On a beautiful yet very chilly day, we set out for a hike with friends at Bridle Trails State Park. The trails were very well maintained, mostly flat and kid-friendly. It made for the perfect hike, and we didn’t have to battle any snowy mountain roads or passes to get there.
Getting there and parking
Bridle Trails State Park is located between Kirkland and Bellevue, with its main entrance in Kirkland. Just a short distance off I-405, the entrance is very well-marked and easy to find. When pulling into the large parking lot, the parking situation may look slightly confusing at first glance. We quickly realized that individual vehicles were parking along the perimeter of the parking lot, and the large open space in the center was reserved for pull-through horse trailer parking.
Required Pass
A Discover Pass is required to park in the parking lot. An annual pass is $35, or a day pass will cost you $10. You can purchase either online before you go or a day pass on site using cash or check. Another option is to take advantage of the free days in 2025 when a Discover Pass is not required to visit a state park.
Don’t forget your Discover Pass! (Image: Jessi Johnson)
The kike
There are three main loop trails throughout the park, all offering varying lengths: the Raven Trail (1 mile), the Trillium Trail (1.9 miles), and the Coyote Trail (3.5 miles). Maps and posts along the trails make it very easy to ensure you stay on the trail you have chosen.
We arrived at the trailhead on a Saturday morning around 10:00 a.m.. Although the parking lot was nearly full, with both regular vehicles and horse trailers, we didn’t see nearly as many people along the trail. We opted for the Trillium Trail. Within minutes, we felt like we had been transported deep into the wilderness. We couldn’t hear a single car or any indication that we were in the middle of two busy cities. It was very peaceful walking among the trees and early morning fog.
We chose the 1.9 mile Trillium Trail. (Image: Jessi Johnson)
On our hike at Bridle Trails State Park, we had five kids ranging in age from 4 to 9 years of age. All managed the trail and distance without any trouble. The kids enjoyed hiking ahead of us and us moms appreciated that the trails were well maintained. It made it easy to keep an eye on them. Along the trail, several interpretive trail signs offered fun facts about the plants and animals native to the area. Our kids excitedly ran from one sign to the next. They were a great motivator to get even the smallest hikers to keep moving forward.
Trillium Trail
The Trillium Trail was very easy, mostly flat, and very kid-friendly. Online reviews from WTA suggest that all three loops share these same characteristics. It’s a great winter and spring hike to add to your list as you don’t have to worry about driving or pass conditions. Not to mention, you don’t have too far to go to find a great lunch or coffee spot to warm up at after a chilly hike.
Important note: Horses have the right of way on trails. (Image: Jessi Johnson)
Trail etiquette
Although most trails have rules to follow, some unique ones here are important to be aware of. No bikes, motor vehicles, or unleashed dogs are rules we all usually have on our radar. However, an important rule here is that horses have the right of way on these trails, and this is probably news to many. Horses can spook easily, which can potentially lead to them injuring themselves, their riders, or those around them. For this reason, it’s important that pedestrians stop when encountering a horse, make their presence known, and step to the side of the trail to let them pass.
Know before you go
• Sporting four arenas and a calendar full of horse shows and organized rides, Bridle Trails caters primarily to equines and friends, but the park is also friendly to hikers, including those with leashed dogs.
• A Discover Pass is required. An annual pass is $35, and a day pass is $10.
• Horses have the right of way on the trails. This means that if you encounter horses while hiking, you should step to the side of the trail to let them pass.
• The Coyote Trail is undergoing maintenance until an undetermined date. It is well-marked with detour signs. The other two trails, Raven and Trillium, are open.
• Restrooms available by horse arena.
