Leavenworth Hikes
Leavenworth Hikes
Hiking around Leavenworth offers an incredible experience for outdoor enthusiasts, with trails that cater to all levels and showcase the breathtaking beauty of the Cascade Mountains. Surrounded by alpine peaks, evergreen forests, and crystal-clear rivers, Leavenworth’s hiking trails reveal diverse landscapes that change with the seasons. For beginners or families, the Waterfront Park offers mellow trails along the Wenatchee River, while the popular Icicle Gorge offers a relatively easy and scenic hike along the Icicle River, weaving through lush meadows and providing views of the surrounding mountains and rushing water. The Icicle Ridge Trail just outside of town provides a moderate hike, with views of Leavenworth. More advanced hikers often set out on Colchuck Lake Trail, a challenging route that leads to a pristine glacial lake surrounded by towering granite peaks, including Dragontail Peak and the Enchantments – an iconic wilderness area known for its rugged beauty and dramatic mountain views.
best time to hike
Monthly Temperature (°F)
Monthly Rainfall (in)
popular hikes
Icicle Gorge
The Icicle Gorge trail is one of the more mellow trails that line the Icicle Creek valley in Leavenworth. And while it doesn't provide the sweeping views of other thigh burning hikes in the area, this loop hike along Icicle Creek has beautiful vistas of Icicle Creek and Icicle Gorge, a well maintained trail with interpretive signs and makes for a perfect family hike.
Icicle Ridge
The Icicle Ridge hike is a popular and rewarding trail offering sweeping views of the surrounding valley, rugged mountains, and the town below. This moderate to challenging hike starts with a steady climb through a forested area, with towering pines and occasional wildflowers in spring and summer. As you ascend, the trees begin to thin, revealing panoramic views of the Icicle Creek Valley, the Wenatchee River, and the Cascade Mountains. For those seeking a longer hike, hikes can continue to a higher viewpoint along the ridge or the longer 16-mile route leading to other connecting trails and higher elevations. While accessible in winter, the trail requires microspikes or snowshoes to navigate the snow and ice that accumulate along the trail.
Lake Colchuck
The Colchuck Lake hike is a spectacular alpine adventure renowned for its turquoise waters, rugged mountain views, and challenging yet rewarding terrain - its popularity spiking in the last decade with Instagram posts galore of its turquoise waters drawing hikers from around the world. This 8-mile round-trip hike starts at the Stuart Lake Trailhead, winding through dense forests and over wooden bridges that cross rushing creeks. The trail gradually gains elevation, with a mix of steep, rocky sections and forested paths. As you ascend, glimpses of distant peaks, including Dragontail Peak and Colchuck Peak, build anticipation for the final destination. Upon reaching Colchuck Lake, hikers are rewarded with jaw-dropping views of the brilliant blue-green lake framed by the towering peaks and glaciers of the Enchantments.
Waterfront Park
The Waterfront Park in Leavenworth is situated right next to the shops and restaurants of Leavenworth, and makes the perfect place for a mellow stroll along the Wenatchee River. It's a great short hike in all seasons, and provides nice views of the Wenatchee River and surrounding areas, with easy access to the trails within the park. The trails in Waterfront park connect to Blackbird Island, which has three trails, and then ultimately over to Enchantment Park, providing for roughly 3 miles of easy hiking.
