Top 10 Hiking And Trekking Spots In Leavenworth, Washington

hiking in leavenworth
Irene
Irene 
Updated
| 5 min read

Located on the eastern side of the Cascade Mountains, Leavenworth is a tiny village known for its favourable weather, amazing food scene and friendly locals. The town has managed to attract visitors from all over the globe thanks to its amazing attractions such as Leavenworth Nutcracker, Enchantment Park, Icicle Creek and Upper Valley Museum just to name a few. In addition to the numerous attractions that Leavenworth has to offer, visitors also can indulge in several activities such as swimming, shopping, skiing and hiking. For those who love hiking, you are in luck. Check out some of the best hiking and trekking spots in Leavenworth, Washington.

1. Hatchery Creek

Tree planting at new fish hatchery
Source: Photo by user U.S. Army Corps o... used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

If you live in or visiting Leavenworth, Washington and you have not yet experienced hiking at Hatchery Creek, you don’t know what you are missing. Located on a working trout hatchery on the shores of the beautiful Lake Cumberland, Hatchery Creek is not only the perfect place for hiking but also enjoying yourself with the countless amenities available including a theatre, picnic areas and a gift shop. At Hatchery Creek, you have amazing options of trails including the Nature Explorer hiking trail which is three-quarter miles (roughly a kilometre) in length. Other trails that you can enjoy are located along the Cumberland River, all offering stunning views.

Hatchery Creek

Address: 50 Kendall Rd, Jamestown, KY 42629, United States

Website: Hatchery Creek

Opening hours: 8am - 5pm (daily)

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2. Alpine Lookout


If you are the type of person who loves hiking, you will find that there is no better place to hike than in Alpine. Alpine Lookout is a very popular hiking destination, especially during Summer and Autumn. The name was originally assigned to a fire lookout located at the summit at Nason Ridge in Central Cascade Mountains of Washington. The trail system at Alpine Lookout is pretty straight forward, all roads lead to the summit with the least amount of hiking distance being approximately 10 mi (16 km) from the lowest point. Alpine Lookout is also perfect during the Winter and Spring months for those who love snowshoeing.

Alpine Lookout

Address: Little Wenatchee River Rd, Leavenworth, WA 98826, USA

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3. Hidden Lake

Glac hidden lake overlook 2000-07-26 072600n
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user NPS Photo used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

Located in the Glacier National Park, Hidden Lake is one of those hiking destinations you have to visit whenever you are in Leavenworth, Washington. The 2.7 miles (4.3 kilometres) round trip will fascinate you with stunning views of the gorgeous meadows with wildflowers and incredible wildlife. Many professionals consider the Hidden Lake Trail to be moderate, if you are an average hiker, the hike is definitely doable as long as you take it slow and always have your water ready. It goes without saying that you should always carry your camera, as the trail has many spots perfect for photoshoot.

Hidden Lake

Address: Leavenworth, Washington

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

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4. Bygone Byways


Located east of Stevens Pass in Leavenworth, Washington, Bygone Byways Interpretive Trail is a huge tourist attraction thanks to its moderate trail system. The mile-long (approximately two kilometres) trail passes along Great Northern Railway where you will be fascinated with the forest and craggy rocks. It is always advised to pick your brochure at the starting point of the trail, the brochure has additional information about various stages of the trail. The path is handicapped accessible and no parking permit is required for your vehicle.

Bygone Byways

Address: US-2, Leavenworth, WA 98826, United States

Website: Bygone Byways

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

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5. Icicle Gorge Trail

P1010866
Source: Photo by user Martin Criminale used under CC BY-SA 2.0

There is no better way to discover the Icicle Valley than hiking the 3.5-mi (5.6 km) long hiking trail. Most professionals consider it an easy trail to conquer making it perfect for newbies. The trail runs along a river whose one side is dry while the other side is a canopied forest giving you the chance of selecting your terrain. Once you get deep into the hiking trail, you will come across a romantic bridge with roaring waters. You have to take a minute here, relax and take in the cool breeze generated by the roaring river as you enjoy a photoshoot

Icicle Gorge Trail

Address: Leavenworth, WA 98826, United States

Website: Icicle Gorge Trail

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

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6. Chiwaukum Creek


If you love hiking and happen to be in Leavenworth, Washington, why not test your hiking skills at Chiwaukum Creek. This a moderately trafficked hiking trail that offers scenic views to its users. Hikers have two options when using this hiking trail. They can choose the Larch Lake route which is 11 mi (17.7 km) in length (roundtrip) and requires level two fitness or if they are more experienced hikers, they can opt for the 16-mi (25.7 km) roundtrip Timothy Meadows route which requires level three fitness. It is always recommended to hike along the close-ups rather than in its vistas for the area is heavily wooded.

Chiwaukum Creek

Address: Chiwaukum Creek, Washington 98826, USA

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

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7. Lake Minotaur


If you are looking for a hiking trail that will give you a vertical challenge, then you have to try out Lake Minotaur trail. The hiking trail is located a few miles east of Stevens Pass just next to Theseus. The trail is 3-mi long (4.8 km) and it offers its users incredible views of the lake and the Labyrinth Mountain. The trail is rated difficult for it is steep rising 200 ft (60 m) above the wilderness boundary but when you reach the lake, you can catch your breath and enjoy several activities including bird watching. This trail is best used from May until October when the weather is favourable.

Lake Minotaur

Address: Minotaur Lake, Washington 98826, USA

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

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8. Dirtyface Peak


Legend has it that JS Barnard’s home was located at the base of the peak and passersby often found him clearing his land and burning bushes with a sweaty soot-covered face, therefore, they nicknamed him old dirty face and that’s how the peak behind his homestead came to be known as Dirty Face Peak. This hiking trail is 7.3-mi (11.7 km) long roundtrip with an evaluation gain of up to 4000 ft (1219 m) hence providing hikers with a very good workout. The trail is also the perfect test for kids but always remember to bring lots of water, eat healthily and of course never forget to carry your camera.

Dirtyface Peak

Address: Washington 98826, USA

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9. Leavenworth Ski Hill hiking trails

Posted by Leavenworth Ski Hill on Monday, 19 March 2012

Leavenworth Ski Hill offers a moderate 6.8-mile (10.9 km) loop trail system that follows dirt road through the forest making it perfect for hiking, biking and running. Offering magnificent views of Leavenworth, this is the perfect trail to explore with your dog. You can opt to hike a shorter distance or cover all of them for a full workout. While using the trails, always watch out for bikers especially when approaching the steeper narrow trails. During winters, the trails are also used for Nordic skiing. They are normally free to use but you will need a pass during winters.

Leavenworth Ski Hill hiking trails

Address: 10701 Ski Hill Dr, Leavenworth, WA 98826, United States

Website: Leavenworth Ski Hill hiking trails

Opening hours: 9:30am - 6pm (daily)

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10. Eight Mile Lake trail

Little Eightmile Lake, WA
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Jsayre64 used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Eight Mile Lake is a popular hiking trail located in Leavenworth. Most hikers prefer using this trail as it provides them with stunning views of a lake, mountains and geological wonders. As the name suggests, this is a moderately trafficked 8-mi (12.8 km) long hiking trail which is generally uphill all way. When you hike 2.5 mi (4 km) from the trailhead, you will reach the Eight Mile Lake which is the perfect spot to catch your breath, enjoy a picnic, go for swimming and even fishing. Please note that dogs are prohibited on the trail. The difficulty level of this trail is considered to be moderate.

Eight Mile Lake

Address: Eightmile Lake, Washington 98826, USA

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

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Discover the hiking trails at Leavenworth

If you love hiking or trekking and you are done exploring the attractions that Leavenworth has to offer, it is now time to discover the hiking trails. Above are some of the best hiking trails in the area. Check them out!

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Irene Mwikali is a graduate student in Kenya who has a passion for travelling and exploring the world. Currently, her love for travel has taken her to several destinations including South Africa,...Read more

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