There is no shortage of amazing hikes in the state of Washington, many of them located within a quick 1-2 hour drive of Seattle. The Wallace Falls hiking trail in Washington is one of those hikes – not only is a conveniently located close to the city, it also boasts impressive views along the way. From giant evergreens and river views, to fairytale wooden bridges covered with a canopy of leaves, and lush waterfalls, the Wallace Falls hiking trail has it all! The diversity of scenery is one of the reasons why I like it so much.
Length: 5.6 miles | Level: Moderate | Elevation Gain: 1,300 feet
Because of it’s close proximity to Seattle (~45 minute drive), Wallace Falls is an EXTREMELY popular hike. The parking lot near the trailhead typically fills up by 11:00am on a weekend, so be prepared, and go early if you can! We arrived around 10:30am on a sunny weekend morning and the parking lot was already filled, so we ended up parking along the side road.
TIP: A Discover Pass is required when parking at Wallace Falls trailhead. You can purchase a day or annual pass at the parking stall.
What to Expect on the Wallace Falls Hike
The Wallace Falls hiking trail features a decent elevation gain and offers a great ‘bang for your buck’ i.e., you’ll definitely get some good cardio in without feeling exhausted at the end of the day, and will also be rewarded with a nice grand finale. Highly recommended for those looking for some moderate exercise, or a really lovely family-friendly activity!
TIP: The Wallace Falls hiking trail is a suitable hike for any time of the year. The path can get a bit muddy during the rainy season, but is well-maintained. Just bring some hiking boots!
A flat, gravel trail eases you into the hike. Despite having to walk under some ugly power lines for a short distance, nothing can truly detract from the awe-inspiring views of Mount Index and Baring Mountain in the distance. At the clearing (you will see a picnic area), make a left into the woods and being the ascent!
About a quarter into the hike, you can take a short detour (5-10 minutes)off the main path to the Small Falls Interpretive Trail which takes you to a smaller waterfall.
As you continue along the hike, make sure to follow signs along the Woody Trail. There is another option of taking the Railroad Trail – this is a longer trail with a gradual incline and is more suitable for bikers. Either option works, but I would recommend the Woody Trail for a more direct route!
One of my favorite features of the Wallace Falls hiking trail is the fact that there are 3-4 different wooden bridges that cross the Wallace River. The wood construction is absolutely stunning and each bridge makes for a whimsical photo backdrop as well.
There are three different stopping points along the hike – Lower Falls, Middle Falls, and Upper Falls. The whole route to Upper Falls is roughly 5.6 mikes and back, but most people only hike to the Lower Falls view point. The Lower Falls view point has a nice resting area, and also offers the ‘iconic’ view of the falls.
If you can, I would recommend making the extra effort to AT LEAST Middle Falls because it offers the best and up-close views of the waterfall! Dropping 256-feet, the view of the falls is a most impressive sight. Overachievers can make the steep ascent to Upper Falls for additional views of the waterfall.
TIP: There are several picnic spots along the hike (many of them are sheltered). Pack a few sandwiches and trail mix to make the hike an extended, more leisurely weekend activity!
The entire Wallace Falls hiking trail took us roughly ~2 hours. The path was lovely, well-maintained, and shaded with lush greenery the entire route. The Wallace Falls hiking trail is a quintessential hike in the Pacific Northwest, and definitely one of my favorites. Add it to your list today!
Looking for new hiking gear? Here are a few products that I have bought for myself and can personally vouch for:
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