Panorama Point Hike

The Panorama Point hike is a naturally beautiful hike that offers enough of a physical challenge to feel rewarding, but without any technical challenges. This trail is lined by wildflowers and has great views of Rainier, but this means it can get very busy. We recommend visiting early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid the heaviest crowds.

The trail starts from Paradise Inn. Take the trail that goes left from the inn past the parking lot. Walk past and behind the climbing information center, joining the Skyline Trail to head north. You’ll pass junctions with the Alta Vista Trail and the Waterfall Trail, and another arm of the Skyline Trail also veers right (northeast) in a loop. Pay attention to signage or a map.

The trail comes next to Dead Horse Creek, but stay right and do not cross the creek. Alta Vista stretches above to your right here. Further on, you’ll pass a junction with Dead Horse Creek Trail. Continue straight on. To more junctions come along, stay right at both, unless you want to make a quick detour to Glacier Vista, in which case you’ll take a left turn at the second junction and then rejoin the trail by retracing your steps.

The trail hairpins to head south. Keep right at the junction that comes next. When approaching Panorama Point, you first come to a viewpoint to hiker’s right. Feel free to stop here to admire Panorama Point, then continue up the trail through three switchbacks to the peak. From the summit, you’ll be able to see McClure Peak to the northeast, Mount Rainier and Anvil Rocks to the northwest, and Faraway Rock to the south.

From the peak, you can either retrace your steps or follow the trail that branches off to the north and then eventually east (hiker’s left) to hike Skyline in a loop. If you loop down Skyline, you can take Golden Gate Trail to see Golden Gate Falls, a nice extension.