Bridal Veil Falls

A nice, mostly shady hike up to a gorgeous fall that you can (if you want to) get right under. Typically I avoid waterfall hikes because they rarely “payoff” but this one delivered. I recommend.

The hike was great! I always recommend using poles. It’s a beginner-friendly trail with beautiful views!”

This was a really beautiful hike. We struggled to find the parking lot, and the public bathrooms at the bottom were very gross—and no hand sanitizer! Besides these minor setbacks this hike was very fun and the trail up to the falls had a lot of variation. Be aware of the area with the creek and logs where it is hard to find the correct trail—stay to the left and look for the braided metal cord in the ground when you’ve found the right way up. The divergence from the bridal veil trail and lake serene trail is clearly marked by a sign, thankfully. This is a rocky trail, and there are a number of stairs at the very end to reach the falls. Bugs was only a minor annoyance, but we had forgotten but spray. We hiked on a weekday around 10:30am and were back to the parking lot by 1:30pm. Would definitely recommend to others!!

Ohh, it cascades down the rugged cliffs like a silver ribbon unraveling from the heavens, its misty breath whispering ancient secrets into the wind. The roar of the water is a thunderous symphony that commands silence and awe, echoing through the gorge like nature’s own cathedral choir. Each shimmering droplet catches the sunlight and scatters it into a thousand fleeting rainbows, painting the air with wonder. As you stand beneath its ethereal veil, time seems to dissolve caught in a moment where the earth weeps beauty and the soul drinks deeply of its sacred stillness. It is not merely a waterfall; it is a living poem, cascading with the grace of a bride and the power of the divine

Beautiful day, beautiful hike. Lots of kids and families on Saturday afternoon. We arrived around 5pm so we wouldn’t be fighting for a parking spot. Plenty of room in the lot by then. Unfortunately restrooms smelled absolutely horrible and there was no toilet paper. But the falls were blasting and majestic, the trail was beautiful and everyone was coming down on our way up so we basically had the falls to ourselves.

Pictures from today. Pretty place but we didn't go too far this time because we weren't prepared. There are rivers on the trail, thanks to snow partially melting off and water running down the slippery ice and slush covered path. We couldn't get anywhere because we didn't know about the condition, therefore had no appropriate gears or shoes to tackle it. In the summer it was beautiful but busy

This was a nice moderate hike. For getting to parking put Lake serene trailhead. The final half mile to fall is bit hard but the view from the top is worth it. The trail was pretty busy both ways around the 12 in afternoon.

We finished the whole trails in six hours. This is the hardest one I have tried in Washington, and it has also became my fav hike now. Even though it takes hours to get to the top the view is so stunning 😍

Beautiful day for a hike! Parking lot was full around 9:30am but we still found some parking. Bathrooms are closed for the season. There are a couple stream crossings, fallen trees and some rocky areas to cross. Trekking poles helped, but I would've been fine without too. Misty & windy at the top so it was nice and cooling after the steep climb to the top. I saw a lot of dog poop on or near the trail (please pick up your trash) and I saw some dogs off leash too. This was very annoying and inconsiderate, you have to pick up after your dogs it's the law. Practice leave no trace!

This hike is a must do! I did Lake Serene first. A fair warning- if you do not like stairs this is not for you. The entire trek was scenic, with views of mountains all around you, deep red trees, and little waterfalls and stream crossings. The lake was still frozen and beginning to thaw when I went 4/17. It's a great place to sit and soak on the views whilst having a snack. Don't miss out on Bridal Veil Falls going back down. It is amazing to sit on the large granite while the water rushes by and get misted by the water overlooking Stevens Pass. The restrooms are currently closed so you will have to plan accordingly. I started this hike at 0800 with roughly 5 other cars in the parking lot and once I finished the lot was completely full. This took 8.4 miles, 2,720 ft elevation gain, and 3hrs 45 minutes to complete. Highly recommend if you're in the area.

Beautiful hike - I've done this hike at least 4 times now and it has been equally amazing each time. I went on a Sunday morning, parked around 9:30 - there were still a few parking spots left. By the time I left around 12 it was packed. I definitely recommend going early. Bathroom at the base - very well maintained - easy to moderate.

What an epic hike to 'Bridal Veil Falls'!! For those that like chasing waterfalls like me, this you need to bookmark! Came to Seattle just for this hike! An hour from Renton WA. Not an easy hike for those that have never hiked before but will be worth it. Yea, there are some few rocks to climb and some stairs at the top but it's doable! It's a moderate hike in my book. Work those muscles! Make sure to get your parking pass ahead of time to put the pass on your car for that day. Come early as the parking spaces are a lot but limited as this is a very popular trail. It's only about two miles up and 2 miles down but make sure to have enough memory to take videos and pics! I really enjoyed it here at the top and it was perfect during an overcast kind of day! At the falls was the closest of many waterfalls I have gone to. Nice big waterfall. The water on the riverbed was shallow to be in the water on a hot day. Warning as the water has gushing flows though. Still picture perfect here. I would definitely come back! [78th R]

Bridal Veil Falls and Lake Serene is such a beautiful hike. Getting to the parking lot has a bit of potholes and it's all on gravel/rocks so drive carefully. I arrived Friday at around 9am and the parking lot was only 1/4 full. The parking lot has a couple restrooms but does not have a parking payment box. If you don't have an annual forest pass, you'll need to get a pass beforehand. I didn't have time to get a pass beforehand so I ended up purchasing an day ePass through the website and wrote down my confirmation number on a piece of paper (like they do at Franklin Falls) - I didn't get a ticket but also I don't think anyone checked. The trail gets progressively rockier and steeper. I had to take many breaks on the way up. My dog and I tripped a few times going up. Back down was also a little difficult - you really have to be careful and it's going to be tiring on your legs and knees. My apple watch clocked me in at 8.8 miles from trailhead to Bridal Veil Falls to Lake Serene and back to trailhead with an elevation gain of 2386ft. Overall the views are worth it. I left around 2pm and the parking lot had about 3 open spaces. I thought this hike was relatively hard considering the elevation and non stop rocks on the trail. I definitely need a day to recover afterwards. There were quite a bit of bugs - flies and bees but I didn't get any mosquito bites. I had heard there were some and sprayed bug repellent so unsure about mosquitos. Also suggest you to bring lots of water and food - you can enjoy it on lunch rock which offers beautiful views of the lake.

Bridal Veil Falls is beautiful! It's an easy hike an extra .5 miles off the Lake Serene trail but the extra mile is well worth it. Theres a few spots up top where you can sit on the rocks and enjoy a nice breeze too so stop here for snacks before making the trek up. I didn't make it up to Lake Serene so I'll just have to keep trying but I had an amazing time enjoying the hike up with my dog. He's newer to hiking and can be protective so I chose a weekday to practice with him so that he can eventually be a happy hiker. Most people have their dogs unleashed but most dogs were well behaved and hikers appreciated me practicing having my dog sit and wait for others to pass. I think it's also important to remember not all hikers love dogs and thats okay! We're working on our etiquette so I appreciated everyones kindness and was surprised to see so many well behaved dogs. We did have a few scares though with dogs approaching us and not listening to their owners recalls. Because the path is much smaller and the hike is mainly uphill through switchbacks I would unfortunately leave my dog next time but I think this is the perfect hike for humans! Challenging stairs wind up the mountain to the lake and although I didn't see it (and I was VERY close) many people came down smiling having just enjoyed a dip in the lake. Parking was free and there are bathrooms at the lot. The road was not bad just keep an eye for potholes!

This hiking trail gives you many options on how far you desire to hike and what you want to adventure out and see. You can make it a shorter hike, as I saw many people do, just going on the beautiful scenic trail only to the main viewing of the Bridal Veil falls, which at least while it running at almost full capacity, plan on getting wet (oh darn!) while enjoying and taking pictures of this amazing waterfall, also with great views of the Snohomish River and valley and Cascades. This day it was a mixture of sun, mist, and rain, sometimes all at once.. Welcome to the PNW. If you decide to further your adventure, which was always my plan, come prepared, especially if you're planning to do it anytime soon. After the fork that takes you to the big view of the falls, the trail is well maintained, but very rocky (carefully watching your steps) slick and muddy in many spots as you are walking across seepage from the hill, skipping across creeks, and trails and bridges that get you up close to the falls, for myself it was well worth the extra miles, highly recommended... poles, especially when traversing the slick rocks and snow the last half mile, especially going back down, hiking shoes and a good pair, I felt bad for all the poor souls trying to do the hike in tennis shoes or not real hiking shoes, a good trend is needed... there's reasons why I called this a worship hike, because quite a few times, I was praying ' Oh God! Don't let me slip or Oh God, don't let me lose my balance on the rocks' also many ' Oh my God I can't believe all these amazing views!' ... anyway.. be prepared, bring snacks and water, take your time and enjoy all the spectacular views. The snow was definitely challenging due the it being packed and melting. Lake Serene was amazing! Even being veiled by clouds. It was a privilege to get to hear a small avalanche on the backside of the lake shortly after I arrived, the squirrels/chipmunks were being curious and funny too! I can't wait to return this summer to see the lake melted and the views of the surrounding mountains. After lunch at Lunch rock, which just seemed appropriate lol, it was time for the hike back down, which can't be rushed, due to the slickness and the amount of rocks to traverse, most people were really great with their trail etiquette, just a few, it's all about me types, thankfully. It is a popular trail and even with two large parking areas it fills up, so don't expect a solo hike here. Lots of wildflowers starting to bloom, trillium, violets, salmon berries to name a few, many more blooming soon. It was cool to see some of the old growth forests still intact, mostly hemlocks and red cedars here, but some huge trees to enjoy seeing for sure. Highly recommended hike, take your time, enjoy all the amazing waterfalls and forest, make a day of it! Highway 2 is a visual drive as well. Happy hiking and Yelping! Cheers!

This is for Bridal Falls only on Sunday 10.4.20. My Experience Level: Beginner. I hike occasionally to see something at the end. I don't have a regular exercise routine. Length: 4.0 miles round trip per wta.org Elevation Gain: 1000 feet per wta.org Time: About 4 hours between 9:15 AM - 1:22 PM. We took it slow and stopped for pictures and to take videos of the falling leaves. We reached the falls at 10:54 AM and hung around there until 11:20 AM. We also went on the Lake Serene trail until we reached the bridge. This detour was between 11:55 AM - 12:25 PM. Parking: Found a spot right when I pulled in around 9:10 AM, so I didn't look around to see how many spots were left. There were a couple spots open when we were done at 1:22 PM. Northwest Forest Pass required but unsure if someone checks. We have our annual pass from REI anyways. Bathrooms: Closed as of 10.4.20. Gift Shop: None. The Trail: It was uneven at parts due to rocks and roots which can be rough on my ankles. There are pink plastic ties in some areas to reassure you you're on the right trail, especially around the stream crossings. Water level for the streams were very low when we went. Elevation most of the way wasn't bad, until the stairs at the end. I still found those doable. We definitely passed more people on our way back too, so going early is better for a less crowded experience. I did not notice a lot of trash along the way, but there were a lot of leaves on the ground because fall. There's no signage on the trail until Lake Serene and Bridal Veils trails separate. The view of the falls from the bridge on Lake Serene wasn't that great. Payoff: I was very happy to see the falls and didn't feel like I had to work terribly hard to get there. I would do it again, and hopefully one day I'll feel ready to attempt Lake Serene.

6.8 mile round trip hike towards Lake Serene. View is stunning!

Ive hiked this location twice at around noon and its packed but not to the point where you cannot find parking. Parking here they say you have to pay $7 but each time i have went, we have not seen a box where you can drop this. They also require you to have a northwest pass. However, nobody has ever towed or gave us a ticket for not having one as other cars seem to ignore that as well. Its a huge lot so you can easily squeeze in a parking spot near the entrance. There are bathrooms at the end of lake serene and at the parking lot so if youre too afraid of using the bathroom in wilderness, you have these options to plan accordingly. The bathroom at the end of lake serene is right next to the lake. Its basically a path to a box with a huge hole. People who pass by to go to the lake wont see you but youre out in the open so no doors or covers will prevent people from seeing your bare butt. The hike is strenuous but doable. I say its about 6 miles total to hike to lake serene and 4 miles to hike bridal veil. From the parking lot, you walk a straight path with a little incline for about 2 miles then hit a midway point that directs you to go towards bridal veil or lake serene. If you go towards bridal veil, you follow a path to a long steep staircase. Once up, its a slow incline of stairs to the top. If you go towards lake serene, it starts easy. You take a slow incline up until you hit a small resting area with huge rocks and a small waterfall. From there, your incline increases. As it gets a bit steeper, your staircase journey will begin and end until you reach up to the top. You know its the top when you see hills and a open sky. Its a straight path from there. The lake each time i went has been super cold for me to swim in but dont be afraid to take a dip and try for yourself. Its a great reward for reaching the end. Just find a spot and enjoy!

Beautiful hike composed of several trails. We did bridal veil falls, then lake serene which took us about 6 hours after leaving our car. We spend about 30-45 minutes at both the falls and the lake. We didn't take any breaks but did have to wait on the side at certain points for people to pass us coming from the opposite way as it gets a bit narrow. The first trail (bridal veil falls) is really easy for the first 2 miles, but it's gets really steep and rocky for the last half mile to the top. We saw a lot of children and dogs on this trail so it is on the easier side. It has beautiful views at the top of both mountains, a small river, and a gorgeous waterfall. Following, we did the lake serene hike which was 4 additional miles round trip. It was really rocky, and mostly just a pure hike up a mountain for the most part. There were significantly less people on this trail, still some dogs and children, but less. We did see a dog take a huge tumble at one point and it was very scary. There are a lot of stair like wooden builds but they have steep ledges on the sides. The view was gorgeous at the top - Mountain View's and a beautiful lake. Someone even had a kayak! You can swim but most people said it was freezing, and it was the second day of September. Make sure you bring plenty of water, snacks, and use the restroom beforehand! There aren't really any spots to veer off and just go in the woods. Also, purchase a Pacific Northwest parking pass online before if you don't have one. Otherwise bring $5 cash and a pen to manually fill out an envelope for parking.

Came here on a Monday morning during a heat wave, 12 cars parked at 8AM. Hike to the lake was uphill, some parts had stairs but mostly a hiking path, most of it was in the shade, didn't see many people. Took about 1 hrs 45 mins, lake is melted, just a bit of snow around it. Few spots to get into the water, which is really cold! Perfect for a hot day. Went to the waterfall on the way down, most of it is in the shade as well. Waterfall has a lot of water, pretty big waterfall, really nice! Got hot on the way down, was happy I was coming down when I was. Not many cars in the parking lot when I got back.

Amazing trail! Did a hike to the lake around mid May. The lake was still mostly covered with snow back then. Still a beautiful sight to behold, and there are plenty of great views along the way! Parking was hard to find by 9am when we arrived on a Saturday. Get here early. I'm reasonable fit but not an experienced hiker. But for me, this hike was (1) fairly hard at 8miles round trip, and (2) fairly adventurous, with some waterfalls, creek crossings, logs to climb, and snowy trails at the end. It's also quite crowded. Definitely bring enough water and snack, and wear the right shoes. Poles would have come in handy though we managed without. (Note: we didn't go to the bridal veil falls trail, but it is easier and more manageable if you are not in shape)

TLDR; a pretty intense hike with some river crossings and a huge elevation gain. Check the weather before you come...we didn't and the clouds covered everything up. Northwest Forest Pass required or drop off $5 at the parking lot. This hike is roughly 7 miles round trip with a 2700 ft. elevation gain. Most of that elevation is in the last stretch of the hike and we kept asking ourselves if it was worth it. Unfortunately, we didn't check the weather before hiking and the lake at the end was completely shrouded...we couldn't see anything. If the circumstances were different, I think we would've really enjoyed this hike. We barely passed anybody during our hike, but it was early on a Friday. Apparently it can get really crowded on the weekends. I did enjoy the solitude and I really enjoyed how green the surrounding trees and plants are. The trail splits off three times three times. Stay on the right, then the left, and then the left. For the third split, you can take a detour to the right to see some falls. The trail is littered with rocks and gets slippery so wear good shoes. Bring some toilet paper because there's a toilet at the top of the mountain that's actually just a hole in the ground. I'd love to do this hike again and maybe next time, I'll get to see why a lot of people love this hike.

So came to this without much expectations as my friend planned it all out for me. We got there at about 7:45AM--there weren't very many cars at the lot so we knew we got there just in time. I'd prefer to have gotten there event slightly earlier to catch the light rays of the sun. Anyway, we started off towards bridal veil falls. The trail was well marked and wide spaces to just walk through. The incline didn't begin until you cut away into the bridal veil detour. It took us maybe 1.5hr to get to the falls. We took photos with some newly met friends and took in the water fall sights. We left the waterfall around 945am and headed towards the lake. There is about 23 switchbacks going up. I had distinct landmarks to keep track of my distance, there was a bridge, another mini water fall and then the beginning of what we called stairway to heaven---because it was just stairs upon stairs. We got to the clearing where we knew there was an obvious sign of the lake. we crossed the log bridge into the area with the massive rock slightly curving into the lake. The sight was amazing, melting ice on the lake, icy blue colors of the lake and melting snow from the mountains. What a sight!! I went down towards the lake and just touched the water--definitely icy. There was a man that jumped in the lake--not sure if I recommend that. All in all- 5 stars for the views, the easily marked trail and photo worthy snaps.

Get a forest pass from rei in advance, $5 for one day or $15 for the whole year. Get there early because parking is limited and as many websites say "it's a popular Washington hike". I encourage you to do both lake serene and bridal vails if you have time. Bring lunch and bring water. There is an outdoor toilet available at the top of lake serene. Bring toilet paper. Lots of dogs unleashed, so please don't be alarmed. Wait your turn to take pictures as there will be a line. Bring a camera / phone camera because I don't know about you but it's not an everyday type of hike. At the falls you may get wet, and depending on what time of the year you hike, there may be snow on the trails so update yourself and be informed through wta online. It's a beautiful hike and the final destinations make it totally worth it. You can dooooo it!!!

This review is for the people who don't hike a lot: this hike is super pretty and it was mostly flat until the last 1/2 mile.... but I will tell you the last half mile was disrespectful!! The last bit is alllll up hill and pretty steep and it kicked my butt so bad, it was totally worth it but I was NOT ready, so please conserve your energy for the last bit I don't hike super often so I'm pretty out of shape, but for people who hike a lot it's probably a breeze

My favorite hike in washington. I liked this one because it changes the tarrains. Sometimes, you're walking in a river, other times you're on the ground. Overall, so interesting.

Another A+ hike at the entrance to the Washington Cascade mountains. Just incredible the day we went. Low hanging clouds, snow capped peaks, temperate climate and wild ferns and rich green moss covering everything. While we did not hike all the way to Lake Serene due to the late start in the day, bridal veil falls was a quick 3 miles up. I recommend poles as the trails can turn into streams and a lot of rocks paving the way. Be sure to pack your trash out and bring a lunch and plenty of water. AAA+++

This is not a beginner hike if you do the whole thing. If you just want to see pretty waterfalls then do the Bridal Veil Falls trail and move on to something else - the waterfall part will only take about 45 minutes to get to and is not too challenging...If you come down from that and then decide to continue on to the lake trail this will tack on another 2 hours up, up, and up. As others have said there is not much to see along the way. A couple of waterfall views are right after the trail split and then there are stairs and stairs for days heading up. There are lots of chipmunks and a few tiny black squirrels but not much else in the way of wildlife to be seen up here. If you have a bad ACL or knee issues like I sometimes do, the stairs are a major killer on the way down. I had trekking poles and it was still a pain. Don't forget your ibuprofen if you know you are prone to leg pain! I hate to be a naysayer, but I've been fortunate to see many beautiful lakes in my lifetime and this one just didn't do it for me. It was just kinda "meh." For all the work it takes to get to this alpine lake I would easily say i've been there, done that, no need to every do it again. I have a friend that calls this her favorite hike and she wants to do it with some other friends and myself sometime again - NOPE! No thanks! There's too much else out there to explore and this one was just OK.

FYI the Discover Pass does not work here since it's Federal land and the NW Forest Pass is required to park here or else you can pay $5 onsite as well. I didnt know there were two kinds of passes so this was news to me. Rangers are actively checking and ticketing people in the parking lot. The upper parking lot is small and fills up pretty quickly. We got here around 10:45am on a Sat and there was only 1 tight spot open luckily, otherwise there is more parking in the lower parking lot not too far away. The trail head is clearly marked and there is a map showing the trails for Lake Serene and Bridal Veils Falls. Basically always stick to the right for th3e falls and to the left for the lake. We decided to only do the Falls since it was 4miles roundtrip vs. 8miles roundtrip for the lake. There was also a ranger walking on the trail answering questions. The trail for the falls was quite narrow at times with lots of rocky and steep trails so I would wear good hiking boots or your feet will really hurt in regular shoes. It was definitely more of an intermediate hike with lots of uphill and lots of stairs! Omg it felt like the stair master at the gym at times. Overall, for an intermediate hiker it took us an hour to get to the top with a relaxed pace and breaks in between. The views of the falls at the top are just breathtaking and definately worth the steep climb up. You wont be disappointed thats for sure! There is also plenty of space to sit around the falls area as it is flowing down and you also get a view from above of all the trees and mountains in the distance. So beautiful but definitely a leg and butt workout!

Our hiking group just hiked this trail. If hiking to both locations, prepare for an 8.2 miles round trip hike. A NW Forest Pass, America the Beautiful Pass or Day Pass is required to hike this trail. Day passes can be purchased at the parking lot for $5. Two privy's are located in the parking lot. We arrived at the parking lot at 8:15am and had no problem getting a parking spot. By the time we left, the parking lot was packed with overflow parking on the side of the dirt road. The trail to both hikes is narrow, rocky and uneven. Many, and I mean many, stairs must be ascended on this trail. Some stairs are man-made. Some stairs are large boulders. Some stairs are roots. All the stairs are at a steep incline. If you ascend, you must descend. Hiking poles are helpful to help keep pressure off the knees while descending. This hike is not suitable for anybody handicapped or with knee issues. Do yourself a favor and stop at Bridal Veil Falls on the way up (1.7 miles in) rather than on the way back. You will be too exhausted to care about the Falls on your way down. The Falls are a 1/2 mile climb up steep stairs. The trail splits near the falls forming a loop. Stay low and to the left to get the big view of the falls. Breathtaking. The spray from the Falls is also refreshing after sweating heavily. After viewing the Falls, gather your strength and determination for the final very steep (gaining 1,300 ft) 1.5 miles to Lake Serene. Once you're reached the bird house looking post stating a toilet is nearby, you're almost to Lake Serene! If you're lucky, you'll reach Lake Serene before all the shore space is taken over. At this point, pat yourself on the back for a job well done. Bust out some much needed water and refuel with some snacks/lunch. On the day of our hike, mosquitoes were present while sitting on the shore. The trail is very narrow and overloaded with people, kids and dogs. Be sure to practice good trail etiquette and step aside for the climbers when descending. Overall, Bridal Veil Falls and Lake Serene were both beautiful. This is a hard hike so mentally prepare yourself for it. As always, be sure to wear the correct shoes and clothing while hiking. Be sure to carry enough water to sustain yourself to and fro. If you pack it in, be sure to pack it out.

What a BEAUTIFUL hike! Well worth the pain to get to the top. I would rate this hike a medium. The beginning is pretty doable but halfway through come the stairs and the switchbacks. It's pretty long, 9 miles all together I believe but great exercise with a beautiful payoff. Get there early!!! It gets packed later in the day and is really annoying to hike when there are a lot of people. We got there around 7 and it was perfect. Found parking easily and had the trail to ourselves.

Great hike, I would wholeheartedly recommend this to a friend. We kind of did this backwards compared to what guidance was - we arrived at 5:30 PM. While it was great that we were pretty much alone, we ended up spending our last hour and a half in the dark, so definitely aim for a little earlier. As far as the hike goes, it's relatively simple from the trailhead to bridal veil falls. Where it gets tricky is going up to lake serene. It's a long strenuous hike and can be demoralizing at times, but it's SO worth it for the views. Be warned that the trail is primarily rock for the last hour or so, and when it rains it can be pretty tricky. This is an amazing hike, if you're on the fence, do it!

Waterfalls teach us how powerful we can be if we just "let Go" and flow in the direction that call our name! The falls truly was like a brides veil! What I loved most about it was how close I could get to the falls and dip my toes in it's clear clean cold water! To feel the mist on my face and hear it's splash felt like nature was giving a message to all those wandering... let go and flow and see how mighty u become! I'm in awe of the serenity I felt! The hike itself is pretty intense! Lots of stairs and tricky rocky pathway... but it's worth the challenge! Totally recommend it!

This is an UH-MAZE-ING hike! Since this hiking trail has a bit of everything (which can be reason enough for some folks to enjoy it), it's probably not recommended for newbies, noobs, new hikers, and/or anyone generally not in shape---and uncomfortable with steep drop-offs and/or heights. (This is for fairly wet weather & Bridal Veil Falls path) From the beginning, you're gradually ascending over a rocky, gravel-y, and muddy path, sometimes crossing the occasional stream and likely getting a foot or 2 wet/damp/moist. Farther up the ascent, things can get a bit more tricky and possibly "turn-around" moments for certain people. The trail starts zig-zagging its way up the steep incline, crossing rocks, boulders, and streams along pretty good drop-offs (note: plenty of spots to pause, take a breather, and/or enjoy the view). (at this point, hopefully you endure any leg pain! FEEL THE BURN!! Work them muscles! Think of the reward and what an awesome place you're at!) =D Pass this tricky area, the incline continues on some pretty good stairs. *work them legs!* At this point, hopefully you've also enjoyed seeing some awesome aged trees and moss! ^_^ Once past stairs, you just might hear a subtle roaring noise----almost there! The forward path ends here... at Bridal Veil Falls. I've never hiked, if at all, in over 10 years; let alone been a couple dozen feet away from such a sweet waterfall! Amazing. Once you've done some ooo-ing and awe-ing up here, it's time to do the same hike---backwards! Yay! (Word of caution: hiking upwards is ALOT easier than hiking downwards... I slipped a few going down) I'm glad I was in shape enough and brought backup socks and shoes; probably won't need them when it's dry out. Hope you have fun, be safe, make sure you have good footing, and know your immediate area! GL & HV! =D

Be sure to purchase a NORTHWEST FOREST PASS. If you don't have one, there was a little mailbox where you can slide in a white envelope with cash. The nice thing about this trail is that it's 2 trails built in one. I would rate the Bridal Veil Falls portion as an easy hike while the Lake Serene one as fairly difficult. 1.5 miles into your trail, you will encounter a sign that directs you to Lake Serene (additional 2 miles) or Bridal Veils (additional .5 miles). I highly recommend doing both trails in the same day as the views are freaking amazing. Continuing to Bridal Veils you will encounter a bunch of wooden stairs. There is slight incline during this route but this is a pretty good hike for beginners to get a feel of the hiking world. Once you reach the falls, you will forget about your journey up because you are now witnessing the star of the show. You literally are right NEXT to a waterfall. The glacier water is AMAZING and extremely cold. It's not deep enough to swim, but cleansing my feet in the waters gave my toes a cold shock that you would feel when icing your body so that you're refreshed to hike back down. Choosing the alternative route to Lake Serene is a whole different ballgame. It is much harder than the Bridal Veils route. The trail has a plethora of different terrain: sharp rocks, dirt, stairs, and streams. There is a lot of elevation as well so I would recommend a good pair of hiking boots to withstand all the sharp rocks. I would say the trail is 40% sharp rocks to the lake. I felt grateful whenever I saw stairs throughout the trail because of the beating my feet took from all the sharp rocks. Once you reach Lake Serene you feel like you're a little fish in a big empty pond. The lake is huge and the landscape of the surrounding rocks are giant. There are snow on the rocks and you will see plates of ice in the water. Try to come here in a weekday. The parking lot seats roughly 30-40 vehicles and since the Bridal Veils Waterfall is a short hike, I imagine the space gets packed.

Need to start off with saying, this hike is completely worth it. With that out of the way, this hike was no joke. Boyfriend came to visit, and I was excited to finally have someone to do this hike with. I'll preface with saying that I'm a pretty avid stairmaster-er at the gym and use to do some trail running back in Virginia. although I'm currently not in great of shape as I want to be. and my boyfriend is an avid road biker who's done a couple of centuries. And this hike kicked our butts. We're about an hour away from the trailhead and got an early start. We got there a little before 8 am on a Tuesday morning, and there were 2 or 3 cars that had already beaten us there. We got our Northwest Forest Pass from REI earlier ($5 for a day pass, and I believe it was $32 for a year). There are some toilets at the trailhead, and then one toilet close to Lake Serene. Bring your own toilet paper. We started off with hoodies on, but then quickly took them off. You will sweat. A lot. There's no avoiding it. I sweated so much, I got cold at some points because there was so much sweat on me... There are a couple of super small streams you'll have to jump or cross on rocks to get through. As everyone else says, there are a LOT of steep stairs and some rocks you'll have to climb through. It's rough. DEFINITELY go up to Bridal Veil Falls before you go to the lake. There was no way we were going up to the Falls after coming back from Lake Serene. Seriously, you'll be spent. The hike up to the falls isn't too bad, although you'll still go up a lot of stairs and rocks. But it's super refreshing by the falls and well worth it. Now on the way to Lake Serene, the sign says it's another 2 miles. It's def. more than 2 miles. And after going through all that, I was more than a little cranky to have to go even further. Once you reach the sign for the toilet, it's just a little bit further to the lake. When we finally reached Lake Serene, it took our breath away. It was absolutely gorgeous. The mountains, the crystal clear blue lake, and the snow on the mountains around the lake made it all worth it. This was my second Washington hike, and his first one, and we were blown away. We hiked up just a little bit further and ate lunch at the lunch rock, just a smooth flat rock ledge you can rest on. There was a chipmunk (maybe a really skinny small squirrel?) who would not leave us alone, and actually got pretty close trying to get food. I'm guessing he gets fed all the time. We stayed there for about an hour eating lunch and flying a drone. For a Tuesday, there were quite a lot of people hiking up and hanging out here too. Can't imagine how crowded it is in on the weekends. Also remember steep inclines mean steep declines. The hike back down might have even been harder. You have to be a little bit more strategical on foot placement, and there's a lot more stress on your knees and ankles coming back down. DJ has a bad left knee and was def. feeling it. I sprained my ankle at the end of May, by the end of the hike it hurt a little and felt weak. We had only brought 3 biking water bottles along with my 1.14 L hydroflask. We definitely needed more water, you honestly are probably better off bringing a camelback. On the way home we stopped to grab some more water to chug. All in all, you could do this hike. I wore running shoes, and even though you can totally get by with it, it would be a lot better with actual hiking shoes (could have used that ankle support....) It took us about 5.5-6 hours to do with an hour lunch break included. That view is ABSOLUTELY worth it. Do yourself a favor and get here (preferably on a weekday so you can enjoy it without the huge crowds), you'll be so glad.

I was going to give it 2 stars for the pretty waterfall we passed on the way to the lake but the way back was torturous so overall, it wasn't a good hike. It was already getting really dark by the time we got near the end. The trail wasn't too bad halfway but when we got to the hill, it was a killer. The trail near the end was really rocky and painful. When we finally got to the lake, we were so disappointed. It looked so basic and depressing. We probably came at a wrong time. But end of story, we're never going back here again...

This was one of the more challenging but beautifully scenic hikes I've done in a while. Close to lake melakwa's terrain in terms of diversity. Great length (7-8 miles), moderate grade in steepness. Loved the mix of the roar of waterfalls, seeing the powder on mount index, the reflective lakes, small quarry field/pathway, wooden walkway by the lake, as well as the awesome boulder where many have lunch to enjoy the view. I personally think it would be super fun to put a slip n slide on it. Haha. No idea how deep or cold the water is but it was a great day up there - we were hot in shorts and tank tops in April!! Didn't hike up to bridal veil falls itself but had a couple great waterfall shots from the main trail none the less. A few tips: There is a "toilet" near the lake - there is a sign. Bring tp. There was little to no snow on the path, but it is rocky. I managed fine in tennis shoes but some soft hiking shoes would give more stability. Its easy to miss but after reaching the lake, there's a small path on the right that takes you to a spot where bridal veil falls caravenes over the edge. So fun to see even if u don't get a full view.

Awesome hike not far from Seattle. When we arrived the lot was extremely full and we found the last spot. People were also parking on the side road leading up to the lot. As for the hike, we skipped the falls and headed straight for Lake Serene. We our intermediate hikers and it took us 35 minutes to get to the split between the falls trail and lake trail. Total, an hour and fifty minutes to the lake with a few stops for photos and to catch our breath. Once you go past the trail for the falls the hike gets to be very rocky the entire way. Some parts were very steep and slippery, but do able with running shoes. The lake at the top was worth the work and I would definitely recommend it on a sunny day.

I'm from the east coast (North Carolina), and used to the Appalachian Mountains. West coast mountains are no joke. Hiking the trail to Lake Serene was 4.5 miles straight up. Gorgeous views along the way, but soooo tiring. We got to the trailhead 10am, I wish I had gotten there a tiny bit earlier, like 9am instead. I do not recommend starting this hike late in the day. It takes at least a few hours round trip, and you want to be able to enjoy the lake without worrying about getting back in the dark (trust me - coming down is so technical, and you'll be exhausted, that you want as much light as possible to prevent any falls). Before you reach the top, prepare for a lot of steep switchbacks, stairs, and a somewhat lengthy rock scramble at the very end. Once you get to the top, enjoy the breathtaking views of the lake. I got there around 12:30pm, and the sun was directly across from the lake where I was sitting, so a lot of backlit pictures. Get there early if you want better lighting. I was hoping to get shots of the blue green crystal clear glacial lake water but it turned out black due to the lighting. Also, definitely take a break (for the dual purpose of enjoying the scenery & to let your body recover) when you reach the lake. And bring tons of water - I would say at least 1.5 liters worth (I am a fan of staying hydrated and had a 24 oz and 16oz bottle and that wasn't enough). Hike down was very technical. The rock scramble coming up is equally tough coming down. I recommend wearing hiking boots with ankle supports, I didn't think to wear mine and got lucky that me landing wrong on my foot a few times didn't result in a turned ankle. Definitely do bridal veil falls! Some people say do it on the way up bc you'll be too spent on the way back. I did it on the way back and it was tough, those 0.5 mile felt super long...! Gorgeous views, many places to sit and take it all in. Also, being a visitor to Washington I wasn't familiar with the weather. Halfway up to bridal veils I heard thunder, but my friend said it'd be fine for us to continue up. Rain never came even though the thunder got louder and sounded closer. What you should wear: something breathable, hiking boots, tons of water and snacks. Take care of your body, and take breaks! a few good long breaks going up & down will make you enjoy the hike much more than simply trudging through it.

7.2 roundtrip hike. Went on April 23 and there was about a mile snow at the top to the lake. Would recommend appropriate gear for the snowy part as I struggled with my Nike Frees. Difficult and challenging hike. The 1st half was not so bad, the 2nd half was hard! Lots of stairs and incline. Google map Lake Serene and you'll see a parking lot towards your left when you get there. If you don't have a pass, pay $5 in the envelope provided at the entrance and rip off the stub and put it on your dashboard. I would highly recommend this hike as the end point is beautiful!

This is a wonderful place to picnic by the riverside (Skykomish river) Plenty of places to take in the scenery and enjoy the soothing sounds of water flowing. Forks of the sky State park is right across the road and a short hike will get you to the boulders right next to the river. Get some coffee in Skykomish to keep you warm and peppy. Highly recommended as a short half-day getaway from the bustle of the city!

A lovely easy to moderate hike. It's mostly flat until the end half a mile where it is just the stairs. It is very easy to miss the fork that goes up and closer to the fall and instead you get to see the very end of the fall. We missed it in the beginning but fortunately one of our friend had already been there and remembered that there is a fork through which you can get closer to the falls. A 1000 ft elevation and 4 mile round trip for just the falls. We did not do the hike to lake serene as it was getting late and darker. But evenings are a good time to hike. We did not see a lot of crowd

Hiked on Thursday, September 5th, 2019 with my cousin and my dog. This hike is about an hour drive away for me so we left in the morning and arrived around 9:50. Unfortunately, after reading some reviews about there being a drop box for leaving payment for the day, we came upon the box but it had been locked due to vandalism. So before you go, you should definitely buy a day pass online and print it. Otherwise, we were lucky to buy one from the Espresso Chalet just about five minutes away for $5. There are locations listed on the board near the entrance for where you can purchase a pass. There were some helpful hikers who tried to help us get a pass and inform us about the different passes when we had arrived. The beginning of the hike was level, and we had encountered only two different groups of people. Both of which were unpleasant and really quite rude. We decided to proceed with our hike ignoring the encounters and trying to enjoy the rest of the hike. We decided to only do the Bridal Veils which is about a 4.0 mile roundtrip. Although some other reviews mention this as being an easy hike that they bring their kids to, I would have to disagree. I am out of shape but most of the hike to the falls was uphill, very rocky and then stairs. Some areas were actually quite difficult to navigate and I had brought my dog to her first hike which added another level of difficulty navigating with her. Once we reached the falls, there was only one other person there so we decided to go down and sit on some rocks below where the waterfall was cascading down. My dog played a bit in the water and we just sat for about an hour (time really flew past taking it all in!). Heading back, it's mostly downhill and by the time we were walking back, the trail was getting substantially more busy so I would coming earlier is my recommendation. The people on the way back were all very nice and understanding when I had to let my dog off to get down some rough areas and it definitely made up for the first two encounters in the beginning of the hike. Looking forward to coming back and seeing Lake Serene on our next trip.

Omg...thee most beautiful sight..pictures do no justice for this sight. A must see..pack some water, pack somw lunch.. we did..it was absolutely gorge

Absolutely beautiful on days that are not over populated. The trail is well maintained and ohh the lunch rock...

Lake Serene is absolutely beautiful! I came here on a Tuesday morning so it wasn't very crowded (probably due to the fact that the weather was crappy and that it was a weekday). Difficulty: Moderate Gains: 2200 ft Length: 8.2 miles around trip (including the trip to the falls too) Time: 3 hours total, including the trip to the falls Road: The drive here was very easy and straight forward. 1.5 hour from Seattle. The Bridal Veil Falls Trail head is located on Mt Index River Road. The signs are easy to follow and clearly marked. Parking: Lots of parking spaces in the parking lot. There are two outhouse toilets available. Trail: The overall trail is very nicely maintained (except for a few parts towards the top). The trail starts off very easy in the beginning following about 1.5-2 miles down a logging road with a mild grade incline. Some of the pathway are very narrow with lots of lush overgrowth. A couple of stream crossings appear in the beginning of the trail. Towards the end of this path, you will then see a junction splitting up Bridal Veil Falls and Lake Serene. The trail to the falls is 1/2 mile to the right. The trail to the the lake is 2 miles to the left. It is clearly marked. Going to the falls will add another mile to the hike but it's worth it. The trek to Bridal Veil Falls consists of some stairs with a good incline but it is very short and not that hard. I highly recommend going to the falls first, it is a very fast hike (about 20 minutes round trip) and you can sit and relax afterwards at the lake. The trail to the lake is harder than the falls but still do-able. It starts off with a gradual incline passing a smaller section of the waterfall. The pathway starts off rocky and then proceeds to a moderate-steep incline with switchbacks, stairs, roots and rocky steps. The stairs aren't all connecting. Some areas will consists of stairs, then switchbacks, then rocks. Most of the trail is shaded. Towards the top, the trail becomes a little flatter but very rocky and exposed. There are some parts of the trail closer to the lake that was still under construction. I saw lots of tools being left on the trail (such as an ax, shovel, buckets, etc.) which can be hazardous. The corner before reaching the lake was very muddy and slippery. I hiked up this trail in pouring rain, hail and thunder! Not to mention it was freezing at the lake.The weather made it a harder because some parts were slippery. View: Every step was worth it because the lake and the surroundings were absolutely amazing. The mountains, snow and glaciers adds beauty to the scene. The water is so pristine. Even though it was gloomy it was still so mesmerizing. There is also a lookout to see the surrounding valleys. It was so cold and I was soaked so I didn't stay as long as I wanted to. Bugs: none I am still a novice hiker and pretty out of shape but I didn't think this hike was as hard as I though it would be. I highly recommend this hike! TIP: I counted 35 sets of stairs to the lake! *Northwest Forest pass required*

Love love love this hike. It is perfect for beginners, if you just want to hike to Bridal Veil Falls. If you want a thigh-busting work out, you can hike to the waterfall AND to the lake. If you do both, it's about 8 miles RT and took me around 4-5 hours total. The waterfall and lake aren't directly on the same trail, so you should take a detour to the waterfall first, go back down to the fork and then go up to the lake. The waterfall is gorgeous and is a wonderful break if you are hiking in hot weather. It only adds an extra mile to the hike, so it isn't too bad. The hike to the falls from the main trail isn't too steep - stairs have been implemented to make it a bit easier. The first 2 miles (to the fork in the road where there is a sign to Lake Serene or Bridal Veil falls) is pretty easy. From here onto the lake, it's a fairly rocky, steep climb to the top, with about 40 sets of stairs. When you finally get done with the switchbacks you are almost there! There is a very rocky walk around the mountain, a slight turn to your left and you'll see the beautiful lake! The water is extremely clear and surrounded by a gorgeous backdrop of often snowy mountains :)

I did this hike back in August when it was 90 degree out. It's a not too far away hike away from Seattle about an hour+ drive. My group got there at around 9-10? And the lot was pretty full. NW pass is require at this hike and if you don't have one its $5 to pay on site. This hike to the lake is pretty challenging with what felt like 40 sets of stairs. but worth every blood, sweat, and tears cause the view was worth it and even on a hot day the lake was super cold to swim in but it felt real good.

This is a great workout of a hike with the best view at the top! I am nowhere near being a seasoned hiker. In fact, I tend to only adventure out in fair weather, so my perspective will be from that of a beginner. With that said...this hike is definitely of intermediate difficulty. It starts out nice and easy with a gradual incline, but when reaching the switchbacks the trail gets steeper. It's also extremely rocky in places, so wear hiking shoes if you have them. Of course there's always people in Nike trainers and other slippery footwear that somehow made it up. If you're feeling discouraged during the switchbacks, just know you're almost there! It's such a shame not to be able to see the view after all that work. The lake is really the greatest reward. The pictures, although completely stunning in their own regard, do no justice to the in-person experience. There's a large rock appropriately named "lunch rock" where you can relax and take in the panoramic view of the alpine lake. In total, it took us about 5.5 hours for the whole trip. I hike slowly especially going uphill, plus we took a long break up top, but I think it's doable in 4. Go early, pack snacks and plenty of water, and have fun!

I loved this hike ! It's a total workout but it's worth it to me ! Swimming in the lake after the hike is amazing ! The only con about this hike is bugs. ! I forgot to bring bug spray ! But I felt like there were so many flies and bees ! I've been to other hikes and never that many bugs ! The trail does start getting steep ! So it is a bit scary ! This hike is defiantly a thigh burner ! So be prepared when you start the stairs ! Lol Also, visit the waterfall before the lake ! Or else you will be too tired to visit the fall after your lake visit ! Overall, I enjoyed this hike and would do it again ! And get there early for parking ! Since this place is starting to get crowded and popular !

Arrived around 9 in the morning and was greeted with a medium shower. There are a lot of pointy rocks on the trails so try to be careful with those ankles and where you are stepping. It was nice to see the vegetation and the green on the trail. The waterfall was a great part of the hike because you can literally be about 20 feet from the falls. Just be careful and watch your stepping. One time when I climbed Mt. Si it was also raining as well and when I got up there and tried to look at the view, all I saw was just plain clouds everywhere. It was basically looking like a white piece of paper in front of you. Same exact feeling when I got to Lake Serene. I suggest you do this hike during the summer on a nice clear day. Overall the trails were really nice and the stairs were built neatly. The walkways were great as well. People like to bring their dogs with them and about 50% have them off their leach so watch out for that. All of them were nice enough to hold their dogs on the leach if they look like they were about to attack. Oh and you need the NORTHWEST FOREST PASS! The Discovery Pass doesn't work there lol. I wanna say about 2 hours into the hike you'll get that "never ending" and "are we there yet" feeling. That's how I felt but don't worry, even though I didn't get a great of a view, the Lunch on Lunch Rock and hike was worth it. I'd definitely go back again.

Coming from a person that probably should partake in more physical activities...this hike was pretty difficult! Most of the reviews forewarn you about the crazy amount of stairs. Here I am thinking okay, I'm decent at the stair masters it can't be that hard..no. I'd say please take this into consideration if you're a beginner hiker. The first 1 1/2-2 miles up until you get to the split point honestly was not that bad. Not too rocky and mostly flat land. When you get to the split point, you have 2 options. Take a right for 1/2 mile up to bridal veil falls, or take a left for the 2 mile hike to Lake Serene. We did both, and holy guacamole. You literally rock climb and stair climb for a good 80% of the whole time with a 90% incline throughout. Tough, but the falls and the lake was most certainly worth it. The falls were roaring down right beside me, and once you get to the lake, it's serene for sure. You'll love it!

Beautiful and moderately challenging trail. We went all the way to the lake to find that the fog was too dense to even have a partial view of the lake. Bring hydration as it is very humid along the trail. Wear comfortable shoes as the trail is very rocky. I almost tweaked my ankle on a few occasions. Overall, the trail is 8 miles round trip with the first two miles on the way to the lake being rather easy. The second half has most of the 2000 ft elevation change and is much more challenging. The detour to bridal veil falls is well worth it. The falls are really nice to take a picture with and very refreshing after a humid hike.

This is an absolutely beautiful hike. I was a little disappointed about the view from the bridge of the falls due to downed trees blocking a amazing waterfall, but that is Mother Nature for you. The hike up to the lake does have lots and lots of stairs. The view of the lake and eating lunch on the Rock is well worth the stair climb.

Tough hike but worth it for the views. I can't stress enough that you need to get here EARLY. The falls are gorgeous and a must see, but this plus the hike to the lake takes several hours. The hike to the falls is relatively easy - the trail to the lake is much steeper. You will be rewarded with an amazing view! When we walked up, the lake was so crisp that I couldn't tell where the mountain ended and where the water started. Logistically, a federal pass is required and the discovery pass will not suffice here - we didn't realize that but luckily weren't ticketed. The parking lot fills up quickly! It's a good idea to bring alternate shoes to change into after the hike. It can get a bit muddy. Enjoy!!

This was the first 2000+ ft elevation gain hike I ever did. Did it twice, both around the same time of year. One year, snow covered most of the lake. This year, it was all melted out. Check hiking reports on NWHikers or WTA before you go, it's way better when the lake is clear. It's a really popular hike, and before I did too many other hikes, I thought it was one of the best. Now I'd say that it's pretty good, but there are better options. The falls are pretty, the views across the valley are pretty, and the stairs make you want to die. But I'm constantly reminded by hiking companions and trip reports that the old trail used to be an extremely difficult scramble, so I guess we should be grateful for the stairs. Enjoy lunch on Lunch Rock by the lake on a sunny day makes it all worth it. One drawback is that there isn't a ton of accessible sitting space around the lake, so if it's busy up there, it can feel crowded fast.