Why Urban Trails?

See why urban trails are a key part of a healthy and sustainable trail system.

Trails in cities and urban centers are a critical piece of our state's trail system. They boast many of the things we look for in the backcountry — fresh air, wildlife and the greenery our Evergreen State is famous for — often with a fraction of the time commitment. Many can be accessed by public transportation or require no transportation at all. And they're great places not only to hike, but to spend time with friends and family, exercise or commute — often on a daily basis.

But there's a problem. Most of our urban green spaces and trails are concentrated in affluent parts of Washington's cities. We believe everyone deserves access to these places to enjoy green space, get exercise or simply connect with other people. The benefits of time in nature are undeniable, and urban trails and parks make it that much easier for more people to access those benefits.

With The Trail Next Door, we're building on the successes of our other campaigns, Lost Trails Found and Trails Rebooted. Together, the three campaigns will help build a healthy, sustainable trail system from neighborhood parks all the way to remote backcountry trails. And just as one trail work project might require a shovel while another needs a crosscut saw, supporting close-in trails will require different tools than caring for remote trails. We are excited to deepen our partnerships in urban spaces over the course of the next year and learn how we can best increase access to urban trails and improve folks' experiences on them.

See what we're up to next door

Hiker Headlines: Enchantments Permit Lottery, Local Trail Trip Report Giveaway, Volcano Week

Feb 09, 2023

Enter our #lovelocaltrails giveaway by filing a trip report on your favorite urban hike before the end of the month. The Enchantments permit lottery opens on February 15. North Cascades National Park wants your comments on a couple of potential park projects. And, it’s Volcano Week!

Hiker Headlines: Good News From 2022

Dec 29, 2022

The year is almost over, and we want take a moment to reflect on the good things that happened for trails and public lands in 2022. Public lands got more funding. WTA helped open new trails — and improve many more. And across the state, the hiking community came together to support each other and the places we care about.

2022 Trail Work Through the Seasons

Nov 30, 2022

Although the seasons change throughout the year, the enthusiasm of our volunteers and field staff to get out and get some trail work done never does. No matter the time of year, we make sure to get our hands on some tools and our feet in the dirt. Check out what a typical year of trail work looks like for us.

Small Steps Lead to Big Things

Nov 08, 2022

A green space close to home can be a grounding element in a fast-paced world.

Connecting Classrooms to Nearby Green Spaces

How I worked with WTA to understand more about connections between natural areas in neighborhoods, public health and nearby schools. By Anna Caudill

How to Get to King County Trailheads Without a Car

Sep 27, 2022

Get to parks, trails and green spaces in King County using these public transportation routes.