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Walking, Hiking, Biking and Kayaking Washington

© Jerri Brooker

Where's your favorite place to walk, bike or kayak? Your neighborhood, out in nature, in the mountains, along the beach, in the shopping mall? Wherever you live, there are a lot of places to enjoy exercise in the state of Washington.

The Columbia Plateau Trail State Park, a 130-mile trail between Cheney and East Pasco, is a great place to walk. You will pass through landscape created by Ice Age floods along the north bank of the Snake River. You'll pass by several lakes, Fish Lake being closest to Cheney. The trail goes through Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge and passes by Amber Lake. See a map locating the Cheney trailhead here.

From the Cheney trailhead near Fish Lake, there's a 3.75-mile asphalt trail surface, which is a great place to hike, bike or inline skate. Then the trail becomes crushed rock for 19.25 miles and is great for equestrians, hikers and mountain bikes. Not all of the trail is developed yet, but this area provides a great place to enjoy nature. I haven't been to the other trailheads on this route; if you have, I'd love to read of your experience in the discussion area.

In western Washington I enjoy walking the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge near Lacey. It's a great place to watch birds and enjoy the Puget Sound landscape. I've written about it here. I also like to walk our ocean beaches and in the mountains. Click on "articles" in the Washington topic menu and you'll find a lot of articles about places to visit where you can enjoy walking.

Whether I stumble onto a covey of quail in the early morning light or walk in a blazing red setting sun, walking is when I commune with nature. I find myself grateful for life, enthralled with what surprises nature has to offer. The experience is what life's all about to me; living and walking Washington.

Washington does a good job of providing landscape for walkers; there are nearly 700 miles of trails in Washington state parks. For information on trails in Washington parks, go here - it's a good place to start when researching what the state has to offer.

Hate to walk alone? Do you like a guided walk? The National Volkssport Association has a lot of planned walks. Visit this site and click on "Find Walking Events," then on "Washington." Not only do they provide for walking experiences, they also have swims and biking opportunities. It's a great place to meet people who enjoy walking.