Hiking on Vashon: Where to Fuel Up
Vashon Island Hiking can be exhausting. Even though most of our trails are labeled as “easy”, you can work up a sweat on some of these trails. So, where do you go to fuel up (breakfast, lunch, dinner) on Vashon Island? Well, here ya go
Breakfast: Hardware Store or Sporty’s
Beer: Camp Colvos
Wine Tasting: Palouse Winery
Where to get hiking gear on Vashon Island.
Vashon Island does not have a “hiking store” per-sa. However, we do have a number of stores that might have what you need if you forgot it. I would check out Island Homecenter for things like shoes and parks. Perhaps Island Ace Hardware as well.
Hiking on Vashon Island has never been as fun as it is now. We have so many trails through the woods and on the beach that it’s hard to complete them all. Vashon Island has some great hikes that will soothe the soul. Take the ferry over and get away for the day. We have some great hike maps, just shoot us a note and we will send them over.
Vashon Island Hiking Trails
Vashon Island Fern Cove Hike
Pretty easy little trail down to the beach. The entrance to Fern Cove Hiking trail starts right next to the sign by the road. There is a little bench on the beach which has a great view and is a great place to sit and reflect. Sometimes you can see whales, but almost every time you will see a ferry coming or going to Southworth. Again, pretty easy with a good view.
- Trail Difficulty: Easy
- Good for kids: Yeppers. Near water, so keep an eye on the kiddos.
- Good for Dogs: Yep. Leashed up.
Vashon Island Fisher Pond Hike
Fisher Pond is a great 1 mile lightly trafficked loop trail that has a pond at the center of it. Some people call it a lake.. eh, it’s a pond.You will find a ton of birds on this hike normally. Folks also do run this trail so you might get a runner or two.
- Good for kids: Yes, but it has water around it so keep an eye on the kiddos
- Good for dogs: Yep. Keep Bingo on a leash though.
Vashon Island Borrow Pit, North Trail and Jack’s Trail Loop Hike
So Borrow Pit, North Trail and Jack’s Trail Loop is about 2 miles. It’s a loop trail that is mainly forest trails. Pretty easy trail, sometimes you will get a runner in there, but not often.
- Trail Difficulty: Easy
- Good for kids: Yeppers. In the forest, so keep them in sight.
- Good for Dogs: Yep.
Vashon Island Fern Hill Trail 188th Loop Hike
188th and Fir Hill Trail Loop is a 1.8 mile lightly trafficked loop trail located near Vashon, Washington that features a great forest setting. The trail is good for all skill levels and is primarily used for hiking and walking.
- Trail Difficulty: Easy
- Good for kids: Yeppers. In the forest, so keep them in sight.
- Good for Dogs: Yep.
Vashon Island Grinder Loop Hike
Grinder Loop is a 2.4 mile lightly trafficked loop trail located near Vashon, Washington that features a great forest setting. The trail is good for all skill levels and primarily used for hiking and trail running.
- Trail Difficulty: Easy
- Good for kids: Yeppers. In the forest, so keep them in sight.
- Good for Dogs: Yep.
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/grinder-loop
Vashon Island Judd Creek Trail Loop Hike
Judd Creek Loop Trail is a 1 mile lightly trafficked loop trail located near Vashon, Washington that features a river and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking and walking.
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/judd-creek-loop-trail
Vashon Nature Preserve Loop Hike
Burton Access Loop Hike
Burton Acres Loop is a 1 mile lightly trafficked loop trail located near Vashon, Washington that features a great forest setting. The trail is good for all skill levels and primarily used for hiking and trail running.
- Trail Difficulty: Easy
- Good for kids: Yeppers. In the forest, so keep them in sight.
- Good for Dogs: Yep.
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/burton-acres-loop
Vashon Island Beach Walk Hike
Maury Island Viewpoint Trail Hike
Maury Island Natural Area Loop Hike
Vashon Island Shenglemill Creek Trail Hike
The Shinglemill Creek Trail offers a gorgeous trek through the forest along the ridge of the ravine overlooking Needlecreek then descending to become a path along the creek’s edge of Shinglemill until it empties into the estuary at Fern Cove. A great hike! Nothing like the sound of running water while you are hiking in nature.
No horses or bikes allowed. Leashed dogs are welcome on the trail.
The southeast end trailhead is off of SW 156th St across the street from the Vashon Winery. Turn west off of Vashon Hwy onto 156th. Look for Shinglemill Creek Trail sign about 1/4 mile on the right. Turn into driveway and go to the parking lot at the end. The trek is a shy 2 miles one way down to the estuary at Fern Cove which is reached by crossing Cedarhurst Rd at the lower end of the trail and continuing on the spur to the west.
The northwest end trailhead is on Cedarhurst Rd SW marked by a trail sign at a gate just south and down the hill from the entrance to Fern Cove. Parking is limited with room for 3 cars to pull off the road at the gate.
- Trail Difficulty: Easy
- Good for kids: Yeppers. In the forest, so keep them in sight.
- Good for Dogs: Yep.
