Seattle Family Calendar
Subscribe
A breath of fresh air — and some space
Hiking with my kids is essential to my family sanity. I find solace in nature and enjoy a good dose of it whenever I’m in need of a recharge. I also have an active elementary-age boy who quite literally bounces off the walls when we’re stuck at home. Hiking fulfills my son’s need for adventure and physical activity while fulfilling my need for exercise and a breath of fresh air. My daughter is old enough to keep up now and their new baby brother rides along — literally, on my back, in a carrier. As long as I keep the snacks coming, we try to hike at least a couple of times a week.
Back during the pandemic, I went in search of wider hiking trails, so that my active family could keep some space around us. While we’re no longer distancing the way we were, more space on the trail is ideal for hiking with a big gaggle of kids, friends or dogs. We love a little extra elbow room along the way.
Read on for the five Seattle-area trails that we found and continue to enjoy.
First up: farm to trail
1. Farrel McWhirter to Redmond Power Line Trail
The Redmond Power Line Trail goes for miles through the Cty of Redmond, connecting to many other trail systems. Most of the gravel trail is wide and stroller-friendly. A great place to start for a kid-friendly trek is at Farrel McWhirter Park. Farrel McWhirter features a barnyard with animals to visit, plus swings, a stream and tons of wide-open space. (The farm is worth a visit on its own merits.) If it is a hike you’re after, walk the park’s trail system through the barnyard and equestrian area to the very northwest corner of the park. This is where you can connect with the Redmond Power Line Trail.
Find it: Farrel McWhirter Park is located in Redmond and is open dawn to dusk. Upon arriving, you will find a large parking lot with plenty of parking. No parking pass is needed. Bathrooms are available at the park.
Next up: lake loop
2. Nolte State Park
Nolte State Park in Enumclaw offers a 1.5-mile loop trail around scenic Deep Lake — the perfect distance for little hikers. The gravel trail is wide, mostly flat and stroller-accommodating, yet it still offers deep-woods tranquility. There are numerous little offshoots (not wide or stroller-friendly, however) that take you down to the water’s edge for some rock throwing or just to enjoy the view. There is also a playground at the end of the hike that can be used as a good motivator to keep little ones moving. You will find it at the end of your journey if you start out at the east entrance.
Find it: Follow directions to Nolte State Park. You will find it has a large parking lot not far from the start of the trail, which is easy to find. You will need a Discover Pass to park. There are restrooms at the park.
Next up: Issaquah connector
3. Issaquah-Preston Trail
The Issaquah–Preston Trail spans over 5 miles, from Issaquah eastward to Preston. It connects to some other larger, more popular trails in the area, including the East Lake Sammamish Trail. Enjoy views of Issaquah Creek on this wide, flat, tree-covered trail that is well-suited to a stroller or even bikes. This is an out-and-back walk, so you can make it as long or as short as you like. An easy access point is directly off of I-90 at exit 20.
Find it: Use the Grand Ridge East Fork Trailhead parking lot for access to this trail. From I-90 East, take exit 20 and turn left. Pass underneath I-90 and park in the gravel lot. Walk through the gate and over a bridge, and you have reached the trail. No parking pass is required. Note that there are no restrooms at this trailhead.
Next up: take me to the river
4. Green to Cedar Rivers Trail
The Green to Cedar Rivers Trail is a wide, flat trail that stretches 11 miles through Maple Valley and Black Diamond. There are numerous access points to this trail. It even connects to the Cedar River Trail, which can take you all the way to Renton. A less-crowded and more-forested starting point that we like is at the Black Diamond Open Space. There is a decent-sized parking lot there and direct access to the trail. This portion of the trail will take you through beautiful forested areas and wetlands. It is out and back, so just turn around when you have had your fill. The path is gravel, but it is bike- and stroller-passable.
Find it: The trailhead is located directly off of State Route 169, on the west side. The trail starts at the western part of the parking lot by the portable toilet. There is no signage, but you follow the trail until it intersects with the Green to Cedar River trail. From here you can go left or right.
Next up: through the slough
5. Mercer Slough Nature Park trails
The trails of Mercer Slough Nature Park in Bellevue are chock-full of features: a boardwalk through the wetlands, a fun bridge over the slough and bouncy peat moss, to name a few. There is plenty to keep the kiddos engaged. It is fairly wide and flat, and there are a few easy loops to choose from. Keep in mind that this is a popular spot right in the middle of the city, so going on a weekday will be a better option to avoid crowds.
A great place to start off is at the Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center. The beautiful, sustainably built center is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Ask the ranger to unlock the hatch to the lookout tower.) Learn about the plants, animals and history of the lands you’ll see on your hike.
Find it: Follow directions to the Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center. You will find a large parking lot and bathrooms available. You will need to go down a large stairway at the center to get to the start of the trails. The trails are otherwise stroller-friendly, so consider if you can carry your stroller down the stairs.
Next up: bonus trail
Bonus: Bullitt Fireplace Trail
The 4-mile out-and-back Bullitt Fireplace Trail in Issaquah is best reserved for older kid hikers or younger children in a carrier. With 1,100 feet in elevation gain in 2 miles, it is a steady climb to the top without many breaks. It is doable for an experienced little hiker, around age 7 or older. The trail is surprisingly wide given the elevation gain; however, it does have a few narrow spots. The muscle-burning climb is made worth it when you reach the giant fireplace standing alone in the middle of the forest. It might not be some spectacular view at the top, but it is definitely a sight to see. Due to the terrain and elevation gain, a stroller would not work for this hike.
Find it: The trailhead is in a residential area not far from the old part of Issaquah. Follow directions to the trailhead and you will wind up on a residential road that eventually runs into a very small parking lot marked with a “Bullitt Fireplace Trail” sign. There is also parking available on the street. No parking pass needed. No restrooms are available, so plan ahead.
More hikes for Seattle-area families
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in 2020 and updated for 2023.
