Update-This popular post was written long before the Covid 19 outbreak. I have no idea if this area is open now. I would encourage you to wait on this fun hike, but if you can’t, please check for closures before you go and practice social distancing. Thanks!
Writer Tiffany has found a magical hike for the whole family right in Maple Valley. We’ve settled into a bit of a rainy, windy pattern, but I couldn’t wait to share it. Obviously, you don’t want to do this hike in the wind, so save it for the next bluebird day! :)
** Keep in mind that this is a multi-use trail. We heard from one reader who was concerned about hikers with young ones not being able to get out of the way of bikes, so keep that in mind if you decide to try this one.
The Gnomes Trail in Maple Valley
This trail is a fun loop within a network of trails called Henry Ridge in Maple Valley. This whole area is so pretty it feels like a fairy tale, which is probably why many of the trails sport names like Once Upon a Time, Lil’ Red and The Lorax. Huge trees, funky bridges, hanging moss and ferns as tall as a tween are some of the highlights.
The Gnomes trail offers even more fun, with gnomes of all shapes and sizes along the trail, sitting in hollow trees, atop stumps and hiding among the mushrooms. There are also usually lots of painted rocks as well.
The trek is about three miles round trip. Please keep in mind that this is definitely more of a hike than a walk, with narrow trails, loose rocks and some elevation gain. It is easy to get turned around, I found the Henry Ridge map on the Trailforks app to be very helpful.
These trails are dog-friendly but there are no trash cans or waste bag stations. Also, no bathrooms, so be sure to make a pit stop before heading out!
Directions:
From Hwy 169 turn on Maple Ridge Dr and drive up hill . When you see the water tower, turn right onto SE 281st Way where you can park on the street.
Head straight down a gravel road past the map kiosk until you see a trail called Stinger on your right.
The Stinger trail starts with a pretty bridge.
Stay on Stinger until the trail forks. Here you need to go right and you will soon come to a gravel road. Cross the road and see the Once Upon a Time trail entrance on the other side. This trail is absolutely gorgeous. Though you are very close to a neighborhood, you feel miles away. The kids will love the hanging moss, many different colors of shelf fungus and nurse logs.
Take Once Upon a Time until you come to a “T” here you will see the Derailer trail sign on the right.
The sign has a white plaque with a zig zag on it and the Derailer sign is up above this.
Turn right on Derailer. This trail has all of the beauty above plus cool bridges.
Keep going on Derailer you’ll cross a bridge and then you will come to a fork in which you can go one of three directions. Stay right to continue. You will cross another really cool bridge that is constructed over a fallen tree, after crossing, continue straight uphill. You are almost to the Gnomes Trail now! You will see a big tree stump with a gnome on top before you see the sign. This trail winds and doubles back then ends up back at a different point on Derailer. Keep your eyes open, there are gnomes everywhere! Big ones, small ones, even gnome- painted rocks if you are lucky!
Once you exit the Gnomes trail, you will be back on Derailer. Go left and walk past the first Gnomes trail entrance then continue back the way you came in.
One more caution: it is pretty easy to get disoriented on these trails. Be sure to have plenty of daylight, a charged phone, the TrailForks app and your patience! Before I discovered the TrailForks app, I got turned around and was able to use google maps to get back on track!
Send us your pictures if you go!
We went on this today, it helped me to head towards Henry Ridge, Maple Valley on Google Msps until I got close enough to see the huge water tower.
It was a GREAT hike, easy enough for my 5 year old to walk the whole way. We loved looking for gnomes and hope to hide some there ourselves next time we go. My 8 year old girl declared it the Bestest Hike Ever (she loves finding treasure, especially when it’s miniature), and we all loved it. Thanks for the great info!
Thanks so much for the report and the tip, Laura! Tiffany got turned around the first time she did this, so I know she worked hard to make the directions clear. So glad you and your little girl had fun!
Thank you for sharing this we have some special rocks to put some were. This looks like a nice field trip to do so.
This was so much fun!! We drove from Tacoma (about 45 minutes) but totally worth it! The littlest is 4 almost 5 and he did get a little tired on the way back but overall did great! The gnomes are amazing and he decided to leave his Branch troll doll out there for other people to see. Wanna do this during the summer when we have more daylight and can do more exploring.
Thanks so much for the report, Brandy!
Did the hike today with my family including 4.5yr old and 8 mo old – we had a great time. Perfect hike distance and terrain for the 4 yr old. Had fun locating gnomes and fairies. Trails are well notes. Lots of mountain bikers out and they sneak up on your fast sometimes.
Thanks for that super helpful report, Emily!
Correction on the directions, at the water tank, take a right onto 253rd and the entrance is at the bottom of the hill.
We just did this hike today and it was very fun! We definitely needed to followed the directions here since there are several turns before you get to the norm trail. Towards the end of the gnome loop, there is a large beehive in a big stump. It stung several of our kids many times.
We counted 185 gnoms! Great way to get out in the forest.
This was a perfect midday hike for my 8yo and 10yo girls. Your tip about the app saved us more than once when we were unsure about our return trip.
One important note: in your blog you say to turn right at the water tower on 281st Way. But the road is actually 253rd Place SE (it turns into 281st when it curves).
Wow!
Thank you so much for the report. I’m glad you had fun! Thanks for the warning about the hive!
Thanks, Rebeka!
I’m glad you and your girls had fun and found the app helpful.
Thank you for your correction on the road name!
Thank you for posting directions! We never would have found it otherwise!!
You are so welcome! I’m glad they worked out for you!
Thank you for such clear information! We went with our teenage and older kids and managed to avoid being made fun of by finding it easily! Really fun times!