Information
Landmark: Coal Creek FallsCity: Belleville
Country: USA Washington
Continent: North America
Coal Creek Falls, Belleville, USA Washington, North America
Overview
Tucked deep in Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, Coal Creek Falls drops 28 feet in a silver rush, just a short drive from Bellevue, Washington, then this striking landmark anchors the park’s trail network, pulling in hikers who come for rugged adventure, sweeping views, and a peek at the vintage mining shafts that whisper of the region’s past, not entirely The waterfall, with its mist cooling the air, sits beside gentle trails that make for an easy hike-perfect for families, casual walkers, and anyone who loves the outdoors, subsequently you’ll reach Coal Creek Falls mainly from the Red Town Trailhead, tucked right where Lakemont Boulevard SE meets Newcastle–Coal Creek Road, in some ways At the trailhead, you’ll find a few parking spots, clean restrooms, and picnic tables shaded by tall pines, so it’s an easy destination to start your hike, simultaneously because it’s such a popular spot, the parking lot often fills rapid on weekends, holidays, and in peak season-sometimes by mid-morning-so it’s best to get there early.The park is just one section of the sprawling Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, a protected wilderness covering more than 3,000 acres of pine-scented forest and winding trails, alternatively the hike to Coal Creek Falls covers about 2.5 miles round trip, climbing roughly 416 feet, and offers a moderate, family‑friendly path shaded by tall evergreens.The trail mostly runs as an out-and-back, but you can link it with nearby paths to create a longer loop through the pines, and your journey kicks off on the Red Town Trail, a broad, well-kept path where hikers, runners, and even riders pass under the soft rustle of fir trees.Here, the trail rises in unhurried, easy slopes beneath a thick canopy of leaves, where cool shade and quiet surround you, also after a brief amble, hikers step onto the Cave Hole Trail, its name born from the shallow pits scattered along the path-reminders of historic coal mines hidden below.The “cave holes” mark the land with clear signs of its industrial past, adding a distinct touch of history to the hike-like passing through silent doorways into another time, on top of that along this stretch, interpretive signs share stories of antique mining days and describe how the land is being restored, from fresh green shoots to the return of songbirds.It appears, About six-tenths of a mile past the Cave Hole Trail junction, the path squeezes in tight and drops into a cool, shaded ravine where damp leaves soften each step, and here, the path joins the Coal Creek Falls Trail, guiding hikers over a solid log bridge that stretches across the creek, the sound of rushing water just ahead at the waterfall overlook, occasionally Coal Creek Falls tumbles gently for about 28 feet, slipping over mossy rocks before spilling into a clear, still pool at the bottom, at the same time ferns, moss, and towering evergreens crowd around the falls, their deep green canopy casting cool shade and wrapping the air in a calm, quiet hush.I think, Cascading water tumbles over rocks, blending with the quiet rustle of leaves to create a peaceful escape from the city, at the same time coal Creek Falls changes with the seasons; in winter and spring, especially from January to March, rain swells it into a roaring, steady torrent that tumbles over the rocks.Right now’s the perfect moment to perceive the falls roaring, mist curling into the air, to boot in the dry stretch of summer, the water slows to a crawl-sometimes just a thin, silver thread over the rocks, and at times it disappears completely.Even so, the forest still holds its beauty-sunlight spilling through the pines-and it’s well worth exploring, after that in fall, the land around the waterfall bursts into shades of gold and crimson, offering photographers a chance to capture its quieter, yet striking beauty.Coal Creek Falls sits in Cougar Mountain, where coal mining began in the 1860s and rumbled on for nearly a hundred years, on top of that miners pulled more than 11 million tons of coal from this region, feeding the local economy and driving fresh growth, with black dust clinging to their boots.Along the trails, you can still spot cave holes and weathered logging stumps, their rough edges catching the sunlight like open-air relics of the past, and today, Cougar Mountain and Coal Creek Falls sit at the heart of a conservation push-restoring fragile ecosystems, shielding native habitats, and ensuring visitors can enjoy them without leaving a mark.The forest around the falls is mostly second-growth, slowly reclaiming itself after years of logging and mining, and now teems with life-woodpeckers tapping at trunks, deer slipping through the underbrush, and slight mammals darting between shadows, on top of that the trail and park are kept in great shape, with crisp signs and painted path markers showing visitors where to go.Near the falls, the ground can turn tricky-gnarled roots, uneven patches, and a few stone steps-so it’s best to wear sturdy shoes, subsequently the trail’s mostly protected for families, but keep a close eye near the creek and the slick rocks by the waterfall, especially if you’ve got kids along.Visitors can bring their dogs, as long as they’re on a leash, and enjoy the trail together-paws crunching over gravel beside them, in addition picnic tables under the shade and clean restrooms by the trailhead make visitors feel at ease and tempt them to linger a little longer.If you’re up for a longer trek or want to mix up the terrain, the Coal Creek Falls Trail links into other paths in Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, like the shaded Red Town Trail and several looping routes, on top of that it lets hikers linger longer in the wild, wandering into the wider forest with its rocky overlooks, winding creeks, and quiet corners where deer step softly through the trees, kind of Believe it or not, Coal Creek Falls offers a scenic, easy-to-reach hike tucked deep in Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, just minutes from Bellevue, where clear water tumbles over mossy rock into a quiet pool, alternatively with its wildflower-lined trails, easy slopes, and rich history, it’s a locale that draws hikers, cyclists, and nature lovers alike.Whether you’re here for a family afternoon, a quiet hike, or just a quick step into the woods, the trail to Coal Creek Falls gives you a calm hideaway framed by moss-covered trees and a tangible link to the region’s mining past.
Author: Tourist Landmarks
Date: 2025-10-05
