Best Hiking Trails for Senior Dogs and Puppies Near Seattle
If you live in Washington you might already know we’re just about the luckiest people in the United States when it comes to beautiful scenery and more hiking trails than we can keep up with. It would be impossible to hike every trail we have, so it’s helpful to have a “cheat sheet” of some top hikes to check out when you have the time. I normally find my hikes using a combination of the incredible Hike Finder Map on the Washington Trail Association’s website, and AllTrails, but sometimes you just want to save a short list…that’s where I come in!
As mama to two senior dogs I’ve done my share of “senior dog-friendly trails” in Washington. These are also great for dogs with mobility challenges and young puppies who can’t do longer trails. I’ve shared some of my favorites in the Seattle area below, but feel free to check out those resources above for even more.
Pratt River Trail | Snoqualmie / North Bend, WA
This trail is a beauty year-round! The trail follows the stunning Pratt River, rolling slowly through the forest with beautiful views of evergreens, ferns, the nearby mountains, and of course the stunning crystal-clear river. Near the start of the trail you can go down a short embankment to access the river for swimming. Learn more about this trail.
Icicle Gorge Trail | Central Cascades / Leavenworth, WA
This is another favorite river trail! This gently sloping trail follows the river outside Leavenworth, WA, giving you views of the surrounding central cascades, the river, and Icicle Gorge. Be sure to visit this trail in the fall—the leaves turn amazing colors in the cooler weather, giving you an even more magical view. Learn more about this trail.
Gold Creek Pond |Snoqualmie, WA
This one is a crowd favorite and for good reason! This trail is one of the most accessible in the area in the summer, with the beautiful lake view sitting just about 0.25 miles away from the trailhead, via a path that is ADA-accessible. If you’re feeling up for it there is a lovely loop around the lake which opens up even more views! In the winter this road is closed so the trail becomes significantly longer. It is also very difficult to safely navigate and park on the one-lane road in the winter, so experience in driving on snow and ice (and having and knowing how to use snow chains) is a must in the winter time. Learn more about this trail.
Federation Forest State Park | Mt. Rainier area / Chinook Pass, WA
Trails abound in this state park! With 12 miles of trails you can create any sort of adventure you’re looking for, depending on your dog’s ability. Pro-tip: Stick to the eastern and southern parts of the park as the trails on the west side of the loops and north of the road are no longer maintained. Learn more about this trail.
Sheep Lake | Mt. Rainier area / Chinook Pass, WA
Don’t let the location fool you! Though this is very close to Mt. Rainier National Park, it is actually within National Forest boundaries, so dogs are allowed. This trail starts a little steep on a narrow trail, but once you get past that section you’re on a nice, wide, soft dirt path all the way up to the lake. The wildflowers are lovely here in the fall, and the water is crisp and perfect for a swim if you don’t mind being chilly! Learn more about this trail.
Looking for even more options?
WTA’s full list of dog-friendly hikes where you can filter by views, mileage, elevation and more.
Four Easy Dog-Friendly Snowshoe Trails Near Seattle by Jessica at YouDidWhatWithYourWeiner.com.
Looking for something with more mileage and elevation? Check out Brittany Wanderlust’s favorite dog-friendly hikes.
Dog-friendly winter hikes near Seattle by Long Haul Trekkers.
