figure out when a hunting season begins or ends, use the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s interactive map. Click on your state, then click “Laws and Regulations” on the righthand toolbar to find your state hunting authority. (For some, that’s the state Fish and Wildlife Service. For others, it’s the local Department of Natural Resources or state game commission.) Look for a link to season dates on the authority’s main hunting web page.

Learn where hunters are allowed to hunt

In most places, you won’t see or hear hunters, no matter what day of the season it is. That said, if you live in a state where deer hunting is popular, consider spending opening day on well-trafficked trails, which hunters tend to avoid. Better bet: Stick to national parks, most of which prohibit hunting. (There are some park units that allow hunting, though on a very limited basis and usually only for ecological or subsistence purposes.)

State and regional park regulations, however, vary from state to state. Check rules for specific parks online, or use Gaia GPS’s hunting-specific map overlays to quickly determine where hunters will concentrate. Jesse Crocker, Gaia GPS engineering manager and resident hunting expert, recommends the layers labeled “Public Lands Open for Hunting” or “State Parks/Forests Open for Hunting.” (You can access all Gaia GPS Premium Hunt Maps with a Premium Membership.)

Know when hunters are most active

Many animals, like deer and elk, travel and forage most during dawn and dusk. While their preference for dim lighting often gives these species an edge against predators, it puts both hikers and hunters at a disadvantage: In the twilight hours, hunters have a harder time distinguishing human shapes and shadows from those of their quarry.

The other trouble? “The average age of hunters, at least in Pennsylvania, is somewhere north of 50,” Kosack warns, which can mean less-than-perfect eyesight, especially in low light. Stay alert in the early morning and evening, and take care to make your presence known.

Wear orange

Break out those brights. While you should always bring colorful layers into the backcountry (it’s easier for Search and Rescue teams to spot flashy colors in case of an emergency), they’re particularly useful during big game seasons, as they make it easy for hunters to spot and avoid you.

Drabs blend into the forest, but beige and green aren’t the only hues to leave in the closet. “If you’re going to be out there with turkey hunters, I’d also recommend avoiding red, white, blue, and black, as those can be mistaken for parts of a turkey,” Kosack says. Yellow can also be tough to parse against fall foliage, especially during sunrise and sunset.

Instead, Kosack recommends sticking to hats and jackets in the classic shades of safety, which are easy to find at hardware and sporting goods stores.

“A lot of crews have switched to fluorescent chartreuse, but in Pennsylvania, it’s mandatory for hunters to wear blaze orange. So if you’re going to be out there with them, wear orange as well, and you’ll fit right in,” he says.

Protect your pets

Most hunters know their quarry well enough to tell your dog from a deer, but why take the chance?

“The other issue is that a lot of people have problems with coyotes and might mistake your dog for one,” Kosack says. (Coyotes are often sandy brown but can sport reddish or black phases as well, so don’t assume your golden retriever will be easy to distinguish.)

“Leashes are ideal, but let’s be honest—sometimes the whole idea of taking your dog into the woods is to leave him untethered,” Kosack admits. Instead, he recommends a failsafe solution: Dress your pup in a fluorescent pack, harness, collar, or bandana.

Photo courtesy of Renee V, via twitter

Make noise

Wear a passive noisemaker like a bear bell, sing, or just keep the conversation flowing—the easiest way to distinguish human from animal is by the sound of your voice, says Crocker. Expect to hear gunshots in the distance on busy days, but if you hear shooting that’s too close for comfort, shout to make your presence known.

Stay on the trail

While this is good advice for anyone trying to reduce their environmental impact, sticking to the trail corridor is a fairly reliable failsafe during hunting season—especially if you’re not wearing orange. Most hunters know to avoid commonly used hiking paths, so stay on them during busy days and camp within 150 yards of them when permitted.

Learn more

Still nervous? Don’t be.

“The whole idea of hiking is to go out and enjoy yourself, and if you’re worried about everything, you’re not going to have a great time,” Kosack says. Familiarize yourself with the statistics, talk to local hunters or land managers, plan your hikes wisely, and follow these tips to head into the woods with confidence this season.

Elisa Wirkala