Explore the best rated trails in Centralia, WA, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Cushman Trail and East Aberdeen Waterfront Walkway . With more than 28 trails covering 205 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
Once again the Cascade Bicycle Club’s annual Seattle-to-Portland Bicycle Ride took some 6,000 riders along the Yelm Rainier Tenino Trail this weekend. The trail used to be very pleasant but over the (17) years I have participated in the STP, the trees have grown and the tree roots have progressively ruined the surface of the asphalt. Even worse, the shade is such that it is virtually impossible to see the uneven ruts and bumps until you’ve hit them. This is especially true when dozens of cyclists are cruising down the trail in a pace line at 25 mph. Yesterday was just plain dangerous.
There are also dozens of raised yellow box covers for posts. I have never seen the posts being used, but the box covers are another pointless danger for unsuspecting cyclists. This is no small issue given that 75% to 80% of the riders each year are participating in the STP for the first time. And when one cyclist goes down, he/she takes several more down as well. These covers should be permanently removed or at least designed to be perfectly flat. Just common sense.
This trail could be a real asset to the community, but presently it is a hazard to cyclists.
I can't give this 5 stars because of the 3 busy highways that you have to cross when getting close to Tenino.
Otherwise it is a great trail for distance, and relatively quiet without a lot of trail traffic.
word to the wise.. there is a significant amount of the trail that is not shaded. Wear your sunscreen and or go early in the morning.
I am planning another trail ride this year most likely in the fall.
Spiketon Bridge is closed three miles out of Buckley….so disappointing! We saw no notifications about disclosure anywhere.
Aug. & Oct. 2023 I biked entire 56 mile trail both directions. TrailLink write-up is generally correct, with pavement at both ends and then a variety of gravel (packed, loose, and rough) through 90% of the ride. All bridges were completed many years ago, and perfectly in tact. (So, don't pay attention to the many pictures and posts here from 2011; those 2011 pics do not show nor tell of the trail as it exists today.) I used a mid-width tire (1.95"), which handled the gravel nicely. One should NOT bike the loose and rough gravel on thin street tires. I am a fair-weather-only biker: I took one bottle of water (refilled along the way), a jacket, sunscreen, but no backpack. The trail was wonderful for me in the warm, dry weather. I stopped in Pe Ell and got food at the mini-mart, and stopped in LeBam and got a late lunch. I was never in a hurry, using mid-gears over the rough, just soaking in all the beauty of the countryside, hills, forrest. Depending on your energy, you could do the whole length in one day in the dry Summer if you start at 8:30am, or do it in two days, starting around noon. The Raymond side could be a little confusing as it brushes over 101 and the city for a half-mile; map helped there. But, 99% of the trail is woods, farm fields, forrest, and beautiful countryside. I put up about 20 pictures of the journey along the way.
With 80% chance of rain in the forecast, parking was not a problem in the 10 able-bodied slots in the Chehalis lot. (I suspect on a sunny day, you'll want a Discover Pass to access tons more parking in the state park lot, or the lots in Adna or at Ceres Hill Road.) The first 5.3 miles of asphalt were smooth but I was careful - much of the paving is split jaggedly up the center - there was a trail crew out patching the worst spot as I rode past. As others called out, do watch out, at road crossings, not only for traffic but, on either side of roads, for foundation components jutting low above the ground of at least two missing motor-vehicle-barrier posts. And as others called out, be alert for bridge transitions, some of which sport more-than-an-inch disparities between trail height and bridge bed. All that said, lovely country ride 9.7 miles to Ceres Hill Road and back to Chehalis left me wanting to return to cycle more of this trail!
We tried to start the trail where it starts off Stewart Ave but found no place to park without risk of towing. So we hopped on at county line rd where there was a small parking area near a duck pond. Most the trail was pretty smooth and straight but some areas bumpy. We chose to merge onto the green river trail and ran into to some of leash dogs but had no incidents. So no bathrooms along the trail that we could see but some restaurants you could stop at if needed. Would be nice if they could link to the Sumner link trail, close but no safe bridge to ride.
Paved, gravel, rock, grass, rock & grass, blackberry vines.Rode about 10 miles out of South Bend, stopped, got on the paved Hwy and headed back.Had to focus to much on the trail, and couldn't enjoy the scenery.
We only road for about 10 miles on the far west end. Trial was paved but turned to gravel. Needed to bring my pruners for parts due to overgrown bushes. Otherwise good rude
Do not miss the opportunity to ride over this bridge! Absolutely breathtaking views! There was an earlier review stating there is a toll for bikes, there is no fee for bikes! We started in Gig Harbor at the Cushman trail parking lot. Road over to trail from there and over bridge. Did not do the rest of this trail as it did not have good reviews but thoroughly enjoyed the bridge and views. Although loud from traffic there is a separate path for bikes so you are very safe.
8-10% grade! Several hills. Very Pretty nice wide path. Road on a Saturday. People using trail but not overly crowded. Also easy connect to Tacoma Bridge trail.
We road from Orting to Buckley . Nice Ride. Trail well maintained. One small section with some roots marked for repair. Moderate number of people on a Sunday afternoon.
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