The best walks and hikes around Issaquah

Yes, Issaquah has many trails suitable for families and beginners. For a gentle walk with interesting features, consider the Talus Rocks and Bus Trail loop. It's a relatively flat route through the forest. The trails around Lake Sammamish State Park are also a great option, offering paved paths perfect for strollers and young children.

For those seeking a strenuous workout, the Issaquah Alps offer plenty of challenges. The trails up Tiger Mountain are particularly demanding. A very steep and rewarding option is the Cable Line Trail & West Tiger 3 Trail loop, which involves a significant and sustained climb to the summit.

Most trails in the Issaquah area, including those in Tiger Mountain State Forest and on Squak Mountain, are dog-friendly, but they must be kept on a leash. Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park also welcomes leashed dogs. However, dogs are generally not permitted on the swimming beaches at Lake Sammamish State Park.

Poo Poo Point on Tiger Mountain is famous for its panoramic views of Issaquah, Lake Sammamish, and Bellevue. On clear days, you can even see the Olympic Mountains. For a different perspective, trails on Squak Mountain, like the one leading to Debbie's View, offer stunning vistas of the surrounding Cascade peaks, including Mount Rainier.

Parking can be challenging, especially on sunny weekends. Popular trailheads like the one for Poo Poo Point (Chirico Trail) and the High Point Trailhead for Tiger Mountain fill up quickly. A Discover Pass is required for parking at state parks and state forests, including Tiger Mountain and Squak Mountain. It's best to arrive early or consider hiking on a weekday.

Yes, many lower-elevation trails remain accessible for hiking throughout the winter. Trails in Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park and around Lake Sammamish are often good choices. However, higher elevation trails on Tiger and Squak mountains can have snow and ice, so it's essential to check trail conditions and be prepared with microspikes and appropriate winter gear.

While the Issaquah Alps are known more for their forests and viewpoints, you can find several small, charming waterfalls and cascades along the numerous creeks that flow down the mountainsides, especially during the wet season. Trails within Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, such as the Coal Creek Falls Trail, are a good place to look.

There are nearly 60 curated hiking routes available on komoot for the Issaquah area, part of a larger network of over 200 miles of trails. These range from easy walks to difficult mountain ascents, offering plenty of options for every skill level.

The region is highly regarded by the komoot community. Hikers often praise the well-maintained trails, the lush, dense forests of the 'Issaquah Alps', and the rewarding views from the summits of Tiger, Squak, and Cougar Mountains.

The difficulty depends on the route you take. The Chirico Trail is the shorter, more direct route but is very steep and challenging. The High School Trail is longer but offers a more gradual ascent. We feature a moderate 8.2-mile loop, the Poo Poo Point Loop, which provides a comprehensive experience of the area.

Many hikes begin from a few key, well-regarded access points. The Poo Poo Point Trailhead is a very popular starting point for the Chirico Trail. For accessing Tiger Mountain's extensive network, the High Point Trailhead is a local favorite. To explore Squak Mountain, many hikers start from the May Valley Loop Trailhead.