Alta Vista Loop

The Alta Vista Loop is one of the trails located at Paradise at Mount Rainier National Park. This trail system is known for fantastic displays of wildflowers in the summer and dramatic panoramic views of Mount Rainier and the surrounding foothills all year long.

The trail is easily accessed by either the upper or lower parking lot, which are quite large but fill up quickly during peak visitor season and weekends.

Check out the information kiosk, then head north. There are a handful of interconnecting and crossing trails of varying length and difficulty, but each intersection is well marked with signs, and Alta Vista is the first trail you will encounter. It is easy to navigate. Just keep heading straight north and uphill until you hit the trail summit--5,960 feet—in a copse of fir trees around the halfway point.

Continue down the path that winds through a rocky ledge. If you wish to extend your hike, here is an opportunity to connect with one of the other trails at the junction. Otherwise, continue on the Alta Vista trail which loops back south here.

This is a mostly paved trail, though rough in spots, and narrow in others. Several signs remind visitors to stay on the path so as not to damage the meadow ecosystem.

In the winter, check ahead to make sure the roads to Paradise are open. Vehicles are required to carry tire chains from November 1 to May 1. Don’t forget your winter hiking gear to traverse any of these trails, even the easy ones.

In the summer, plan for a late-July to late-August hike if you want those wildflower pictures, though expect large crowds. Moderate sections of the trail may be still be covered with snow, so don’t wear flip flops.