TRAILS
GET READY FOR A HIKE IN LEAVENWORTH WASHINGTON
With hundreds of miles of forest and mountain trails to walk, bike, backpack, run, or ride, you can bop ‘til you drop around Leavenworth. There are trails offered by local businesses and groups, as well as trails managed by the United States Forest Service. USFS trails vary in length and difficulty so contact the Leavenworth Ranger District (509-548-2550), Forest Service’s Recreation Report, for detailed information.
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Icicle River Nature Trail
This is a fun trail for walking and learning about the spectacular Icicle River Valley and the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery. Be sure to pick up the interpretive brochure before heading out on the trail. This gentle trail can be used by the entire family, and the wide paths and level surfaces make it easy to bring a stroller or wheelchair along with you. Bring your dog along to join you on this nature trail, but be sure to keep them on a leash and always clean up after them. You can complete the perimeter of this trail in under an hour, but if you'd like to walk for longer, there are different paths intersecting the center of the trail that you can also explore. The hatchery releases over one million salmon per year. It's one of the best areas to learn about Northwest Salmon, river ecology, and the role of fish hatcheries in our state. The native name for Icicle Creek was Nasikelt. As pronounced this name sounds very similar to Icicle. Legend has it that early pioneers mistook the proper native name and interpreted it as Icicle. The name Icicle was established by USGS maps in the early 1900s. Pets must be on leash. This location is also host to nordic ski and snowshoe trails in winter. -
Leavenworth Ski Hill Hiking Trails
A nice 'trail' system following dirt roads through the forests. The many looping double track trails in this small tract of Forest Service-owned land winds through forests over rolling terrain and climbs gently to offer a few views of Leavenworth. There are about 6 miles of double-track trail, which is great to get out for a walk or go explore with your dog. Walk a variety of loop trails for shorter distances, or walk all of them for the full workout. In addition, there are "steeper" narrower trails that are also used for mountain biking. Watch for bikers around these narrow trails. The Ski Hill 'trails' are popular places to walk, run, and mountain bike for three-season use. Once snow-covered the roads are used for Nordic skiing in winter and are part of the groomed trail system maintained by the Leavenworth Winter Sports Club. The trails/roads are free to use for three-season use but you need a day pass or season's pass to ski them in winter. Visit skileavenworth.com/activities/bike-trails for more details. -
Waterfront Park Trail
Waterfront Park Trail is one of Leavenworth's best kept secrets. The trails wind along the Wenatchee River and through quiet riverbank forests. There are benches for sitting and interpretive signs to explain the natural and cultural history of the area. Throughout the park there are small beach inlets that are perfect for swimming on hot summer days. This has also been reported to be a great birding site in the Spring or a place to spot salmon making their upstream journey in the Fall. The trail is accessible from downtown Leavenworth. The trail is completely flat so you can just relax and enjoy the views. -
Hidden Lake
If you have enough M&Ms with you, you can probably coax your kids up this short trail. The lake is surrounded by thick forest and brambles. There are no views to speak of but the massive Ponderosa pines will take your breath away. The lake can be crowded during the summer season with hikers and people pretending to catch fish. The water is nice for a swim by mid-summer. Take care to return on the correct trail; an alternate route descends steeply to the Glacier View Campground at road's end. -
Bygone Byways
This short interpretive trail follows the original route of the Great Northern Railway. The trail stays in forest most of the way and skirts the perimeter of Nason Creek. The trail is flat and well marked. There are interpretive brochures & kiosk at the trailhead to help explain the natural and cultural history of the area. -
Penstock Trail (Old Pipeline Trail)
The Penstock, now on the National Historical Register, was a huge water pipe used to deliver water to a powerhouse located where the parking lot is now. The electricity powered electrical engines which pulled trains through the Cascade Tunnel at Stevens Pass. Prior to this the coal-fired engines caused problems with asphixation. In Chinook jargon, the word tumwater means "rough water." If you view the raging waters of the Wenatchee River in Tumwater Canyon during the spring and early summer, it's easy to understand how this canyon got it's name. Note: this trail is sometimes flooded in the spring due to the high volume of water in the river. -
Icicle Gorge
A gentle loop trail that traverses both banks of the Icicle River. A great trail for those that want to experience the magic of the Icicle Valley without having to grunt up and down significant elevation gains. One side of the river is dry and sparsely vegetated while the other is a canopied forest. Guess which one is south facing and getting the most sun? Mid-way through the hike you will cross a bridge over roaring waters. Take a minute to relax here and enjoy the cool breeze generated by this roaring, surprisingly powerful creek. The native name for Icicle Creek was Nasikelt. As pronounced this name sounds very similar to Icicle. Legend has it that early pioneers mistook the proper native name and interpreted it as Icicle. The name Icicle was established by USGS maps in the early 1900s. -
Lanham lake
This forested lake is not the most spectacular hike in the area but it's a fun jaunt for family picnics. Part of the hike goes under power lines which make an eerie noise like sizzling bacon. The trail is steep and hot so bring water and be sure to have a healthy supply of treats to get your kids to the top. From the Stevens Pass Nordic Center find the Lanham Lake Trail at the main parking area. The trail is easy to follow and well defined. Legend has it that this lake was named after a prospector with the last name of Lanham. In the early 1900's there was a trail leading up to a prospect hole along Lanham Creek. It's suspected that Lanham never got very rich from this claim as the creek was never a very productive mineral source. -
Icicle Ridge
This trail goes one way, up. It can be hiked for as long or as short as you like. The natural turnaround point is two miles into the hike at a small flat spot on the ridgetop. This is a good spot to eat your lunch, enjoy the views and rub Icy Hot on your aching thighs. The trail keeps going after this point but you have to go a long way to get better views. For those looking for views into the Leavenworth Valley, you can climb this trail for about a half mile and get a splendid overview into town.
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Leavenworth Ski Hill Mountain Biking Trails
Connecting a series of trails that mountain bikers have worked to build for over 15 years, the Ski Hill Project represents a partnership between Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance and the USFS Wenatchee Ranger District that joins several stacked-loop trail concepts. Ranging from green circles to black diamonds this progressive-level system offers great riding options for riders of all abilities. In addition to working on current trails like Freund Canyon, Rosy Boa, and For the Boys, Evergreen Central crews are also constructing a new uphill trail (name TBD) that will connect to these existing routes and allow riders to enjoy 5-6 mile loops directly from the base of Ski Hill. Additionally, Evergreen Central is in the process of working on the Ribbed trail, a downhill specific flow trail with man-made jumps. The Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance builds and maintains all of the trails at Ski Hill. The trails are multi-use so please be courteous to all trail users. For more info on the individual trails, visit https://skileavenworth.com/activities/bike-trails -
Freund Canyon
One of the best single-track trails in the Leavenworth Area. This very skinny single track switchbacks straight up and then goes straight down with lots of fun jumping burms. Make sure to pause for a moment at the top and take in the beautiful panoramic views of the Leavenworth valley and the surrounding orchards. From the gate follow the dirt road to it's end at 1.4 miles. Go around the right side of the large slash pile and curve around to the left (don't climb up the slash pile). The single track trail begins on the other side of the slash pile. A little over 5 miles you will reach the top of the ridge. Drink some water, take in the views, rest your burning thighs. Stay to the left at the fork and begin the fast descent back to your car. -
Nason Ridge
This is a thigh-pumping, brake-burning type of ride that no sane person would attempt if it were not for the awe-inspiring views at the top. The trail is dry and hot so make sure that you have plenty of water for the journey and fill your belly with lots of carbos. From the trailhead, follow Nason Creek Trail #1583. After a short jaunt through the lakeside forest you will begin a grinding ascent. In 2 miles you will get glimpses of Lake Wenatchee and Fish Lake. At 2.6 miles, you reach an intersection. Go right following the trail signs up an old logging road. At 3.2 miles you will top out and begin descending. Alas, the descent does not last as soon you begin climbing again. Switchback your way up to Round Mountain which you will reach at 6 miles. This is an admirable turn-around point. You can continue further to a saddle in 9 miles, but only if you are true believer in finding pain in your gain. From Round Mountain, bear right to a series of thumping switchbacks. Ride all the way to the top of this ascent (at about 8.8 miles), catch your breath, take in the views, and eat a Power Bar. Turn around and get ready to test your brakes for an exciting descent back down to the car
