Cross island trial

Have not ridden the Cross Island Trail in a couple of weeks, but drove by it on the way back home from Delaware today. The expansion which begins at the Kent Narrows near Harris' Crab House and ends at Long Point Park is complete and people were walking and riding this section. Beautifully done! For those of you who like this trail, I have good news.

They are adding a 1. It is supposed to be finished sometime in may. They must have spend several million to add this extension. Can't wait to ride it, will make the trail total distance now about 6 miles. We caught a break from the heat wave and had beautiful weather. Had lunch at the Jetty.

The best part is that we were able to bring our puppy in the pet trailer and the Jetty was pet friendly with outdoor dining. Such an amazing day. Was a bit tougher on the return but only because we have not been out riding this season.

The trail is relatively flat and mostly shaded. We spent some time on the beach back at Terrapin Nature Park to recover before heading over to Queenstown for the outlets and then returning home.

Great day trip! Trail recently black topped in good condition. Parked at terrapin park and made it to the first street crossing. Would be nice if there were a sign at the terrapin park end. We enjoyed the flat trail. At all the road crossings, all motor vehicles stopped for us to cross the street. We will definitely ride again. However, the Kent Narrows end with its various spurs, marinas and the Discovery Center is very enjoyable and makes the trail worth a visit.

I rode 15 miles overall. The path across Kent Narrows Bridge is open again for bikes and pedestrians. If you don't like heights or bridges, be aware that you have to cycle or walk across the drawbridge grating, with a view down to the water below your feet.

I enjoyed that, and cycled back and forth across it a few times! I was there on a Wednesday. I imagine the small parking lot at Terrapin Park would be full on the weekends. I saw plenty of free parking space under US at both ends of Kent Narrows Bridge and at the marinas and restaurants across the street. This trail is only 6 miles, mostly flat and an easy ride. But any day you get 12 miles of mostly beautiful terrain woods, marshes and bay is a good day.

The feeling is casual. Have to cross a couple of roads with car traffic that you need to pay attention too. Getting there driving over the Bay Bridge is a trip and after you can find a Crab Shack or two in Stevensville or at one of the many marinas on the island. The trail is a beautiful experience, very peaceful, my Godson and I road it and loved it, the only part that got confusing was by the park, the trail cuts to the right onto a gravel path and is not well marked. The trails through the park are nice too.

Please be aware that you can no longer go over the old Kent Narrows Bridge to complete the trail and go to the restaurants on the other side of the bridge. The road is closed to car, bike and pedestrian traffic. I just wanted to let everyone know that they no longer require permits to park for this trail. I see in other comments that people have been ticketed in the past, but they no longer do that. Outside the park I noticed similar permit requirements. I'd avoid this one until the Queen Annes County authorities figure out a better way to raise revenue from unsuspecting customers.

Nice trail but they ticket you if you park at the Terrapin park without having paid for a park permit. We had a nice ride yesterday, starting at from the parking lot in Terrapin Beach Park, and riding to where the trail ends just across Kent Narrows. There's a great restaurant right on the water there called The Narrows.

Check it out. Amazingly, the parking lot at the west entrance to the trail is permit only! Apparently you have to buy a beach pass to park there. Parking at the east end of the trail might be a safer bet. I did not think it was signed very well. I had to check the GPS at more than one connection to see which was the real trail.

It is pretty flat no real climbs. Has some beautiful wooded sections. You can even go out along the beach for a short section. You will have to push your bike over the sand for 50ft or so but it was worth it. Since that part is on the loop at the end you can just turn back. It is paved except near the beach. We started at the beginning across the Kent Narrows bridge so we had a short road section, but the road is separated from the trail by pylons so it was not a big deal as you have your own full size lane.

In fact on the way back we had to stop for a few minutes as the draw bridge was up. It was short and fun to see the draw bridge work from close up. I will ride it again. Easy rider trail needs patching and some trimming of trees, saw an 8 foot black snake on the trail Watch out! Minimal auto traffic, convenient access and lots to see. Mountain biking. Heath Nielsen. December 25, Josh H. November 13, Jeanie Hutchinson. November 9, Love this trail! Always the most beautiful views. Vicky Dobbs.

October 18, Nice flat, paved walking path. Carol Hayes. October 4, Road biking. LaToria Pierce. September 26, Easy going, scenic trail. I enjoyed it! Ray Michalski. September 25, Anna Iadevaia. September 22, Was busy on a Sunday but not bad. Good easy family trail. September 16, September 10, Jill Woot. September 9, August 31, Lovely conditions.

Cristina Rebollo. August 23, Lea Hayes. August 4, Accessible to wheelchairs. Nonni Zulkefly. July 31, Stacy Cook. Awesome trail with lots of shade and beautiful water views. June 14, Gwen Stamper. June 2, I took a very short hike and it was great.

Halle Francis. June 1, Valarie Napawanetz. May 16, Mountain biking Great! Melanie Miller. May 1, Great ride for beginners and very smooth! Ted Mina. April 17, Nick Collins. April 15, Dogs Allowed? Views of Seattle skyline and Mount Rainier, check.

Majestic Pacific Northwest forests, check. Views of the Olympic Mountains, check. This trail has it all. For hikers looking for a longer day hike, the trail can be done as and out-and-back. For a nice 5-mile point-to-point, leave a second vehicle at Battle Point Park or arrange a pickup there. It's easiest to start this trail from the east side of the island as there is a small parking lot at the beginning of the trail on Manitou Beach.

While here, enjoy the views of the Seattle skyline and Mount Rainier before you start your hike. There are no trail markers at the start so just hike west along Manitou Beach Road uphill until you reach Madison Road. This short section is the least enjoyable part of the hike as it is a very busy junction ahead. Follow Madison Road west until you get to Highway The crosswalk for is on the right side of the road, so cross carefully since there are cars entering and exiting from multiple directions.

Once you cross , follow the short trail that brings you to Wardell Road. Things get much quieter from this point on as the roads here are much less traveled. For a short detour take a left onto Summer Hill Lane before entering the forest and say hello to the goats and miniature ponies at the nearby farm. Back on the trail, enjoy the short flat section, because things quickly get pretty steep as you approach the Grand Forest East Main Loop.

Once your reach the main loop, take a right and then a left at the the fork immediately afterwards. The trail is pretty well marked on this section of the trail so just keep an eye out for the Cross Island Trail logos at each junction. When you get to the end of this trail, you be at the west side of the main loop trail. Take a left and then after a short hike you'll be at the junction of the Hilltop Trail. Take a right onto this trail and follow it up to the clearing on the Hilltop.

On a clear day, you should be greeted with a nice view of the Olympic Mountains ahead. If nature calls, there's a nice set of bathrooms available here, so take advantage.

Back on the trail, continue west and follow the steep downhill trail into Grand Forest West. Save Check-In. Nearby Recommended Routes. Seth Demo Forest Loop 1. Jug Bay Tour 6. Morning Choice Loop 3. Soapstone-Santee-Ridge Loop 8. Patapsco Perimeter Add Rating. Rate Difficulty optional. Save Rating. Rating Details. Difficulty ratings. Difficulty Rating. Delete My Rating.