5 Washington Brewery and Hiking Trail Pairings

In Washington, you’re never too far from a brewery. One of the joys of hiking is kicking back with a beer afterward. Here are some of the best trail-brewery pairings.

Rattlesnake Ledges, Seattle and Puget Sound

Ham it up for a few family photos against a spectacular backdrop from a rock outcropping high above Rattlesnake Lake. Then head to the Snoqualmie Falls Brewery and Taproom, where kids can enjoy freshly brewed root beer floats while parents savor an adult version or some of the brewery’s award-winning offerings.

To try: Black Frog Nitro Stout Float, Haystack Hefeweizen, and Copperhead Nitro Pale Ale.

Discovery Park Loop, Seattle and Puget Sound

This gentle trail offers a taste of Seattle history, forested trails, and sweeping views of Puget Sound, Mount Rainier, and the Olympics. It’s also just minutes from several Seattle breweries, including Fremont Brewing Co., one of the state’s fastest-growing breweries thanks to its broad selection of award-winning beers.

To try: Dark Star (imperial oatmeal stout) and Session Pale Ale.

Colchuck Lake, Central Cascades

Work up a thirst on this hike to a stunning lake and then head into the Bavarian-themed village of Leavenworth. The Icicle River, which you’ll drive alongside on the way to town, is used to produce the beer at Icicle Brewing Company.

To try: Bootjack IPA and Priebe Porter.

Umtanum Ridge, Central Washington

Admire views high above the Yakima River canyon, then head to Bale Breaker Brewing Company, located on one of Yakima’s commercial hop farms.

To try: Field 41 (pale ale) and Topcutter (IPA).

Coyote Wall (Labyrinth Loop), Columbia River Gorge

Every step of this trail offers picturesque views, and you can keep the views coming just 5 mi (8 km) down the road in White Salmon, where you can sample the selection of session beers at Everybody’s Brewing in view of Mount Hood.

To try: Local Logger (lager) and The Cryo-Chronic (IPA).

Moon Pacific Northwest Hiking

by Craig Hill

by Matt Wastradowski

by Moon Travel Guides

Towering peaks, sparkling coastline, and vast old-growth forests: wherever you turn in the Pacific Northwest, adventure awaits. Pack a lunch, lace up your boots, and hit the trails with Moon Pacific Northwest Hiking.

Price

$24.99

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$31.99 CAD

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Trade Paperback (Revised)

1. ebook (Revised)

Also available from:

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Craig Hill

About the Author

Craig Hill’s passion for the outdoors started as a child when his dad routinely dragged him away from the TV and took him to explore the mountains, forests and beaches of Washington. After studying writing at Washington State University, he turned down an opportunity to attend graduate school at the University of Missouri to work as a sportswriter. But even as he covered some of the biggest events in sports, he couldn’t shake his desire to be in the mountains. So, in 2004, he strapped on his old hiking boots and walked away from a promising career and took over as the outdoor writer for The News Tribune in Tacoma.

Today, he has a strong track record in Washington’s outdoor community. The National Park Service honored him in 2011 for his contributions at Mount Rainier National Park. Craig serves as the outdoor sports chairman for the Tacoma-Pierce County Sport Hall of Fame and lives in Puyallup, Washington.

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Matt Wastradowski

About the Author

Matt Wastradowski is an Oregon-based travel writer who loves writing about the great outdoors, the Pacific Northwest's craft beer and cider scene, and regional history for the likes of Willamette Week, Northwest Travel & Life, and Portland Monthly. In between stories, he enjoys sipping Oregon-made beers on brewpub patios, perusing the stacks at independent bookstores, sampling farm-fresh fare, and hiking through the state's stunning landscapes. Matt has written three Oregon-based guidebooks about hiking, outdoor attractions, and more for Moon Travel Guides.

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