6 Spectacular Sunrise & Sunset Hikes Near Seattle

The only thing sweeter than seeing a rare sunrise or sunset in Seattle is watching it from a mountaintop.

Luckily there are plenty of hikes near Seattle from which you can watch the sun rise or set.

I’ve hiked lots of the trails near Seattle. Here are my recommendations for great sunrise and sunset hikes near the city.

All of these hikes are less than a 2 hour drive from downtown Seattle and are under 3 miles to reach the summit.

Ready to pick a trail? Here are 3 sunrise hikes and 3 sunset hikes near Seattle.

Sunrise Hikes Near Seattle

Watch the sun’s first rays of the day from any of these trails near Seattle.

Rattlesnake Ledge

• Distance: 4 miles roundtrip
• Elevation gain: 1,160 feet

Rattlesnake Ledge is one of the most popular hikes near Seattle.

The traits that make this trail popular also make it a good choice for a sunrise hike.

It’s a moderate hike that’s less than an hour from Seattle. The relatively short hike and drive to it mean you don’t have to wake up absurdly early to catch sunrise.

There is also a beautiful view at the top of the trail which makes for a great setting to watch the sun rise over. You’ll gaze out over Rattlesnake Lake towards Mount Washington as the sky lights up the scene with color.

Sunrise is a great time to hike to Rattlesnake Ledge not just because you’ll have a great view, but because it’s probably the best time of day to find a parking spot. The parking lot fills up early! However, don’t expect to be the only one watching sunrise here.

If you want more solitude, continue along the trail to the Middle and Upper Ledges after watching the sun come up.

Related: 17 Best Easy Hikes In Washington State (According To A Local)

Mount Catherine

• Distance: 3 miles roundtrip
• Elevation gain: 1,330 feet

If you’re looking for a less popular trail than Rattlesnake Ledge, Mount Catherine is another great choice for a sunrise hike near Seattle.

Mount Catherine is just over an hour away from Seattle near Snoqualmie Pass.

The forest road that leads to the trailhead has plenty of potholes, though, so be prepared to drive extra slowly and carefully in the dark.

Although the trail is short, it’s steep, so factor in plenty of time to make your way up the trail slowly in order to reach the top by sunrise.

At the end of the trail there is a cable to help hikers get up to the very top of the summit.

Once you reach the top you’ll be treated to sweeping panoramic views.

Here you’ll have a wide open view of the sun rising over Keechelus Lake. As the sun rises it will reveal more stunning views of Mount Rainier and the surrounding Cascade Mountains.

The road to the trailhead is typically covered in snow for much of the year, so try this sunrise hike in the summer (July through October).

Mount Pilchuck

• Distance: 5.4 miles roundtrip
• Elevation gain: 2,300 feet

The unobstructed views seen on fire lookout hikes make these trails excellent choices for a sunrise hike.

For a fire lookout hike near Seattle, head to Mount Pilchuck.

Mount Pilchuck is located an hour and a half away from Seattle on Mountain Loop Highway.

If that is a longer drive than you’re willing to do before the sun comes up, there is still a way to catch the sunrise on Mount Pilchuck without hiking up it in the morning.

There is a fire tower at the top of Mount Pilchuck which is available for hikers to sleep in on a first-come, first-serve basis. But keep in mind that you’ll likely share the space with plenty of other hikers, even on a weekday, since this hike gets a lot of traffic.

Whether you hike up in the morning or stay in the fire tower the night before, you’ll be rewarded with uninterrupted views at sunrise.

After you watch the sun rise in the east, turn around to catch a glimpse of Mount Rainier to the south, Mount Baker to the north, and the Olympic Mountains to the west.

Hikers need a Northwest Forest Pass before heading to Mount Pilchuck. If you’re planning your sunrise hike at the last minute and you don’t already have an annual pass, you can purchase and print out a day pass online.

Sunset Hikes Near Seattle

The best way to end a day is with fresh air and a beautiful view in the mountains.

Poo Poo Point (via Chirico Trail)

• Distance: 3.8 miles roundtrip
• Elevation gain: 1,760 feet

Poo Poo Point is a classic sunset hike near Seattle.

The trail is near Issaquah, WA, so it’s very close to the city. It’s a great choice for a sunset hike on a weekday since the drive is so short.

Chirico Trail is a short but steep route up to Poo Poo Point. You’ll have to work to get to the top, but the hike will be over before you know it.

There are two viewpoints towards the end of the trail: South Launch Viewpoint and North Launch Viewpoint.

You’ll come to South Launch Viewpoint first, which offers a clear view of Mount Rainier. You may want to begin your hike early to enjoy this scenery for a while before sunset begins.

At the end of the trail you’ll come to North Launch Viewpoint. From here you’ll be able to watch the sun set behind Squak and Cougar Mountains with Lake Sammamish and downtown Bellevue in view.

These two viewpoints have “Launch” in the name because paragliders often launch from Poo Poo Point. You may get to see paragliders in your sunset view, too!

Heybrook Lookout

• Distance: 2.6 miles roundtrip
• Elevation gain: 850 feet

For a really short sunset hike near Seattle, head to Heybrook Lookout.

Heybrook Lookout is near Index, WA along Highway 2, just over an hour from downtown Seattle.

As the name suggests, there is a lookout tower at the end of the trail.

If you don’t climb up the tower, you can see a glimpse of the mountains on the other side of Highway 2. However, the real view you’ll want to see – especially for sunset – is from up in the tower.

Don’t want to hike back down in the dark once the sun sets? You can spend the night in the lookout tower if you make a reservation ahead of time on recreation.gov.

Oyster Dome

• Distance: 5 miles roundtrip
• Elevation gain: 1,050 feet

Oyster Dome is an hour and a half north of Seattle, but Seattle’s late summer sunsets buy you plenty of time to arrive before sundown.

At Oyster Dome, you’ll be facing west to watch the sun set over a picturesque landscape off the coast of Washington.

You’ll be perched above Samish Bay looking out at the Skagit River Flats, Anacortes, and the San Juan Islands.

The official trailhead is at Samish Overlook. There are some potholes on the drive to the overlook, but the drive is manageable in most vehicles.

There is another unofficial trailhead along Chuckanut Drive, which is where Google Maps may direct you to. It’s a longer hike from that starting point, however, and there isn’t any designated place to park.

For a sunset hike, it’s important to note that the trail to Oyster Dome intersects with other trails.  Check out a trail map ahead of time and keep an eye out for trail signs, especially if you’re hiking back to your vehicle in the dark.

A Discover Pass is required to park by the Oyster Dome trailhead. If you don’t already have an annual Discover Pass, you can purchase a day pass online before heading out on your sunset hike.

Tips for Hiking at Sunrise or Sunset

Before you head out on a sunrise or sunset hike near Seattle, keep in mind the following tips to have a safe and enjoyable experience.

• Bring a headlamp with backup batteries for each person. You’ll be hiking in the dark before sunrise/after sunset, so you’ll need a light in order to see the trail and any obstacles that might be on the path.
• Look up the sunrise or sunset time for the day of your hike and plan to arrive 30 to 60 minutes ahead of time. Once you know the time of sunrise, read this to figure out how long it’ll take you to complete your hike so you arrive on time.
• Bring layers. The temperature can change dramatically between when the sun is and isn’t shining.
• For sunrise hikes, pack snacks, your headlamp, and everything you need before you go to sleep so you can hit the trail first thing in the morning. Here’s a list of things I pack on every hike.
• Check out even more sunrise hiking tips here.

Looking for more trails in Washington? Check out these related articles:

• 17 Best Easy Hikes In Washington State (According To A Local)
• 15 Spectacular Lake Hikes Near Seattle (For All Skill Levels)
• 18 Great Fire Lookout Hikes In Washington
• 9 Beautiful Waterfall Hikes In Washington
• 5 Must-Do Hikes In North Bend (Easy To Hard)
• 8 Fantastic Hikes On Orcas Island: A First-Timer’s Guide
• Best Easy Day Hikes In Mount Rainier National Park

As always, enjoy the outdoors responsibly. Leave no trace on all of your adventures.