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You are here: Home / Outdoors / Willapa Hills Trail, Chehalis

Why head to Willapa Hills Trail?

First, this is an excellent trail for fitness activities and leisurely bike rides.

It is also a fabulous choice for backpackers, long walks, training runs, and horseback riding.

What it’s not good for (regardless of what the trail listings say) is roller-blading.

We like this ride to kick-off spring. From the Chehalis entrance, it’s a nice 10-mile round trip of pavement. Perfect for families or winter tender rear-ends.

This is a gem of a trail, right off the freeway. Just a few steps in, and you will be engulfed in the cool green countryside.

Willapa Rail Trail Trestle Bridge, Chehalis, WA
Take a breather on the Willapa Hills Trail to watch the water go by.

The first time we used the trail, we were on reconnaissance to see if we could ride all the way to South Bend (56 miles), spend the night, and ride back.

Nope, not on cruiser bikes anyway. Wherever the trail crosses a highway, there’s a section of loose gravel. This is a safety precaution to warn trail users to watch for traffic.

On a bike, even these short sections were so uncomfortable to ride that we quickly abandoned the idea of biking 45-miles on the unpaved trail sections.

Some people say fat-tire and mountain bikes are suitable for the unpaved portion.

Table of Contents
  • Why head to Willapa Hills Trail?
  • FAQ’s about Willapa Hills Trail
  • More information
  • Other trails in the Pacific Northwest

Some posts on this site contain affiliate links, meaning if you buy something through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read the full disclosure policy here.

Things to see (aka. photo ops)

Beautiful trestle bridges

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Chris Brewer (@chris.brewer.photo)

Mountain views

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ezra McCampbell (@willapa_photo)

Farms, farmland, farm animals

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by DANIELLE (@danielleflock)

Fall foliage

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A post shared by Leah and Andy (@smalltownrunners)

Chehalis and Willapa Rivers

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jason G (@kayakthecoast)

Plenty of Western Washington green and wildflowers

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ezra McCampbell (@willapa_photo)

Wildlife

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Alan Sparling (@alansparling)

Watch this vlog from Illuminations from the Attic to get a feel for the countryside:

Illuminations From the Attic – YouTube channel

FAQ’s about Willapa Hills Trail

Willapa is a multi-use rail trail with easy access from Interstate 5 (I-5). The trail takes you through the countryside and forest.

Related Post: How to Find Family-Friendly Trails (our post on America’s Rail-Trail system).

Beautiful view of the Willapa Hills Trail countryside
Beautiful countryside on the Willapa Hills Trail

Where is Willapa Hills Trail?

Willapa Hills trail is located in Southwest Washington, Lewis County.

The trail starts in Chehalis, WA, and runs to South Bend, WA.

Destination:Distance:
South Bend, WA28 miles (by car)
Centralia, WA32 miles
Longview, WA55 miles
Olympia, WA56 miles
Mt St Helens95 miles
Mt Rainier98 miles
Portland, OR102 miles
Seattle, WA115 miles
Distance from Willapa Hills Trailhead in Chehalis, WA (by car)


How long is Willapa Hills Trail?

The Willapa Hills Trail is 56.2 miles (90.5 km) one-way.

The trail is an out and back trail.

Map of the Willapa Hills Trail, Chehalils, WA
A trail map on the Willapa Hills Trail

 

What is the start and endpoint of Willapa Hills trail?

The start point of the Willapa Hills trail is in Chehalis, WA (I-5 exit 77) on Hillburger Road.

The trail also runs through the towns of Adna, Pe Ell, and Raymond, WA.

The endpoint of the Willapa Hills trail is in South Bend, WA.

Chehalis River on the Willapa Hills Trail, Chehalis, WA
Water views all along the Willapa Hills Trail

What is the elevation gain of Willapa Hills Trail?

The Willapa Hills Trail has nearly zero elevation change in the first 20 miles – <5% gentle grade.

In miles 20-40, there are a few steep sections – the steepest inclines are going westbound.

Are there other access points to Willapa Hills trail?

Access points to the Willapa Hills Trail:

  • Pe Ell – Fourth Ave and Front St
  • Doty – Meskill Rd
  • Dryad – Rainbow Falls State Park
  • West Lewis County – Ceres Hill Road
  • Adna – Dieckman Rd
Detail map of the Willapa Hills Trail
The green section from Chehalis to just past Adna is paved.

 

What is the surface of Willapa Hills Trail?

The surface of the Willapa Hills Trail varies.

The trail is paved (a 5.5-mile section) from the Chehalis start point.

Developed gravel trail to Pe Ell.

From Pe Ell to Raymond, the rail is unimproved (dirt).

Finally, from Raymond to South Bend (~5-miles), the trail is paved.

Is there parking at Willapa Hills Trail?

There is limited parking at the Willapa Hills Trail start point in Chehalis unless you have a Washington State Discover Pass.

If you do any outdoor exploring in Washington State, I highly recommend buying this pass.

I can’t count the number of times we’ve arrived at a trailhead and “discovered” we needed the pass to get out of the car.

And often, there aren’t pay boxes to buy the pass on-site. It usually requires backtracking to find a place to purchase one.

An annual pass is $30; day passes are $10.

Here’s a link to the faqs for the Discover Pass.

Willapa Rail Trail Trestle Bridge, Chehalis, WA

Where are the restrooms on Willapa Hills Trail?

There are restrooms at the Chehalis trailhead.

Regular Willapa users say the bathrooms are often locked – plan ahead!

There will be restaurants and some public buildings in Adna, Pe Ell, Raymond, and South Bend. You will have to leave the trail and walk a few blocks to get to these towns.

And, the trail is lush with trees and undergrowth – just sayin’…

On the Willapa Hills Trail – make a day of it

Chehalis is a good choice for breakfast.

Sweet Inspirations and Rib Eye both serve yummy breakfasts, pastries, and lunch.

Shakespeare & Company Used Books is the perfect combo of a used bookstore, coffee, and food.

Here’s a fun idea, hop off the trail in Pe Ell and visit the Tin Snug Coffee House; it’s only a couple of blocks over on Main Street.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Chris Brewer (@chris.brewer.photo)

For museums, take a look at:

Chehalis-Centralia Railroad and Museum

Lewis County Historical Museum

Veteran’s Memorial Museum 

Or take a detour off the trail at the little towns of Adna, Pe Ell, and Raymond to see what’s up on Main Street USA.

More information

Helpful links

Hiking Trail Resources by State

Rails to Trails Conservancy 

Washington Trails Association

Other people’s experiences on the Willapa Hills Trail

Interested in horseback riding on the trail?

See NW Horse Trails – Willapa Hills Trail post.

PNW Wanderers chronicle their 2-day bicycle tour of the Willapa

We Biked, We Camped, We Toured, We rode the Willapa on this Annual Two-Day Event

Other trails in the Pacific Northwest

Latourell Falls Loop Trail, Columbia River Gorge, OR

Smith Rock, Terrebonne, OR

Dog Mountain Trail, Columbia River Gorge Area, WA

Elk Mountain and Kings Mountain Loop Trail

Silver Star Mountain Trail, Skamania County, Washington

Tillamook Head Traverse Trail, Oregon

Cottage Grove Covered Bridge Trail – Oregon

Timberline Trail, Mt. Hood

A Rainforest Adventure

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