The Swan Lake and Christmas Hill trail near Victoria, BC is a lovely ramble any time of year, providing opportunities for bird watching, woodlands of Garry oak, and views of the Greater Victoria area from an easily attained summit.
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The Swan Lake and Christmas Hill trail near Victoria, BC is a lovely ramble any time of year, providing opportunities for bird watching, woodlands of Garry oak, and views of the Greater Victoria area from an easily attained summit.
The rocky, windswept summit of Oregon's Tomlike Mountain offers one of the finest views in the Columbia Gorge, with a panorama that includes Mount Adams, Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens, Mount Jefferson, and Mount Hood.
The highest peak on British Columbia's Salt Spring Island (sans roads and towers), Erskine contains old-growth forest, impressive cliffs, jaw-dropping views, and opportunities to view endangered sharp-tailed snakes and even some elusive forest elves...
The Trail of Ten Falls--in Silver Falls State Park east of Salem, Oregon--offers some of the state's best waterfall viewing, as well as historic structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
Named for a Native American activist who fought for tribal fishing rights, the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually Wildlife Refuge allows you to explore an undisturbed river delta on Puget Sound. Birdwatching here is spectacular, with opportunities to spot eagles, dunlins, sandpipers, falcons, merlins, purple martins, and geese.
Hike to the top of Washington's Index Town Wall, a moderately difficult trail that takes you to the summit of an imposing granite cliff, with views of the town of Index and peaks of the Wild Sky Wilderness as your reward.
One of the best wildflower hikes in the Capital Regional District on Vancouver Island, Mount Wells also grants some of the area’s best views. But don't be fooled by this hike's short distance: you'll climb 864 feet (264 metres) in less than a mile.
The trails at Cowiche Mountain--not far from Yakima, Washington--offer spring wildflowers, remnants of a historic cattle ranch, and tremendous views of Mount Rainier, Mount Adams and the surrounding shrub-steppe ecosystem. Be sure to bring sunscreen and plenty of water on this desert hike.
A hike for all ages, the Theler Wetlands area on Washington's Kitsap Peninsula offers easy walks along the shores of Hood Canal. Bring your binoculars, because you'll have opportunities to spot herons, eagles, osprey, swallows, deer, otters, and a plethora of other critters.
In his debut "Get Outside!" column, hiking expert Craig Romano takes us to Ebey's Landing, a gorgeous four-season hike on Washington's Whidbey Island. It's a stroll through pioneer history that offers stunning views of the Salish Sea from some of the highest coastal bluffs in the state.