Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park in Bellevue, the largest (4000-acre) wild park in an urban setting, with trails for hikers and equestrians and historic remnants of coal mining in the area. To the Red Town Trailhead, take I-90 exit 13 and go south on Lakemont Blvd. for 3 miles. To the Wilderness Creek trailhead, take I-90 exit 15 and head south on SR 900 for 4 miles. Contact King County Parks for more information.

Squak Mountain State Park, just south of Issaquah, offers 2000 acres of excellent hiking, wildlife habitat and solitude close to the city. From I-90 exit 15 head south on highway 900 past milepost 18, then left on SE May Valley Road for 2 miles to the hiker/equestrian trailhead.

Tiger Mountain State Forest, 13,000 acres of protected forests, recreation areas and managed state trust lands, encompasses some of the state's most heavily-used trails. Greenway environmental education field trips for school kids take place at Tradition Lake. From I-90 exit 20, head south and immediately west to the High Point hiking trailhead. (The Around the Lake Trail is wheelchair-accessible for 1/2 mile.) Or, take I-90 to Highway 18, and head south for 4 miles to the Tiger Summit Trailhead on the right for hiking, biking and equestrian trails. Contact the Washington State Department of Natural Resources for more information.

Preston-Snoqualmie Trail connects the historic town of Preston on the west to an overlook of Snoqualmie Falls on the east. This flat, regional trail segment hosts equestrians, hikers, bikers and families with small children for a walk in the woods with a view. To the western trailhead, take I-90 exit 22, head northe, then turn right and find the trailhead on the left, on 308th Avenue.

Twin Falls Natural Area/Olallie State Park is a 1.3 mile (each way) forested trail along the south fork of the Snoqualmie River reaches a spectacular view of upper and lower Twin Falls. Continue another mile to reach the John Wayne Pioneer Trail. From I-90 take exit 34, go south .5 mile, turn left on SE 159th Street and go .5 mile to the park. Contact Washington State Parks.

Franklin Falls can be reached along with a remnant of the historic Snoqualmie Pass Wagon Road by taking I-90 exit 47 and turning north of the freeway, then right on Denny Creek Road for just over 3 miles. Two trails lead to the 70-foot falls. On the south side of I-90 exit 47 is the Asahel Curtis Nature Trail with spectacular old-growth trees and a mountain stream. A Northwest Forest Pass or daily $5 parking fee is required at trailheads in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and the Wenatchee National Forest, and may be purchased at Nature of the Northwest.

Gold Creek Pond offers wildlife, an interpretive nature walk, picnic areas and views into the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. From I-90 exit 54 go north to the first right paralleling I-90. Drive east across the Gold Creek bridge and take the first left on a gravel road. Follow this about .5 mile and turn left into the parking and picnic area. The trail around the lake is wheelchair-accessible. Contact the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.

Lake Easton State Park boasts hiking, biking, boating, fishing and camping just south of I-90 exit 70.  Contact Washington State Parks.

The Coal Mines Trail, 5 miles of the former Burlington Northern rail line, connects the historic towns of Cle Elum, Roslyn and Ronald through Eastern Washington forests and past small mountains of tailings left from coal mining days. Members of the Greenway Trust coalition are working to connect the Coal Mines Trail to the John Wayne Pioneer Trail. The Coal Mines trailhead in Cle Elum is north of I-90 exit 84.