Great American Rail-Trail Washington State Tour
Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail | Photo courtesy Washington State Parks
The Great American Rail-Trail® will be the nation’s first cross-country multiuse trail—a route that is entirely bikeable and separated from vehicle traffic across 3,700 miles between Washington State and Washington, D.C.
This September, Rails to Trails Conservancy, Washington Bikes, Cascade Bicycle Club, Leafline Trails Coalition and partners across Washington will host an invitation-only tour of the Great American Rail-Trail from Cle Elum to downtown Seattle.
Over several days and 105 miles, we will experience the magnificence of the Cascade Mountains, Rattlesnake Lake and Snoqualmie Falls, alongside the history and heritage that is integral to this former rail corridor at South Cle Elum Depot and Rail Yard, the Snoqualmie Tunnel, Gas Works Park and the Port of Seattle. We’ll spend time with area advocates, elected officials and business owners as we are immersed in the impact and the opportunity that the Great American Rail-Trail offers, from economic development to quality of life. We’ll uncover the region’s hidden gems and the many ways that a trail can unlock the magic of people and place.
Already, this cross-country route, a signature project of Rails to Trails Conservancy, is inspiring enthusiasm about trails in new and exciting ways. From the communities invigorated by the economic and local potential of the trail to the people who have embarked on the cross-country journey, people are celebrating the completed segments and drawing attention to the need to connect the route quickly so that its full potential can be realized.
Trip Itinerary
Tour participants will arrive in Seattle on Sept. 22, shuttling to Cle Elum, Washington, that evening. For those who arrive by noon on Sept. 22, a small group will travel to the Beverly Bridge to learn the history of this iconic railroad trestle across the Columbia River, an essential connection in the Great American Rail-Trail route that opened in 2022.
The ride officially begins the morning of Sept. 23, heading west on the Palouse to Cascades Trail from the South Cle Elum Depot. Over three days, we’ll travel 105 miles, connecting with local elected officials, business owners and leaders, and getting to know each of the towns along the route in the most intimate way possible—from the seat of a bicycle. On Sept. 25, the tour concludes with a VIP reception along the Seattle waterfront. Tour participants can depart that evening or on Friday, Sept. 26.
During the tour, we’ll cover 105 miles of trail with stops for hydration, exploration and meet and greets. The tour is appropriate for bicyclists of all skill levels with opportunities for shuttling as needed. Electric bicycles and helmets will be provided if needed.
More Information
Guests are invited to join all of the tour or specific days, which can be specified on the registration form.
All participants are expected to cover their travel and lodging costs. All meals and costs associated with tour activities will be paid for by Rails to Trails Conservancy. Daily rates can be provided for any participants who need to pay for their full costs. A limited number of scholarships for journalists are available upon request.
If you have questions about the tour or your registration status, please reach out to Eduardo Coyotzi Zarate at eduardo@railstotrails.org.
Daily Itinerary
Sept. 22 – 0 Miles: Seattle to Cle Elum
Those needing a shuttle will meet RTC staff in Seattle and head to Cle Elum where we will enjoy an informal dinner and spend the night. For those arriving by Noon Pacific on Sept. 22, a small group will visit the iconic Beverly Bridge across the Columbia River.
Sept. 23 – 52 Miles: Cle Elum to Rattlesnake Lake Recreation Area
Riders will need to arrive in Cle Elum by 8 am. The tour will start with a kickoff celebration at the South Cle Elum Depot and Rail Yard. The depot will be open for a tour, and regional leaders will be on-hand to celebrate at the iconic location along the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail. The entire day will be spent on the Palouse to Cascades, enjoying rural Kittitas County, including a trip through the mile-long Snoqualmie Tunnel. (Don’t worry, headlights will be provided!) The end of the day will be a downward coast to Rattlesnake Lake Recreation Area, one of the most popular and scenic parks in all of King County.
Note: The ride will be traveling at a slight incline for much of the day across an amazing rail trail with an unpaved surface. E-bikes will be available to help make this a great day for everyone!
Sept. 24 – 28 Miles: Preston to Bothell
On day 2, riders will start the day with a side trip to the iconic Snoqualmie Falls before shuttling to the trailhead in Preston. The trail is complete and entirely paved from Preston to Seattle, which will be a welcome contrast to the rugged adventure the day before. The ride will take a stop at Sunset Beach at Lake Sammamish State Park and then follow the eastern edge of Lake Sammamish for several scenic miles. Riders will get to experience the newest trail in downtown Redmond before enjoying the finest that Washington’s wine country has to offer. The day will end at a fabulous, unique hotel in Bothell that used to be a school.
Sept. 25 – 25 miles: Bothell to Seattle
On the final day of the tour, the tour brings us to Seattle. The tour will stop first at the headquarters of Cascade Bicycle Club, and its beautiful location along Lake Washington. The ride follows Lake Washington through the University of Washington campus to Gas Works Park, a unique and unforgettable industrial redevelopment. We’ll enter downtown Seattle, where we’ll be greeted with views of the Seattle skyline, Puget Sound, and the Olympic Mountains off to the west. The Great American Rail-Trail continues across the Puget Sound via ferry to its western terminus on the Pacific Ocean, which riders can daydream of while enjoying a closing reception right on the waterfront.
Here are links to information to learn more about the Great American Rail-Trail and its development and impact in Washington.
Organizing Partners
