Attention, all Washingtonians with cabin fever (especially those with bikes or horses): If you haven’t heard, there is a 285-mile trail available to you that spans our entire beautiful state. It’s maintained by a group of caring volunteers, and it showcases our unique and diverse scenery.
If you’ve never heard of the John Wayne Pioneer Trail, we’ll give you a few good reasons to add it to your spring or summer must-see list, even if you only hike a few miles of it.
The trail starts at Cedar Falls near North Bend, climbing east through evergreen forests and running all the way to the Idaho border.
Friends of John Wayne Pioneer Trail The trail is named in honor of the John Wayne Pioneer Wagons and Riders Association for their assistance in creating it.
The trail is extremely popular with bikers and horseback riders.
Gene Bisbee / Flickr But you can explore as much of it as you’d like on your own two feet.
Washington’s natural beauty is very diverse, and you’ll see a little bit of everything on the trail.
Gene Bisbee / Flickr
The trail follows the former railway roadbed of the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad.
Greg Goucher / alltrails.com This is the Snoqualmie Tunnel, which is perpetually cold and a little eerie (but also fun). It’s typically closed from November until May 1.
Beware: Some parts of the trail require permits.
Gene Bisbee / Flickr The 110-mile long Western Washington section never requires a permit, but everything east of the Columbia River does. The helpful website, Friends of John Wayne Pioneer Trail, has all the permit information you’ll need.
The eastern end of the trail is rugged and largely undeveloped, and there are long distances between services along the way – so come prepared.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Wayne_Pioneer_Trail#/media/File:John_Wayne_Pioneer_Trail_-_east_end_of_Iron_Horse_park.jpg Bring water. Lots of water.
The John Wayne Pioneer Trail is truly incredible. It’s also very intimidating. If you need to ease your way into something like this, perhaps a hiking trail meant for mere mortals would be best.
Friends of John Wayne Pioneer Trail
The trail is named in honor of the John Wayne Pioneer Wagons and Riders Association for their assistance in creating it.
Gene Bisbee / Flickr
But you can explore as much of it as you’d like on your own two feet.
Gene Bisbee / Flickr
Greg Goucher / alltrails.com
This is the Snoqualmie Tunnel, which is perpetually cold and a little eerie (but also fun). It’s typically closed from November until May 1.
The 110-mile long Western Washington section never requires a permit, but everything east of the Columbia River does. The helpful website, Friends of John Wayne Pioneer Trail, has all the permit information you’ll need.
Bring water. Lots of water.
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