Ring Road Trail

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Puget Sound

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Difficulty: Easy
Length: 0.3 miles / 0.5 km
Duration: 1 hour or less

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Overview: This short trail is located in between the Wilderness Peak and Longview Peak. You will hike down a gentle trail through a ravine leading out of the Cougar Mountain Park. The trail is short but does offer some great views of open forested spaces. This trail can also be used by horseback riders; the trail is narrow in spots so use caution if you have to pass by a rider. This trail can also be a great way to warm up on. With most of the connecting trails containing a thick forest canopy, this can be a welcome sight to take a minute to warm up in the suns rays.

If you live nearby you can access this trail from the 182nd Ave cul-de-sac. Curbside parking is available if you are looking for a quick route up to the top of Wilderness Peak. However, I would not suggest curbside parking if you plan on horseback riding as the space is limited.

Tips: How to get here:

From I-90, take exit 15 and head south on Highway 900 for 3.3 miles. The trailhead marker will be on your right, see guide photo, there will be an asphalt driveway leading uphill and to the right. The parking area will hold about 15 cars but rarely is full. There is an additional parking area 100 meters east, it is a small dirt pullout that can fit 2-3 cars and gives you direct access to the trail.

Connecting Trails:

Longview Peak Trail

Park Hours:

8:00AM - Dusk open year around

Amenities:
-A single portable restroom is located at the paved parking area.
-No water sources are available.
-Supplies can be picked up in Issaquah off of I-90.

Points of Interest

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Ring Road Connector Trail

This is the start of the Ring Road Trail. This is a short hike away from the Cougar Mountain Park. It is horse accessible and appears to be used mainly by the locals who live in the cul-de-sac at the trails end.

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Ferns and Tall Grasses

On this trail you can see wide open spaces with tall grasses and giant ferns. There trees smaller with large open areas on one side of the trail. The trail is narrow in many areas and does not appear to get much use.

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Park Boundary

This is the end of the trail; it leads out of the Cougar Mountain Park. At the end will be a fallen tree and a sign indicating you have reached the border to the park.

The trail splits off onto 2 unofficial trails that will connect you to the neighborhoods off of 182nd Ave SE. Many of the trails will lead you into somebody’s backyard, so if you are not familiar with the neighborhood, I would suggest turning back onto the Ring Road Trail.