By Jill Wagner
- Little Spokane River Natural Area (North Spokane): A couple of different trailheads offer hilly and not-as-hilly options.
- Kit Carson Loop (Mt. Spokane State Park): Different distances can be managed by traversing just sections of the loop or taking side trails that eventually come back into the loop (bring snowshoes for early spring hikes).
- Centennial Trail: It’s not a dirt trail, but it’s great for practicing pace because most of the trail in Washington and North Idaho is invitingly flat. I especially like the stretch between the East Maringo Drive and Barker Road trailheads.
- Mineral Ridge (North Idaho): At the far end of Lake Coeur d’Alene, this trail is brilliant on snowshoes or in hiking boots. A switchback at the beginning of the trail provides great hill training.
- Neighborhood roads: Local walking is a great way to get new landscaping ideas and fit in a workout without adding the travel time to and from the trails.
Read Jill Wagner’s story “Walking a Half Marathon.”
