Mount Baker is one of the most underrated hiking spots in Washington state. Located at the top of the Cascade mountain range, this beautiful mountain towers above the surrounding landscape. It’s also flanked by other iconic mountains, including Mount Shuksan. In the summer you’ll encounter glaciers, alpine lakes, and abundant wildflowers. In fall Mt. Baker also has stunning seasonal colors See below for our list of 6 of the best hikes near Mount Baker in Washington, which are all perfect for a summer or fall trip! 

The best hikes near Mount Baker in Washington

Planning a hiking trip to Mount Baker – what you need to know

There are a few things to keep in mind when planning a trip to Mount Baker. First, the nearest large-ish city to Mt. Baker is Bellingham, which is about an hour and half drive. Cell service and amenities are limited, so go prepared with everything you need for your trip. Additionally, all of the Mt. Baker hikes highlighted below are located off of Highway 542, also known as the Mt. Baker Highway. This road is a fairly straight shot up the mountain, and the highway itself is paved the full way.

Note that many of the forest service roads in the area are not paved. While most cars should be able to navigate these roads safely, you will encounter some rough roads leading to some of these hikes’ trailheads.

The best time of year to visit Mount Baker

The best time of year to visit Mount Baker is late summer, which is when most of the snow has melted, the trails are clear, and the wildflowers are blooming. The photos in this article were taken in late August 2024, and should give you a sense of what to expect. If you time it right fall is also a stunning time of year to visit.

Leave no trace tips

Alpine environments are beautiful and fragile. Stay on trail, and pack out everything you pack in, including human waste (bring a wag bag!). Bring a baggie to pack out others’ trash, as well, in case you encounter anything on the trail. You can read more about Leave no Trace Principles here.

Gear essentials for Mount Baker

Part of Leave No Trace is being prepared! In addition to packing the 10 essentials, we recommend packing the following items for hiking around Mt. Baker.

The best hikes near Mount Baker – 6 trails with epic views of Mount Baker

Below you will find 6 of the best hikes near Mount Baker. All of these classic Washington state hikes offer stunning views of Mt. Baker and the surrounding Cascade mountains. Many of the routes are also open to backpacking. 

A note on difficulty level: these are non-technical hikes in the sense that, during the summer, they don’t generally require any special equipment for climbing or mountaineering. However, because many of these hikes are long and have high elevation gain, these trails are best suited for moderately experienced hikers.

Ptarmigan Ridge Trail

If you only do one hike near Mt. Baker, this would be my recommendation. In fact, this isn’t just one of the best hikes near Mount Baker. I think Ptarmigan Ridge Trail is one of the best hikes in Washington state!

Ptarmigan Ridge Trail is a 9 mile out and back hike that has 1,800 feet of elevation gain and loss. The climb is relatively steady throughout the route, which makes the mileage feel more manageable. This trail offers stunning close-up views of Mt. Baker, as well as excellent views of Mount Shuksan. During the late summer you’ll also find stunning wildflowers on sections of this trail. One of the things I like best about Ptarmigan Ridge Trail is that there are stunning views pretty much the entire way, which means you won’t miss out if you decide to turn around before completing the full route.

What to expect along the Ptarmigan Ridge trail

You’ll start your hike at the Artist Point Trailhead, which has bathrooms and a moderate amount of parking, which can fill up before 8:30 am on busy summer weekends. The first segment of the trail follows a ridge along the Chain Lakes trail. Along this ridge you’ll have your first glimpse of Mt. Baker. Once you reach a junction you’ll turn left onto Ptarmigan Ridge trail, and you’ll continue along an exposed ridgeline for the remainder of the hike. This hike is quite exposed, with very little shade. I recommend wearing sun protection – we love the REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie for women and men. You also need to pack plenty of water, and I recommend bringing a water filter. 

You can read a more in-depth overview of this trail on the Washington Trails Association’s website.

We found this trail to be very easy to follow, except for the last half mile, during which a navigation aid might be helpful. 

Chain Lakes Loop

When we asked our friends what hikes to do on Mt. Baker Chain Lakes Loop was the number one recommendation! This 6.5 mile loop trail offers stunning views of Mt. Baker and Mount Shuksan. Along this hike you’ll also pass a multitude of alpine lakes, where you can take a dip to cool off on hot summer days. The trail features 1,820 feet of elevation gain, which makes this relatively short hike more challenging. It’s also very popular, so you’ll likely encounter other hikers and backpackers along your route.

What to expect along the Chain Lakes Loop trail

You can start this hike near Artist Point Trailhead or near the Heather Meadows Visitor Center parking lot. Both fill up quickly in summer, so arrive early! I love eating breakfast and getting ready in the parking lot to save time. 

We did the route counter clockwise. Either way, expect to lose and gain elevation throughout the hike. There are abundant water sources to fill up at, so you won’t need to pack too much water as long as you bring a portable water filter. Large sections of this hike are exposed to the sun. Overall, this hike offers a great “bang for your buck” in terms of epic views over a relatively short distance. We got great views of the mountains, as well as the valleys and lakes. When we went in late August we got to enjoy tons of wild huckleberries on the side of the trail!

You can read a more in-depth overview of this trail on the Washington Trails Association’s website.

Yellow Aster Butte Trail

This 7.5 mile hike offers fantastic views of Mt. Baker and Mt. Shuksan (are you sensing a theme?). However, this was one of the harder hikes we did around Mt. Baker, simply because it gains 2,550 feet over a relatively short period. If you’re up for the challenge you’ll be rewarded with 360 views of the mountains (including into Canada!). This is also a fantastic place to watch the sun set in summer. This is a popular spot for backpacking, but we didn’t encounter too many people on the trail. 

What to expect along the Yellow Aster Butte trail

As soon as you start this trial expect to go UP! This trail starts with a particularly steep section, so be ready for some elevation gain! You’ll start by switchbacking up through some trees before breaking through the foliage to hike along a rocky exposed section surrounded by brush. About two miles into the hike you’ll start to see views of the surrounding mountains. The views just get better and better the father up you go! 

The most daunting part of this hike is the final portion up to the butte, which is on a VERY steep grade on fairly loose soil. You can see the winding trail pictured in the gallery above. (with Amiana about halfway up). Bring trekking poles to help you get up and down. I recommend watching the sunset from this hike and finishing the trek in the dark. Just make sure to pack a head lamp. 

If you time it right, in mid- to late-summer you’ll find lots of wildflowers. This hike is also supposed to be excellent in fall, and it’s on my autumn Washington hike bucket list! This is definitely one of the best hikes near Mount Baker, and is worth having on your radar.

You can read a more in-depth overview of this trail on the Washington Trails Association’s website.

Hannegan Pass and Peak Trail

Hiking Hannegan Pass and Peak honestly made me feel like I had been transported to the Swiss Alps – without ever leaving Washington State! You’ll see glaciers, wildflowers in summer, and stunning 360 views of the surrounding mountains. At 10.4 miles and 3,100 feet of elevation gain this hike is not easy. But, if you’re up for it, it’s worth the sweat (and possibly tears!) it takes to get to Hannegan Peak.

What to expect along Hannegan Peak trail

This trailhead is a beast to get to! However, you should be able to get there with 2 wheel drive and a non-high clearance vehicle if you drive carefully. We mostly encountered backpackers along our route, and there were many backpackers at the top of Hannegan Peak.

This trail starts with a steady but relatively gradual climb through forested and brushy areas. This trail is fairly rocky, and there are also a lot of exposed roots, so be careful! Once you’re about 3 miles in, the trail starts to gain more elevation as you ascend towards the peak. In my opinion the views are pretty dull until about the 4.5 mile mark, at which point the forest starts to open up and you see grand vistas and mountains.

If you complete the slog to the top you’ll be rewarded with 360 views of the surrounding mountains, as well as some glaciers. The peak is a popular backpacking location. The final ascent does require hiking on loose rocks with significant exposure, so take things slow here to avoid tumbling down the mountain. People who fear heights might not want to make this final ascent, and can still enjoy great views from just below the peak. We hiked up for sunset and then had a long hike back down in the dark. It was worth it, though! 

You can read a more in-depth overview of this trail on the Washington Trails Association’s website.

Heliotrope Ridge Trail

If you want to hike to a glacier in Washington State then this is the hike you should do! Heliotrope Ridge Trail takes you right to the base of Mt. Baker, and you’ll be face to face with the mountain’s Coleman Glacier. You’ll have to navigate a rough road to the trailhead, and several stream crossings along the hike, though! 

What to expect along Heliotrope Ridge trail

At 5.5 miles and 1,400 feet of elevation gain this is a moderate trail. However, the stream crossings can make this a bit more challenging – and dangerous – hike. To get there you’ll have to brave a very rough road, but it should be accessible in any vehicle. There is a bathroom at the trailhead.

Heliotrope Ridge trail features a fairly gradual climb through the forest. You’ll have to navigate 3 stream crossings along the way. When we went, the second crossing was the hardest, and I was honestly a little uncomfortable navigating the slick rocks. In fact, we encountered a family who was trying to cross with several scared, crying children. As such, know your limits and don’t be afraid to turn around, since falling here can be deadly. If you make it to the end you’ll be rewarded with truly stunning views of the glacier. This is also a popular place for mountaineering.

You can read a more in-depth overview of this trail on the Washington Trails Association’s website. 

Picture Lake

This iconic photo spot features a short hike around a beautiful lake. It’s best visited at sunrise or sunset! 

What to expect along Picture Lake trail

This isn’t so much a trail as it is a short stroll around a small lake, which perfectly reflects Mount Shuksan. It’s an iconic spot for photos – I’m sure you’ve seen glamor shots of Instagram girlies looking cute there, as well as beautiful landscape shots! This is a great place to stop before or after a hike. Sunrise and sunset are the best times of day to visit. This path is ADA accessible, and about 0.6 miles long.

You can read a more in-depth overview of this trail on the Washington Trails Association’s website.

I hope you found our guide to the best hikes near Mount Baker helpful! Click these links for more epic hiking trail guides and more Washington travel guides.