How to find hiking partners in Seattle
Seattle has world-class hiking within an hour of downtown, and a reputation for being hard to make friends in. Here's how to find people to hike with, plus trails that work well for a first hike with someone new.
Updated November 2026
Finding people to hike with in Seattle
The “Seattle freeze” is real. People here are friendly on the trail and harder to make plans with off it. That’s why so many Seattle hikers go solo, even when they’d rather have company on a longer day in the Cascades.
Seattle also has some of the best-organized hiking groups in the country, with trips every week. And if you want a partner for one specific trail and day, post it in Ridgemate and we’ll ping you when someone nearby wants to do it too.
Hiking groups in Seattle
These groups are run by locals and are free or low cost. Check each group's page for its next hike, since schedules change.
Seattle Outdoor Adventurers
A huge outdoor group, with 25,000+ members on Meetup. It runs hiking, backpacking, climbing and more every week, including midweek after-work conditioning hikes on Tiger Mountain.
The Mountaineers
A Seattle-based nonprofit with volunteer-led hikes that are open to everyone, with no skill prerequisites. Hikes require advance registration, and groups stay together on the trail.
Issaquah Alps Trails Club
Leads regular guided hikes in the Issaquah Alps, often themed around nature or conservation. A friendly way to learn the Cougar, Squak and Tiger Mountain trails.
WTA's list of hiking groups
Washington Trails Association keeps a list of Puget Sound hiking groups, including groups for women, LGBTQ+ hikers, Black hikers, Asian and Pacific Islander hikers, and older adults.
Good trails for hiking with someone new near Seattle
Busy, well marked trails with clear parking are the easiest place to meet a new hiking partner for the first time.
Discovery Park Loop Trail
Forest, meadows and views of Puget Sound and the Olympics without leaving the city. Easy enough that pace differences don't matter.
Green Lake Loop
Flat and busy, which makes it a low-pressure first meetup. Good for an after-work walk and talk.
Rattlesnake Ledge
A well maintained, popular trail to a big view over the lake. Middle and Upper Ledge are quieter if the main ledge is crowded.
Poo Poo Point via Chirico Trail
Steep and short, with views of Mount Rainier and paragliders launching from the top. A good second hike once you know each other's pace.
I-90 trailheads fill early on sunny weekends, so meet early or go on a weekday. Some state and federal trailheads need a Discover Pass or Northwest Forest Pass, so check the trail's page on wta.org before you go.
How to find a hiking partner in Seattle with Ridgemate
- Post the hike you want to do. Pick a trail (or paste an AllTrails link) and a day, or mark it as anytime.
- Go about your week. When someone nearby wants to hike the same trail around the same time, you both get a ping.
- Plan it in the group chat. Sort out the meetup spot and the carpool, then go.
Ridgemate is free on iPhone. Women and non-binary hikers can choose to match only with each other. It's new in Seattle, so the more people post the hikes they actually want to do, the faster matches happen.
Meeting a hiking partner for the first time
- Pick a popular trail for the first hike and meet at the trailhead rather than carpooling.
- Tell a friend where you're going, who you're meeting, and when you expect to be back.
- Agree on pace, distance, and a turnaround time before you start.
- Carry your own water, food, layers, and a charged phone, even on a short hike.
- If the vibe is off at the trailhead, it's fine to call it. A good partner will understand.
Seattle hiking FAQ
What's the biggest hiking group in Seattle?
Seattle Outdoor Adventurers has more than 25,000 members on Meetup and runs events every week. The Mountaineers also runs volunteer-led hikes that are open to everyone.
What's a good first hike with someone new in Seattle?
The Discovery Park Loop is 2.8 miles with very little climbing and views of Puget Sound. It's in the city, easy to reach and easy to meet at.
How do I find someone to hike Rattlesnake Ledge or Poo Poo Point with?
Post the trail and day in Ridgemate. When someone nearby wants the same trail around the same time, you both get a ping and a group chat opens to plan it.
Are there hiking groups for women in Seattle?
Yes. WTA's hiking groups list includes women-focused options. In Ridgemate, women and non-binary hikers can also choose to match only with each other.
Find someone to hike with in Seattle
Post the trail you've been wanting to do. We'll ping you when someone nearby wants in.
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