Paved

Wenatchee is a great place to lace up the shoes and head out for a run.

For starters, there is the 10.5-mile Apple Capital Recreation Loop Trail, which is the envy of many communities.

Then on the western edge of the city, you have the Wenatchee Foothills Trail System.

The community also has dozens and dozens of quiet residential streets — and the absence of a major highway cutting through town — that are ideal for jogging.

Plus, everything is close.

Below you will find some urban routes that RunWenatchee has on its list of favorites. If you have a great run or two, let us know and we’ll add them to the list here.

 

Charlie Hickenbottom’s nine favorites

From a base near Columbia Elementary School in Wenatchee, veteran runner Charlie Hickenbottom arrived at several running routes in nearby neighborhoods. To read about them and to check out the maps that accompany each one, please click the link below.

https://www.runwenatchee.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=1822&action=edit

 

Steve Maher’s four favorites

Here are some more, these developed by Steve Maher. He used centrally located Washington Park (Washington and Miller streets in Wenatchee) as the starting point.

1. Wenatchee River Bridge

Distance (out and back): 8.4 miles

Route: From Washington Park, run north on Miller Street; take a right on First Street; take the Riverwalk Crossing pedestrian bridge; left on the Apple Capital Recreation Loop Trail; follow the trail through Riverfront Park and Walla Walla Point Park; take a right on the gravel road through the Wenatchee Confluence State Park wildlife area; take a right on the loop trail to the bridge over the Wenatchee River; turn around and head back

Difficulty (Scale of 1-5 with 5 being most difficult): 2

What to watch for: Gardens of a different sort and river views are the payoffs for this run. Right after you get off the Riverwalk Crossing, check out Art on the Avenues’ sculpture garden and the Chelan County PUD’s Xeriscape garden. Take in views of the Columbia River as the trail heads north through busy Walla Walla Point Park, then get on the gravel road that travels through the wildlife area. Keep an eye out of ducks, turtles and other members of the wild side. Pause on the Wenatchee River pedestrian bridge for views of the confluence of the Wenatchee and Columbia.

What to watch out for: Rough sidewalks on First Street are trouble if you’re prone to ankle sprains.

Water: Foot of Fifth Street in Riverfront Park, Linden Tree area in Walla Walla Point Park, near lagoon in Walla Walla Point Park

Restrooms: Riverfront Park, Walla Walla Point Park, Wenatchee Confluence State Park wildlife area

 

2. Skyline Drive

Distance (loop): 4.8 miles

Route: From Washington Park, head south on Miller Street; take right on the canal road; left on Skyline Drive; right on Number Two Canyon Road, which turns into Western Avenue; right on Washington Street

Difficulty: 3

What to watch for: Few places so close offer the views that Skyline Drive does. After you chug up Skyline, take a few moments at the lookout to soak in the sights of Wenatchee, East Wenatchee, the basalt cliffs to the east, and up the Columbia River to Rocky Reach Dam. Continue on your way and enjoy the stoic presence of Castle Rock. From there, it’s all downhill anyway. You can’t but feel good.

What to watch out for: A little dog that likes to charge and nip from a house along Miller Street near the canal.

Water: A fountain on the grass next to the Wenatchee High track at the east end of the bleachers.

Restrooms: None

 

3. Wenatchee Cemetery

Distance (loop): 6.1 miles

Route: Head west on Washington Street; take a right on Western; left at the first entrance to the Wenatchee Cemetery; follow the loop; then a right on Western; left on Maple Street; right on Princeton Street; left on Washington Street

Difficulty: 2

What to watch for: The Western Avenue stretch passes by Tree Fruit Research Center and alongside Rotary Park. The loop through the cemetery takes you past the graves of some of the city’s early citizens.

What to watch out for: Errant Frisbees at Rotary Park.

Water: None

Restrooms: None

 

4. Historic Wenatchee

Distance (loop): 3.3 miles

Route: Head south on Wilson Street; left on Idaho Street; left on King Street; right on Oregon Street; left on Orondo Avenue; left on Wenatchee Avenue; right on First Street to the Riverwalk Crossing pedestrian bridge; right on the loop trail; right on Thurston Street; right on Columbia Street; left on Orondo Avenue; right on Washington Street

Difficulty: 2

What to watch for: If you’re looking for a run that offers some speed work, this isn’t the one. Because of traffic lights and crosswalks, there is a lot of stopping and starting. But this run does offer a glance at some of the city’s oldest and most majestic and quaint homes (along Idaho, King and Oregon streets as well as adjoining streets if you want to venture some). It also takes in the Chelan County Courthouse, Memorial Park; downtown buildings and the old Columbia Street district.

What to watch out for: Cars are everywhere.

Water: Along Apple Capital Recreation Loop trail at the Orondo Avenue boat launch

Restrooms: Along Apple Capital Recreation Loop trail at the Orondo Avenue boat launch