Route: Chehalis Western Trail (WA)

Chehalis Western Trail

The Chehalis Western Trail is a 21.2 mile rails-to-trails project near the Washington state capital of Olympia.  It follows the route of a Weyerhaeuser Timber Company railroad that carried millions of logs out of Washington forests to the coast for shipment from the 1920’s to 1980’s.

The main trailhead is located at the Woodard Bay Natural Resources Conservation Area along the Puget Sound.  There are wooden mile post markers along the trail, starting with 0 at the trailhead and traveling south. 

The trail passes through forests, farms, pastures, and beside several ponds, as well as a short section along the Deschutes River.  The trail has very little elevation gain or loss, and ends at the intersection with the Yelm-Tenino Trail.  There is no parking at the southern end, but following the Yelm-Tenino trail northeast for 2 miles will take you to a trailhead parking area in the little town of Rainer.

https://www.traillink.com/trail/chehalis-western-trail/