Kid-friendly hiking trails in Issaquah

Our family loves hiking, but finding snow-free, close-to-home, kid-friendly hikes when winter grips the Pacific Northwest can be tricky. Don’t worry, though. I have a few suggestions if you’re like us and want to get outside, even on dreary days. The Issaquah Alps have numerous hikes, great for all ages. The forested highland region in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains is the perfect place for day hikes with little ones.

From storytime strolls through thick forests to cascading waterfall hikes that transport visitors into the past, these kid-friendly hikes in Issaquah will delight your toddling adventurers.

Note: Be sure to check trail reports before you head out on your adventure.

Reading a storyboard on the Swamp Trail

Swamp Trail, Tree/Bus Trail, and Tradition Lake Loop

Location: 26415 SE 79th St., Issaquah, WA
Pass: Discover Pass
Trail length: 0.5 miles (Swamp Trail), an additional 0.5 miles if you extend to the Tree/Bus trail, and a total of 4 miles if Tradition Lake Loop is included.
Elevation: Less than 250 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Stroller-friendly: No

Note: The main trailhead has restrooms and a few picnic tables. The parking lot offers plenty of spaces, but this area is very popular, so don’t be surprised if you are not the only one exploring it.

As far as kid-friendly hiking in Issaquah goes, Swamp Trail is a great option for families with little hikers. It’s short and has low elevation gain despite the steep hills at the beginning and end of the hike. Lush ferns and moss-covered trees line the well-maintained path. You will also find storyboards along the short trail that tell the tale of a brown raccoon named Zoe and how she meets new woodland friends. Don’t let the sign at the trailhead’s beginning scare you off – you can reassure your kiddos that there is no swamp monster here. Take your child and meander through the thick forest, scampering from one storyboard to another.

You can easily extend your hike depending on how you’re feeling – and how tired little legs may get adventuring through the woods. Add a few more steps past the power line to take the Big Tree and Bus Trails. The first trail will take you to the oldest and biggest tree in the forest. Continue on to the Bus Trail and see the remains of an old bus lying on its side.

Sitting on a log by Tradition Lake

The downside: My only qualm with Swamp Trail is the sound of the nearby freeway. Tradition Lake Loop is a great option if you’re looking for a quieter, longer path. Its gentle grade is enjoyable for hikers of all skill levels, and the trail offers lake views, wooden bridge crossings, and a path that meanders through the forest. It feels magical.

Reading a storyboard on the Pretzel Tree Trail

Pretzel Tree Trail

Location: 13201 Squak Mountain Rd. SE, Issaquah
Pass: Discovery Pass
Trail length: 0.25 miles roundtrip
Elevation: No
Difficulty: Easy
Stroller-friendly: Yes, jogger is acceptable

Pretzel Tree Trail is an excellent short hike for little hikers who love to read. The storyboards along the trail tell a tale of a field mouse searching for a wonderfully twisted tree. My little ones enjoyed running from storyboard to storyboard. It’s a great option for a quick day trip to get some wiggles out in nature. The trail is only a quarter of a mile, but you can easily add miles by exploring nearby trails.

Waterfall at Coal Creek Natural Area

Coal Creek Natural Area

Location: Coal Creek Pkwy SE, Bellevue
Pass: No parking pass is required
Trail length: 6 miles
Elevation: 550 feet
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Stroller-friendly: No

With waterfalls, bridges, and historical artifacts, this hike has it all. Learn about the railroad that chugged through the area long ago and read about the coal mining activities that took place there. It’s like walking into the past. Close your eyes and imagine the clinking of the coal cars and bustling railroad. Today, you can walk along the wide dirt path, enjoying the sound of the creek that runs parallel to the trail.

Bridges on the Coal Creek Trail

I love this hike because you can break it up into smaller, more manageable hikes if you don’t have time to complete the entire 6-mile round-trip trail. For a shorter hike, consider parking at Cinder Mine Trailhead. From the parking lot, descend into the lush forest. Take a right when you get to the bottom of the sloped ramp leading into the forest, and you will quickly arrive at North Fork Falls. The rushing water is beautiful and the wooden bridges just past the falls are fun to toddle across with little ones.

The kid-friendly hiking trail in Issaquah/Bellevue area is well maintained, and you feel far from the city without the long drive. Walking under the thick canopy of the trees, surrounded by moss and green foliage, Coal Creek Natural Area is a great place for a serene stroll.

Jakob Two Trees

Location: Rainier Trail, Issaquah, WA 98027
Pass: No parking pass is required
Trail length: 2.5 miles (Troll is a few feet away from the parking lot)
Elevation: No
Difficulty: Easy
Stroller-friendly: Yes

This may not be considered a kid-friendly hiking trail in Issaquah, but you should take the time to visit Jakob Two Trees. He’s a towering troll, dazzling visitors brave enough to embark on a troll hunt. From the Issaquah Community Center, take the paved Rainier Trail past the dog park on the left-hand side. You don’t have to go far. Walk along the path until you see a giant between two trees. Jakob is one of six trolls spread across the Pacific Northwest in various locations. Created by artist Thomas Dambo, he’s made entirely of recycled materials and stands more than 14 feet tall.