When many hikers in the Seattle vicinity visualize trekking near North Bend, the first trail that inevitably springs to mind is the epic climb up Mount Si. However, that path is only practically accessible to a small fraction of would-be hikers owing to the steep ascent and moderately lengthy mileage that unambiguously positions it in the “difficult” category.
If you’re not up for the challenge of summiting Mount Si, which involves 3,500 feet of elevation gain and the better part of the day, then there’s a shorter, easier option just down the road. The Little Si trail is a nice, moderate option that can be done in a half day from Seattle, including travel time.
The ascent to the peak of Little Si is included in our list of the finest hikes near Seattle given its convenience of access, agreeable trek via a fern-laden woodland that encapsulates much of what is appealing about wandering in the Pacific Northwest region, and difficulty level making it possible for even the least experienced ramblers to undertake it.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to hike the Little Si Trail.
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Table of Contents
Getting to the Little Si Trailhead
Unlike many of the starting points for hikes in Washington State, there exist two suitable options to arrive at the beginning point for the hike to Little Si. And one of them involves public transportation!
Driving Yourself
If you want to drive yourself, be prepared to deal with a traffic issue on summer weekends regarding parking.
We highly recommend trying to go midweek if possible. If weekends are your only option, plan to arrive at the trailhead by 8:00 am or take the Trailhead Direct shuttle.
The trail head for the Little Si hike has two parking areas. The first is directly at the base of the hike and can hold 40-50 vehicles. The second, slightly larger overflow area is located 0.25 miles west along the road.
Two things to know here.
Initially, it is EXTREMELY competitive to park at the trailhead.
Secondly, you are unable to leave your car on the nearby roads, or it will likely be towed away or given a ticket, dependent on where you abandon the vehicle.
We cannot stress this enough – if you want a parking spot on a Saturday morning, then you need to arrive around 8:00 am at the latest.
Otherwise, you may find yourself waiting an hour or two for a parking space to become available, or leaving your vehicle in a location with increased safety risks. Weekend days are marginally less busy, but still extraordinarily crowded.
You’ll need a Discover Pass to park at the trailhead since it’s a State Park, and there isn’t a location to obtain one upon arrival. That means you must purchase one BEFORE heading to the trailhead.
The Discover Pass for Washington can be obtained from the REI store located in Issaquah or the Fred Meyer supermarket in Issaquah, or by visiting their website at REI here.
Taking Public Transportation: Trailhead Direct
Firstly, I want to express that I appreciate Seattle making an effort to connect popular trailheads to public transportation in a more eco-friendly manner by testing alternative methods.
Due to the increasing popularity of this trail (and the other nearby hikes, like Mount Tenerife and Mount Si), King County Metro and King County Parks collaborated to establish a shuttle system to mimic rapid transit commonly used to commute to work…except to reach trailheads.
The goal is to enable more people to access the trailheads with less congestion and parking difficulties.
It’s called the Trailhead Direct, and it operates in the following manner: there are a handful of stops inside Seattle proper, together at the Capitol Hill and Downtown Seattle (at Spring & 4th) Stations connecting with Light Rail, and then two stops on the eastside (Eastgate Park & Ride and North Bend).
Then, it transports you to the foot of Mount Si, stopping at three different trailheads: Mount Si, Little Si, and Mount Tenerife.
If you’re flying to the Cinque Terre for a shorter trip rather than adding the Cinque Terre as part of a broader itinerary throughout Italy, then you have a few choices regarding which airports to fly into.
The cost is $2.75 each way, and you’ll need either an ORCA Card or exact currency in cash (bus drivers don’t carry change) to pay for your ride.
You can obtain additional details here.
Hiking Little Si: Trail Details
- Length: 4.1
- Elevation Gain: 1,150 feet
- Season: April – November/December
- Trail Type: Out and Back
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Beginning Point of Path
- Dog Friendly: Yes, on a leash
Each room contains a mini refrigerator and coffee machine, while a tasty local breakfast is offered every day in the dining area.
Is This an Easy Hike?
We saw multiple family groups with children between the ages of three and five heading up the trail as we were heading down, and we knew they weren’t achieving the top.
While we`ve seen this hike referred to as easy, the beginning and end involve steep, rocky trails not really deserving of that label, though the middle section follows a pleasant grade through a dense, shaded forest.
Our response is no, this hike involves a moderately challenging terrain that likely isn`t suited for small children, which would have been helpful information for those families to have BEFORE embarking on their journey.
If one is seeking an easy hike, head over to our guide covering the best straightforward hikes in Washington, where you’ll discover a collection of trails that are both under 5 miles and requiring under 1,000 feet of elevation gain. Which is what we’d consider “easy.”
Things to Know Before You Hike the Little Si Trail
You need a Discover Pass. As mentioned previously, it is important to arrive prepared with a Discover Pass since getting one once at the trailhead is inconvenient. There is a complex process allowing you to order a day pass by phone or online, but it is better to purchase one in advance from the Issaquah REI (or Fred Meyer) or order one online from REI prior to your hike so that it arrives on time.
This hike can be enjoyed throughout most of the year. One advantage is that it never reaches an altitude that sees enough snowfall to prevent hiking in the spring and late fall. Winter brings sufficient snow and ice making it best to avoid then, but come spring, it’s muddy but still possible.
The most difficult parts of this hike are at the start and finish. You may find yourself a quarter mile into the trail wondering what you`ve gotten yourself into. Know that the first quarter mile or so, and the last third of a mile or so are the steepest, hardest sections of this hike.
There are surfaces that are slick and solid. Be certain to have footwear with excellent traction and support (read: leave the flip flops at home). If you’re searching for a great entry-level pair of hiking boots, Alysha nearly always hikes in her Columbia Newton Ridge boots, and adores them.
Hiking Little Si: A Complete Trail Report
We did this hike in late June on a sunny Friday morning, and while the trailhead was somewhat crowded, we managed to secure a parking spot in the main lot at about 8:30 am. It was more or less half full at the time.
We’re going to break this hike into three parts, which we’ve basically called “the beginning”, “the middle”, and “the end.” For each part, we’ll give you a brief description of what to expect on the trail so you’re prepared to get out there and explore.
The Beginning: The Initial Ascent
Distance: 0.5 miles // Elevation Gain: 300 feet
As mentioned above, the very beginning of this hike – along with the end – are the most challenging parts of the hike.
You’re going to spend the first quarter mile puffing and panting your way up. The good news is that you’ll be nice and warm by the time you reach the part of the trail that flattens out and takes you into the dense forest!
At 0.2 miles in, you’ll reach your first viewpoint overlooking the valley to the south (you can see Rattlesnake Ledge across the valley from here).
Shortly after starting along the trail, hikers will encounter a steep, rocky section requiring care when navigating the uneven and potentially slippery terrain, especially following rain. Determining the accurate path may prove difficult amid the landscape.
Be sure to glance behind you once you reach your destination!
Shortly after climbing the steep section, a side trail branching off to the right leads to the Boulder Garden Loop. This optional detour extends the hike by around one mile and also connects to the more challenging trail up Mount Si.
The initial section of the hike concludes at 0.5 miles in, where you will reach the junction allowing the other end of the Boulder Garden Loop to diverge, separating the routes.
The Middle: A Meander Through the Forest
Distance: 1.1 miles // Elevation Gain: 240 feet
The subsequent section of the hike is a relaxing, slight ascent through a dense fern-laden forest that follows the gully between Little Si and Mount Si.
The elevation at this point leaves you at the base of Little Si`s backside, where the quick but challenging ascent to the summit will commence.
The sole notable element of this section of the hike is that halfway through, small spur trails leading left will start to appear meant for rock climbers.
The End: The Final Ascent
Distance: 0.5 miles // Elevation Gain: 500 feet
At 1.6 miles into the hike up, you`ll find yourself at the base of the back side of Little Si. From there, it`s a steep, challenging final push to the summit.
There are a few rocky parts that can get slippery when wet (which is often in this part of the world), and some switchbacks for good measure.
The best perspective of the entire hike – at minimum in our opinion – is actually just beneath the summit from a rocky outcropping on your left, looking back northeast into the valley behind Mount Si.
From that view, it’s a very short walk to the summit. The Little Si Summit sits just over 1,500 feet.
From atop, you can see far across the valley, with Mount Si off to your left. It’s a nice spot to grab a snack, socialize with fellow hikers, and then make your way back the same route you came.
