A View From … Pacific Northwest Guidebook Sneak Peek

By: Laura Stark
July 26, 2024

Washington: Stretching from the Idaho border to the Cascade Range, Washington’s Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail crosses two-thirds of the state, connecting the arid eastern scablands with forested mountains in the west. | Photo by Gene Bisbee

The development of Rails to Trails Conservancy’s next guidebook is underway! Covering the Pacific Northwest region, the Pacific Northwest Guidebook will highlight dozens of top trails where you can walk, bike, run, hike and roll in Idaho, Oregon and Washington. Enjoy a sneak peek in this photo gallery at the rainforests, rolling farmland, rugged mountain ranges, forested river valleys, coastal towns and vibrant cities you’ll find within the guidebook’s pages—and stay tuned for its release in spring 2025.

For maps and other great information about these trails, check out TrailLink™.

Tap thumbnail to view photo gallery.

It’s no wonder the Route of the Hiawatha is a Hall of Famer with seven historical trestles, 10 tunnels and a forested setting along its 15 miles. | Photo by Chuck Schmidt

Connecting its three namesake towns with a 14-mile route, you’ll find this nod to its railroad history along the Yelm Rainier Tenino Trail. | Photo by Joe LaCroix

The riverside Sammamish River Trail runs 11 miles through Seattle’s eastern suburbs and brings travelers through Woodinville’s wine country. | Photos by Gene Bisbee

Meandering across Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, the developing Olympic Discovery Trail will one day span 135 miles, connecting the Puget Sound to the Pacific Ocean. | Photo by John Gussman

The 25-mile Ferry County Rail Trail includes passage through a rock tunnel and across a 770-foot trestle as it traces the Kettle River. | Photo by J. Foster Fanning, courtesy Ferry County Rail Trail Partners

The 8-mile Discovery Trail—aptly named for Lewis and Clark’s explorative trek here more than 200 years ago—offers views of the ocean, grassy dunes and forest groves. | Photo by Joe LaCroix

Explore the rugged landscapes of central Washington—including sagebrush and grasslands, oak woodlands and basalt cliffs—along the 3-mile Cowiche Canyon Trail. | Photo by Eileen Symons

Sherman County’s Deschutes River Trail takes a winding, nearly 19-mile course through a remote canyon along a nationally designated Wild and Scenic River. | Photo by Glenn Zinkus

The 23-mile Crown Zellerbach Trail in northwest Oregon features a wooded backdrop as well as 34 kiosks explaining the area’s history, geology and wildlife. | Photo by Dale Latham

Traversing coastal forests and bucolic farmland, the 23-mile Banks-Vernonia State Trail—the state’s first rail-trail—has become a major draw for its connected communities. | Photo by Tad Reeves

The Astoria Riverwalk comprises a 6-mile route for exploring the natural beauty and history of its namesake coastal city along the mouth of the Columbia River. | Photo by Ryan Cree

Nestled in the scenic Sun Valley area, the 36-mile Wood River Trail offers year-round recreation, including Nordic skiing and snowshoeing. | Photo by Keith Laughlin

As the state’s longest rail-trail, a kaleidoscope of habitats—including desert, forest, riparian and alpine meadow—awaits along the Weiser River National Recreation Trail’s 84 miles. | Photo by Mike Beavers

Spanning 73 miles across the state’s panhandle, the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes traces wooded lake shores and the Coeur d’Alene River. | Photo by Lisa James

Green Issue 2024

In this all-multimedia issue, we examine the joy and impact that trails bring. Celebrating your child learning to ride a bike, or the accomplishment of achieving your first 10K. The wonder in experiencing new and otherworldly landscapes, and the way the trail helped grow thriving trailside businesses that blossomed into a regional economy. The important role the trail serves as a new route through town to get to school.

Explore Green Issue

Tags: America’s Trails Photo Essay
States: Idaho Oregon Washington

Laura Stark

Laura Stark is the senior editor for Rails to Trails magazine, responsible for highlighting trails and the people working hard to support them across America.

A View From … Pacific Northwest Guidebook Sneak Peek

Laura Stark

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