You all probably know more than one way to get from Kingston to Indianola. I discovered a new one that travels several of the trails I have already mentioned in this column. This route links them together and provides a good opportunity for purposeful walking, meandering conversation, and a chance to enjoy the fall weather and foliage.

I like to walk in the cooler weather. Even in the wet, a raincoat or umbrella will keep you comfortable on the hike from Kingston to Indianola. This expedition is probably best done with a friend so you can do a one-way trip by leaving a car at each end of the hike. It is close to a six-mile hike and took us about three hours. Another option is to choose just part of the trail I followed and return via the same route. The really ambitious could make a day of it and hike to Indianola for lunch on the dock, then turn around and walk back to Kingston again.

We parked one car in Indianola, and drove to Village Green Park to begin our walk. From Village Green, exit the park and go west on West Kingston Road, following the sidewalk to Barber Cut-Off Road. Turn right on Barber Cut-Off Road. You will pass Stillwaters Environmental Center on the left (.5 mile). Turn left onto the Nike Park trail (.7 mile) and follow it to the Kingston High School turf field (1 mile). Walk along the sidewalk to West Kingston Road and turn right to Norman Road (1.6 mile). Take a left on Norman and walk south to end of the road (2.1 miles) where you will see signpost No. 10 identifying the start of the Spine Line Trail of Heritage Park. Follow a dirt road, to a gravel road to where signpost No. 9 (2.4 miles) indicates you turn right. The trail passes a pretty wetland and then ascends a long steep hill that was recently improved by the North Kitsap Trails Association.

At the top of the hill you will come to signpost No. 11 (3.2 miles) where you will take a left onto the White Horse Trail. The trail is gravel for a short distance then paved when you enter the White Horse Golf Course property. You will be walking within sight of the White Horse Golf Course.

Remember to stay on the asphalt walking path rather than the concrete golf cart roads. The trail exits the woods briefly at an intersection with Three Lions Place (3.6 miles). Turn right here and walk on the trail toward the clubhouse and parking lot, then left around the fenced maintenance area, picking up the paved path again where it re-enters the woods (3.7 miles). The paved trail ends behind the Trillium School on Kitsap Street (5 miles).

Continue on to the intersection with Indianola Road and turn left to walk about another mile to the Indianola Store for a well-deserved treat or for lunch.

I think connecting communities by trails is an intriguing idea. This walk gives you the chance to see and appreciate schools, neighborhoods, woods, wetlands, and recreation areas. Realizing Kingston and Indianola are within walking distance of each other helps me understand how accessible much of our county is by foot or by bicycle.

If this walk appeals to you, you can find out more about the current initiative to link all our North Kitsap communities by trails.  You can find a link to the North Kitsap String of Pearls Trail Plan at the North Kitsap Trails Association website, www.northkitsaptrails.org.