Pierce County Foothills Trail

The Foothills Trail is a mostly paved non-motorized rail-trail in east Pierce County, Washington, extending uninterrupted for 15 miles (24 km) from Puyallup, Washington to Orting, Washington to South Prairie, Washington. The trail is used by cyclists, walkers, joggers, inline skaters, and horse riders. Listed as Foothills Regional Trail, it was designated a National Recreation Trail in 2012.

Other portions of the trail in Buckley, Washington, Wilkeson, Washington and along River Road in Puyallup are not currently connected but will be if current plans are achieved. The River Road portion is expected to connect with the main trail in early 2008. Longer-range plans call for the western end of the trail to extend through Sumner and connect with the Interurban Trail (King County) (which runs through Auburn, Washington and Kent, Washington) to Pacific, Washington and is planned to connect to existing segments in Edgewood and Milton, Washington and the short segment now under construction in Fife, Washington. The northeastern terminus is expected to eventually reach Enumclaw, Washington, while the southeastern end may go through Carbonado, Washington and extend to the entrance of Mount Rainier National Park. Milestones along the trail already count down the distance to the park.

Trail Guide

• Puyallup to McMillan

paved trail through farmland and separated from most road traffic; twice crosses railroad tracks

• McMillan to Orting

paved trail paralleling (but not on) the highway; runs adjacent to new residential areas and has frequent views of Mount Rainier

• Orting

the shortest, but most congested part of the trail; a city park and many road crossings

• Orting to South Prairie

paved trail through wooded areas with frequent views of the Carbon River

External links

• Pierce County Foothills Trail
• Foothills Rails-to-Trails Coalition