Cedar River Regional Trail

This is a nice long trail where you can go for miles on end. Dogs are allowed. Bikes are allowed. Limited restrooms. I generally walk an hour out an hour back. Most people here understand trail etiquette to a high degree. Do be aware that there is a small handful of homeless people living in the area. Try to stay on the populated trails and you’ll be fine. If you decide to go out of site just bring someone with you. When in doubt wait for some one to walk past the uneasy individual with. I would recommend this trail. Perhaps avoid after dark.

I loved this trail, it is beautiful, easy, and did I mention beautiful? I read a review that said it’s a but shady in some areas but I still walked it with my husband and son. One day I parked by the bridge in Renton, not by the community center but a ways down more I ran for about an hour and when I returned my entire driver side window was gone. Yes, GONE. Somebody had smashed in my window and took everything out of my car. THEY EVEN TRIED TO STEAL MY SONS CAR SEAT. Once I noticed what had happened I called the police and then my bank, within five minutes someone had used my cards to buy over 200 $ worth of gas. Are you kidding me.
I know what happened wasn’t the trails fault lol but seems like there are so many shady characters on this trail. Young kids who hangout by the water smoke, drink, and just start trouble. Used condoms in the parking lot and alot of workers who go there to eat lunch. It’s just not safe. I will NEVER go on this trail again.
Oh, and the crazy thing the man who helped me clear all the glass off my car was the man who broke into my car. (I didn’t find that out until later)
They need security or something, someone to clear out all the scum in the area.

I am new to the area and was looking for a nice place to exercise walk that I would feel safe walking alone. I parked near the Renton Community Center. I had to ask someone how to get to the trail. They directed me to a walking bridge under the freeway (which is right there). There were places to park under the freeway right there so next time I will probably park there.
I walked east for about 40 minutes and then turned around and came back. So this is the only part of the trail I am reviewing.
The trail is paved with enough people on the trail to make you feel safe. There are people walking dogs, running and biking also. You are next to the river but you can’t see it at all times from the trail while you are walking, I crossed one walking bridge over the water. Very beautiful area. I am happy I found my place to walk/​exercise.
Only one uncomfortable experience. There was a man on a bench bickering with someone I couldn’t see. Maybe there are ghosts on this trail?

I love running this trail. It’s nice and shady if you go east starting from the parking area under 405 (by the Renton Community Center). The scenery changes often and there’s plenty of side trails to hike. Only downfall I can think of is that it doesn’t feel safe once the sun starts to set.

Our favorite trail to bike. It’s flat, wide and beautiful. It does follow the road in places but is next to the river with several parking lots along the highway.

This is a wonderful family place. Every time I come here there are families with their children rising bikes.
The dog park is an off leash area that has ramps, toys and drinking water. The land for this park was donated by the city and the fence was built and donated by Mclennon in Renton.
If you’re going for exercise the entire walking path is paved and has plenty of space for a large group of people. The path goes for miles all along the river deep into Maple Valley.
The river view is beautiful and there are little parks with bathrooms along the trail. This is in NO WAY a hike. It is just a perfect place for a stroll.

Plenty of room to run, walk bike, picnic, BBQ or play. Great trail, check it out for yourself.

What a lovely trail. I will admit that I don’t walk as much as I should– but this trail is great. I wish they had a few more garbage bins for the dog poop– walking around with a warm bag of dog poop can really sour a romantic walk.
Such a great trail– everyone is always super nice.

Nice trail, quiet and peaceful. The runners and bikers on the trail are usually respectful.

I love coming down here. I have lived in Renton for the better part of 7 years, and I am saddened that I am just now getting down here. People are very nice here, and know how to share the trail. Nobody seems to judge or laugh at you as you walk by, because we are all down there for a reason. The weather has been absolutely great for the trail as well.

This is one of the easiest trails I ride. It’s fairly flat all the way through and you can get down to the end (gravel, horse trail) in a moderate amount of time.
But be warned do not go in the middle of the day when it’s hot out, there is a entire section of the trail that is completely open to the elements and it’s on FIRE!
It makes for a good work-​out, but you have to be prepared beforehand (plenty hyrdrated)
Most of the trail is right along the highway, which makes it nice if your like me a single women riding alone

I love this trail. We discovered it just miles from the house last weekend. The water is about knee deep, and the river runs for quite a few dozen miles south of Renton to Maple Valley, I believe.
Now we gotta figure out where those darned kids start rafting down from the top of the river so we can copy them and have a grand ol’ time tubing down the Cedar River on a lazy sunny weekend.

I’ve been out on this route twice. On a really hot sunny day it’s nice to have some shade along the trail. The trail is VERY scenic. Start under the bridge and go 12 miles out, make a u-​turn once you hit the gravel. I’ve biked both times. Not too crowded as other trails like Burke.
Flat course all the way. I caught a deer sighting with its mother and baby. Easy bike ride for casual riders out there. Scenic, cool, and well paved.

Since the weather has gotten nicer I frequent this trail every week.
There are a lot of areas in where you can start this trail. For example; I either start at the Renton Stadium or behind the Renton Community Center, some people park along Maple Valley Highway.
If you have pets, it’s a great for them too because you can also stop by the dog park (which is huge by the way) located behind the community center. I suggest bringing your own water for your dogs, but there are doggy bags and garbages near the entrance and also along the trail going towards the Renton Stadiuim.
Like Stacey Lynn mentioned it can go for miles, but I just stay within the Renton area. The nicest part of this trail is near the Senior Center living area where the it’s paved with bricks and there are many benches you can rest at along that area.

The Cedar River Trail is a rails-​to-​trails redevelopment of an old railroad bed that runs from Lake Washington in Renton, Washington (near the mouth of the Cedar River) to Maple Valley, where the trail becomes unpaved and turns into the Snoqualmie Valley Trail which goes on for miles.
The CRT is paved and runs along the river for most of its length. Some of it is quite urban and you can walk right past coffee kiosks and underneath freeways. It’s a great skate and bike path as well as of course walking path. There are many convenient spots to park your car along Maple Valley Highway (SR 169) so it’s easy to plan a short walk or a long hike.