One of the things Wenatchee is known for to travelers around the Pacific Northwest is its close proximity to a variety of different outdoor recreation activities. Within a quick drive from Wenatchee, you’ll be able to participate in hiking, boating, fishing, mountain biking, rock climbing, kayaking, ziplining, horseback riding, and skiing. Once your back in town though, you can still get out and enjoy the outdoors though thanks to one of the best features that Wenatchee and East Wenatchee possess, the Apple Capital Loop Trail.
The Apple Capital Loop Trail stretches for well over 10 miles and runs along the banks of the Columbia River on both the Wenatchee and East Wenatchee side. Either on or adjacent to the trail you’ll be able to go jogging, bicycling, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, walking, picnicking, as well as play a number of sports and make use of climbing toys. There’s even a protected nature area to walk through.
The western portion of the Apple Capital Loop Trail, on the Wenatchee side of the Columbia River, is home to several well developed parks including Riverfront Park, Walla Walla Point Park, and Confluence State Park. Each of these parks has different highlights including camping, swim areas, playground toys, art sculptures, a miniature railroad, picnic areas, and more. The Horan Nature Area is also on this side of the river and a walk through there will make it somewhat hard to believe you are actually in the middle of a medium sized city.
Across the river, on the East Wenatchee side, you’ll be treated to a much more undeveloped and natural looking portion of the trail. Here you’ll find a small wooded area, a small creek that the trail crosses, and a lot of land that looks much the way it did way back when settlers first came there. While it lacks the developed park areas that are featured across the river, this portion of the trail has some magnificent views and is great for exploring off the trail.
The Apple Capital Loop Trail crosses the Columbia River in the north as a walkway on the side of the Odabashian Bridge that carries Highway 2 through the area. There’s plenty of room here and the views from the middle will make you want to reach for your camera. Crossing the river in the south takes place on the Old Wenatchee Bridge. Sometimes referred to as the Columbia River Bridge, this was the first automobile bridge to cross the Columbia River south of the Canadian border and is now used only by pedestrians, as well as by a large irrigation pipe. This bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 and is somewhat of a local treasure.
Visiting Wenatchee and want to get out and get some exercise or just spend time in the outdoors? The Apple Capital Loop Trail is waiting for you.
Check out everything you need to know about: The Apple Capital Loop Trail