Length
Elevation Gain
The Preston – Snoqualmie trail is a 6.5 mile each way, paved, mostly flat, rail-to-trail path connecting the cities of Preston and Snoqualmie. Open to hikers, bikers and equestrians, the trail meanders through a densely wooded path, and intermittently offers unique perspectives of the Snoqualmie River Valley. Ultimately, it leads to a quiet, zoomed-out viewpoint of Snoqualmie Falls against the backdrop of Mount Si.
Interestingly, this trail can be hiked in two parts. Starting at the Preston trailhead with rich flora and lush evergreens and cedar, you reach the ravine at Raging River at around 2.1 miles. There used to be a 100-foot trestle bridge here, spanning the river, built in the early 1900’s, it was damaged in a rail accident and no longer exists. A section of this trail is adjacent to the Raging River Natural Area providing wildlife corridors for cougar, elk, bear, deer and a sanctuary for birds.
Up to this point it is easy terrain and the trestle overlook gives glimpses of the roaring river, making a nice turn around point. A bench here marks the dead-end.
On return, veer onto the paved path to the left (0.1 miles from your turnaround point at the trestle overlook). This path winds down and joins with the Preston – Fall City Road to resume the second part of the trail. After crossing the road on a crosswalk, turn right and follow the shoulder of the road for 400 ft to the first cross street, SE 68th Street. Turn left here and immediately cross a bridge over the Raging River. In about 1000 ft the street will dead end, and there is an obvious paved trail back up to Preston - Fall City Road. Again follow the road on the shoulder for about 0.25 miles until you are funneled on a short steep gravel path snaking its way up the hill towards Lake Alice Trailhead. At the top the wide paved path resumes, and continues another 1 mile to the Lake Alice Trailhead, about 3.6 miles from the start. On the sections along Preston - Fall City Road, there are concrete “Jersey Barrier” dividers to separate you from the traffic.
At this trailhead, cross the road and continue 1.5 miles back on a levelled path to the Snoqualmie Falls viewpoint. Parking and portable toilets are situated at Lake Alice trailhead and at the falls overlook, but the falls themselves are still distant; you'll want to go on Preston-Snoqualmie for the journey.
Trailhead
