On the very edge of southeastern Washington, Walla Walla is known for being one of the best wine destinations in the country with more than 120 local wineries. But wide open spaces, hundreds of miles of running trails and surrounding picturesque hills and mountains render it an underrated gem for trail running and other outdoor adventures. Two locals share their favorite places to get outside, fill up on good food, and spend time in town.
Where to Run
Just two miles east of Walla Walla, Bennington Lake is a 50-plus acre reservoir encircled by rolling hills of gravel roads. The lake trail starts at the Mill Creek Recreation Area and has picturesque views of the snow-capped Blue Mountains south of town, plus you can extend your run on spurs off the main trail. 鈥淵ou can go out there and hardly see anyone,鈥 says Todd Telander,聽a runner, artist, and owner of聽.聽鈥淚 run out there all the time just because it鈥檚 so close to town and my house.鈥 It鈥檚 also the setting for an annual women focused running event, the聽聽in April and the聽聽every May.
For a more remote experience, and when he鈥檚 up for driving 30 to 40 minutes to the Blue Mountains, Telander likes to run the South Fork Walla Walla River Trail. It stretches for more than 22 miles along the water through the forest. From the trailhead at聽, the first few miles are in a state park before it turns into national forest land. Walla Walla is an Indigenous name that means 鈥減lace of many waters,鈥 and springs and snow melt feed the creeks all year long. 鈥淓ven in the middle of August when it鈥檚 baking, you can run up there and dip in the water,鈥 Telander says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 always cold and refreshing.鈥
Two other running areas are worth the hour drive out of town, says Becca Lastoskie, owner of local restaurant聽. To the east just over the border into Oregon, the Umatilla Rim Trail is an 8.5-mile loop. Wildflowers bloom throughout the year, and 830 feet of elevation gain takes you through the trees up to scenic overlooks. To the west, Wallula Gap straddles the Columbia River.聽聽of varying difficulties and lengths lead to the tops of bluffs, offering panoramic views of the region. Wherever you choose to run in the area, be sure to research trail and weather conditions ahead to have the best experience possible.
Where to Dine
After running for miles, you鈥檒l probably need some refreshments to recharge. Walla Walla鈥檚 rich soil and mild climate are ideal for growing organic produce, so in addition to the wine industry, the town is ripe with amazing restaurants.
Vacation isn鈥檛 vacation without a good brunch spot and Telander recommends聽聽for a hearty breakfast. For quick-but-delicious coffee, there鈥檚 the聽. And for irresistible danishes, eclairs, or other desserts, the聽聽is open seven days a week. Latoskie鈥檚 high-quality sandwich shop Graze has plenty of vegetarian-friendly options and two local locations so it鈥檚 convenient to wherever you鈥檙e staying in town.
On Saturdays聽from May through October, locals and visitors alike should check out the聽聽to buy fresh fruits and veggies. After a stop at the Farmers Market, visitors can taste wine at one of the more than 40 wineries in the downtown area or go further afield to wineries in the south side of town that offer pairing menus or full food service.
What Else to Do
On rest days, make time for the town鈥檚 burgeoning art scene. Telander opened the Telander Gallery eight years ago, and since then, the聽聽has opened as another resource for regional artists to show their work.聽The聽, established in 1980, is one of the largest contemporary art fabricators in the world and while you can鈥檛 visit the facility, you can take a self-guided聽聽through the Whitman College campus to see some work created at the Foundry.
As for performance arts, the聽聽presents classical music concerts in intimate local venues (including some of the many local wineries)聽during the months of January and June. The聽聽is the longest continuously running symphony west of the Mississippi and has concerts through the year. It鈥檚 worth it to check out the聽聽calendar for other musical performances as well as plays, lectures, comedians and more.
鈥淭here鈥檚 artists all over the place, and it鈥檚 starting to become a little more known as a place to come to see art,鈥 Telander says. For a trip off the beaten bath, there鈥檚 no shortage to explore in Walla Walla.
A scenic four-hour drive from Seattle, Portland, or Boise, or a short, nonstop flight from Seattle,聽聽is home to more than 120 wineries, a nationally recognized culinary scene, and diverse arts and entertainment. Nestled next to the Blue Mountains, Walla Walla has easy access to an abundance of outdoor recreation.