Mount Si

Seattle's training mountain, Mount Si rises abruptly above North Bend at the edge of the Cascades, its steep, forested trail among the most heavily hiked in Washington and a favorite conditioning climb for those bound for bigger peaks.

The route runs about 8 miles round trip with roughly 3,150 feet of gain, switchbacking through second-growth forest to a rocky shoulder at around 3,900 feet, where the Haystack summit block offers an exposed scramble for those comfortable with it. Most hikers stop below the Haystack for the valley views.

Practical detail: no wilderness permit is required, but a Discover Pass is needed to park at the trailhead. Snow can dust the upper trail in the cold months, and the popularity means an early start helps beat the crowds and secure parking.

April through October is the usual snow-free season, though the lower forest is hikeable much of the year in this mild climate. Rising close to the city yet genuinely steep, Mount Si delivers a demanding workout and a fine outlook over the Snoqualmie Valley.