Rattlesnake Ledge is a classic Washington hike for good reason! Being so close to Seattle (35 minutes from downtown) and having such great views of the cascades/Rattlesnake Lake below, it draws crowds from all over Puget Sound.
Keep in mind that this is not the hike to escape from crowds, but it is an excellent one to work on your cardio and hiking legs. Due to the relatively low elevation, this hike is also snow-free the majority of the year, allowing you to keep your fitness up during winter when many other hikes will be inaccessible without snowshoes.
Location: Rattlesnake Lake Recreation Area
Native lands: Coast Salish, Duwamish
Distance: 4 miles roundtrip
Elevation gain: 1160 feet
Difficulty: Easy – Moderate
Pass/permit: N/A
Dogs: Yes, leashed
Road access: Paved road, 2×2 friendly