Find the top rated birding trails in Shelton, 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.
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, ...
If I was a local I’m sure it’s great. As a tourist doing bicycle trails it was ok
Took the trail that goes by all the Microsoft offices. The trail itself was noisy and not that great of shape. However we stumbled onto a bridge across SR520 into the Microsoft world. Absolutely amazing. Like a different world. Remove and isolated
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.
I’ve been on a lot of trails. This one rates a B. The asphalt is excellent and wide until one enters the Seattle district. Then Boom it suddenly turns into a C trail when I’m feeling generous. It’s knarly and narrow with tree roots. Barely wide enough for 2 people to pass. Get it together Seattle. Lots of people come here for the trails and we spend money. Not that Seattle seems to care about that.
Started out under the bridge headed towards Seattle. Looked promising only to find it very disappointing when one is on the bridge looking out at the Bay. The traffic noise was deafening and the pathway poor. Trail was closed on the other side of the bridge. Turned around and went the other direction. Very poor shape. Not sure what all the 5 star reviews are? I’ll check it again in a couple years
Loved this ride, but sadly last year, August 2023, found it hard to navigate through the Ballard section with the market days. Had a fall on the poorly marked/paved road, and broke a bone. Going to redo the ride tomorrow and I know it will be awesome! (Now that I know the pitfalls)
We ( recumbent trike & e-bike) headed West from the Kiwanis park. Turned around after 9km as the surface was really tough on the trike. There’s 2 good wheel tracks for bikes, but the trike had to ride partially in the coarse trail ballast. Scenic area with farm views and a huge windmill farm in the distance.
Nice paved trail. Of the 20 miles between Puyallup and Buckley, MOSTLY I SAW FOLIAGE, farms, some homes. I went there and back, thus, 40 miles. With bike I departed Puyallup parking at Monday noon, so very few people using it. 78 and blue skies, Mt. Rainier was present in my sights. Super easy as there is nothing much to call a hill. Some complain about road noise, and around Orting, the trail runs along the road and through this town, so sure, noise there. (I ride with some good earbuds in listening to podcasts, so noise nearby noise is just not a factor for me.) But before and after Orting noise or traffic scenes were not present. Of course, you can turn around to you head back to your car at any point, making this a 15 mile, 30, or such. This is a bike path to just ride easy and enjoy; no sweat.
Best trail in Seattle. Very urban, although the eastern stretch is quieter in terms of foot traffic and road traffic, whereas the western side has more city vibes. If I can't do the whole thing I like to start at UW and either go up to Golden Gardens (western half of trail) or up to Woodinville (eastern half of trail). Lots of lunch spots or pack a picnic and enjoy.
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