Paradise Valley Conservation Area

Paradise Valley Conservation Area is a great place to bring the family on the weekend or to visit after work for some evening exercise. There are no big climbs, but there is plenty of up and down, so you will get a surprisingly good workout navigating the twists and turns. Though it is relatively close to the city, you will feel like you are in the wildness as you traverse through dense ferns and tall red alders.

Paradise Valley was transformed from a tree farm into a bike, horse, and hiking area in 2009 by Snohomish County and Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance. The 793-acre park still plays host to a variety of wildlife, including one of the most productive salmon streams in the Sammamish River System, located at the headwaters of Bear Creek.

The park offers 11 miles of trails that are open to bikes, including a variety of singletrack with roots to dodge and tight turns to maneuver. Some trails are bike-only, while others are shared with equestrians and hikers, but everything is very clearly marked and easy to navigate. There are almost no manmade features, but this does not mean there are no challenges. The bike-only section of the park is filled with a network of tightly wound trails that make the most of the space and give bikers a chance to push their skill level.