17 Washington Rail Trails For Long Dog Walks Beyond Mountain Trailheads

Old railroad beds make surprisingly brilliant dog paths. Trains needed gentle grades, so the routes they left behind climb slowly, curve kindly, and stretch on for miles without a single scramble over roots or rock.

Across Washington, those retired lines now roll past river bends, farm fields, basalt canyons, and small-town bakeries. No permit scrambles, no crowded mountain parking lots, just steady ground and long conversations with your leash-holding hand.

Here is where to point your paws.

1. Snoqualmie Valley Trail

Thirty-one miles of former railroad grade unspool between Duvall and Rattlesnake Lake, and dogs adore every crunchy inch. The surface is packed gravel, easy on paws and easy on knees.

Start at the Duvall or Carnation trailheads for flat farmland views, or head south near North Bend for tall firs and trestle crossings.

Leashes are required. Pack water, since spigots are scarce between towns.

2. Cedar River Trail

Water sounds keep pups interested, and the Cedar River chatters alongside this route for miles. Paved pavement runs from Renton toward Maple Valley, then switches to soft gravel heading to Landsburg.

Cedar River Trail Park in Renton makes an easy launch spot with restrooms nearby.

Bikes move quickly here, so a short leash near the center line keeps everybody happy and rolling.

3. Foothills Trail

Few trails hand you Mount Rainier as a backdrop this generously. The paved Foothills Trail links Puyallup, Orting, South Prairie, and Buckley along an old Northern Pacific line.

Orting is the crowd favorite for good reason: wide shoulders, big mountain views, and a trailhead right in town.

Shade is patchy on hot afternoons, so early walks suit thick-coated dogs best. Leashes and cleanup are expected.

4. Chehalis-Western Trail

Thurston County built a beauty here: about 22 paved miles running from Woodard Bay near Olympia south to Rainier. Farm fields, wetlands, and quiet woodland trade places every mile or two.

Chambers Lake and the Martin Way crossings offer handy parking with space to stretch.

Benches appear regularly, which older dogs appreciate. Connections to other county trails let you build longer loops.

5. Willapa Hills State Park Trail

Rugged and rural, the Willapa Hills State Park Trail travels 56 miles from Chehalis west toward South Bend. Sections near Chehalis and Adna are the most polished, with bridges and firm gravel.

Farther west it turns wilder, so check conditions before committing to a long push.

A Discover Pass is needed at state park trailheads. Leashed dogs are welcome throughout this old logging railroad route.

6. Klickitat State Park Trail

Basalt cliffs, a rushing river, and oak groves make this 31-mile route feel like the Southwest visited the Northwest. Running from Lyle up the Klickitat River and into Swale Canyon, it follows an old rail line.

Spring wildflowers are spectacular near Lyle.

Heads up: ticks and rattlesnakes live in Swale Canyon, and the section closes in summer heat. Cooler months are kinder for dogs.

7. Columbia Plateau State Park Trail

Big sky country suits big-energy dogs. The Columbia Plateau State Park Trail stretches roughly 130 miles across eastern Washington, with the smoothest walking on the Fish Lake segment near Cheney.

Old railroad cuts slice through basalt, and marshes attract noisy waterfowl.

Shade is rare, so aim for morning or evening. A Discover Pass covers parking, and leashed pups roam these prairie miles happily.

8. Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail

Once the Milwaukee Road, now the longest rail trail in the state at over 200 miles. The western end near Rattlesnake Lake and Cedar Falls is the easiest introduction, with firm gravel and forest calm.

Farther east, trestles cross deep valleys and the scenery turns wide open.

The Snoqualmie Tunnel is dark and chilly, so bring lights. Leashed dogs handle it fine.

9. Burke-Gilman Trail

Seattle’s most famous multi-use path began as the Seattle, Lake Shore and Eastern Railway. Today about 20 paved miles link Golden Gardens, the Fremont waterfront, the university district, and Kenmore.

Lakeside stretches near Matthews Beach are a treat on warm evenings.

Expect commuters, so keep the leash short and predictable. Plenty of cafes along the way let you rest with a well-behaved sidekick.

10. Interurban Trail South

Straight as a ruler and perfect for logging miles, the Interurban Trail South runs roughly 15 paved miles from Tukwila through Kent, Auburn, and Pacific. It follows the old Seattle-Tacoma interurban railway corridor.

Scenery leans industrial, but the flat surface and easy parking are unbeatable for training walks.

Green River Trail links nearby for a leafier detour. Leashed dogs are welcome along the whole stretch.

11. Bellingham Interurban Trail

Ferns crowd the edges of this six-mile Bellingham gem, which traces the old interurban rail line from Fairhaven toward Larrabee State Park. Soft surface underfoot means happy paws.

Side spurs climb to Teddy Bear Cove and Chuckanut Falls for saltwater and waterfall bonuses.

Rain keeps things muddy much of the year, so towels in the car are wise. Leashes required throughout.

12. Cross Kirkland Corridor

A railroad ran through Kirkland until 2012. Now 5.75 miles of crushed gravel roll from the Google campus area north toward Totem Lake, all gentle grade and neighborhood friendliness.

Benches, art installations, and easy street access make it an ideal after-work stroll.

Small dogs manage the whole length without complaint. Water fountains appear near park connections, and the corridor links onward to the Eastrail network.

13. Redmond Central Connector Trail

Original rails still sit beside the pavement here, a clever nod to the corridor’s past. The Redmond Central Connector runs about four miles through downtown Redmond and out toward the Sammamish River Trail.

Public art, picnic spots, and a Saturday market crowd give walks a festive feel.

Short and sociable, it suits dogs practicing calm manners around people. Combine it with the river trail for distance.

14. Issaquah-Preston Trail

Tucked between Issaquah and Preston, this five-mile paved and gravel path threads forest, creek crossings, and a few highway-adjacent stretches. The old Seattle-Lake Shore railway once ran through here.

Starting at High Point Way gives you the prettiest, quietest half.

Shade keeps it cool on summer days, which double-coated dogs deeply appreciate. It continues into the Preston-Snoqualmie Trail if legs still feel springy.

15. Preston-Snoqualmie Trail

Here is a rare treat: a paved rail trail that ends with a distant look at Snoqualmie Falls. Roughly six miles wind from Preston through mossy second-growth forest to the overlook.

Crowds stay light compared with the falls viewpoint itself, which is a gift on weekends.

The grade climbs gently, never steeply. Leashed dogs love the cool, quiet, cedar-scented tunnel of green.

16. Cowiche Canyon Trail

Sunshine country, meet your best walking path. Near Yakima, the Cowiche Canyon Trail follows an abandoned rail line nearly three miles, crossing the creek on nine old trestle bridges.

Basalt and andesite walls glow gold in late afternoon light.

Summer gets genuinely hot, so spring and fall are far kinder to paws. Leashed dogs are welcome, and the creek offers occasional cool-down spots.

17. Olympic Discovery Trail and the Larry Scott Trail

Saltwater on one side, madrona trees on the other. The Larry Scott Trail runs about seven miles from Port Townsend’s boat haven toward Four Corners, forming the eastern tip of the Olympic Discovery Trail.

That larger route stretches over 130 miles toward the coast, with dreamy segments near Sequim and Lake Crescent.

Gravel and pavement mix nicely. Leashed dogs get big views and salty breezes.