Ring Hill Forest

Ring Hill Forest is one of those neighborhood gems that most people outside the Sammamish Plateau have never heard of. King County manages this 320-acre property as a working forest under a stewardship plan, which means you get to walk through an active timber management area where the trees are actually healthy and the understory is managed. It is a different kind of forest walk than a wilderness hike, and that is part of what makes it interesting.

The trail network includes Raven's Watch Trail and Turk Creek Trail, and you can link them into a loop of about 2.5 miles. The forest is a mix of second-growth Douglas fir and western red cedar with good understory. Fall foliage is a highlight, and on clear days you can catch mountain views through gaps in the canopy. WTA work parties have been improving drainage and replacing rotting puncheons, so conditions are getting better over time.

The parking lot is small, officially fits about three cars with room for a few more on the shoulder. That said, trip reports consistently mention it being quiet and uncrowded. The trailhead sits off 232nd Avenue NE, accessed from Novelty Hill Road near the Trilogy development. Mud is common in the wet months, so bring shoes you do not mind getting dirty.