Explore the best rated trails in Olympia, WA, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Sound to Olympics Trail and Cheshiahud Lake Union Loop . With more than 48 trails covering 4092 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
If I was a local I’m sure it’s great. As a tourist doing bicycle trails it was ok
I’ve been on a lot of trails. This one rates a B. The asphalt is excellent and wide until one enters the Seattle district. Then Boom it suddenly turns into a C trail when I’m feeling generous. It’s knarly and narrow with tree roots. Barely wide enough for 2 people to pass. Get it together Seattle. Lots of people come here for the trails and we spend money. Not that Seattle seems to care about that.
Started out under the bridge headed towards Seattle. Looked promising only to find it very disappointing when one is on the bridge looking out at the Bay. The traffic noise was deafening and the pathway poor. Trail was closed on the other side of the bridge. Turned around and went the other direction. Very poor shape. Not sure what all the 5 star reviews are? I’ll check it again in a couple years
Loved this ride, but sadly last year, August 2023, found it hard to navigate through the Ballard section with the market days. Had a fall on the poorly marked/paved road, and broke a bone. Going to redo the ride tomorrow and I know it will be awesome! (Now that I know the pitfalls)
We ( recumbent trike & e-bike) headed West from the Kiwanis park. Turned around after 9km as the surface was really tough on the trike. There’s 2 good wheel tracks for bikes, but the trike had to ride partially in the coarse trail ballast. Scenic area with farm views and a huge windmill farm in the distance.
Nice paved trail. Of the 20 miles between Puyallup and Buckley, MOSTLY I SAW FOLIAGE, farms, some homes. I went there and back, thus, 40 miles. With bike I departed Puyallup parking at Monday noon, so very few people using it. 78 and blue skies, Mt. Rainier was present in my sights. Super easy as there is nothing much to call a hill. Some complain about road noise, and around Orting, the trail runs along the road and through this town, so sure, noise there. (I ride with some good earbuds in listening to podcasts, so noise nearby noise is just not a factor for me.) But before and after Orting noise or traffic scenes were not present. Of course, you can turn around to you head back to your car at any point, making this a 15 mile, 30, or such. This is a bike path to just ride easy and enjoy; no sweat.
Best trail in Seattle. Very urban, although the eastern stretch is quieter in terms of foot traffic and road traffic, whereas the western side has more city vibes. If I can't do the whole thing I like to start at UW and either go up to Golden Gardens (western half of trail) or up to Woodinville (eastern half of trail). Lots of lunch spots or pack a picnic and enjoy.
This is an enjoyable ride on a sunny and/or dry day. Great views of the city. Lots of restaurants and people watching on the west part of the trail. If the weather is great, be prepared for lots of people walking/skating/randomly standing on the trail.
Once again the Cascade Bicycle Club’s annual Seattle-to-Portland Bicycle Ride took some 6,000 riders along the Yelm Rainier Tenino Trail this weekend. The trail used to be very pleasant but over the (17) years I have participated in the STP, the trees have grown and the tree roots have progressively ruined the surface of the asphalt. Even worse, the shade is such that it is virtually impossible to see the uneven ruts and bumps until you’ve hit them. This is especially true when dozens of cyclists are cruising down the trail in a pace line at 25 mph. Yesterday was just plain dangerous.
There are also dozens of raised yellow box covers for posts. I have never seen the posts being used, but the box covers are another pointless danger for unsuspecting cyclists. This is no small issue given that 75% to 80% of the riders each year are participating in the STP for the first time. And when one cyclist goes down, he/she takes several more down as well. These covers should be permanently removed or at least designed to be perfectly flat. Just common sense.
This trail could be a real asset to the community, but presently it is a hazard to cyclists.
I can't give this 5 stars because of the 3 busy highways that you have to cross when getting close to Tenino.
Otherwise it is a great trail for distance, and relatively quiet without a lot of trail traffic.
word to the wise.. there is a significant amount of the trail that is not shaded. Wear your sunscreen and or go early in the morning.
I am planning another trail ride this year most likely in the fall.
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