Find the top rated birding trails in Pullman, 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.
We loved this trail!! I would say it ranks up there with Hiawatha for scenery. We saw a cow moose and calf and SO many birds. The first time we did this trail, we started at Cataldo then about a mile or so into the trip there was a moose and calf in the left in the swamp. Beautiful, breathtaking scenery and in October the colorful leaves and weather are simply divine. ¿
The other reviews of this hike are many years old, so I thought an update was in order. We hike this trail at least once a month year round. The trail is 5.2 miles total out and back. It is a gravel/dirt surface and fairly flat. The trail goes through the Palouse River canyon with steep basalt walls. It is a dramatic change from surrounding hills. It is unusual not to see wildlife. We have seen deer, coyotes, eagles, hawks, ducks, geese, vultures and numerous small birds. Like many converted rail routes we have hiked there are several apple and plum trees. The trail ends where the railroad crossed the Palouse River. A tunnel is visible across the river, but is collapsed inside. The covered bridge that was further on burned a few years ago. There are several gates on trail to contain cattle which are rarely present. There is a nice parking area at the trailhead at the end of a dirt road. The signage could be better; use your GPS or just follow the road north past the scrapyard and gravel piles.
This loose gravel used as a trail substrate makes these trails unpassable by bicycle. The loose gravel is tantamount to attempting to ride a bicycle across a sand dune. The gravel is soft and loose and creates too much friction for a bicycle ride longer than a quarter mile. This is a real shame and potential waste of resources. Trails must be hard packed for decent travel by bicycle. This isn't the only trail with this issue here in Washington. Many sections of the Palouse to the Cascades trail also suffer the same poor choice in trail substrate.
This is an awesome ride from the westernmost start at Rattlesnake Ledge all the way to the Renslow Trestle east of Ellensburg.
There's a few miles around Easton where someone in their "infinite wisdom" put the gravel on the trail so heavy that it made riding difficult, but it's doable.
Then there's the sand that the Army spread claiming "habitat restoration" from the Renslow Trestle across the last 20 miles to the Columbia River totally destroys the joy. Right, pure sand... does the Army think this is the Saharan Desert? To me, it seems pretty clear the Army did that in hopes to discourage bikers from crossing that section - you'll need fat tires to have any hope to ride it, and even then it will be a battle.
Soft gravel and not very scenic from either side of CleElum. Rode 12 miles each direction. Could not sightsee as it was difficult to manage.
Glad we went on a weekday. And seeing 5 moose made our day. The bridge is awesome also. One of my very favorite rides.
Rode the trail in June, 2021 as the first leg of the 300k Bitterroot Loop. Left our car at Harrison, stayed overnight at the Lakeview Lodge, and rode next day from Harrison to Wallace. Stayed at the Wallace Inn & then next day continued East to Mullan, then continued on Nor Pac & Olympian trails to Haugan. Trail surface was paved & very smooth, no problem for road bikes. Great views of Coeur D'Alene Lake & River. If it fits with your schedule, ride on a weekday, it will be less crowded.
I love this ride. Rode the whole trail over several weekends, broken up into chunks. I'd go 20 miles out – 20 miles back. You are mostly out in nature on this trail. I've seen moose, deer, lots of ducks and geese, cranes, coyote, etc.. Along the way are plaques explaining highlights and history of the area. And should you need, there are clean restrooms and benches and tables (in the shade) along the way. Be sure to treat yourself to a refreshing stop in Harrison, Enaville, Cataldo, Kellog, and Wallace. I planned my bike ride so I'd hit a cafe in one of these towns at just the right time to refresh myself with a cold beer and pulled-pork sandwich. I plan to ride this trail, or at least sections of it, once every year.
I have ridden this trail twice. Very nice,relaxing,simply fantastic but that Harrison to Plummer section is one long uphill. The ice cream store in Harrison a wonderful break spot. I wish this trail was closer to my residence. Trail of the Hiawatha is also quite nice but buy or rent a very good light which WILL make or break your ride. All in all, these places are definite bucket list rides you do not want to miss!!
I am very sad to see that there is very little work being done on this trail. It will be ENORMOUSLY popular if it is ever finished! Right now the surface is horrible to ride, except on the very ends. With the popularity of rails to trails, I guarantee that this would be a much-loved and used trail if it was improved. The paved sections are great, and the trailheads are, too. There has been work on this trail, with the restrooms and paving. Let's hope the improvements continue! I would love to ride it end to end someday.
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