The incredible 22 mile Foothills Trail is a Pierce County secret and one of my favorite hidden gems. Cyclists, walkers, runners, and people of all ages enjoy this beautiful paved trail in South Pierce County. Let’s talk about Hidden Gems of the PNW – The Foothills Trail.
History
In the late 1800’s the Northern Pacific Railway laid the first tracks to access rich coal and sandstone resources at the base of the Cascades. This corridor was critical to early settlement and connecting Tacoma to Ellensburg. In 1982 Burlington Northern abandoned the tracks and shortly thereafter the Foothills Trail Coalition was formed by local citizens.
Pierce County formerly adopted the trail project in 1990 and has continued to make improvements to the trail that begins in Puyallup. Until 2024 the trail ended at South Prairie. But in 2024 the Buckley Bridge was completed connecting the Pierce County trail to Enumclaw in King County.
One of My Favorite Paved Trails
For many years this trail was a favorite of mine as a cyclist. It is well maintained, has multiple parking and restroom facilities throughout the 22 miles, and has stunning nature and Mount Rainier views. You will see birds, and other wildlife as well as wildflowers and forests. Although I am currently not cycling, the Foothills Trail is also a great place to run, walk your dog, stroll with the family or just picnic along the Carbon River. Walkers should consider parking in Orting (check out their Saturday Farmers Market) where the Rainier views are the best. About a one mile walk from the Orting Railroad Depot you will come to the beautiful raging Carbon River.
The Foothills Trail is a 12-foot wide non-motorized asphalt trail / linear park suitable for bicycles, walking, in-line skates, and wheelchairs. It also has a soft shoulder path for equestrians.
Hidden Gems of the PNW – The Foothills Trail
There are plans to continue the trail east from Enumclaw. Additional plans will hopefully come to fruition to continue the trail from Puyallup to connect with the Interurban Trail in Auburn and Kent. This could create a wonderful cycling corridor for commuters in the future. A perfect fit for the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
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