Snoqualmie Valley Trail

The Snoqualmie Valley Trail is a point-to-point converted railroad trail that connects the towns of Duvall, Carnation, Fall City, Snoqualmie, and North Bend in the Snoqualmie Valley, and passes through many classic Washington scenes along the way. You might see a railroad trestle taking form as you approach it through heavy mist, stumble across a field of summer wildflowers where elk are grazing, or pass through thick pine forests. Winding alongside the Snoqualmie River, the trail puts you in view of several waterfalls. You can take a slight detour to see the majestic 270-foot Snoqualmie Falls, famous for being featured in the opening credits of the television show Twin Peaks.

If you start from the northernmost trailhead in Duvall, you will reach the Duvall Dog Park after half a mile of hiking. This unofficial park is not maintained, and is really just a large, open field, but it does give you the opportunity to let your dog run off-leash for a while. You will need to keep your dog on a leash on the rest of the trail. The packed gravel surface makes for predictable terrain, but may eventually become an irritant to sensitive paw pads after a particularly long hike.

The Snoqualmie Valley Trail is a great place to take your pup when you want an open-ended hike that lets you walk as far as you want until you decide you're ready to turn back. The towns it connects give you stopping points where you can refuel along the way. Wayfinding signs recently installed along the trail help you find your way to the downtown area of each town you pass. Numerous dog-friendly restaurants, seasonal farmer's markets, and "u-pick" farms give you a cornucopia of options for grub beyond the granola bar in your pocket.

If you're feeling adventurous enough to tackle the entire trail, the Tolt-MacDonald Park in Snoqualmie offers campsites by the river. 

The trail becomes wilder as you move south, passing from farmland to thick forest. It ends at the scenic Rattlesnake Lake, where you'll also find a visitor's center and interpretive trails. Taking in the breathtaking view from Rattlesnake Ledge is a perfect way to end a day of hiking. Be careful of the steep drops as you approach them with your dog. You and your intrepid canine adventurer will feel like you've conquered the world as you look out onto the pine-laden valley below and the mountain peaks looming beyond.