Newberry Hill Heritage Park

Just a few miles west of Silverdale is the delightful Newberry Hill Heritage Park. Hikers, equestrians, and mountain bikers can all enjoy the nearly 13 miles of trails here. There are a variety of access points, but the parking area just outside of Klahowya Secondary School offers access to the small northwest quadrant, as well as the larger southeast section.

If you’re strapped for time, head across the road from the parking area, keeping the gate on the road to the school on your right. Stop at the trailhead sign for a map – they’re very helpful – and get on your way!

At the first junction, stay straight ahead and jump onto the Big Cedar trail. This leads through wide open forest, full of (you guessed it) big cedar trees. But there are also hemlock here, and rhododendrons, as well as swordfern and a staggering variety of mosses carpeting the forest floor.

At the next junction, bear left onto the Alder Pass Trail, a gentle up-and-down trail that goes over a low pass with big alder trees. Another left at the next intersection joins up with the Beaver Loop Trail. Look for the wetland through tree branches to your right as you hike the winding trail as it heads downhill to yet another junction.

Here, make a left onto Bobcat Run. Stay on this lower-elevation trail for the next half mile. Enjoy nurse stumps sprouting new growth and more mossy branches, which make the trail seem much more remote than just off the Seabeck Highway. Pass the junction with the Deer Loop – if you’ve got time, take a trip that way – it adds 0.8 miles to the hike’s total. The last intersection is where you started, where you finally get to turn right, and out, back to your car.

If you have a little more time to explore, look behind your car for the Deer Fern Trail, which leads to further adventures in the southeast section of the park.

The Deer Fern Trail leads to the Old Road Loop, and there is the option to take the Wildlife Trail through the wetlands to observe any wildlife that may be lingering. There are maps at the trailheads to help plan your route, and they help if you find that you would like to extend your hike.

Several mountain bike loop routes branch off the south end of the loop trail, or you can explore Rhodie Hill, Salal Ridge and Whisper Ridge near the northeast edge of the loop. These are all pretty steep climbs, but short enough that you won't get too exhausted.

WTA Pro Tip: Take the Wildlife or Foot Traffic Only trail to see the gorgeous lake/wetland preserve - a well kept secret that even locals don't all know about.