Best cities to live in with immediate access to trails (Seattle: apartments, homes)

[corvidae]

Want to be able to walk out my door and access hiking/biking/jogging trails without worrying about cars.

So far I'm thinking about Anacortes or Bellingham.

Any other place I should know about?

[Hemlock140]

There are homes next to hiking/biking/equestrian trails all over. Here in Sammamish there's the trail along the lake from Issaquah to Redmond, which then connects to the Sammamish River trail that goes all the way to Woodinville, where it connects to the Burke-Gilman trail that goes to Seattle.

We also have many shorter deep woods trails at Soaring Eagle Park, and there are more at the Redmond Watershed preserve. Downtown Redmond has apartments where you can live and walk to many shops and restaurants, and the trails. Anacortes and Bellingham will be less expensive, but I'm not familiar with their trails and proximity to homes.

[sll3454]

Here is one: Snohomish County : Regional Parks : Centennial Trail

Here's another: Cascade Trail

And a shorter one, in town (Mount Vernon) kulshan trail from bv center in Mt Vernon, WA | MapMyRun Trails like this can be found in many towns.

[ukiyo-e]

Out here on the Olympic Peninsula we have the Olympia Discovery Trail, which is only half-finished but will cover over 100 miles when completed. Port Angeles and Sequim have good access to long stretches and I *think* you can walk or ride all the way between them, but I've only done shorter stretches out there; here in Port Townsend I think our section only covers about 12 miles one-way.

Olympic Discovery Trail ODT | Washington Bike & Multi-use Trail System

I know Olympia also has some good trails that are lengthy and have city access, but someone who lives there would need to chime in with the details as I haven't actually walked or biked on them (yet).

[StealthRabbit]

North Bonneville, WA.. FULL of trails itself (Army Corp 'relocated' town) and walking distance to Pacific Crest Trail and MANY great Oregon and WA trails within 20 minutes.

Spectacular setting... but not much of a 'town'... They could use your help

[j_k_k]

Originally Posted by StealthRabbit

North Bonneville, WA.. FULL of trails itself (Army Corp 'relocated' town) and walking distance to Pacific Crest Trail and MANY great Oregon and WA trails within 20 minutes.

SR speaks the truth. There is a metric f***ton of hiking around North Bonneville. If you think you're bad, do Beacon Rock--it can be hiked, even by fat, balding, middle-aged guys with some gumption. I remember in the early 1970s when NB was relocated due to dam improvements.

Hey SR, you ever get over Boise way?

[509]

Wenatchee.

Voted National Geographics best mountain town in the US several years ago.

This web-site limits itself to non-motorized outdoor activities within ONE hour of downtown Wenatchee. Check out the variety of what is available: http://www.justgetout.net/wenatchee/