15 Hike and Brewery Combinations Around Seattle

Seattle is an all-around amazing city, but it does two things particularly well – hikes and breweries. We have some of the most beautiful hikes around the state that end with stunning views of the mountains, lakes, and waterfalls around the Pacific Northwest.

Washington also has some of the best breweries ever (I’m just slightly biased). What doesn’t complete a tough day of hiking better than a cold pint after? I know I’m always looking for a new brewery to visit after hiking with friends.

Based on that, I’ve put together 15 amazing hikes and breweries around Seattle. Most of these breweries are near the hikes, if not on the way back home.

What to Pack for Hiking

Make sure you’re prepared for your hike with these items first.

• Polarized sunglasses – Some hikes aren’t covered by shade or in the trees, so make sure to have these sturdy sunglasses to protect your eyes.
• Hiking backpack – I like to use this highly-rated backpack to keep all my snacks and supplies with me.
• Water bottle – Water is essential during hikes, especially in the summer. I tend to bring Hydro Flasks because your water stays cool for hours.
• Camera – Some of these hikes are beautiful, so make sure you have a good camera with you.

Outfit Ideas:

Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Long-Sleeve Shirt	Prana Pillar Legging	KEEN Targhee III Waterproof Hiking Shoe	Patagonia P-6 Label Trad Cap

If you’re hiking in the winter, make sure to check out my cold weather hiking gear list.

The Best Hike and Brewery Combinations Around Seattle

Here are some of my favorite Seattle hiking and beer combinations to check out.

1. Wallace Falls + Dreadnought Brewing

Where: Central Cascades

Length: 5.6 miles roundtrip

Pass needed: Discovery Pass

It’s hard to find a better combo of hike and brewery around Seattle than this. This is a gorgeous and easily accessible hike with dynamic visuals. The flow of the river is mesmerizing, especially when you get to the waterfalls. Wallace Falls is one of the best spring hikes in Washington in my opinion due to the lack of snow.

Dreadnought Brewing is a great brewery to go to after your hike near Seattle. The brewery has a local feel to it and is a relaxing place to grab a pint. You can conveniently get both pizza and burgers delivered to the brewery by nearby restaurants.

2. Carkeek Park + Flying Bike Cooperative Brewery

Where: North Seattle

Length: 3.5 miles roundtrip

Pass Needed: None

Sometimes you want to get out for a hike but don’t feel like driving for hours when spending a day in Seattle. Located in North Seattle, Carkeek Park is perfect for an urban hike in Seattle.

There are a variety of trails you can take around the park with a mix of flat areas and hills. You can also walk on the beach to see ferries go by. Due to its location by the water and the mild winter Seattle normally gets, it’s also one of the best Seattle winter hikes.

When you’re done with your hike, head over to Flying Bike Cooperative Brewing in Greenwood, one of Seattle’s best breweries. They have a mixture of different beers they make there, including sours and ciders.

You can order food from nearby restaurants right at the bar or bring in your own. They’re also dog and kid-friendly, so make sure to stop here when you’re looking for a kid-friendly Seattle brewery.

3. Barclay Lake + Timber Monster Brewing Company

Where: Central Cascades

Length: 4.4 miles roundtrip

Pass Needed: Northwest Forest Pass

Barclay Lake is a good hike if you’re looking for a relatively easy Washington summer hike. You can get to the lake in less than an hour, but you should still bring a snack. It’s a beautiful place to stop and rest, so soak it in.

Timber Mountain Brewing Company is on the way home if you’re coming from Seattle, so there’s no reason not to stop there. Not only do they have beer, but a full menu is available with options such as pizza and salad. They even have coffee if you need a pick me up after your hike.

4. Twin Falls + Volition Brewing Co.

Where: Snoqualmie

Length: 2.6 miles roundtrip

Pass Needed: Discovery Pass

This is one of the best Seattle waterfall hikes if you have kids or want a shorter hike. If you go to the first waterfall, it’s only a little less than three miles.

However, the trail extends pretty far past that, so you can actually go for six miles roundtrip if you keep following it. The trail follows a river, which leads to many waterfalls, so it’s a scenic one.

After your hike, head to Volition Brewing Co. for a pint. They’re kid and dog-friendly and have both indoor and outdoor seating depending on the weather.

If you want to combine several hikes over the course of a few days, check out some of the Airbnb cabins in Washington to rent in the area.

5. Skyline Trail Loop + Cole Street Brewery

Where: Mount Rainier

Length: 5.5 miles roundtrip

Pass needed: America the Beautiful Pass

If you can only do one hike around Seattle, a Mt Rainier day trip should be your destination. Skyline Loop Trail is one of my favorite hikes due to how breathtaking it is. This an alpine location with plenty of wildflowers and vistas to enjoy. However, it’s a very popular trail in the summer as many people consider it the best Mt. Rainier hike, so try to get as early as possible.

After your beautiful hike, make sure to stop by at the Cole Street Brewery on your way back to Seattle. While there are no breweries close to Mount Rainier, you’ll likely have to pass this one if you’re headed north.

They have several small-batch ales and a low-key atmosphere which is perfect for relaxing after a long day on the trail.

6. Goat Lake + Lake Stevens Brewing Company

Where: North Cascades

Length: 10.0 miles roundtrip

Pass Needed: Northwest Forest Pass

If you’re looking for a longer day hike, you’ll love this one. There’s so much to see along the way, from waterfalls to mountains, that it’s easy to get distracted. Your reward is the mirror-like Goat Lake, which is the perfect place to have lunch.

After hiking for 10 miles, it’s guaranteed that you’ll be ready for some beer! Stop at the Lake Stevens Brewing Company on the way home to celebrate your hard work. While it’s about an hour west of the trail, you have to pass it to get back to Seattle anyways. They also have gluten-free beer and cider for those who don’t like or can’t tolerate regular beer, and it’s one of the best cheap things to do in Seattle.

7. Rattlesnake Ledge + No Boat Brewing Company

Where: North Bend

Length: 4 miles roundtrip

Pass needed: none

This is a very relaxing mix of brewery and hike near Seattle. The trail is short and relatively easy, and you’ll have a lot of great views along the way.

The hike starts at Rattleshore Lake and then proceeds steadily uphill. It’s not very difficult, so be sure to expect some crowds. Once you’re done with the beautiful hike make your way to the nearby No Boat Brewing Co. It has a parking lot and a beer garden that is often busy. The beers are so good they can barely keep up with demand.

8. Oyster Dome + Aslan Brewing

Where: Bellingham

Length: 5.0 miles roundtrip

Pass Needed: Discovery Pass

I went to school up at Western Washington University in Bellingham, so this hike always brings back happy memories.

Finding the entrance is a little tricky, but look for a small trailhead on the hillside of Chuckanut Road. When you get to the top, you’re greeted with views of some of the San Juan Islands like Orcas Island and even Canada.

Afterward, head into town to get a pint at Aslan Brewing Co. This wasn’t here when I went to school, but I always visit it every time I’m back in town. They have a spacious patio where you can enjoy the sunshine, and they’re also dog-friendly. Make sure you try the Ginger Rye Ale while you’re there.

9. Ebey’s Landing + Penn Cove Brewing Company

Where: Whidbey Island

Length: 5.6 miles roundtrip

Pass Needed: Discovery Pass

Whidbey Island is one of the most scenic locations in Washington, and hiking is one of the best things to do on Whidbey Island. Ebey’s Landing is one of the best coastal hikes around, and it features beautiful diversity. From bald eagles soaring above to sea lions and seals lounging nearby, there’s something beautiful at every step.

After that make your way to Penn Cove Brewing Company for another great combo of hike and brewery near Seattle. This is located very close to the hike so you won’t have to drive far. Even though it’s a newer brewery, they’ve already proved themselves.

10. Mt. Si + Snoqualmie Falls Brewing

Where: North Bend

Length: 8.0 miles roundtrip

Pass Needed: Discovery Pass

Mt. Si is a good one if you want a challenge. You’ll gain 3,150 feet in elevation during the hike, so your legs will be burning.

Mt. Si is a popular hike, so go early if you want to get parking. It’s only about an hour from Seattle, so you can easily do this in the morning and have plenty of your day left. If eight miles is too much, you can also do Little Si nearby, which is 4.7 miles roundtrip.

Whichever way you take, make sure to bring your camera or phone to get a picture at the top. This is one of the more popular Instagram spots in Seattle.

For lunch, stop at Snoqualmie Brewing. This reminds me of the place where groups of friends meet each other every weekend. It’s cozy, they always have the latest Seattle sports game playing, and the food is amazing. I always get the tuna melt along with whatever seasonal beer they’re offering. It never disappoints me.

11. Rachel Lake + Dru Bru

Where: Snoqualmie Pass

Length: 8.0 miles roundtrip

Pass needed: Northwest Forest Pass

As it’s only a little over an hour away from Seattle, this trail is great for an active day trip from Seattle. This is a moderate hike that has some easy parts followed by some switchbacks, but most skill levels can complete it if you take your time. While the trailhead spits you out at the lake, make sure to take the extra 0.5 miles on the east side of the lake to get this overview shot as seen in the picture.

This combo of hike and brewery near Seattle is followed by Dru Bru. This brewery has quickly become the spot to get a pint, whether you just completed a summer hike or spent a day skiing on the mountain. They have both indoor and outdoor seating.

14. Boulder River Trail + Skookum Brewery

Where: North Cascades

Length: 8.6 miles roundtrip

Pass needed: None

This is an easy and popular trail. You’ll be fully immersed in pristine nature all around you as you’re following the Boulder River. If you keep following the river you’ll be rewarded with splendid waterfalls, as well as very relaxing lunch spots.

I like Skookum Brewery because they have fun names for their beer, such as Amber’s Hot Friend Ale and Soft as Snow IPA. They also have rotating food trucks so you can grab something quick if you want to get back home.

12. Fort Worden State Park + Propolis Brewing

Where: Olympic Peninsula

Length: 2.5 miles roundtrip

Pass needed: Discover Pass

This is a great family-friendly spot to hike with gorgeous views and aesthetics. The trail is pretty easy, but the entire area is pretty much like a playground that’s perfect for kids. It also has a lot of interesting history, as well as a historic lighthouse.

The most interesting aspect of Propolis Brewing is that their beers are made to be perfectly healthy, hence the name. They’re made by using local herbs and spices, which makes this combination of brewery and hike near Seattle very enticing to many.

13. Snow Lake + Formula Brewing

Where: Snoqualmie

Length: 7.2 miles roundtrip

Pass Needed: Northwest Forest Pass

Snow Lake is one of the most visited leaks in the region, and rightly so. It’s a real wonderland, and it’s not a very difficult hike, too. The best part about this hike is the magnificent views, and they only getter the more climb. This trail doesn’t actually end, but it rather forks into two different trails, and each one as amazing as Snow Lake trail.

Formula Brewing is a great stop to get a beer after your hike. I like the pilsner best, but they have a wide selection of different types. A full menu is also offered if you’ve worked up an appetite.

15. Poo Poo Point + Sunset Alehouse

Where: Issaquah

Length: 4 – 7.2 miles

Pass needed: none

Located on Tiger Mountain this is a knoll that’s one of the best hiking spots this close to Seattle. It’s considered a popular urban hiking gem, as it’s both in and out of the city. It’s quite popular too, and it’s a launch point for a lot of paragliders.

Sunset Alehouse is a family-friendly restaurant where you can get sandwiches, fish and chips, and even a burrito. They also have about a dozen rotating beers from local breweries.

There you have it – 15 hike and brewery combinations around Seattle! Get out there and enjoy your hike, and don’t forget to rewards yourself with a beer when you’re done.

Photo credits: Rattlesnake Ledge – Image via Flickr by evocateur