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Centennial Trail

Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
47.9193, -122.0868 Map & Directions
Length
30.5 miles, one-way
The junction of the Whitehorse Trail and the Centennial Trail in Arlington. Photo by C P. Full-size image
  • Mountain views
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Good for kids
  • Rivers

Parking Pass/Entry Fee

None
Saved to My Backpack

A 30.5 mile long paved trail follows a historic rail line through Snohomish to Skagit county. Take a short walk, use it to connect to another trail, or undertake the whole thing in a day! Continue reading

Rating
4.00 out of 5

Hiking Centennial Trail

The main section of the Centennial Trail, a paved trail that stretches through Snohomish to the Skagit county line. It follows the original route of the Seattle, Lake Shore and Eastern Railway; sections of this railway have since been acquired by Nortern Pacific and Burlington Northern. The name is thanks to efforts by locals in the late eighties, who lobbied for a trail to be established in 1989, which was the year of Washington state's centennial. 

Users of the Centennial trail will pass through forests and farm land, cross creeks and rivers, and have options to create larger, longer routes by connecting to the Whitehorse Trail near Arlington. While bikes, equestrians, and pedestrians share the trail, note that equestrians are prohibited between the Snohomish and Pilchuck trailheads and between Armar Road and Bryant, because of congestion concerns. 

Heading north, the trail climbs very gradually after Lake Stevens and through to Lake Cassidy. Views of the Olympics peek through trees on the way into Arlington, where there's a connection with the Whitehorse Trail.

Wheelchair Accessibility

The Centennial Trail is paved

Centennial Trail

Map & Directions

Trailhead
Co-ordinates: 47.9193, -122.0868 Open in Google Maps

Before You Go

See weather forecast

Parking Pass/Entry Fee

None

WTA Pro Tip: Save a copy of our directions before you leave! App-based driving directions aren't always accurate and data connections may be unreliable as you drive to the trailhead.

Getting There

Find the Snohomish trailhead off Interstate 405. Take Exit 23 onto State Route 522 and drive east for 2.4 miles, exiting onto Highway 9 toward Snohomish. Continue for 9.5 miles to the Snohomish exit and turn right onto Second Street. After about a mile, turn left onto Maple Avenue. Drive five or six blocks and look for on-street parking on the right.

To reach the Nakashima Heritage Barn (the north trailhead) from I-5, take exit 208 for Highway 530 toward Arlington. Follow 530 east for 3.7 miles. Turn left onto SR 9. After 7.7 miles, the trailhead is on the left.

More Hike Details

Trailhead

Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area

Snohomish County Parks

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Centennial Trail

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