Seattle, WA

Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail

The Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail is a long multi-use trail that stretches for 212 miles from Cedar Falls, just outside of Seattle’s eastern suburbs, to the Idaho Border. The gravel-surfaced path has numerous scenic sections, as it passes through Olallie State Park, mountain passes, and then the farmlands of eastern Washington. There are cool trestles, tunnels, great views, and a level grade surface on the former Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul, and Pacific Railroad that’s now a ‘rails to trails’. One bonus is that the trail runs roughly parallel to I-90, so it can be accessed at numerous points.

It’s a popular hiking and cycling trail, but also very runnable. Runners can pick it up a the Rattlesnake Lake Recreation area. A unique experience: the 2.3-mile tunnel under Snoqualmie Pass — the nation’s longest tunnel open to nonmotorized traffic. Access from Exit 38 off I-90, 16-mile mark of the trail.

Essentials
  • Up to 212 miles
  • Closest point to Seattle is Rattlesnake Lake Recreation area
  • Numerous access points. See map. Closest point to Seattle is Rattlesnake Lake Recreation areaRattlesnake Lake Recreation area

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Essentials
  • Up to 212 miles
  • Closest point to Seattle is Rattlesnake Lake Recreation area
  • Numerous access points. See map. Closest point to Seattle is Rattlesnake Lake Recreation areaRattlesnake Lake Recreation area