The Best Fall Hikes in the Pacific Northwest
The Pacific Northwest is gorgeous any time of year. The cooler temperatures and increased rainfall make this area lush, green, and oh-so-pretty.
In the Autumn, though, as some leaves turn, especially the Golden Larches, the PNW goes from gorgeous to spectacular!
These Pacific Northwest Fall hikes are beautiful all year long, but you should hike them during Autumn, too! You’ll want to hike earlier in the season, as snow falls early in the mountains and can hinder your hike.
Choosing one can be overwhelming with so many hiking trails in the Pacific Northwest. To help you narrow it down, here are the absolute BEST PNW hikes for Fall!
Slesse Memorial Trail
Nestled in the Cascade Mountains in Chilliwack, a couple of hours outside Vancouver, BC, is a gem known as the Slesse Memorial Trail. The trail is not highly trafficked, as you need a high clearance 4×4 to reach the trailhead, keeping the wild beauty blooming.
With the trail seeing fewer hikers, parts may be a little overgrown, but the trail is still easy to follow. During the Fall, you may find quite a bit of mud towards the trail’s end.
It is a special place to hike as you pass a memorial plaque, and your end destination on the trail is a propeller cairn with 360-degree views of the surrounding mountain ranges.
The memorial is to tribute one of Canada’s worst aviation disasters on December 9, 1956. Everyone aboard lost their lives.
Mesmerizing peek-a-boo views will keep you motivated during the hike as you climb along the trail, 15.3km, with an elevation gain of 1,021m.
This trail is considered moderate-hard. There are not any overly steep parts, scrambling, or exposure. The uphill climb can be a grind, but the scenery will leave you mesmerized once you near the propeller cairn.
Arrive prepared, as you are in a remote wilderness area and will not have any cell service.
Skyline Trail
One of the best fall hikes in the Pacific Northwest is Skyline Trail in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington.
It’s the most popular trail in the park, making fall an ideal time to visit to avoid the crowds of the busy summer season. In fact, for the best hiking experience, go on a weekday in the fall.
Skyline Trail in Mt Rainier is 5.5 miles (loop) with 1700+ feet in elevation. It’s on the more challenging side of a moderate hike, with an average hike time of 4.5 hours. You’ll want good hiking boots with traction, trekking poles, and the ten essentials.
Mount Rainier has been said to create its own weather, so be prepared with layers for this hike in the fall. Extra water and protein snacks won’t hurt, either!
The trail is difficult and climbs continuously while passing several overlooks. Soak in the amazing views of the mountain and stunning views of the Cascades at Panorama Point.
Naches Peak Loop
Naches Peak Loop trail just might be one of the best hikes you ever do, or at least your new favorite in the Seattle area! It’s located in Mount Rainier National Park and gives you excellent views of Mt. Rainier for most of the hike. Along with the mountain views, you will also encounter several lakes.
To get to the trailhead put “Tipsoo Lake” in your GPS. The trail is a 3.3-mile loop. The length and difficulty level make it a great hike for all ages and experience levels.
There were parents with their children and an 84-year-old woman on the trail when we went! This isn’t to say there aren’t any obstacles in completing this hike, but the views make it all worth it! Be sure to do the trail clockwise for the best views!
Maple Pass Loop
This incredible hike screams PNW fall beauty! Located in North Cascades National Park, this 7.2-mile hike will likely become one of your all-time favorites. Maple Pass Loop is rated as moderate.
During the summer, there are plenty of wildflowers, but the large amounts of Larch trees that turn bright yellow make it a beautiful fall hike. This dazzling yellow against the lakes and mountain backdrops will take your breath away.
Take Highway 20 to Rainy Lake Trailhead to begin your hike. You’ll need a NW Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass to park. This is a very popular hike to either get there early or try a weekday to avoid the crowds. Dogs can use this trail, too, as long as they are leashed.
Maple Pass is a loop. Heading in a counter-clockwise direction gives a more gradual ascent and better views. I also suggest a little side trip to Ann Lake towards the beginning of the hike. You won’t regret it!
Be sure to bring plenty of water. Cell service isn’t reliable here (I’ve never had ANY service here), so download the hike information before you get to the trailhead. Also, remember that this hike may be covered in snow from late fall to mid-summer, so always check with the National Park Service or All Trails before you head out!
Trail of 10 Falls
The Trail of Ten Falls in Silver Falls State Park is one of the best hikes in Oregon in any season, but it is especially impressive in the Fall. The Trail of Ten Falls is a moderate 7.4-mile hike near Silverton, Oregon.
As the name implies, the Trail of Ten Falls has ten impressive waterfalls to be seen along the hike. In addition, it has some beautiful fall foliage that can be found along the trail. The peak fall color normally comes in October in Oregon, but check recent conditions before you go!
Before you go, knowing that you don’t have to hike 7.4 miles to see some amazing waterfalls is important. Both North Falls and South Falls can be seen less than half a mile from their respective parking lots. Starting at the South Falls trailhead, you can take a 5.6-mile loop and still see seven waterfalls or a 3-mile loop from the North Falls trailhead.
