I don’t know what you have planned for the long weekend, but I hope it involves getting out onto some of the 175 miles of trails that make up our Regional Trails System. Saturday or Monday look like the best days to grab your gear and walk, hike, bike, or stroll one of King County’s richest resources.

If you’re new to the trails, or haven’t visited much past the Burke-Gilman Trail or Cedar River Trail, might I suggest a visit to the newly repaired Tokul Trestle on the beautiful, expansive, and scenic Snoqualmie Valley Trail.

With plenty of parking options and less than 45 minutes away from Seattle, you can pick out the perfect section of this 31.5 mile trail to match the interests of you and your hiking or cycling partners. Here are a few suggestions:

Looking to do a little nature watching or bird spotting? – Park at the Duvall Park just south of Duvall and walk south along the Stillwater Natural Area. While a recent layer of crushed rock makes this section a little tough for skinnier-tired bikes, walkers and mountain bikers will enjoy the amazing views of this nature-filled section.

Want to do a moderate hike, have a picnic, or grab a spot of fishing? – Jump off the trail at Tolt-MacDonald Park in Carnation. Go for a hike, drop a line in the river, or continue south on the trail to the Griffin Creek Park Natural Area to check out some beaver ponds and other riparian habitats.

Is a walk in the woods more your style? –  Just south and east of Fall City is a parking lot that will allow you a short walk to the Tokul Trestle. A breathtaking historic trestle, the Tokul is reminiscent of the rich history of northwest railroads and a beautiful example of evolving rails to trails projects. Walk among the towering pines along this newly renovated and paved trestle.

The Snoqualmie Valley Trail spans the cities of Duvall, Carnation, Fall City, and Snoqualmie, each with their own rich history. An antique searchers’ paradise, these quiet gems are great spots to catch the local flavor, eat some delicious hearty food, and enjoy a last taste of a fleeting summer.

For directions, check out our Regional Trails in King County map. Want to do the Snoqualmie Valley like a local? Check out this guide from Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust.