The best traffic-free bike rides around Thurston

Thurston County offers a wide selection of road cycling routes designed to minimize traffic, with over 60 routes available. These range from easy, family-friendly paths to more moderate challenges, ensuring options for various skill levels.

You'll find diverse landscapes, from vast fields and prairie ecosystems to dense forests. Many routes utilize paved rail trails, offering generally flat terrain. Cyclists can enjoy views of the Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains, and unique geological formations like the Mima Mounds. The Chehalis Western Trail, for instance, takes you through wetlands, farmland, and wooded areas.

Yes, Thurston County is excellent for family cycling. The Chehalis Western Trail is a 22-mile paved rail trail that is largely flat and suitable for all ages. Similarly, the 14-mile Yelm-Rainier-Tenino Trail offers another enjoyable, easy ride through forests and wetlands, connecting small towns.

Many routes offer scenic points of interest. You can cycle near the unique geological formations of the Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve, or enjoy views of the Puget Sound. The Thurston Bountiful Byway passes by the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, a haven for migratory birds. Tumwater Falls Park, with its cascading waterfalls, is also a beautiful spot to visit.

The komoot community highly rates the cycling experience in Thurston County, with an average score of 4.5 stars. Reviewers often praise the extensive network of well-maintained, traffic-free trails, the diverse and picturesque scenery, and the accessibility of routes for various skill levels.

Yes, many of Thurston County's trails are designed to connect, allowing for circular routes or longer loops. The Thurston Bountiful Byway, for example, is a 60-mile loop that incorporates sections of old railroad lines reclaimed for trails, offering a scenic tour through rural areas.

Spring and fall generally offer the most pleasant conditions with mild temperatures and beautiful scenery. Summer is also popular, though it can be warmer. Winter cycling is possible, but be prepared for cooler, wetter weather, as is common in the Pacific Northwest.

Many of the major trailheads for routes like the Chehalis Western Trail and the Yelm-Rainier-Tenino Trail offer designated parking areas. For more detailed information on specific trail access points and parking, you can consult the Thurston County Parks and Trails website: thurstoncountywa.gov.

While some urban sections of trails might be accessible via local transit, many of the longer, more rural traffic-free routes may require personal transport to reach their trailheads. It's advisable to check local transit schedules and routes for specific access points if you plan to use public transportation.

Yes, while many routes are easy, Thurston County also offers moderate options. For instance, the guide features 40 moderate routes that provide a bit more distance or gentle elevation changes, such as the "Walsham le Willows – The Forge, Thornham loop from Thurston" which covers over 52 km with moderate elevation.

Yes, the Monarch Sculpture Park is a unique cultural attraction that can be accessed by walking or biking along the Chehalis Western Trail, offering an interesting stop amidst your ride.