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Olympia, WA Birding Trails and Maps

377 Reviews

Looking for the best Birding trails around Olympia?

Find the top rated birding trails in Olympia, 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.

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Name
Length
Most Popular

Alki Trail

5.5 mi

State: WA

Asphalt

BPA Trail

3.83 mi

State: WA

Asphalt

Burke-Gilman Trail

19.7 mi

State: WA

Asphalt, Concrete

Cedar River Trail

17.4 mi

State: WA

Asphalt, Gravel

Chehalis Western Trail

21.2 mi

State: WA

Asphalt

Coal Creek Trail (WA)

3.7 mi

State: WA

Ballast, Dirt, Grass, Woodchips

Des Moines Creek Trail

2.2 mi

State: WA

Asphalt

Elliott Bay Trail

3.9 mi

State: WA

Asphalt

Foothills Trail (WA)

24.7 mi

State: WA

Asphalt, Dirt, Gravel

Grandview Trail

1.25 mi

State: WA

Asphalt

Great American Rail-Trail

3743.9 mi

State: DC, IA, ID, IL, IN, MD, MT, NE, OH, PA, WA, WV, WY

Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone

Green River Trail

19.6 mi

State: WA

Asphalt

Green-to-Cedar Rivers Trail

3.75 mi

State: WA

Gravel

I-90 Trail

8.8 mi

State: WA

Asphalt, Concrete

Interurban Trail North

31.3 mi

State: WA

Asphalt, Concrete

Lake Boren Esplanade

0.6 mi

State: WA

Asphalt, Concrete

Pipeline Trail

2.7 mi

State: WA

Asphalt

Prairie Line Trail

0.5 mi

State: WA

Brick

Ruston Way Path

2.53 mi

State: WA

Asphalt, Concrete

Soos Creek Trail

6 mi

State: WA

Asphalt

Accordion

Soundview Trail

2 mi

State: WA

Asphalt

Springbrook Trail

2.3 mi

State: WA

Asphalt, Boardwalk

Yelm-Rainier-Tenino Trail

14 mi

State: WA

Asphalt

Chief Sealth Trail

4 mi

State: WA

Asphalt

Cushman Trail

6.2 mi

State: WA

Asphalt

East Aberdeen Waterfront Walkway

1.6 mi

State: WA

Asphalt

Interurban Trail South

19.8 mi

State: WA

Asphalt

Puyallup Riverwalk Trail

4.1 mi

State: WA

Asphalt

Scott Pierson Trail

5 mi

State: WA

Asphalt, Concrete

Seattle Waterfront Pathway

2 mi

State: WA

Asphalt

Ship Canal Trail

1.9 mi

State: WA

Asphalt

Sumner Link Trail

5.1 mi

State: WA

Asphalt

Sylvia Creek Forestry Trail

2.3 mi

State: WA

Asphalt, Dirt, Gravel

Thea Foss Waterway Esplanade

1.9 mi

State: WA

Boardwalk, Concrete

Water Flume Line Trail

2.4 mi

State: WA

Asphalt

West Campus Trail

1.04 mi

State: WA

Asphalt

Willapa Hills State Park Trail

56 mi

State: WA

Asphalt, Ballast, Crushed Stone, Grass, Gravel

Beacon Avenue Bike Path

2.8 mi

State: WA

Asphalt

Duwamish Trail

3 mi

State: WA

Asphalt

Eastrail South (Eastrail)

4 mi

State: WA

Asphalt

Karen Fraser Woodland Trail

5.2 mi

State: WA

Asphalt, Gravel

Sound to Olympics Trail

2.6 mi

State: WA

Asphalt

Cheshiahud Lake Union Loop

3.6 mi

State: WA

Asphalt

Basich Trailway

1.2 mi

State: WA

Asphalt

Chehalis Riverfront Walkway

3 mi

State: WA

Asphalt

Frager Road Trail

5.52 mi

State: WA

Asphalt

Lake to Sound Trail

8.8 mi

State: WA

Asphalt, Concrete

Yelm Prairie Line Trail

1.4 mi

State: WA

Asphalt

Trail Image	Trail Name	States	Length	Surface	Rating
	Alki Trail The Alki Trail rides along the northern and eastern shore of West Seattle along Alki Avenue. Largely riding on a widened sidewalk, separated from traffic by a parking lane and curb, traffic on the...	WA	5.5 mi	Asphalt	6 reviews
	BPA Trail Overview Meandering down a Bonneville Power Administration overhead electric utility corridor, the 3.8-mile BPA Trail serves as a connector between Celebration Park and the downtown areas of...	WA	3.83 mi	Asphalt	5 reviews
	Burke-Gilman Trail Overview Spanning just over 19 miles between Seattle and Bothell, the Burke-Gilman Trail is as much a thoroughfare for commuting to work and the University of Washington as it is a staple for...	WA	19.7 mi	Asphalt, Concrete	31 reviews
	Cedar River Trail Note: Access to equestrians is restricted within Renton City limits. Overview The Cedar River Trail follows the old Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul, and Pacific Railroad corridor for 17.4 miles on...	WA	17.4 mi	Asphalt, Gravel	17 reviews
	Chehalis Western Trail The Chehalis Western Trail follows the route of a Weyerhaeuser Timber Co. railroad by the same name that carried millions of logs out of Washington forests to the coast for shipment from the 1920s to...	WA	21.2 mi	Asphalt	30 reviews
	Coal Creek Trail (WA) The Coal Creek Trail offers trail users a wealth of coal history, fitness, and nature in a forested fish and wildlife habitat, with interpretive signs that highlight the relics to be found along the...	WA	3.7 mi	Ballast, Dirt, Grass, Woodchips	7 reviews
	Des Moines Creek Trail Overview The Des Moines Creek Trail offers a nice connection between the south side of Seattle and the waterfront community of Des Moines on Puget Sound. About the Route The paved trail...	WA	2.2 mi	Asphalt	7 reviews
	Elliott Bay Trail Overview The Elliott Bay Trail offers 3.9 miles for trail users the opportunity to enjoy art, history, wildlife, and a wide variety of outdoor activities in a beautiful waterfront setting. In the...	WA	3.9 mi	Asphalt	5 reviews
	Foothills Trail (WA) Closure Notice: The Spiketon Ditch Bridge is closed until further notice. Please check with Pierce County for more current information. Overview The Foothills Trail is a 24.7-mile collection...	WA	24.7 mi	Asphalt, Dirt, Gravel	32 reviews
	Grandview Trail The Grandview Trail runs in a straight line for more than a mile on the eastern edge of Pierce County's Chambers Creek Regional Park. The trail appropriately never strays too far from Grandview...	WA	1.25 mi	Asphalt	1 reviews
	Great American Rail-Trail Note: This developing route is not yet fully contiguous – it is just over 50% complete. Please refer to the Trail Map for more information on the existing sections of trail, as well as the online...	DC, IA, ID, IL, IN, MD, MT, NE, OH, PA, WA, WV, WY	3743.9 mi	Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone	9 reviews
	Green River Trail Overview The Green River Trail currently stretches 21.1 miles through the industrial heart of the Green River Valley from the southern suburbs of Seattle to Kent, connecting to a number of...	WA	19.6 mi	Asphalt	19 reviews
	Green-to-Cedar Rivers Trail The Green-to-Cedar Rivers Trail is an extension of the Cedar River Trail, which heads south from Witte Road where the two trails intersect. The Green-to-Cedar Rivers Trail passes through Lake...	WA	3.75 mi	Gravel	2 reviews
	I-90 Trail Scenic and interesting are uncommon terms used to describe a trail alongside a busy freeway, but the I-90 Trail in Washington is different. The trail begins in the west in Seattle and runs for 10...	WA	8.8 mi	Asphalt, Concrete	8 reviews
	Interurban Trail North The Interurban Trail between Seattle and Everett stitches together a dense residential and commercial patchwork that the original electric railway helped to grow in the early part of the 20th century....	WA	31.3 mi	Asphalt, Concrete	24 reviews
	Lake Boren Esplanade The Lake Boren Esplanade is a wide, paved pathway sitting on the west side of Coal Creek Parkway. The esplanade begins at Lake Boren Park and then parallels the road, offering glimpses of the lake...	WA	0.6 mi	Asphalt, Concrete	1 reviews
	Pipeline Trail Overview The Pipeline Trail provides a 2.7-mile off-road route through the city of Tacoma. The trail is ADA accessible with a 12ft wide paved surface, lighting, trail signage and benches. About...	WA	2.7 mi	Asphalt	1 reviews
	Prairie Line Trail Tacoma's Prairie Line Trail follows the former Northern Pacific Railroad that was established here in 1873. Tacoma was the terminus of the rail line that stretched all the way to the Great...	WA	0.5 mi	Brick	1 reviews
	Ruston Way Path The delightful Ruston Way Path sits in the Old Town neighborhood of northern Tacoma. Its linear, flat and paved nature make it a cinch for all travelers and it offers lovely views of Commencement Bay,...	WA	2.53 mi	Asphalt, Concrete	4 reviews
	Soos Creek Trail The Soos Creek Trail travels through heavily wooded forest on a north-south route spanning the eastern edge of the Seattle suburb of Kent. Following the path of its namesake creek, the trail begins...	WA	6 mi	Asphalt	10 reviews

Accordion

Soundview Trail The scenic Soundview Trail runs along and through the Chambers Bay public golf course—site of the U.S. Open in 2015—within Pierce County's Chambers Creek Regional Park. The 2-mile trail links at both...	WA	2 mi	Asphalt	3 reviews
Springbrook Trail Renton's Springbrook Trail is a good spot for a relaxed walk surrounded by nature in the heart of an urban district. The trail exists in two segments: the north segment begins in Black River Riparian...	WA	2.3 mi	Asphalt, Boardwalk	1 reviews
Yelm-Rainier-Tenino Trail Overview The Yelm-Rainier-Tenino Trails runs for 14 miles between the rural towns of Tenino and Yelm. The paved trail travels through agricultural areas, forests, and wetlands, and it takes a...	WA	14 mi	Asphalt	17 reviews
Chief Sealth Trail The Chief Sealth Trail runs northsouth along Seattle's southeast side between S. Ferdinand Street at Beacon Avenue S. and S. Gazelle Street at 51st Avenue S. The paved trail provides access to...	WA	4 mi	Asphalt	5 reviews
Cushman Trail Overview Gig Harbor's 6.2-mile Cushman Trail is a paved, non-motorized route for pedestrian and bike use. The trail shares much of its corridor with overhead Tacoma Power electric lines. Along the...	WA	6.2 mi	Asphalt	14 reviews
East Aberdeen Waterfront Walkway The East Aberdeen Waterfront Walkway is a 6-foot wide asphalt trail that meanders along the north side of the Chehalis River in Aberdeen. Historically, this land was used for industrial purposes, and...	WA	1.6 mi	Asphalt	1 reviews
Interurban Trail South Overview The main segment of the Interurban Trail (South) follows a former trolley line 16.1 miles on a mostly straight and flat trajectory through several towns south of Seattle, providing a route...	WA	19.8 mi	Asphalt	13 reviews
Puyallup Riverwalk Trail The Puyallup Riverwalk Trail traces the tree-lined shoreline in northern Puyallup, a few miles southeast of Tacoma. The paved pathway consists of two completed segments with about a mile of...	WA	4.1 mi	Asphalt	5 reviews
Scott Pierson Trail The Scott Pierson Trail runs parallel to State Route 16 for most of its journey from 25th Street in Tacoma to 24th Street on the southern edge of Gig Harbor. The 5-mile trail is a safe and convenient...	WA	5 mi	Asphalt, Concrete	12 reviews
Seattle Waterfront Pathway The highly urban Seattle Waterfront Pathway is a continuation of the Elliot Bay Trail and carries on south from Broad Street south to South Royal Brougham Way. The trail parallels Alaskan Way along...	WA	2 mi	Asphalt	4 reviews
Ship Canal Trail Across the waterway from its big brother (the Burke-Gilman Trail), the Ship Canal Trail runs along the southern edge of the Lake Washington Ship Canal near Seattle Pacific University. The trail links...	WA	1.9 mi	Asphalt	5 reviews
Sumner Link Trail Sumner Link Trail provides an important connection between the Interurban Trail and the Puyallup Riverwalk Trail. Along the way, the trail follows the White River, offering views of the water,...	WA	5.1 mi	Asphalt	9 reviews
Sylvia Creek Forestry Trail The Sylvia Creek Forestry Trail is located in Lake Sylvia State Park north of Montesano on Washington's Olympic Peninsula. The interpretive trail winds through the deep forest and alongside scenic...	WA	2.3 mi	Asphalt, Dirt, Gravel	1 reviews
Thea Foss Waterway Esplanade The Thea Foss Waterway Esplanade begins at Thea's Park along Tacoma's eastern waterfront. The park offers access to the water for fishing, swimming, boating, and wildlife viewing (harbor seals and sea...	WA	1.9 mi	Boardwalk, Concrete	3 reviews
Water Flume Line Trail Overview The Water Flume Line Trail runs for 2.4 miles through the City of Tacoma, WA. The wide, paved trail follows the route of a wooden structure, known as a flume, that carried water...	WA	2.4 mi	Asphalt	1 reviews
West Campus Trail The West Campus Trail provides access from the BPA Trail to Federal Way's West Campus medical centers. The short trail also offers the many surrounding neighborhoods a safe off-street connection to...	WA	1.04 mi	Asphalt	1 reviews
Willapa Hills State Park Trail Overview An adventure awaits those who tackle all, or part, of the 56-mile-long Willapa Hills State Park Trail in southwestern Washington. The former Northern Pacific Railway line rolls through...	WA	56 mi	Asphalt, Ballast, Crushed Stone, Grass, Gravel	43 reviews
Beacon Avenue Bike Path A shared use path runs along the Beacon Avenue in the Beacon Hills neighborhood of southeast Seattle. The path sits in the street's wide median and intersects with the Chief Sealth Trail around Dawson...	WA	2.8 mi	Asphalt	1 reviews
Duwamish Trail Running north to south along the industrial Duwamish Waterway, the 3-mile Duwamish Trail is an important connector in southwest Seattle. Beginning a half mile south of the Alki Trail, the Duwamish...	WA	3 mi	Asphalt	4 reviews
Eastrail South (Eastrail) The Eastrail (or formerly, Eastside Rail Corridor Trail), built on a former BNSF freight railroad, will one day traverse 42 miles through King County, connecting Renton, Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond,...	WA	4 mi	Asphalt	8 reviews
Karen Fraser Woodland Trail Commuters move between the cities of Olympia and Lacey along a former Burlington Northern corridor now known as the Karen Fraser Woodland Trail. The Chehalis Western Trail runs north and south from...	WA	5.2 mi	Asphalt, Gravel	3 reviews
Sound to Olympics Trail When complete, the Sound to Olympics Trail will extend across Kitsap County to link two Washington State regional trail systems: the Mountains to Sound Greenway to the Olympic Discovery Trail. This...	WA	2.6 mi	Asphalt	2 reviews
Cheshiahud Lake Union Loop Seattle's Cheshiahud Lake Union Loop offers scenic views of Lake Union, as well as access to parks, neighborhoods, and downtown shops and restaurants. A good place to begin your journey is at Lake...	WA	3.6 mi	Asphalt	1 reviews
Basich Trailway This short community rail-trail connects the cities of Aberdeen and Cosmopolis through some original wetland areas. The trail also leads directly to the large sports complex at Pioneer Park, while...	WA	1.2 mi	Asphalt	0 reviews
Chehalis Riverfront Walkway The Chehalis Riverfront Walkway provides a scenic route from the south side of Aberdeen to the sprawling Bishop Athletic Complex along an abandoned Burlington Northern railroad grade and levee. The...	WA	3 mi	Asphalt	0 reviews
Frager Road Trail Overview The Frager Road Trail runs alongside the Green River for 5.5 miles in Kent just south of Seattle, WA. It follows the route of the out-of-service Frager Road, and along a portion of the...	WA	5.52 mi	Asphalt	0 reviews
Lake to Sound Trail The Lake to Sound Trail is a developing pathway that will one day connect the communities of Seattle between the shores of Lake Washington and the Puget Sound at Des Moines Park Beach. As of 2023, the...	WA	8.8 mi	Asphalt, Concrete	0 reviews
Yelm Prairie Line Trail The Yelm Prairie Line Trail is a 1.3-mile paved rail-trail that runs along the previous route of the historic Prairie Line Railroad through the City of Yelm. The current 1.3-mile multi-use trail is...	WA	1.4 mi	Asphalt	0 reviews

Recent Trail Reviews

Beacon Avenue Bike Path

The Long and Winding Trail

June, 2025 by kaiginther2

A fun walk through an urban Beacon Hill neighborhood safely winding through the center of a wide median. Trees provide scattered shade and plenty of benches to tie that loose shoestring. No sign of any bikers, but passed a few friendly faces including a Mom with a stroller, grandmother and grandson, and an elderly walker listening to audible music on his phone. Plenty of street parking near Ferdinand street. We found a shady quiet spot to park. You can walk 30 minutes and use the restroom at the community center if needed.

Pipeline Trail

56th to 72th

April, 2025 by z7qd2dmtbx

Great trail. Looking forward to the continuation at 72nd ST E and Waller Rd E into South Hill.

Green River Trail

Flat Trail Beauty

April, 2025 by peter.kripp

I had not been on this trail for over a decade. I was in the area so decided to try it again. This time I made a nice loop route connecting the Green River Trail with the Interurban trail to add some nice mileage. I took the trail on 4/11/25 on a Friday morning from the Starfire Sports Complex. There was very low traffic on the trail and I enjoyed meandering along the river with it's curves. This is a peaceful journey through a high metropolitan area. It's a great break from the road traffic. At every crossing of a major street there are signals to use. I highly recommend trying out this trail and using connections for a decent bike route.

Accordion

Great American Rail-Trail

Warden to Lind

April, 2025 by howmarplus3

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.

Sound to Olympics Trail

Excited for this trails completion

January, 2025 by kim.c.spray

I can’t wait for this trail to be completed!

Water Flume Line Trail

It's a nice trail. I've walked it a few times. Areas to sit. Safe crosswalks. It's got a few greenbelt areas that are interesting to explore. Pretty safe. Great for a bike ride too, I have biked it. Had to review it. It's worthy of a hike.

November, 2024 by samelayton1

It's a nice trail. I've walked it a few times. Areas to sit. Safe crosswalks. It's got a few greenbelt areas that are interesting to explore. Pretty safe. Great for a bike ride too, I have biked it. Had to review it. It's worthy of a hike.

Great American Rail-Trail

such a beautiful trail!

October, 2024 by sherryschie

We started in Akron and rode about 18 miles north. Loved it!!!

Chehalis Western Trail

E bikes?

October, 2024 by mlv.lb

I was on the Yelm - Tenino trail today when about a dozen riders on E-Bikes and E-scooters came down the Chehalis Western trail to where it meets the Yelm trail. Is there some exception for E-bikes? I thought they would be considered "motorized" vehicles. What were they doing on the trail? So outside of the irritation I felt about that, the trail itself was great! I'm just getting back to riding after knee replacement so a relatively level trail out in the country that I could do some easy distance on was perfect!

Foothills Trail (WA)

Bridge closure E of S. Prairie

September, 2024 by ron242

My trailhead is always the lot at 423 Washington Av SE, Orting; heading east to Buckley from there avoids the majority of urban and traffic.

But the Spiketon Ditch Bridge 9 miles on (1.6 mi past S. Prairie) is currently closed, as "structurally compromised." Trail is blocked. It's a turnaround.

I do truly love the 9 miles that are open, sections along the Carbon River, others lined with woods, through farmlands, in and out of the small town of South Prairie, views of Mt. Ranier, ...

Cushman Trail

So So

September, 2024 by swvn2cp6ym

If I was a local I’m sure it’s great. As a tourist doing bicycle trails it was ok

Ship Canal Trail

Connects to the Burke Gilman.

August, 2024 by swvn2cp6ym

It’s ok since it connects

Cedar River Trail

It’s ok

August, 2024 by swvn2cp6ym

Starting at the south end is gravel. Not to far in it turns to nice asphalt. It travels close to the major road most of the way and it’s pretty noisy. Rode to the end and discovered the last mile is walking only. Rode it anyway no one said anything including the park service.

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