Trail Highlight: Snoqualmie Valley Trail and the Most Perfect Gravel

Ryan Avatar

BY

Laura

Snoqualmie Valley Trail to Palouse Trail

📍Snoqualmie, Washington / North Bend, Washington (21.2 miles / 994 ft)

🐾 Dog friendly? Yes! But Matty B was living her best life indoors this time.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Would ride again—farther, for sure.

Why we picked it

We’re in the middle of a six-week road trip through the Pacific Northwest, and we’re kind of falling in love with it. During our week exploring the Seattle suburbs—Issaquah, Snoqualmie, North Bend—we found ourselves in awe of the trail systems. Which brings us to this week’s highlight: Snoqualmie Valley Trail.

We packed all the toys for this trip: gravel bikes, a road wheelset, and the mountain bike. And so far, it’s been all gravel, all the time—and it’s been amazing.

After the first couple of days settling in and getting some road running done, my cousin offered to take me out for a gravel ride while Ryan worked. He suggested a route he enjoys riding when he has the time: Snoqualmie Valley Trail.

Views from Snoqualmie Valley Trail via gravel bike.
Rattlesnake Lake view from Snoqualmie Valley Trail.
Two people gravel biking on Snoqualmie Valley Trail.

The Ride

Let’s cut to the chase: this trail is gravel perfection.

  • The surface? Smooth, packed, and fast.
  • The width? Ample room to ride side by side.
  • The grade? Gradual but rewarding.
  • The views? Ridiculous—in the best way.

I actually laughed out loud at how good it was. After riding roads with gravel so chunky they may as well be boulders, steep hills that crush your soul, and trails that just… end? This was a dream.

We cruised past Rattlesnake Lake (worth a stop) and crossed a few old railroad bridges, complete with trickling waterfalls, rock climbing routes and sweeping views of the mountains. It was one of those rare rides that feels more like play than effort.

It was worthy of bringing Ryan later in the week so he could experience it.

And not to brag or anything, but I crushed the climb. All 1,000 feet of it.

And for someone who just moved from Texas, that’s saying something. Maybe mountain life is starting to stick. The Laura who rolled into Washington is not the same one who left Dallas. And honestly? I’m not mad about it.

🧭 AllTrails – Trail Map (This isn’t the exact route, but it’s part of it.)

Looking for more hikes and rides like this? Check out our Happy Trails section.

Have a favorite trail near Seattle? Drop it in the comments—we’re on the hunt for our next favorite.