Rattlesnake Ridge is an awesome hike that is quintessential to the area. It's popular for good reason as it's accessible and has great views of Rattlesnake Lake and beyond. For anyone who loves hiking in the Seattle area, they've likely already visited Rattlesnake Ridge. So take your visitors from out of town here and it'll be a solid time. Because it's a popular trail in North Bend, like any others in the area, get here early if hiking on the weekend. We visited on a holiday where many people had the day off, so ended up parking on the side of the road as the parking lot for this trailhead was all full in the late morning. You've been warned! Bathrooms are located at the start of the trail and is where the lake is for beautiful views and a swim. The trail itself starts through a forest and is mostly covered by the trees. At the top is where it's clear, so it's a great hike for sun coverage. But you'll still break a sweat as it inclines. It's four miles roundtrip, and there are other trails attached to it for further adventures. For those who are used to hiking, this is an easy one to do. AND, it's dog-friendly! Loved seeing all the dogs here. I recommend climbing Rattlesnake Ridge and soaking in the views at the top. You won't regret it. read more

Rattlesnake Ridge - View - Hiking Near Me

I have done this hike over a dozen times and still come back. 30-40 min drive from Seattle so not a far trek. 1.9miles each way and 3.8 Roundtrip so not a super long hike but not short either. It's perfect with great views. Expect the trail to be busy on weekends during the summer months. I always like to start early and end early. Would say it takes 2-3 hours round trip depending on your level of fitness (this includes some time at the top to enjoy the views, take a sip of some water or coffee, and eat a light snack). Highly recommend (wear comfortable shoes, bring water, and some snacks for the top). read more

Rattlesnake Ridge - Hiking Near Me

This is my favorite hike I've done ever. It's so beautiful. The water is crystal clear no love that you can go swimming or kayak and dogs are allowed in the water as well. It's an easier hike in my opinion. And honestly, if you don't do the entire hike and just go for the water that's pretty too! read more

Beautiful trail with stunning views all along the way. The hike is moderately challenging but very rewarding, especially at the summit with panoramic scenery. Well-marked and great for a weekend adventure! read more

On a good sunny day this trial is ALWAYS is going to be packed @ 10am-3pm. Went on this hike multiple times and would recommend getting there early: - 7am-9:30am or later 4pm-till park is closed * Hike isn't too long, gets pretty steep near the end. Views are amazing and is worth the struggle, trust me. read more

Rattlesnake Ridge - Hiking Near Me

A fun and fairly moderate popular hike. Definitely much less crowded during the week days, and with longer days coming, can be a great late afternoon hike. Posted that gates are open till 8 pm now, could go later in the summer? It's a moderate zig zag trail through the woods, this time of year, it was great to see salmon berry bushes blooming, trillium and first time seeing yellow violets. It was cool to run into a garter snake basking in the sun, which was a huge blessing today, so nice to enjoy the sun and hike in shorts again. I tried hiking past all the amazing views of the Cascades, Snoqualmie and Cedar river watersheds (which were well worth the hike) and attempted to hike to the point, but ran into snow at 2700' elevation, good thing I was just exploring and expanding the adventure, I was not prepared to hike in snow, lol Beautiful woods and views throughout, fun to look at the accidentally man made Rattlesnake lake, interesting history there. Definitely looking forward to more hikes throughout the area. This is popular for many reasons.. fairly easy hike and amazing views. As it warms up, make sure to keep hydrated. Great to sit at the top and enjoy a snack and the views as well. Soaking in the sun. Cheers! read more

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When we decided to rent a house in North Bend you can bet your biscuits we had some iconic PNW hikes in mind and Rattlesnake is five mins out our front door..I know I can feel the envy. This is not only a fantastic hike but also has other great amenities in the area including other trails and a beautiful lake. We had our engagement photos taken at the lake in the winter and it made for a beautiful snowy backdrop. The lake is a great place in the summer for camping and fun family activities. There's a large parking lot so even if the trail is busy, there's usually parking available. The trail is 5.1 miles out and back with a 1469 ft elevation gain, so be prepared for leg day. Once at the top you are rewarded with a beautiful view of the lake. At this point you can continue on other longer trails to more challenging peaks if you want. This is a ridiculously popular hike, so much so that it can be difficult to enjoy nature at all, especially at the top with people hanging out on the rocks and being loud or blaring music. My favorite time that I've hiked Rattlesnake was actually the sunrise hike where we started in the dark and ended up at the lookout point right at sunrise. It was far less crowded and people were more respectful of other's experiences..or maybe they were all still sleepy. It's a great hike with a moderate challenge level. The incline can be tough on the knees so maybe consider walking poles to help. This is also a dog friendly trail so you could always bring your beast and let them pull you up the trail read more

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My Seattle trip would not have been complete without a beautiful hike! Hiking up Rattlesnake Ridge was a really breathtaking and peaceful hike. If you're looking for some "me time" for reflecting or if you're going with good friends, this trail is the place to visit. Note, I would not recommend you bring any children due to the steep drop offs along the way as well as the dangerous cliff atop the summit. The trail was well maintained and its directions pretty obvious. -It would be hard to lose sight of the path. Some parts of it were craggy and rooted, but they're just keeping it natural. I love that they didn't try to make it perfect as it would have taken away from the trail's natural beauty. The forest was lush and vibrant with colors. From the ubiquitous bright green moss to the exposed red roots and fallen logs to the fiery autumn leaves that surrounded me. And that was just the beginning! I started my hike late in the afternoon on e the first week of Daylight Savings Time. I almost turned around to ensure I wouldn't run out of light, but was I glad I didn't. The spectacular views at the top was so rewarding. It was as if God reminded me to never give up out of fear and that there is a reward for your perseverance. Enjoy the pics! read more

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Come here early on a weekend or on a weekday. Like try to get to the top of the ridge before 10-11 am, otherwise you're going to see crowds. No seriously, to avoid the "turnt" up crowd drinking at the top, try coming making you way up here when it's less busy as your chances will decrease. Since Rattlesnake Trail and Rattlesnake Ridge aren't too far from Seattle, it's a popular trek for college students who think it's really cool to bring bluetooth speakers and play their crappy music loudly. Only in the PNW do you expect a dance party on the top of a mountain.... some of us just want to enjoy the sounds and peace of nature. Not listen to your "turnt" music with profanity (really, there are small kids around). There's a time and place for that, Rattlesnake Ride should not be that time. The other thing that pisses me off about the drinking crowd is that they LITTER the top - there aren't any trash cans in the ridge area, so you're expected to pick up after yourself and dispose at the base. After a few drinks, I imagine these kids tend to overlook their Rainier beer cans squeezed between rock crevices as a makeshift cup holder. Now ignoring all that... the view is just gorgeous. Which is why it still gets 4 stars. I was lucky enough nab the front row seat of the view just to enjoy it, snap some photos, then move out of my way for others to enjoy. I think coming here spring or early summer is best, since the lake will still be full. Be careful when trying to take pictures near the edge, since the last death was in 2013 - it's a long way down after all. Before 10 am the ridge is reasonable, but it seems to get really crowded after 11 am. In addition to no trash cans, there are also no bathroom facilities, so you'll have to wait for the porto-potties at the base of the trail. Something to keep in mind when planning. The hike up to Rattlesnake Ridge is a beginner hike with little switchbacks and moderate elevation that will make your muscles work - 4 miles round trip. Don't let that fool you, because going up will be difficult on your legs. Otherwise it's a great beginner hike and the view is worth it. Assuming you're with the right crowd at the ridge. If this ridge is crowded, hike a little further to get more views and less crowds. Also this goes without saying... DO NOT TRY PLAYING POKEMON GO HERE. Or if you do, focus on your path... not on the phone. You're going to endanger yourself and others if you pay too much attention to it. Besides signal is pretty spotty. read more

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OK, you have a mound of paperwork sitting in front of you that really does need to be tackled. What do you do? Well, you shove the paperwork aside and go on a day hike at Rattlesnake Ridge! I'd never done this trail before, and was surprised at the contradictory information I read on various websites for this hike. For the record, you take 436th St SE at Exit 32 on I-90. Also it is 3.5 miles from the freeway exit to the (no fee) trailhead parking lot at Rattlesnake Lake. The lot may be full, but if it is, park along the roadway leading to the parking lot. Something else too, several of the websites bill the trail as easy. No, you don't have to use crampons and ropes, but you will get a solid workout. About all I previously knew about this hike was that people have tossed common sense aside and somehow fallen to their death from one of the trail's ledges. I also remember a story from about six or seven years ago when some guy claimed he was jogging on this trail, fell and was injured. So to protect himself from the elements, he covered himself with leaves. The guy was reported missing and a massive manhunt ensued. The guy claimed he got better and was able to resume his run and was spotted near Tiger Mountain a couple days later. I have a hard time believing his tale. Yesterday was sunny and not too warm, perfect for a hike. It reminded me of being in DC - completely surrounded by tour groups. Despite the congestion, excellent trail etiquette was exhibited by most all. It was interesting to me that maybe only 1 in 10 of the hikers were speaking English. Rattlesnake Ledge, which is the primary turnaround location on the trail for most hikers is 1.9 miles (with a 1100' elevation gain) from the shore of Rattlesnake Lake, a murky green body of water. It took me 55 minutes to get to the ledge. The views from the ledge are good, but not stunning. The ledge will be crowded with hikers on a sunny day. At the ledge, you have the option to continue on up to East Peak, which is another 2.4 miles. I did chose to continue on to East Peak. What was amazing is that while the trail to the ledge is crowded, I didn't encounter another soul on the East Peak trail. Up on this stretch, you will get your peace and solitude. Unfortunately, I had to turn around before getting all the way to East Peak because it was starting to get dark. The trails, both above and below the ledge, are well maintained. read more

Rattlesnake Ridge - View over North Bend from Rattlesnake Ledge - Hiking Near Me

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Amazing views, and not too much to get there. Word of advice though: get there EARLY and go on a weekday. This is the basic bitch hike of Washington (literally everybody and their mommas do this hike) so it's ALWAYS packed. If you go on a weekday, you're lucky enough to only have it be a little overcrowded opposed to completely overcrowded. read more

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I grew up in the high desert of southern california. nature involved tumble weeds and joshua trees...horney toads and dusky roads... I currently live in San Diego which is also a desert (thought our landscape architects would like to deny it - hence our constant drought problem!) Soooo...lush nature is a bit lacking for me. On a trip to Seattle this past memorial weekend my one demands was to experience the beauty outside of the city and do a bit of mild/medium difficulty hiking. Nothing hardcore...but still providing a decent workout along with the green green green beauty. Thanks to some local help on the talk forum, I was recommended rattlesnake ridge by a few people. As an out-of-towner I really appreciated the easy navigation right off the 90 freeway. It was only about a 30 min drive from the city and the entrance is right off the road. You can't miss it, all the cars line the sides right outside the lake and start of the trail. I got confused because the wikipedia directions mentioned by 'm i' are all accurate but the part about the education center caused necessary confusion because if you get to that point you have gone too far. The trail is about a 2 mile climb to the top lookout, steady inclination the entire way but nothing too strenuous - though the view at the top overlooking to the rattlesnake lake makes any minor huffing and puffing well worth it! It's nicely shaded nearly the entire time keeping you cool while going up, which is another incentive. But I will state that it IS a popular trail. There were lots of families with kids and dogs. Lot's of working dogs I might add...poor little dogs looking like mules with gear strapped to them! I went on a Sunday at around 10:30 so I imagine it's less crowded if you head out early. At the time we were leaving after noon it had exemplified with lots of people coming down as well. So if you don't really like lots of people walking along with you and kids chatting about x boxes it might not be for you. The view at the top is truly amazing. You just have to get past the 50 million other people checking it out along side you. If you head on the trail to the left when you come to the top (right taking you to the ridge) you can find a smaller lookout that people don't frequent - that's where we ended up having lunch. It's cool because you look across and can see the ridge with all the peeps on it. Another cool thing is that there is a shopping center one exit ahead of where you get off so you can gets some sandwiches or something at the safeway before heading out. Overall it satisfied all my desires: close to the city, easy navigation, easy parking, decent cardio, spectacular view, and plenty of North West beauty. I'd definitely recommend for anyone wanting a convenient taste of some nature for a few hours. read more

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Plenty of free parking. Beautiful climb along the way to the top. This is a moderate climb so be prepared. I would not suggest this climb for out of shape people or little kids. You will pass other hikers along the way. Suggest getting there before 11 AM and it gets too crowded. read more

Rattlesnake Ridge is the gateway hike to more challenging peaks. Once you have a taste of the sweet sweet reward of reaching this pinnacle, you are hooked on hiking and you have to conquer other mountains. This was one of the first hikes I ever did when I moved to Seattle and it is still one of the biggest payouts in view rewards. It's not a particularly difficult hike, even if you are out of shape. Of course the hotter the day, the harder the hike feels. A lot of the trail is shaded, but if the temperature is above 80, it's going to be a lot harder of a hike than if it were mid 70s or below 70 degrees. Bring lots of water and don't give up - at times you will feel like the ascent is endless, but fear not, the trail is short! You will get there in no time! Take your photos and reward yourself with snacks and water at the top. Don't be the jerk who leaves trash on the trail - bottles need to go back down with you! Too many people leave their bottles on the rocks at the top - this is just a shame! Your mama taught you better than that. read more

This was my first hike EVER. I went with a group of 3 others and it took us a little over an hour to reach the top. People told me that Rattlesnake is an easy hike, but it actually ended up being more difficult than I expected. It's considered short at just 2.2 miles both ways, however it's mainly uphill in a zig-zag pattern. Tennis shoes are just fine as the pathways are fairly firm with no loose rocks....however they are pretty narrow; often times you need to move to the side for people passing the opposite direction. The view is wonderful and worth it, even on a partly cloudy day. At the top, you have to maneuver around / across some huge boulders that were difficult to grip at times. I had a good first experience here and would definitely recommend it. For a first time hiker, I wouldn't call it easy, but it's not extremely difficult either. Just take your time and occasional breaks - don't rush it. Kids were hiking it, which gave me some internal motivation! Like others have mentioned, you'll find a variety of hikers here in terms of age and experience. Definitely start in the morning (9 am or earlier) to avoid the crowds. It's a popular destination and the peak becomes pretty crowded around noon. read more

Rattlesnake Ridge - Rewarding view! - Hiking Near Me

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This is the most "bang for your buck" hike. In other words, the amount of work it takes to get to the top is minimal compared to the view you get. I hiked Rattlesnake three times this past summer and fall and it never gets old. If you're a more experienced hiker, I would consider this an easier hike. On the other hand, if you're a novice hiker, this hike can be a bit challenging. Regardless of how experienced you are though, Rattlesnake is great because of the awesome view you get of mountains and the lake below when you reach the first lookout point (about two miles up). After reaching the first lookout point, there's a trail to hike an additional four miles or so to a separate point, which I would like to try sometime. However, I can't imagine that view being much better than at the first lookout point. read more

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First Time Hiker here & did a roundtrip hike for about 3 hrs. *You don't need a permit or a parking pass to do this hike! Absolutely picked the perfect hike on a nice sunny day! Folks, listen to everyone's advice and go on a sunny WEEKDAY. I went on a Friday and I can imagine how crowded it would be on the weekends. (i would hate my pace being interupted while i'm speed walking up and running down, since most parts of the trail isn't really big enough to easily overtake someone) You would also be able to snag a nice spot to eat lunch and gaze peacefully at the magnificent (and i mean magnificent!) view and also get photo ops without much ppl on the background. lol! We were able to snag a spot near the ledge! http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/09tBOySbkhC20zaj9bJ9RA?select=CvaELTK6Q6ZUxm0o78Ckxg When u get to the "top" u will come across a sign to either keep going further to the left OR a few feet to the right to "Rattlesnake LEDGE". I suggest going to the ledge for the view. Once u get to the ledge don't just stay on the the top of the ledge but maybe move down a few feet so you are overlooking the lake. U would be able to lay down and get your tan on if you like too! lol! (saw a couple ppl doing that) Saw a lot of dogs so don't leave Fido at home so he can have some fun. ;) Warning: Yes it's about 2 miles, but don't take it lightly since the hike is inclined most of the way *whew* Now completely sore but totally worth it! Doing it again! read more

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If you are hiking to see beautiful views of the lake, read on and learn from our mistake! We typed in "rattlesnake ridge" into google maps and headed on over. We arrived at the parking lot and looked at the trail map. It was only then that we realized our google maps brought us to the northern most point of rattlesnake (the snoqualmie side), so the hike to the lake was about ten miles one way. We didn't have the time nor energy to hike 20 miles round trip. So we simply went 2.5 miles up through the gorgeous forest and then just went back to the car the same way we came. Lesson learned! If you want to hike with a view of the lake, type in rattlesnake ledge, not rattlesnake ridge, into google maps. It was still a great hike regardless. Another good thing about parking on the north side is that we were only 10 minutes away from snoqualmie falls, so we checked that out after too. read more

Rattlesnake Ridge - Serene - Hiking Near Me

I came on a mostly sunny day in March, arrived around 11 am and was able to find a parking spot in the lot as someone was leaving. Pros: Great conditioning hike. It's switchbacks the whole way up but they are gradual. I am a moderate hiker and would have done this hike as a novice looking for an initial challenge without overwhelming myself. The view is nice for the minor amount of effort it takes to drive here and to hike. There are way better views in the PNW but may not be as close for those who live in the city. We made it up in 1 hour which included a slower pace to avoid a guy with his personal radio blasting. Cons: Tons of "hikers" and lots of people who don't observe the leave no trace rule, blast their music the whole way up (ran into several of these), and have no hiking etiquette. This has to be the strangest hike I've been on, and I've hiked to places all over the PNW, Cali, Alaska, Utah, and Colorado. I am used to a hike where people celebrate with a beer or two at the top. On this occasion a group of people were blocking a view point and had an entire bag of hard liquor they were drinking from. They then proceeded to all smoke their joints.... It's Washington, but still...the ledge is filled with people (45+) wanting to enjoy fresh air and a view along with their kids, friends, and dogs. Also, prepare to watch people litter and scream from up and down the trail. If this bothers you see my suggestions below. I would still do this hike again, I think it would be more enjoyable with some adjustments. I will come on a weekday, extra early (before the drinkers are there). Before I came here I did a bit more research on this trail and found two extra points to hike to off the main trail. Those were totally worth it! I'll be back to watch a sunrise with my coffee and a snack from one of the other view points. read more

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The view at the top is unbelievable so this hike full of switchbacks is completely worth it. It is also shaded all the way up. However, it is packed and I passed by many hikers on the way up - most people are very aware and will move for you. There are lots of tourists so it was interesting to hear their conversations in nice foreign accents or stare at all the cute dogs on the well-maintained trail. At the top is where you'll find the huge crowd but everyone is pretty mild after that long hike. They're all resting and snacking so you can easily get a picture and even forget that you're with all these people - the beauty of the landscape is unbelievable. read more

Rattlesnake Ridge - Hiking Near Me

Be careful on the ledge. There are no barriers so keep your children close by. People have fallen to their death here when taking photos. It's easy to get lost in the beauty and forget where your footing is so exercise caution. It can be slippery, especially after the rain or with snow. Even dogs can have problems so please keep them leashed. Since this trail is close to the city and easily accessible, it gets REALLY busy on weekends and holidays.  I suggest hiking further up the trail if you have time. The forest is beautiful and there's another lookout that is very peaceful and maybe you'll even see a bear! read more

Having easy access to the views at Rattlesnake makes me feel like the luckiest mofo alive. I can't deal with the crowds on the weekend, but that's not Rattlesnake's fault! *****5-star Nature***** read more

If you've lived in the PNW and you haven't hiked Rattlesnake, then you're not a true PNW-er... Haha! This is one of those initiation hikes where everybody and their mothers have done. They came. They saw. And they conquered. Nothing is more breathtaking than dangling your little toesies off of the top of Rattlesnake Ledge, eating your now squished PB & J sandwich with a Fruit Punch CapriSun and looking down on beautiful blue lake reflecting flecks of sunlight. The most beautiful time to hike this trail is a sunny weekday, as the parking lot gets really busy and this place gets a WHOLE TON of traffic. The hike is fairly easy. I believe it's about 3.5 miles roundtrip to the first ledge, and then add an extra mile if you want to venture off to the two higher tiers where it is less traveled ;) Do not be taken aback for it's name, I've hiked this trail numerous times and I've yet to find myself a rattlesnake to take home for myself. So welcome all nature lovers alike, bring ya kids, bring ya wife, 'cause we all hikin' out here! read more

I'd been to Seattle countless times, but never ventured far from the city for a good sweat. Since some steep dirt trails, verdant tree canopies, and crisp mountain air can't be duplicated on a treadmill, I followed some local friends out to Rattlesnake Ridge...a ridiculously gorgeous way to start the weekend. As far as hikes go, this one is 5 stars all the way. Free and plentiful parking, user-friendly trails (just follow the crowds to the top - simple as that!) and a truly breathtaking panorama once you've reached the ridge. It's a nice steady incline all the way, but folks of all ages were doing it - whiney toddlers, grandparents with their walking sticks, and uber-athletes alike. You surely can too. You can make it up and back in less than 3 hours, easy. Bring a picnic, your camera and your joie de vivre because this spot will have you in a life-loving mood in no time. read more

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I'm not a regular hiker, but when I do go hiking I typically want the destination to be worth all the effort it takes to get there. And this hike is definitely worth the view if it's a nice sunny and blue sky day like when I went. I had friends visiting from out of state and after visiting Snoqualmie Falls we looked to see what else was in the area to do and chose this. From the trail head to Rattlesnake ridge/ledge is 1.9 miles and it's almost all uphill so prepare to have your legs worked gurl. It wasn't hard for me to get up there but about half way my boyfriend and our two friends were starting to complain and having someone who doesn't like being outdoors in the first place out here, it takes a lot of convincing. But I managed to talk them all into completing the journey as it would have bugged me if we had turned back. At the top, the view is just spectacular (on a sunny blue sky day of course). It wasn't too crowded up there but there was at least two dozen people sitting on the rock. And this rock is huge. As for people watching... I saw a lot of small children wandering around on their own and I'm talking like 6 year olds walking next to a 15 foot drop into the rocks below and of course the thousands of feet you could fall to your death on the edge of the damn thing. And a dog that was literally hanging off the side of a cliff trying to eat a slug. Where is the hell was that dogs owner? I would have a heart attack if I saw my dog doing that OFF LEASH. This journey is worth it for the view alone. And don't worry, there is Verizon LTE service at the top! read more

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I went with my bestie who lives in Renton (a mere 30min away) and we were delightfully surprised at how good of a workout it is. We did the Rattlesnake Ledge trail, which is a little less than 2 miles up but gives a stunning view. The hike is more trail-y and less hike-y, but the elevation is quick and there are wide enough trails to pass someone going the opposite way. The photos we took from the top were stunning (and it was an overcast day), and the weather was perfect. Left at about 530 and got back down with plenty of sunlight left. Pro tip: use the GPS coordinates from Yelp, NOT from Google Maps! read more

I love to exercises, so I was a little disappointed when I found out the trail was only 2 miles but that all changed about 10 minutes into the trail. You are at a constant elevation on a rocky terrain. We were passing by families parking on the side for a breather and witnessed a couple of dogs taking fake pee stops because they were so tired! lol Anyone and Everyone can conquer Rattlesnake Ridge and have an amazing time in the process, as long as you are well prepared. Here are a few Tips: 1. Best time of year: Summer 2. Family and Dog Friendly 3. Short Trail but High Elevation 4. Backpack filled with Water, Snacks and a Towel. (for the dog too!). 5. Mini First Aid Kit 6. Wear Hiking or Running Shoes 7. Dress Cool and Comfortable 8. Swim Suit 9. Bring a Camera 10. Have Fun There is a huge lake at the beginning of the trail. Great place for a BBQ. While passing by, we saw a ton of people unloading their large outdoor grills, rolling coolers and even a few kayaks. Parking: Large parking lot but crowded. We drove around about 3 times before finding a spot on the side of the road scratching up against a bunch of branches. A lot of guest traffic, so I'd suggest hiding all of your valuables. read more

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It's a short and easy hike with nice view on top. We partially ran and partially walked, took some cute pictures and chilled at the top for a little. Took us about 2 hours or so. The view is nice but not particularly amazing. The lake at the bottom is kind of pretty. It could get busy on a nice-weathered weekend. So like all hikes, I'd recommend you going early in the mornig. It's a nice hike to just walk and hang out, but personally I enjoy somewhat more challenging hikes. So Rattlesnake... only 3 stars for you! read more

Rattlesnake Ridge - Hiking Near Me

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Rattlesnake Ridge is a great (shorter-length) hike to do on a nice day. It is one of my favorite hikes that is quick and has a magnificent view at the top! The trail is very well-maintained and is mostly dirt. It is not very steep, so pretty much any age should be okay for this hike. On sunny days it does get very crowded, so keep that in mind. All-in-all, one of my favorite hikes in the area. Great for bringing dogs on as well! read more

Oh Rattlesnake Ridge! When in the PNW and in WA, y'all need to check out this hike. It is a very popular, family-friendly, "easy"-moderate hike! Once you make it, you'll understand why we are called the "Evergreen State"!! (I put quotation marks around easy, bc I know SO many people say, this hike is the easiest hike ever!!!, etc. etc. Like, I have been on my fair share of hikes and sure, it isn't super killer, but all kinds of people have different endurance/active ability, so just wanted to say that!) I've made my way to the Ridge 3x time - the most recent time I went, the trail near the top was icy and we went in late February.. It was a bit scary but we "ice skated" to the top [with extreme caution, of course] When you reach the top, you have the option to keep going another (I think) 3.5 miles up to the Ledge! I have not hiked to the Ledge yet, but it is for sure on my bucket list. Get your lunch on, on this nice hike, gets busy on the weekend - only con is parking but other than that, happy hiking environment! Street parking is available, however this site has its own parking lot. No Discovery Pass needed! read more

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Rattlesnake mountain and the commonly visited rattlesnake ledge offers beginner hikers with a short steep ascent with a rewarding view at the finish. On a sunny day everyone from the Seattle city finds time to lug themselves up this trail to get a scenic view of the western cascades and the neighboring mount Si. Whether it's first timers or well seasoned veterans, you'll find all sorts of age ranges and experiences of hikers. Some can easily be spotted such as first timers clawing deep within themselves to get up the two mile ascent. Others run by in running shoes charging up the mountain with their head phones in. This hike certainly doesn't discriminate, it draws all sorts of people out! Whether it's the Capitol Hill hipsters or the family man wearing his Lacoste shirt, you'll see everyone! Heed my warning though, if you don't get an early start before the crowd you may get disgruntled at the amount of people on this hike. Don't be surprised to get caught up in a caravan of slow walkers or children running up and down the trail. I even walked by 3 groups of kids playing music while walking up the hill, c'mon people, no one came out hear to hear country music while in nature! My advice is show up before 10 to get ahead of these groups so you merely have to pass them on your trek back down. The hike itself is relatively easy, but could be difficult if it's your first hike in awhile. The two mile distance really makes it more like a scramble to gain the 1160 ft of elevation as fast as possible. The hike starts less steep then gradually steepens as you near the vantage point. Once to the top everyone typically clusters at the main ledge, however there are two more upper lookout points if you don't mind hiking an extra half mile up the trail. This trail connects with the longer rattlesnake ridge trail that works along the whole mountain. The rest of the hike to the further points is relatively flat and a pleasant extra mile and a half from the ledge if your looking to tack a little more distance onto your day. No matter what your skill level rattlesnake is fun, beautiful and a nice convenient hike close to town. It's a perfect kick off to start your year of hikes and I highly encourage any Seattlelites looking for a moment away from the busy city to come out and enjoy the views rattlesnake ledge has to offer! read more

Rattlesnake Ridge - Hiking Near Me

Great hike for all ages and all levels of expertise! About 45 minutes from seattle. The hike is not that difficult, about 1 hour, plus or minus to get to the top. If you haven't hiked in a while you definitely will be sore! Is also a good idea to bring lots of water and snacks. I also recommend bringing good comfortable shoes because I wore converse one time and regretted it very much the next day. The view is definitely worth it, especially if you go for sunrise. It's about 2 miles up and 2 miles down It gets super crowded in the mornings at sunrise be so get there early but so worth it!!! read more

Rattlesnake Ridge - Beautiful views at the top - Hiking Near Me

Rattlesnake Ridge is a great beginner hike for those wanting to experience more of the PNW outdoors. 4 miles roundtrip, moderate slopes and well paved and maintained trails. My friends and I took 1 hour up and 30 minutes down, but we were also a group of college kids too. This was one of our first hikes we did in Seattle and still has some of the best views to offer. Once you reach the top, you're greeted with an outstanding view of the lake below and the forest and mountains beyond. There is a nice exposed, rocky outcropping at the top where most people sit down and have lunch/drink water. Between the cracks there's a cool tunnel the kids can explore. However be careful, one slip and it's a one way journey to the bottom! Parking is tough to come by especially on weekends in the summer. At high capacity days, you may have to park in the unpaved lots further out from the location. A lot of people try to cheat the system and park on the side of the road but cops are quick to ticket these cars and drivers. Once you reach the main parking area, there's a bit of a trek before you get to the trailhead, so make sure to use the restrooms and refill your water before then. There aren't any trash cans along the trail so make sure to have a bag handy and keep all the trash to yourself! Most of the trail is forested and we didn't have any problems with bugs or mosquitoes. The summit of the trail is exposed so you should still put on adequate sunscreen. The switchbacks are pretty tough for beginners near the top but still pretty manageable. All in all, Rattlesnake Ridge is a great trail for everyone from kids to the most experienced hikers. read more

So, I rated this 5 stars aka "Woohoo! As good as it gets!" but I should add I am in no way an experienced hiker nor do I actually know if this is "as good as it gets". That said, it was pretty awesome. I'm new(-ish) to the city and, though not particularly "sporty" (but in shape!) decided when in Seattle, I should do as the Seattleites! Spending the afternoon on 4.3-mile hike seemed like a good idea so I rallied my bf and we set off on a sunny afternoon. The hike is about 2.15 miles up (according to a sign at the base of the mountain) and, I felt, sort of steep. Not so steep it's intimidating but there were definitely a few areas I didn't want to chat but rather just focus on moving. Seeing children as young as four definitely put a little pep in my step! As others have mentioned, it was pretty busy but everyone we encountered showed proper hiking etiquette (i.e. gave you the right of way or let you pass if they were moving a little slow). By the time we reached the top, we were feeling the burn in our legs and our bums and "glistening" but certainly not ready to keel over. Though I've been living in the area for a few months, the views here are still not lost on me (and hopefully never will be!); it was so nice to relax for a few minutes and take in our surroundings before making our way back down. A couple tips: - If you have runners-knee, you will probably be feeling it on the way down. - Don't forget a bottle of water! - You'll work up a huge appetite so have snacks in the car and/or, like us, head to a burger place afterwards. - We didn't do this but hanging out on the lake after your hike looked like it'd be a good time- Lots of people were out there enjoying the day. If you have a free afternoon, check it out! read more

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This is my go to hike when I want a quick and easy hike. It's so easy, I did this (quite a few times) after a night of plethora happy drinks. There are three levels, but of course this trail is widely known for the amazing view at the top of the first level. It's about 4 miles round trip with a small elevation gain of about 1200 ft. From the top, you can see mountain and lake views. On a sunny day, the lake looks positively blue. There is also a nice lake at the beginning of trail where you can swim, float, or even picnic at the park. Another big perk is this trail has ample and FREE parking. Definitely an easy winner. read more

Rattlesnake Ridge - On the way to top - Hiking Near Me

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An amazing trail! Warning for first time hikers: it's a lot steeper than you can imagine. But if you are used to walking on the slopes of Seattle downtown, think of it as continuously walking on those for about 2 miles. The trail starts off the parking lot entrance. It's a small trail compared to the larger 10 mile trail that extends to east point peak ending all the way upto Snoqualmie. The trail is mostly covered and in shade and it tends to get a little cold during the winter months. Walking up will work up quite a sweat, but there are some really well designed switchbacks making it less steeper than it is. The hike is super tiring, but the view on the top is very worth it! It can get really crowded on good sunny days. Always better to go early. It's tricky to find a quiet spot to sit quietly and relax. On a clear day, you have stunning views of the Chester lake, the ice capped mountains and the gorgeous valleys. Carry water as there is nothing on top. It's a short hike, can do the trip in 2-2.5 hours both ways. There is a nice lake to relax and spend time at the bottom of the ledge. read more

Rattlesnake Ridge - The view from the top of the hike. - Hiking Near Me

This is the perfect beginner's hike with a fairly nice view at the top. Furthermore, it's about 45 minutes east of Seattle. Unfortunately, since it is super close and easy, this hike is ALWAYS crowded so you must go extremely early in the morning. I even went during sunrise at 5am and there was still 15-20 people at the peak! So if you want to enjoy a peaceful hike to get away from the city, this hike isn't for you. I usually only go here to show my friends from out of town who want to go on a short hike. If you hike often, it takes about 40-50 minutes to get to the top. Tip: Parking is abundant and doesn't require any pass! read more

Rattlesnake Ridge - Sunrise at 5:30am - Hiking Near Me

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Panoramic views and a very pleasant hike! Hiked Rattlesnake Ridge for the first time and it was a nice hike with break taking views at the top! The trail is fairly easy, especially the first two-thirds of the trail though the last one-third has a bit more of an incline. You'll find lots of dogs, kids and people of all ages hiking the trail and in fact it can get quite crowded it seems. The hike up doesn't offer much of a view along the way with glimpses here and there of the lake, but is still nice through the trees and forest nonetheless. Once you reach the top, you'll have one amazing panoramic view which is absolutely breathtaking. Bring along your lunch, sit on the rocks and enjoy the beautiful landscape down below. read more

Rattlesnake Ridge - Hiking Near Me

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First hike of the summer and what a way to kick it off! I've been meaning to start up my hiking adventures again but didn't even know where to begin. I usually just tag a long with friends when, so being the designated driver/ planner was a bit intimidating for me. After I searched the shit out of google---lines such as, "Easy hikes near Seattle." I couldn't really find anything worth going to... I had 'certain requirements' that needed to be met because I was taking a friend that isn't much of a hiker and I wanted him to have an enjoyable experience. He didn't want to go on a very long/strenuous hike. Which is understandable but I also didn't want to take him to an easy hike with no "breath-taking, spectacular, Oh-my-gosh this is so amazing-life is so beautiful" view. It had to have a wonderful view of a lake, or mountain, or both. It had to be an easy hike, it had to be close by (around seattle). We ended up choosing Rattlesnake Ridge, he was the one that picked it out actually (haha). I wasted 45 minutes looking at certain hikes to do and he picked the hike, FML. Anyways. The place was worth it, It met all our requirements. We actually timed ourselves too, it took us about an hour and a half to get up, an hour to get down. The walk path are very clear and not too steep. When you reach the top the view it is simply amazing. We went on a semi-sunny day, visible clouds were hanging out with us but it didn't really mess up the view of the lake. The hike also has 3 options, so once you stop at the first hike, you can continue onto the 2nd, and 3rd. Which is a lovely options for the people who like a challenge. Make sure you bring a bottle of water! We brought lunch with us (jimmy john's!) I was so ready to eat that before we even began our hike up but let me tell you, it was worth the wait because eating a tasty sandwich, right next to an amazing view... that's a little piece of heaven for free.99! read more

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What a beautiful hike. I'm from Miami and we have nothing like this free and open to the public. Even most of the parks at least charge for parking in Miami. This was one of my favorite parts of Seattle. 1. The view is amazing and probably one of the best views you can find on a non technical hike. 2. If you have a well behaved dog, they can be off the leash and enjoy the hike with you. 3. All the people you encounter are extremely friend and say good morning. Seriously, check out this hike. It's awesome. read more

Rattlesnake Ridge - View from the top - Hiking Near Me