Pump up the tires and try a new bicycling adventure with your family this summer! All the trails below have a flat or very gentle grade and can be done as an out and back at any distance. All are accessible year-round except the Snoqualmie Tunnel ride, which closes by October 1st of each year.
Snoqualmie Valley Trail {Carnation / Duvall area}
Distance: Duvall-Carnation (9.2 miles one-way); Carnation-Snoqualmie (11.6 miles one-way)
Surface: hard-pack crushed rock
Good for: All ages - accessible for strollers, bike trailers, hybrid bikes and mountain bikes
Parking and Restrooms available: McCormick/Depot Park in Duvall; Loutsis Park in Carnation
Why you should go: The Snoqualmie Valley Trail explores one of the most beautiful agricultural valleys in the region. The section from Duvall to Carnation skirts the Snoqualmie River in many sections. The Carnation – Snoqualmie leg is very shaded and offers the opportunity to cross several impressive railroad trestles. The trail in Snoqualmie ends at Tokul Road – walk up the hill and continue to ride down into town to visit Snoqualmie Falls or grab a bite to eat.
Centennial Trail {Snohomish area}
Distance: Snohomish-Lake Cassidy (10.7 miles one-way)
Surface: paved
Good for: All ages - accessible for strollers, bike trailers, hybrid bikes and road bikes
Parking and Restrooms available: available at 10 out of 11 stops along the trail (about every 3 miles along the southern half of the route)
Why you should go: The Centennial Trail explores the rich lumber and railroad history in the area. Along the way, see railroad depot replicas and beautiful farm country. Pack a lunch for a stop at Lake Cassidy or plan to stop at the Machias Food Truck Marketplace (playground alert!). Alternatively, start at the historic Nakashima Farm trailhead and turn around in Arlington (7.9 miles one way), making a pit stop at the historic Bryant store for penny candy for the kids (and maybe a microbrew for mom and dad!).
Sammamish River Trail {Redmond / Woodinville area}
Distance: Marymoor Park (Redmond) to Bothell is 10.9 miles one way. I recommend a ride between the Woodinville winery area and Marymoor Park (approximately 6 miles one way)
Surface: paved with soft gravel shoulders
Good for: All ages - accessible for strollers, bike trailers, hybrid bikes and road bikes
Parking and Restrooms available: available several parks and access points along the trail (see map in link above)
Why you should go: This busy and popular trail connects several regional trails, allowing access south to Issaquah and connecting in Bothell to the Burke-Gilman trail which terminates in Ballard. There are many points to access the trail. I recommend starting at Marymoor in Redmond where there is ample parking and riding north to Woodinville, exiting the trail at NE 145th/Northshore Athletic Fields and grabbing lunch at Redhook Brewery, The Commons, or The Station Pizzeria and maybe taking in a little wine tasting before heading back.
Preston-Snoqualmie Trail {Fall City area}
Distance: Less than 4 miles round trip from the Lake Alice trailhead
Surface: paved
Good for: All ages - accessible for strollers, bike trailers, hybrid bikes and road bikes
Parking and Restrooms available: Park at the Lake Alice trailhead, accessed via Lake Alice Rd from Preston-Fall City Road in Fall City. Portable toilets are available at the trailhead as well as at the turnaround point.
Why you should go: This short and sweet ride offers a great payoff at the end – a little-seen view of Snoqualmie Falls!
John Wayne Pioneer Trail / Snoqualmie Tunnel {Snoqualmie Pass area}
Distance: Approximately 7 miles (Hyak to Annette Lake trailheads) to 12 miles (Hyak to McClellan Butte trailheads) one way
Good for: older children and confident bikers – although a gentle grade and light gravel surface, there is loose gravel in spots and the tunnel is dark and damp. Appropriate for mountain bikes, hybrid bikes and older children will be ok in a trailer bike attached to an adult bicycle.
Parking and Restrooms available: You will want to plan ahead for this ride as a one-way trip heading from Snoqualmie Pass to the west with two cars to shuttle between trailheads. A NW Forest Pass is required at Annette Lake (exit 47 off I-90) or McClellan Butte (exit 42 off I-90) trailhead, and a Discover Pass is required at the Hyak/Gold Creek (exit 54 off I-90) parking area, as it is part of Iron Horse State Park. Vault toilets are available at the trailheads.
Why you should go: The Snoqualmie Tunnel! At 2.3 miles long near the begging of your trip, it is the nation’s longest tunnel open to non-motorized traffic. Again, be sure to bring a headlamp, and pack a jacket, as the tunnel is cold and dark. It can be disorienting, so a headlamp or lamp attached to your bikes is a must. Once on the west side of the tunnel, you’ll cross high railroad trestles and be treated to spectacular views of the Cascades!
