Hiking to Lake Serene & Bridal Veil Falls: Washington’s Underrated Alpine Hike
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Saying that Lake Serene and Bridal Veil Falls are an underrated hike in Washington might be the understatement of the year, but hear me out! This hike tends to be overshadowed by its (closeish) neighbors like Colchuck Lake and Snow Lake.
The trailhead begins almost immediately off Highway 2. There’s no messing around when you’re headed to this hike and I like that.
We loved having the option to go see Bridal Veil Falls halfway through the hike. The trail is steep but this helped break it up a bit.
Yes, the trail is steep but there are plenty of sections that have well-maintained stairs to hike up.
We hiked during the middle of October, which means it had started to rain frequently. The trail and rocks were slippery, so it’s a good idea to be aware of that and take your time.
The Snow Lake trail and Bridal Veil Falls aren’t easy per se, but I’ll give you all the details you need to know to make this a great experience.
Beyond the Beauty: Why Lake Serene & Bridal Veil Falls Stole My Heart
Maybe it was because we only saw a few people on the trail the entire day, but we really enjoyed the serenity (pun intended).
Like I mentioned previously, we hiked this in October. It was raining on the way to the trailhead but not during our hike at all. I guess we lucked out. This made for an unforgettable experience.
It felt like we were hiking through different ecosystems. The vegetation was extremely lush and green, and often we were hiking through the clouds.
The beauty of the surrounding area truly blew us away.
By the time we arrived at the lake, there was nobody around us. I know hiking during the middle of the week is difficult for most people but it’s truly a game changer.
We were able to take in all of Lake Serene’s beauty all on our own time.
What Makes This Trail Unique From Other Washington Hikes?
You simply can’t compare this hike to others like Rattlesnake Ledge. For one, Rattlesnake Ledge isn’t an alpine hike but also the crowds, even during the week, will be larger.
That has a lot to do with the proximity to Seattle. Which makes Rattlesnake Ledge better in that aspect. Even though Lake Serene Trail isn’t too far either.
When arriving at the Lake, you’ll be blown away by the towering granite walls of Mount Index creates; a uniquely intimate yet grand atmosphere.
The hikes and views in Mt. Rainier National Park, like Skyline Loop Trail, aren’t something I like to compare to anything else in Washington. But it’s harder to get away from the crowds at Mt. Rainier than it is here.
Having the ability to see a beautiful waterfall, combined with an alpine lake, makes this a dream hiking destination when visiting the Seattle area.
Lake Serene and Bridal Veil Falls Hiking Details
| Detail | Lake Serene & Bridal Veil Falls Hike Information |
|---|---|
| 🗺️ Location | Index, Washington, USA |
| 📏 Round-trip Distance | 7.6 – 8 miles total (including Bridal Veil Falls detour)(Alltrails.com, Trailforks.com) |
| ⛰️ Elevation Gain | ~2,500 feet |
| 🚶 Difficulty Level | Moderate to Challenging (steep and rocky sections) |
| ⏱️ Average Hike Duration | 4–6 hours round-trip |
| 🏞️ Scenic Highlights | Bridal Veil Falls, Alpine Lake, stunning mountain views |
| 🌲 Trail Type | Out-and-back |
| 🅿️ Parking & Trailhead | Lake Serene Trailhead (limited spaces; fills up quickly) |
| 📝 Permits/Pass Required | Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass |
| 🐶 Dog-friendly? | Yes, on leash |
| 🥾 Best Hiking Months | May–October (June–September ideal) |
| 🌦️ Weather Considerations | Prepare for variable mountain weather; layers recommended |
| 📸 Best Time for Photos | Early morning or late afternoon (soft lighting, fewer crowds) |
| 🚻 Restrooms | Available at trailhead |
| 🏕️ Camping Options | No camping directly at the lake, nearby camping in Index area |
| 📱 Cell Reception | Limited; download offline maps beforehand |
My Experience hiking to Lake Serene and Bridal Veil Falls
The weather can change in this area quickly, as you might have guessed. It was raining the entire drive and then once we arrived at the trailhead, the sun came out.
This forced us to take it slow on the sections that were more rocky than others because it was slippery.
It’s always smart to bring a rain jacket because you never know when the weather will take a turn for the worse (hopefully that doesn’t happen).
Timing Your Arrival to Beat the Crowds
Avoiding large crowds is always a huge priority when it comes to hiking for us. And this hike is no different than any other.
Arrive early or show up late. I prefer an early morning hike, so we left Seattle around 8 and started the hike around 9 or 9:30.
Again, this was on a Thursday, but we saw maybe three people on the trail the entire time. It was fantastic.
The First Stretch of Trail
When we first arrived at the trailhead, we were met with a typical-looking trail. The trail was a mixture of rock and dirt, going through the thick, lush forest.
Some sections were drier than others, just depends on the tree cover in that particular area.
The elevation gain wasn’t too difficult either. Typically ranging between a 10% to 20% grade. This would start to increase later on in the hike, though.
After around 1.6 miles the trail forks upwards towards Bridal Veil Falls. A breathtaking waterfall overlooking the valley below.
Should You Add Bridal Veil Falls to Your Hike?
Absolutely! Bridal Veil Falls is only an extra .6 miles added onto this hike.
It is at a slightly higher grade of elevation than what you’ve already hiked but there are stairs added to the end that help.
This isn’t a massive waterfall compared to others that I’ve hiked to before but it’s still a beautiful area.
The view out from the waterfall into the valley is amazing and you shouldn’t miss it!
Continuing Along the Trail
After coming back down from Bridal Veil Falls, back on the Lake Serene trail, it begins to increase in the elevation grade percentage.
During some sections, we had to watch our step because there were some big rocks we were walking over and they were slippery to say the least.
This trail began to take us through the clouds and the views were impeccable. There’s just something about hiking through the clouds that makes the experience 10x better.
As we got closer to the lake, the trail turned into steps. I can never tell if this truly makes the hike easier but it does in my head at least.
The stairs were well-maintained and easy to walk up. These stairs continued down to the lake.
Enjoying Lunch at Lake Serene
After taking a few steps down towards the lake, we were rewarded with crystal clear waters with the mountains overlooking it.
We were the only ones at the lake for 99% of our time there. When continuing along the trail at the lake, we came across a very narrow bridge.
It seemed sketchy to cross at first but it ended up being perfectly fine.
We found a large rock slanting down to the lake. This is where we decided to take photos and enjoy our lunch!
Like many of our hikes in Washington, there were a ton of chipmunks running around and up to us. I definitely enjoy seeing them more than regular squirrels from the East Coast.
After lunch, we started our hike back to the trailhead.
The Best Spots to Take Photos at Lake Serene
- Lunch Rock: The place where we ate lunch is actually called ‘lunch rock’, which is funny and awesome at the same time. I believe this is also one of the best spots for taking photos. The rock slants down towards the lake with Mount Index peeking in the background.
- Valley Overlook: This spot might be trickier to find but there’s a trail that leads up a little bit after the narrow bridge that crosses the river.
- Shoreline: Taking pictures from the shoreline at the mini-beach is a great spot to showcase a different side of the lake.
Things to Know Before Hiking to Lake Serene and Bridal Veil Falls
This trail is straightforward but there are some details that you always want to make sure you know before embarking on any hike like parking, passes, and what to bring.
How is the Parking?
There were plenty of parking spots available when we arrived at the trailhead on a Thursday in October. With that being said, if you visit during the weekend, you might not be as lucky.
There’s a decent number of parking spots at the trailhead but arrive early if you want to make sure you get a spot.
Do You Need a Forest Pass?
If you want to do this hike, then you have to pay for parking. You pay for parking by either having an America the Beautiful Pass or a Northwest Forest Pass.
The America the Beautiful Pass costs $80 annually and helps you get into every National Park in the country. The Northwest Forest Pass is $30 annually but is only good for places in Washington and Oregon.
If you don’t want to spend that money and are looking to just pay for a day pass, then that will cost $5. Head to the trailhead board for more info.
Are There Restrooms at the Trailhead?
Restrooms are available at the trailhead and are pretty well maintained. These are nice bathrooms and aren’t portapotties.
These are nice but I’m sure they get messier with more foot traffic on the weekends. Bring toilet paper just in case.
When is the Best Time to Hike to Lake Serene
The best time to hike to Lake Serene is during the months of May to October. For an even better chance at good weather, try to visit from June to September.
If you hike here in the winter, you should be an experienced hiker, as you need crampons and ice axes when it starts to snow.
What Hiking Gear is Needed
You’ll need different gear depending on the time of year you attempt this hike. If you’re coming during the summer months, then you won’t need much past the typical gear.
- Sun Protection: Hat, sunglasses, sun screen, etc.
- Hiking Boots: Keen hiking boots are one of my favorite and most trusted brands
- Osprey Daypack: There are so many daypacks on the market today and you can’t ever go wrong with an Osprey.
- Atheltic Shirt
- Shorts/Hiking Pants
- Hiking Poles: These might not be 100% necessary but they are always good to have
Are There Camping Spots?
Camping is not allowed by the lake at any time of the year. If you’re looking to camp near the trailhead, you can check these out.
- Troublesome Creek Campground: This campground is north of the trailhead off of Index-Galena Rd, just 25 minutes up the road.
- San Juan Campground: Five minutes up the road from Troublesome Creek Campground is another one. A spot to place your tent is $27 and is a quiet place to sleep for the night, to get an early start in the morning.
Safety Considerations
Please follow the ‘leave no trace‘ best practices. This is the case when hiking, camping, or anything. This hike is no different than any other activity you do outdoors.
The whole idea behind this is that you should leave the area like you never visited. Below are some easy tips to follow:
- Dispose of ALL waste properly and take all trash with you
- Leave what you find
- Plan and prepare
- Only camp on durable surfaces
Quick FAQ
Is Lake Serene Suitable for Beginners or Kids?
Absolutely! This hike isn’t technical if you visit during the warmer summer months. It can be a difficult hike due to the elevation gain.
If you or your kids aren’t in shape, you might want to reconsider but I think it’s worth a shot. Show up early so there’s less foot traffic. This will give you more room to take a break when hiking up to the lake.
Is the Lake Serene Hike Pet-Friendly?
Dogs are allowed on the trail but they must be on leash. Please be considerate of others when bringing your dogs on any trails you plan on hiking.
Best Places to Stay in Seattle
Seattle is a great home base for a lot of hikes in Washington. I suggest staying for a few days here and doing some closer day hikes before venturing out to explore more of Washington.
- CitizenM: These hotels are gaining popularity from their simplistic look but they also have everything you need!
- Courtyard by Seatac: Looking for a hotel near the airport? This is your best bet!
- Silver Cloud Hotel: One of the highest-rated hotels in Seattle and for good reason!
Final Thoughts
When we first set out on the day to hike to Lake Serene and Bridal Veil Falls, my expectations weren’t high. This was largely due to the rain we were driving through on our way to the trailhead. Maybe because my expectations were lower but this hike blew me away. Every half mile, it seemed we were greeted with a different angle of the stunning beauty this area has to offer. If you’re visiting Washington and the Seattle area, I’d suggest adding this hike to your bucket list!
