Chehalis Western Trail

Log some easy trail mileage by hopping on this family-friendly trail anywhere between Woodard Bay and Vail for a relaxing stroll any time of year.

The Chehalis Western Trail is located in the heart of Washington, near the capital city of Olympia. Once the Weyerhaeuser-owned Chehalis Western Railroad (1926 to mid- 1980s), it transported logged trees from Vail, southeast of Tenino, all the way north to a log dump on Woodard Bay. Today, the corridor exists as a 22-mile multi-use trail, now frequented by walkers and cyclists instead of logging trains.

Bike, stroller and dog friendly, the Chehalis Trail makes an excellent get-out-of-the-house stroll. Not your typical hiking trail, this mostly paved trail winds through diverse ecosystems in both urban and rural parts of Thurston County, providing views of Mount Rainier and access to more than 170 acres of park land, and includes access to the Deschutes River, Puget Sound and Chambers Lake.

And the long span means you can hop on the trail just about anywhere and travel as many miles as you like, with convenient mileage markers every half-mile. The trail also intersects with the 14.5-mile Yelm-Tenino Trail, leaving even more options for add-on mileage. Near this juncture, the trail passes through the Monarch Contemporary Art Center and Sculpture Park.

Each stretch of trail winds through different ecosystems, including wetlands, forests, farmland, rivers, lakes and prairies. Views will vary