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The Lower Yakima Valley Pathway offers trail users the opportunity to experience great wines (produced from grapes grown in the area's rich volcanic-ash soil), interesting shops, and local hospitality and entertainment as they traverse three desert towns along the 14-mile paved route.
Once part of the North Coast Railroad and the Oregon–Washington Railroad & Navigation Company, the trail parallels the Yakima Valley Highway, Interstate 82, and Wine Country Road, beginning on the eastern edge of Sunnyside (by the Mid Valley Mall) and ending in Prosser. The route takes you 6.5 miles to Grandview (you'll pass by the town's commercial districts on US 12/Wine Country Road). Be prepared for a variety of conditions, including extremely hot summers—the path offers little shade—and colder fall temperatures.
The 8-foot-wide trail sports some hills and road crossings, and cyclists and skaters are encouraged to use caution and be aware of pedestrians. You will reach a 1.5-mile section on the roadway from Grandview Park & Ride to the East Grandview trailhead, where water is available. The gap ends at the Palacios Parkway archway on the north side of the road at mile 8.
The next 6 miles to Prosser make for a rural experience; note that fewer services are available along this part of the route. At mile 11.5, you'll find an active trestle crossing; avoid this by dipping down from the right-of-way. The trail officially ends immediately before a bridge and pathway that crosses the Yakima River and takes you into downtown Prosser.
Take I-82 to Exit 69 for Sunnyside. Head north on State Route 241/Waneta Road for 0.4 mile. Turn left onto Yakima Valley Highway. In 1.2 miles, parking is available by the Mid Valley Mall (Yakima Valley Highway and E. Edison Avenue).
Grandview Park & Ride and the East Grandview trailhead are on CR 12/Wine Country Road. Take I-82 to Exit 75. Turn right onto Mcreadie Road, and immediately turn right onto CR 12/Wine Country Road. In 0.4 mile, look for the trail on the right.
To reach the trailhead in Prosser, take I-82 to Exit 82. Head west on Wine Country Road for 1.7 miles. Street parking is available at the Yakima River in Prosser.
This trail had large cracks in many many areas and it abruptly turned into the city streets which were very gravelly and rough. It turned back into the path where not too far on it, there was a woman using drugs. The area off the path (Grandview) was very rough and sketchy. This was the area we saw the woman using drugs. We were very disappointed.
Most Rail to Trail are wonderful. I used this as a training ride as was in Processer for a few days. Got 28 miles in (out and back) and did get exercise. However this route did not live up to my expectations of the routes Trail-toRail are. Went from Prosser to edge of Sunnyside. (Out and Back) I82 on one side, Wine Country Road on other side. Sometimes semi active railroad. Active Wind. Went through Grandview - nice town but signage limited and lots of traffic. There was a clean public bathroom on Route which was nice and from Grandview to Sunnyside frequent bench to sit on. Just north of Grandview the route gets a little roughy. The initial couple of miles outside of Prosser was unattrative and not marked will . Hard to get lost though.
Fantastic! We parked our semi at the Loves truck stop in Prosser and wanted to get out a bit. The trail literally passes through the truck stop. Easy access, great pathway; rode all the way through Grandview and bac, 16.5 miles. A few ups and does at the Prosser end but overall a relatively easy and leisurely ride. Asphalt. A few ups and downs
Trail is a nice surprise. A safe way to bike in the area with pretty views of the Yakima River and access to towns along the way.
This trail is sandwiched between an Interstate Highway and the old highway alongside a railroad track. The result is a level ride with very few streets to cross. It's a useful route when going between Sunnyside and Grandview. The trail is usually clean but beware of goathead thorns between July and September.
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