Cedar River Trail-Pipeline Trail Loop

Enjoy a long walk along the rushing, clear waters of the Cedar River

Hike Length: 10 miles

Elevation Gain: minimal

Hike Difficulty: strenuous due to the length of the hike

Updated 9/22/2021

Built on an abandoned rail line, the Cedar River Trail is a fine addition to King County's recreational trail system. Much of the trail parallels the Maple Valley Highway, making for poor walking experience. However, the five mile section from Maple Valley to Landsburg leaves the noisy vicinity of the highway and follows a curving course through a woodsy river valley. The main highlight of the trail is the Cedar River itself, here a clear, fast-moving mountain stream. The river supports major salmon runs, and in season the waters are filled with the huge, bright orange fish. The trail crosses the river on three large steel bridges, scenic spots to view the river and its salmon. Near Landsburg, the trail passes through wild, wooded River Bend Park, a delightful spot to take a break.

Maple Valley and Black Diamond are fast-growing suburbs, so I hope that bus service in the area improves in the future.

A sturdy old railroad bridge on the Cedar River Trail

Getting There

From downtown Seattle, catch the Metro 101 bus ride it to the downtown Renton Transit Center. Transfer to Metro 907 . This bus has a sparse schedule and no weekend service, so plan you arrival in Renton careful to avoid a long wait.

Enjoy the long ride along the Cedar River's valley. The bus eventually passes under the Highway 18 overpass and continues into the developed Wilderness Village area in Maple Valley. Get off the bus at SE 240th St.

The Hike

Cross the Maple Valley Highway at the stoplight and walk along SE 240th, which passes through a forested area, then enters a suburban development. Turn left at 233rd Way and follow the street a quarter mile to the wide swath of the Pipeline Trail, which is the right-of-way of a major water pipe serving the Seattle area. Go left and follow the trail in a northwest direction. Eventually the row of houses on your right ends, replaced by the forested Dorre Don Natural Area. Farther along, you approach a fence marking the end of the publicly accessible part of the trail. The land behind the fence is a heavily bulldozed area of bare dirt - according to a local walker I talked to, a housing subdivision is going to be built there.

Now comes a tricky part. About 100 yards before the fence, a little forested ridge rises up on the right. Just before you reach the ridge, look sharp for an unsigned but well-used trail heading into the forest. This rough but serviceable path descends down a steep slope to the flat lands below. If all goes well, you will soon emerge onto the wide gravel-surfaced Cedar River Trail. Turn right and follow the trail eastward.

You are now hiking on the abandoned right-of-way of the Milwaukee Railroad, a major railroad line which once offered passenger and freight service all the way to Chicago. As you proceed along the trail, the scenery gradually becomes more wooded and rural-feeling. Soon the trail crosses the Cedar River on a picturesquely rusty steep bridge, where you can admire the clear, rushing waters of the Cedar River. A second bridge is crossed in another 3/4 mile and a third bridge 1.5 miles later.

This bridge brings you to the undeveloped, heavily wooded River Bend Park, which occupies a point of land formed by a sharp curve in the river. A good trail branching right is well worth following as it follows the Cedar River around the bend. There is access to some nice riverside beaches perfect for picnics. Eventually this trail rejoins the main Cedar River Trail at the far side of the river bend.

The Cedar River Trail itself cuts through the peninsula forming River Bend Park in an impressive 100 foot deep trench. From the east edge of the park, it’s another mile to the end of the trail at Landsburg Park, where there is a developed traihead and parking area off Landsburg Road.

To continue the walk from here, cross the river on the Landsburg Road bridge, then head right into a gravel parking area. At the far side of the parking area, you will reach the start of the Pipeline Trail, gated to prevent motorized use. In a half mile or so, you will see a signed trail heading right into the woods. This is a start of a network of trails that parallel the Pipeline Trail, and offer a rustic alternative to walking on the service road. You can bypass about a mile and a half of the Pipeline Trail using these trails, although staying on the Pipeline Trail will offer quicker walking if you are pressed for time.

About two miles from Landsburg Road, you cross SE 248th St. Continue on the Pipeline Trail as it continues through a pleasant wooded stretch, the Rock Creek Natural Area. The trail dips to cross Rock Creek, then climbs to reach SE 244th St. Now you are in the incorporated part of Maple Valley, and the setting becomes more suburban. After 3/4 of a mile you reach 233rd Way SE, where you started the epic loop walk. Return the way you came via 233rd Way and SE 240th to reach the bus stop on the Maple Valley Highway.

The Cedar River

Getting Back

The Metro 907 bus has a sparse schedule, so to avoid a long, boring wait by the edge of the highway, you will have to pay attention to the time you arrive back at Maple Valley .

Ride Metro 907 back to the Renton Transit Center. To get to downtown Seattle, catch the Metro 101 bus.