The following is a local list of favorite running and walking routes gathered from both our staff and customers. If you have a favorite route you would like to share with other Eastside runners and walkers, please email a description of the location/parking/terrain/distance to us here at the FootZone (you can do so on the Contact Us page). We hope this will allow you to enjoy all the eastside trails and outdoors as much as we do.
Bellevue Vasa Park – An out and back paved route starting at Vasa Park and following north along West Lake Sammamish Parkway. Great for running and walking on a large side walk with lots of shade and can be as short as 1 mile or upwards of 12 miles if you continue all the way to Bell-Red Road (past Iddlywood Park). Mostly flat with two small gradual hills when heading south bound. Plenty of parking at Vasa Park, well-lit, very visible. Hope you enjoy.
Lake Hills Greenbelt – 148th Ave. and SE 8th St. near the old Kmart plaza. Park by the Larson Lake Cabin on 148th. This is a very well groomed trail of dirt/bark that is an out and back of approx. 3 to 3.5 miles. After parking, head around the north end of Larsen Lake, then travel south to southeast following the trail until you run into the observation dock at Phantom Lake. Flat, very scenic and well groomed. Walker friendly but not well-lit at night.
Mercer Island Pioneer Park – S.E 68th and Island Crest Way. Located at the south end of the island across from QFC and Starbucks. This park is a roughly 1 mile loop with a dirt and bark surface. Heavily treed, not lit, but nice for a change of pace.
FootZone Redmond Town Center – Start in front of the FootZone and head straight south crossing Bear Creek Pkwy. Connecting onto the Sammamish River trail, head north as far as you desire. The mile markers located along the trail are spot on from the front door of the FootZone. Often used for long runs before a marathon, heading north to the I-405/SR-202 interchange will get you a 20 mile round trip. Lots of free parking, water located along the trail during the summer, and always at the store just inside the door.
The Snoqualmie Valley Trail – A 31 mile, mostly flat, gravel trail through the beautiful natural and agricultural Snoqualmie Valley. Parking is available at numerous spots along the trail from Duvall to North Bend (request a trail map be sent to you by emailing doreen.booth@duvallwa.gov or pick one up at a FootZone store). Trail separated from the road; it parallels the Snoqualmie River. No lights along trail. A beautiful rural experience right outside the urban area.