The best road cycling routes around Maplewood

Waterman Point is a quiet, residential peninsula in Kitsap County, Washington, just west of Bremerton. It juts into the waters where Port Orchard narrows into Rich Passage, offering scenic views of Puget Sound, passing ferries, and even Mount Rainier on a clear day. From this spot on Beach Drive, you get a nice view of the point and over the water.

A nice paved trail runs along this beach area, accompanied by a small park right next to the beach. The park features a beach pavilion, a whale sculpture play area, and plenty of benches, making it a great spot to take a break.

This spot near the small community of Olalla is beautiful, with upfront views of the Calvas Passage. There is a small convenience store where you can stop and purchase snacks and drinks.

This is a well-maintained, wide, paved pathway that runs along the power lines (hence the name) and parallels State Route 16. It has multiple access points and several benches and picnic tables along the way. As you traverse the route, you can expect to travel over several hills through some beautiful scenic areas.

The Tacoma Narrows Bridge consists of two suspension bridges offering impressive views over the Puget Sound. It can be a breezy ride, especially in the fall and spring. Be alert when descending onto the bridge from the west side (Gig Harbor), as there is an entrance to the trail on the right-hand side near the bottom of the hill, and other cyclists entering the path may be unaware of others barreling down at them at high speeds. On the east side (Tacoma), use caution when crossing busy Jackson Street, as there have been several auto/bike accidents at the off-ramp.

This area served as a staging area for the construction of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge and was later donated by Harold Woodworth. Within the park, you can find a bell from the USS Tacoma from WWI and a memorial dedicated to the memory of 162 residents who lost their lives in the war.

The Tacoma Narrows Bridge consists of a pair of suspension bridges spanning the Puget Sound, with the original bridge being constructed in July 1940 and subsequently collapsing in November of the same year, drawing significant attention from experts in the field, leading to its reconstruction in the 1950s, and offering impressive views over the Puget Sound.

If you’re looking for a nice waterfront view enjoy the speedy descent to a freshly renovated beachfront park (renovation c. 2022 summer), public restrooms, water fountains, green space to sit down on, picnic benches, kayak rental and of course a pebbly beach with views of Mt. Rainier on a clear day. Watch a ferry pass to Vashon Island to muster the courage to head back up the 15% gradient to return to 5 mile drive!