MAPLE VALLEY, Wash. — If you’re tired of your usual, boring trails, you might want to check out The Gnome Trail in Maple Valley.
The trail features a plethora of gnomes hidden throughout. Kids especially get giddy running through the trail looking for them.
“It’s adventurous, it’s fantastical,” said Sam Froelich, a father of three. “It’s just a reason to get out into nature and the kids thoroughly enjoy it.”
The trail is a little over half a mile, mostly flat, and is also dog-friendly.
“It’s truly tremendous to see them get really excited about things,” Froelich said. “Sometimes [they're] even better reactions than on their birthday when they get gifts.”
There are gnomes of all kinds on the trail — happy gnomes, sleepy gnomes, hide-seek-gnomes, gnomes with big noses.
“We love just getting out in nature so it’s fun that it’s a little bit whimsical, a little bit of a treasure hunt,” said Lauren Stuekle, a mother of four.
Some might say it's a great place for the whole family to hang out with their gnomies.
You can park and access the trail from the Farmers Market parking lot located at 25719 Maple Valley Black Diamond Road SE.
Editor's note: This story was first published in July 2021.
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