11 Beautiful Hikes Near Leavenworth (Easy, Intermediate, and Difficult)
Last Updated on April 9, 2024 by Kelly
Leavenworth is one of our favorite destinations in Washington State. The Bavarian-themed town is located in the Cascade Mountains. Because of its prime location in the mountains, there are lots of beautiful hikes within easy reach of Leavenworth! Whether you want to hike to an alpine lake or a sparkling river, there’s a hike for you!
We often go hiking when we visit Leavenworth. The hikes to Colchuck Lake and Stuart Lake are some of our favorites! In this post, we’ll be sharing the best hikes near Leavenworth for all skill levels. We’ll share our recommendations for easy hikes, moderate hikes, and difficult hikes. Read on for our best tips!
Easy Hikes Near Leavenworth
Blackbird Island and Waterfront Park
Within walking distance of downtown Leavenworth is Waterfront Park. The park has 2 miles of trails and a pedestrian bridge that connects with Blackbird Island. The trails follow alongside the Wenatchee River, and there are many ponds, bridges, and sandy alcoves to explore. Leashed dogs are allowed.
| Total Distance: | 2.0 miles |
| Total Elevation Gain: | 100 feet |
| Pass/Permit Needed: | None |
Icicle Gorge Nature Loop
The Icicle Gorge Nature Loop trail is a very popular hike that is located 16 miles west of Leavenworth. After parking, you’ll follow the trail until you reach the sign “Icicle Gorge View River Loop”. From there, you can either take a left or a right to complete the loop. Some of the sights you’ll see from this trail are Icicle Creek, many smaller creeks, and multiple bridges. This hike is dog-friendly (leashed) and family-friendly. You can use a jogging stroller if it has good suspension to go over roots.
| Total Distance: | 4.2 miles |
| Total Elevation Gain: | 150 feet |
| Pass/Permit Needed: | Northwest Forest Pass |
Tumwater Pipeline Trail
Two miles west of Leavenworth, just past milepost 98, is the trailhead to the Tumwater Pipeline Trail. This easy hike will also take you alongside creeks. It’s recommended that you do not try to swim in the main creek, as the river current is incredibly fast and poses a risk. The parking lot holds around 8 cars, and this is a hike that can be completed year-round. (Snow shoes are advised for the winter months.)
| Total Distance: | 2.4 miles |
| Total Elevation Gain: | 100 feet |
| Pass/Permit Needed: | None |
Enchantment Park
Located close to downtown Leavenworth, a bit behind the Icicle Village Resort, is Enchantment Park. This park has plenty of wide trails, bridges, and lots of benches. It’s suitable for strollers and bikes, so it’s very family-friendly. Leashed dogs are also allowed.
| Total Distance: | 2.0 miles |
| Total Elevation Gain: | Flat |
| Pass/Permit Needed: | None |
Hidden Lake (Near Lake Wenatchee)
About a 30-minute drive north of Leavenworth is Lake Wenatchee State Park. There’s a short hike at this park that leads to a much smaller lake: Hidden Lake. The first half mile of this hike is ADA-accessible, and it’s a great hike for young children.
| Total Distance: | 1.6 miles |
| Total Elevation Gain: | 220 feet |
| Pass/Permit Needed: | Northwest Forest Pass |
Intermediate Hikes Near Leavenworth
Eightmile Lake
Located 13 miles southwest from Leavenworth is the trailhead to Eightmile Lake. This trail will take you up to a pristine alpine lake. You’ll also see a creek and get to cross over a log bridge. You’ll also see Little Eightmile Lake along the way, which is more of a marsh. Don’t worry, continue along the trail and you’ll find the real lake. Dogs are not permitted on this trail.
| Total Distance: | 6.6 miles |
| Total Elevation Gain: | 1,300 feet |
| Pass/Permit Needed: | Northwest Forest Pass |
Lake Valhalla
The trailhead to Lake Valhalla is located about 35 miles west of Leavenworth in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. The trail leads to… you guessed it… Lake Valhalla! This alpine lake has glacier-cold water that can be quite refreshing after hiking during the summer. You’ll also see views of Mount McCausland from the trail and Lichtenberg Mountain.
| Total Distance: | 7.0 miles |
| Total Elevation Gain: | 1,500 feet |
| Pass/Permit Needed: | None |
Lanham Lake
The trailhead to Lanham Lake is 31 miles west of Leavenworth. Most of this trail is shaded as you walk through the forest. There might be a bit more brush than some of the other trails mentioned here, but the trail is clearly marked. The lake and corresponding creek was named after a prospector. This trail is short and steep!
| Total Distance: | 3.2 miles |
| Total Elevation Gain: | 1,140 feet |
| Pass/Permit Needed: | None |
Difficult Hikes Near Leavenworth
Colchuck Lake
Colchuck Lake is one of the most famous hikes in the area, and it’s also part of the Enchantments route. However, instead of continuing on through the Enchantments, you will turn back home after you reach this lake. The word “Colchuck” come from Chinook Jargon (“kol+cak”) which means “cold waters”. The name definitely fits the lake, as the lake is a freshwater basin fed by snowmelt. Note that dogs are prohibited on this hike. The WTA page states that it is 8.0 miles roundtrip, although when we went, we clocked 10 miles. You can read our complete guide to Colchuck Lake for more information.
| Total Distance: | 8.0 miles |
| Total Elevation Gain: | 2,280 feet |
| Pass/Permit Needed: | Northwest Forest Pass |
Stuart Lake
The same trailhead that leads to Colchuck Lake is is also where you start your journey to Stuart Lake. After hiking for about two miles, you’ll take the junction to Stuart Lake instead of Colchuck Lake. Most hikers go to Colchuck Lake, so it may be a bit more quiet when you go to Stuart. Dogs are prohibited.
| Total Distance: | 9.0 miles |
| Total Elevation Gain: | 1,165 feet |
| Pass/Permit Needed: | Northwest Forest Pass |
Fourth of July Pass (Via Thunder Creek)
This trail to Fourth of July Pass is long but absolutely stunning. When you reach the pass, you’ll have panoramic views of the mountain tops. Dogs are prohibited on this hike as well.
| Total Distance: | 11.2 miles |
| Total Elevation Gain: | 2,400 feet |
| Pass/Permit Needed: | None |
Our Hiking Tips for Leavenworth Trails
- Review current trip reports from the Washington Trails Association (WTA). For each of these hikes, we have linked to the relevant WTA page. Each WTA page has a place for recent trip reports from hikers. These trip reports include important information that you need to know regarding trail conditions, parking, and weather conditions.
- Bring the appropriate pass or permit. Most of these hikes require either a Discover Pass or a National Forest Pass. We recommend printing the pass you need in advance, so you don’t have to make a stop at a ranger station. If you plan on hiking throughout the year, you can purchase an annual pass instead of a day pass.
- Leave no trace. Please be respectful of these protected public lands. Follow Leave No Trace principles. Basically, you want to leave the land exactly as you found it. Pack out everything that you pack in. (Do not litter on the trails.) Stay on designated trails, as the fauna surrounding the trails can be very delicate. Do not feed wildlife. Do not play loud music or cause disruptions. Essentially, you want to minimize your impact in all ways so that everyone can enjoy the beauty of nature exactly as it is.
- Bring a first aid kit. You don’t want to get an injury in the wilderness and be miles away from cell service or help without having some basic first aid essentials. If you get a blister, you’ll want plenty of bandaids so you can continue comfortably. If you fall or trip, you may need gauze or larger bandages. You might also need small tweezers if you encounter a tick.
- Pack the 10 Essentials. Any time you go hiking, be sure to bring the 10 Essentials with you. The 10 Essentials are important pieces of gear that you should bring for hiking safety. We wrote an entire post about the 10 Essentials, if you’d like more information and product recommendations.
- Consider a wilderness first aid class. If you plan on spending a lot of time in the backcountry, especially on lesser-known trails, you might want to consider taking a wilderness first aid class.
- Bring enough water and food. With strenuous exercise (and perhaps heat), you’ll need more water than you think you’ll need. And if for whatever reason the hike takes you longer to complete, you’ll want to make sure you have enough food and snacks.
- Find out if you need a permit. If you’re planning on camping overnight, you’ll likely need a permit.
- Be cautious while driving on forest roads. Some of the roads are narrow and many have large potholes. Be prepared to drive slowly. Most of them are unpaved gravel roads.
- Bring the right gear. Finally, make sure that you have what you need. In addition to the 10 essentials, bring comfortable hiking shoes that are well-worn.
Summary
One of our favorite places to hike in Washington State is in the Cascade Mountains near Leavenworth. Whether you’re looking for larches in the fall, or hiking to the top of mountains during the summer, the hikes offer breathtaking views. We hope you enjoyed this post on hikes near Leavenworth! Thank you for reading!
Disclaimer: We always strive for content accuracy. Since the time of publishing, travel-related information regarding pricing, schedules, and hours may have changed. Please look up such information directly from each vendor or institution for the most current information.
