Find the top rated birding trails in Oak Harbor, whether you're looking for an easy short birding trail or a long birding trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a birding trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
Was nice and well taken care of. Surface was great! With lots of construction going on around it, was a bit hidden by temporary fences. Was nice to use for the short bit we did, wish it would have shown up better as a connector from the east lake Sammamish trail, missed it at first.
Wife and I rode this and it is paved w/good surface, well kept, clean, good sight lines, benches and trash cans. Protected by fences. Only downsides I noticed was a lot of private driveways that cross over and lots of people’s houses right at trail edge which can be a bit much. Some nice views of the lake, lots of trees. Fun to go from Issaquah to Redmond! Overall we were impressed and lots to offer.
We did this trail last weekend, from Trafton to Darrington and back, 48.5 miles total, on 1.5" and 1.25" tire bikes, one an eBike, one not. The only downside was the last 5 or so miles at the Darrington end, which got fairly bumpy for stretches totalling at least half that distance, but nonetheless quite do-able if you keep at it. Fantastic scenery. Other people encountered averaged about 1 every 2 miles, my kind of trail, and that on a Saturday in July in perfect weather. The log over the trail reported by the last reviewer had been clearly cut and moved out of the way. There are 2 places where there are "trail closed" signs, one a bridge and the other where the river is starting to eat away at the trail, but we ignored the signs and had no sign-related problems.
Parked at the grocery store in Arlington and started there. I was on a fat tire ebike. trail work is lightly going on between the Arlington head and the first trestle north about 4 miles out. the first 2 or so miles was very loose gravel, glad I had 4" tires! Some branches and ruts due to the work in progress. After the first trestle it was real good to Darington. Trial is everything from single track gravel to paved, the last mile or so is bumpy into Darington but very passable the whole way. a tree over the trail about half way to Darington, step over if you are on foot, boost the bike over for me, real easy. One small bridge out by Darington is closed but I found it quite passable, its maybe 20 feet long with an eco block painted orange at each end. I'm certain that if you wanted to there are minor roads to get around it in the area. Awesome trail, sights abound! The OSO Memorial is really well done, lost a buddy in that one. Hardly used on a Tuesday afternoon, real pleasant for a solo, solitude ride. Took some pictures along the way here and there no major stops and it took me about 3.5 hours to round trip it. I was on an Aventon Adventure 2 and it took me 2 batteries to ride out and back. I was riding pretty conservatively in the 2 bottom steps of peddle assist and had 40% left on my return. (not gonna lie to ya, I used the throttle the last mile over the loose gravel! 60 miles was a good trip!)
Agree with Hodge Podge as to the structure of the trail. Goes off old rail line on numerous occasions, has numerous road crossings and is very narrow is some areas. A large portion of all sections travels through private property with barking dogs and junk all over the place. Too bad trail could not have followed original rail line
Ok section, kind of dull. Agriculture & cows. Found a bit of shade by a grain elevator for lunch. Several washouts filled with tumbleweeds as you get closer to Lind.
I can’t wait for this trail to be completed!
One of the things that stands out to me is how well people take care of this trail. After a storm, I often find that the trail is cleared, branches (big and small) are removed, and other obstacles are taken care of. I often see signs of saws or chainsaws to deal with larger trees or branches that have blocked the road. Good job, volunteers and clean-up crews!
I road from Rasar State park towards Sedro Woolley. One obstacle was a bridge that I had to walk across because the approach to this small trestle was a big step on both sides. It almost looks like the bridge has moved. I got to Lyman and thought I would get into SW by lunch time. A few miles east of town, I ran into some mud and water. I walked and the encounter running water and it got up to my ankles. It looked worse ahead so I doubled back to Lyman for lunch at the tavern that near the trail. Nice place too back the trail was got bad so I didn’t finish it. Hope they resolve this bad section because it is a nice trail and there isn’t any option except for Hwy 20.
We started in Akron and rode about 18 miles north. Loved it!!!
Scenic and the natural restoration is very well done, especially the interpretive signs and benches. Signage along the parkway to trailheads was lacking as were trail/milage markers along the way as was drinking water. If you go solo, take the time to investigate and plan a route.
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