Rampart Ridge Trail to Wonderland Trail Loop

This is a wonderful loop to do that avoids some of the crowds on the flatter trails and gives you an amazing view of the mountain. Park in the Longmire parking lot where the National Park Inn and Longmire Museum are. Walk across Paradise Rd E to join up with the Trail of the Shadows. Head north on the trail, which takes you the long way around the loop to meet up with the Rampart Ridge Trail. At this point you'll start climbing up out of the valley. At about mile 2.5 and 3 there are viewpoints of Mt. Rainier and the Kautz Creek valley. From here the trail gently descends and at about mile 4, the Rampart Ridge Trail dead ends into the Wonderland Trail. Head right and stay on this until you arrive back to the Longmire trail head.  

Make time to check out the National Park Inn for a post hike drink and the historic buildings on site.