Windsurfer Beach Trail

Pineview West Trail

Welcome to the trail!

This is a perfect entry-level hike for any tykes new to the sport. It’s easy, level, short (you can take it as long as you want), and near a large body of water! Another perk of this trail is that it is often the first hike we’re able to take in the early season (it’s usually dry and walkable in April (the photo above is April 2021) while most of the other trails in the area are still muddy or snow-covered - maybe keep that in mind for next spring when you’re itching to hit a trail!).

The technical name of this trail is the Pineview West Trail from the Windsurfer Beach Trailhead. (Yes, this is the same Pineview West Trail that can be accessed from the North Arm Trailhead, too - if you’re feeling super adventurous, you can hike the entire 3 miles from parking lot to parking lot!) Today we’ll focus on the stretch from Windsurfer Beach to the Marina. Let’s hike!

How to get there

Make your way to the parking area at Windsurfer Beach, just 3 miles south of Valley Market in Eden on Highway 158. It’s a large lot that usually has plenty of parking (except during high traffic weekends and holidays) and vault toilets available.

Trail at a glance

Total distance: 0.7 miles one way (1.4 miles round trip out and back)

Destination: marina boat ramp

Tyke perks: beach, reservoir, mountain views, early season hiking, flat, lots of litter to pick up (reframe it this way: bring a garbage sack and pretend you’re pirates searching for treasure!), dock, buoys, bathrooms at both ends

Notable flora: teasel, burdock, sage brush

Fascinating fauna: songbirds, ducks, grebes, seagulls

Watch out for: trucks with boat trailers launching boats at the ramp, broken sidewalk near ramp (as of April 2021 - you can get around it, just be aware it’s slanted and sunken), sun (there’s not much shade on this trail, so early season, early morning, or later evening might provide more pleasant hiking conditions)

While you’re hiking

After you park in the lot, you’ll start hiking at the north end, across from the bathroom. Look for a trailhead sign at an opening in the fence. This one is pretty simple, just stick to the well-trodden path.

In about a quarter of a mile you’ll reach a sandy beach point. When we hiked, the buoys were lined up on the shore, so the kids had fun exploring them up close and personal.

At the half mile-mark, you’ll reach the fence that surrounds a parking lot at the marina. There’s an opening in the fence to enter the lot, but the trail actually continues around to the right so you can avoid vehicles.

At mile 0.7 you’ll reach the broken sidewalk I mentioned above. There’s a trail above it that makes it passable. There are a couple of benches along the sidewalk if you need a seat. If your kids are like mine, they can’t help themselves from running out on the floating dock (it wasn’t floating when we were there because the lake was so low!) or finding some rocks to toss in the water.

The shady pine tree hill near here makes a good ending spot for resting and refueling before the return trip. (Another thing to note is there are outhouses in the parking areas around the marina should the need arise.) Just head back the way you came when you’ve had your fill at the marina!

While this is a super trail for first-timers, or those warming up for a season of hiking, there is still plenty to see and enjoy for pro-level tykes, as well, especially if you bring a friend or two along for the fun!

Happy hikers (and a bit of housekeeping)

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May your week ahead be full of blue skies and puffy clouds. Happy trails!