Mount Si Trail

Mount Si Trail is a well-known out-and-back hike in North Bend, Washington, managed in the Mount Si Natural Resources Conservation Area. The route ascends the mountain’s south face on a switchback-heavy tread and is mapped as a designated hiking path with gravel as the primary surface.

Expect a sustained climb that makes the trail feel demanding even though it’s short in distance. The total hike is commonly described as 4 miles one way with about 3,500 feet of elevation gain, using the standard Mount Si ascent to reach the summit ridge and return.

The upper section ends at a rocky summit block capped by the “Haystack.” Finishing the Haystack involves an exposed Class 3 scramble up the north side of the summit block, and it’s typically treated as the technical crux for hikers pushing to the top.

For hikers who want a training-focused day, the trail’s rhythm comes from long switchback segments early on and then steeper climbing after the first push. At roughly three and a half miles the forest tightens and the route continues upward toward the summit ridge.

Trailhead planning is part of the experience here: parking at the main Mount Si lot is served by facilities such as restrooms, water, and picnic areas, and a Washington Discover Pass is required for parking on state recreation lands.

The Mount Si Trail is also connected to the wider Mount Si trail network. It’s one of the popular ways to reach the summit area, while shorter connectors exist if you want to link neighboring Mount Si routes for a different day structure.

More information: Map, Wikipedia, Mount Si Trail - National Recreation Trails