Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park is a forested respite from the very nearby urban areas of Seattle and Bellevue. 36 miles of trails wind through 3,115 acres of protected land, passing by the remnants of past logging, mining operations, and farming. It is mostly forested, and several trails ascend from trailhead parking lots to upper viewpoints that see out to Mt Rainier, Seattle, Bellevue, Olympic Mountains, and more.
For the hike shown below, we started from Bellevue side Red Town Trailhead and hiked along Red Town Trail, Indian Trail, De Leo Wall Trail (which has the viewpoints), and looped back around via Marshall’s Hill Trail. There are many options for many different out and back distances. The park encourages hiking and running, and allows equestrians and mountain bikers in certain sections as well.
Hiking trails of Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park
Concrete foundation of an old mining steam hoist still visible, now surrounded by forest
Lots of trees to check out up close
Ubiquitous banana slugs and mushrooms along the trails