Burke-Gilman Trail

Highlights

This is the classic Seattle hike/bike/walking trail with connections to downtown, Lake Washington, and many other trails.

DISTANCE

27 miles / 43 kms

DIFFICULTY

Easy

TRAIL TYPE

Out and Back

SEASON

Year-round

ELEVATION

None

The Burke-Gilman Trail is a popular 27 mile (43 km) recreational trail for walkers, runners, cyclists, skaters and commuters. Built in the 1970s as one of the first rail trails, it starts north of downtown Seattle in Ballard goes north along Lake Washington and ends in the suburb of Bothel. There it connects to the East Lake Sammamish Trail which continues all the way to Issaquah.

There are many access points to this trail, such as:
- The Ship Canal and Lake Union in Fremont
- The University of Washington Link Rail stop

PARKING

Many options

FACILITIES

Park benches, a few bathrooms

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION