With breathtaking hikes and hundreds of breweries, Washington is the perfect destination for beer lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Whether you’re looking for a quick nature walk or a more strenuous outing, you’ll find plenty of hikes near breweries in Washington.
With 440+ craft breweries in Washington as of 2024, you’re never far from enjoying a post-hike lager or hoppy IPA on a sunny patio. So lace up your hiking boots and get ready to experience the state’s excellent taps and trails. Below you’ll find just a sample of Washington’s beer and hike options.
At a Glance: Hikes Near Breweries in Washington
- Areas covered: Yakima Valley, Spokane, Seattle area, Methow Valley, San Juan Islands, Columbia River Gorge, Leavenworth, Mount Baker area, Olympic Peninsula
- Trail difficulty: Easy to moderate (varies by pairing)
- Tap-to-trail distances covered: 0.8-20 miles
- Best time to go: Spring through fall, although some routes can be hiked year-round
- Planning tip: Check trail conditions and brewery hours in advance. The Washington Trails Association is a great resource for trip reports from other hikers.
Hike and Brewery Pairings in Washington
Cowiche Canyon Preserve + Cowiche Creek Brewing Company, Yakima Valley
Tap to Trail distance: 3.2 miles
Good for: Shrub-steppe vistas and spring wildflowers in Washington’s hop region
As the country’s leading hop producer, the Yakima Valley is the ultimate destination for beer enthusiasts. Head to the Cowiche Canyon Preserve, a swath of wildlands home to 20 miles of trails that wind through shrub-steppe, sagebrush, and riparian sections along Cowiche Creek. From the Summitview Trail, catch glimpses of Mount Cleman and Cowiche Mountain. This is a dynamite place for wildflowers in the spring.
Less than a 10-minute drive from Cowiche Canyon Trailhead East, you’ll find Cowiche Creek Brewing Company. Set in grasslands, this brewery is run by third-generation farmers who cultivate their own hop yard. Sit back in their brewery and restaurant and sip a Farmer Way IPA or an oatmeal stout accompanied by a brisket burger.
Heliotrope Ridge + North Fork Brewery, Deming
Tap to trail distance: 21.7 miles
Good for: Mountain views, remote scenery in Northwest Washington
Hikers get a lot of bang for their buck on the Heliotrope Ridge Trail. This 5.5-mile out-and-back hike with 1,700 feet of elevation plunges straight into the evergreen forest of Mount Baker Wilderness and journeys up to the edge of Coleman Glacier. Along the way, the vista from the ridge spotlights Mount Baker and the surrounding mountain country. If you hit the trail in spring, the terrain explodes with wildflowers. In the winter, hikers snowshoe the trail.
Although nearby Bellingham is flush with fantastic breweries, North Fork Brewing in Deming is right off Highway 542. Its location along the route to Mount Baker makes it a pit stop for hikers and those who love small-batch British ales and Belgian-style sours and lagers. The brewery churns out a wide selection of pizzas perfect for a post-hike lunch.
Mount Constitution + Island Hoppin Brewery, Orcas Island
Tap to trail distance: 7.8 miles
Good for: Island views
As the highest peak in the San Juan Islands, Mount Constitution looms 2,410 feet above the sea. From the Mountain Lake trailhead in Moran State Park, a 6.7-mile hiking loop ascends to the summit’s stone tower lookout. Along the way, check out snow-capped mountain views, panoramas of the Salish Sea, and old-growth forest. This trail can be hiked year-round, and a Discover Pass is required.
After your climb, kick back at Island Hoppin’ Brewery, just a 15-minute drive from the trailhead. Trade hiking poles for a sessionable K-Pod Kolsch, named after the local orca whales. Bring your own picnic or nibble appetizers like local smoked salmon and cheese plates.
Beacon Rock + Walking Man Brewing, Columbia River Gorge
Tap to trail distance: 9.4 miles
Good for: River views, a short-but-steep climb
This popular hike in Washington is known for its 50+ narrow switchbacks and boardwalks that ascend the side of an 848-foot basalt column. During the ascent and at the summit, hikers are rewarded with stunning views of the Columbia River and Bonneville Dam. A Discover Pass is required to Park at Beacon Rock State Park. Tip: Aim to visit mid-week if you hope to avoid crowds.
About 10 minutes to the east in Stevenson, Walking Man Brewery serves up old-school, award-winning beers. While you’ll find PNW staples like IPAs and stouts, they also play around with experimental hop varieties and unique beers like Japanese-style rice lagers. Their family-friendly taproom turns out pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, and more.
Icicle Ridge Trail + Icicle Brewing Company, Leavenworth
Tap to trail distance: 2.5 miles
Good for: Spring wildflowers, valley views
Just outside the Bavarian-style mountain town of Leavenworth, the Icicle Ridge Trail is a great option for a spring hike. Generally snow-free as early as April, this 6-mile out-and-back route climbs 1,800 feet to a ridge crest with sweeping views over Leavenworth, the Wenatchee River, and the Tumwater Canyon. Along the way, the trail travels through exposed sections known for spectacular springtime wildflowers.
As far as hikes near breweries in Washington go, this combination is pretty sweet. From the trailhead, hikers can practically skip the 2.5 miles to Icicle Brewing Company. Owned by a fifth-generation hop farmer, the beer here won’t steer you wrong. Sip on hop-forward brews and snack on a warm Bavarian pretzel before exploring downtown.
Bowl & Pitcher + Hat Trick Brewing, Spokane
Tap to trail distance: 4-5 miles
Good for: Family-friendly river views
Just outside downtown Spokane, Riverside State Park’s Bowl & Pitcher area offers an easy 2-mile round-trip hike with big river views. Start by crossing a scenic swinging bridge toward large basalt structures. Once across the Spokane River, choose to head either upstream or downstream to complete your loop.
Post-hike, a handful of breweries are within a 10-15 minute drive. At Hat Trick, stop in for craft beer alongside a creative fusion menu in Spokane’s historic West Central Neighborhood. Another option is Uprise Brewing, where you can enjoy a game of cornhole or relax with a low-alcohol saison or a West Coast IPA.
Lake Angeles and Heart O’ the Forest + Mighty Pine Brewing, Port Angeles
Tap to trail distance: 7.6 miles
Good for: Alpine lakes and old-growth forests
Just a 15-minute drive from Port Angeles are two stellar trailheads within Olympic National Park: Lake Angeles and Heart O’ the Forest. Just half a mile apart, they offer two different kinds of hikes. The 7.4-mile Lake Angeles Trail climbs 2,350 feet to a glacier-carved alpine lake basin surrounded by forest and mountains. Heart O’ the Forest is a relatively flat 4.8-mile out-and-back that explores a towering old-growth forest.
After your adventure, head to Mighty Pine Brewing in Port Angeles. Order a sampler and sip your way through everything from a hazy IPA to German hefeweizen. Nibble on bar snacks or grab a bite from a rotating selection of local food trucks serving up tacos, gyros, and more. You might even luck out and get to meet the resident brewery cat.
Meadowlark Natural Area + Old Schoolhouse Brewery, Winthrop
Tap to trail distance: 0.8 miles
Good for: Wildflowers, convenient location
This 2-mile loop in Meadowlark Natural Area tours the gorgeous shrub steppe on the lower slopes of StudHorse Mountain and is ablaze with wildflowers in spring. The trailhead is conveniently right in town and 0.8 miles from the Old Schoolhouse Brewery. When it comes to hikes near breweries in Washington, you’ll hardly find one closer together than this. A bit farther afield, the Chickadee Trailhead is great for hikers wanting more distance and challenge.
Afterward, rest your feet on Old Schoolhouse Brewery’s welcoming patio right on the Chewuch River. They source the meat for their lamb burger from a farm a mile down the road and brew their beer with local hops to make beauties like their Betty Mopper New England-style hazy IPA and Rendezvous Porter.
Cougar Mountain + Formula Brewing, Issaquah
Tap to trail distance: About 5 miles
Good for: Seattle proximity, forests, summit views
Head to Issaquah, east of Seattle, to explore the trails of Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park. This protected public land offers 35 miles of trails and boasts second-growth forests, waterfalls, summit views, creeks, and cliffs.
Located next to Cougar Mountain, Formula Brewing‘s family-friendly indoor-outdoor space is the perfect spot to relax after a hike. Try their Many Little Steps hoppy sake saison or go for the 3 Kings unfiltered Kolsch. Their full kitchen serves pizza and traditional bar food like wings, as well as lighter options.
About the Author
Ellee Thalheimer is a freelance writer and guidebook author based in the Pacific Northwest who has contributed to publications like Lonely Planet Guidebooks, Alaska Airlines Magazine, and Adventure Cyclist Magazine. When she can’t get outside, she writes fiction, drinks local IPAs, and perfects her handstands.
Featured image by David Hagan