The Apple Capital Recreation Loop Trail is more than 13 miles of paved trail perfect for a stroll, bike ride, run, or skate session. During the winter months, you may even find cross-country skiers getting in shape here.

For $18 a day, you can rent a bike to cruise the loop trail from The Second Wind Bicycle and Nordic Shop (85 N.E. 9th St., 509/884-0821) in East Wenatchee. Come winter you can also pick up a pair of cross-country skis for $20 per day.

Several parks provide restroom facilities, picnic grounds, and play areas along the loop. The trail follows both sides of the Columbia River, connecting parks such as Wenatchee Confluence State Park, where you can swim in a roped off area in the summer and Riverfront Park (509/661-4551), with an ice rink and mini-railroad available for special events.

Near where the Columbia and Wenatchee Rivers meet, Walla Walla Point Park (509/661-4551) also has a swimming beach and provides areas for soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, volleyball, and horseshoes. There is even a handicapped-accessible fishing pier.

On the south end, the trail crosses the river on a footbridge to East Wenatchee. One path heads north through Porter’s Pond Nature Area and back over the Odabashian Bridge, and a second continues south to tiny View Point Park, a great place to watch sunsets. Two miles farther south is Rock Island Hydro Park, another riverside park with paths, a boat ramp, and a swimming area.