Burke-Gilman Trail

How could you not love a trail that goes on and on. And links to another (samamish) great trail where you don’t have to be near traffic… Well, vehicles.
You still need to watch out for the happy wanderers… People with long pet leashes, oblivious to their destructive and ignorant behavior and dolts with headgear designed to shut out impending dangers… I.e. They cannot hear your bell or shouting. Or those pelatons of wankers who think they own space (you know the ones — they forget to share the space and ride or walk two or three abreast)… but aside from that, the trail itself and most of the people on it… Tremendous!
Thank you to whomever sponsors these bicycle pathways. The real treat is when they fix the bumps and clear moss and leaves which can lead to severe accident.
Thank you to those who build and maintain these lovely scenes into other parts of such a beautiful city!

The Burke is great but it could be improved with a soft bark or gravel or crushed lime path for walkers and joggers, a flyover bridge across the industrial and high traffic part of Ballard and a bridge to Magnolia (not the current 15^th Street bridge). Developers could be taxed for more bike route improvements. I only like dedicated bike trails like this, I don’t want to ride in a little stripe on the side of a busy street, to me the Burke-​Gilman is the best way to bike in Seattle!

Great trail for pulling a trailer with two kids. We started at Log Boom Park (cool playground) and rode to Magnuson Park. Great playground there. 7.5 miles. On the return we stopped at Matthews beach. Being 79 degrees the one year old and three year old loved it. That is an amazing spot.
The trail is very smooth and easy. The Tour de France cyclists need to lighten up. You’re not in a race show courtesy to everyone. I witnessed cyclists of that sort being rude to walkers, people with dogs, and me and my trailer with kids. All I can say is lighten up and stop taking yourself so seriously… I mean have you seen the outfit you’re wearing to ride your bike? Your tight pants and a tight shirt with a corporate sponsor logo that «YOU» paid to wear. Life is short. Stop being assholes.
Great trail. Kid friendly!

A fun bike trail to trek on during sunny days! Lots of ways to hit it: from Log Boom Park at north end down to Golden Gardens Park at Ballard, or from Fremont to Marymoor Park and back, sometimes with a side trip to Bellevue and the way back to the city via I-​90 bridge, Lake Washington Blvd., down to UW or Gas Works Park. Either way, it’s always almost guaranteed to be a good ride.
The trail can get really busy with walkers, some families, and other bikers sometimes, but usually during the beginning of spring only, so just a heads up for you, so you can watch out and share the trail with everyone else. But mostly, watch out for fast riders with their multi-​colored Spandex and fast bikes. They usually come in packs, and some ride like they’re training for Tour de France. Although some are polite and will give you the space, others can be impatient, and some even get a kick out of surprising you at the very last minute by sneaking up right behind you and warning you loudly right before they pass. It’s always good to be aware when these folks are coming so that you can be out of their way and not slow their progress down. Other than that, this trail always gives out a good scenic ride on good, sunny days, with a bonus of being mostly safe and away from cars, buses, or big SUVs out on the streets. Check it out sometime.

This gem is both functional, serving as my biking commute from Seattle to Bellevue and back for several months during the summer, as well as recreational, I also used to jog various points of the trail with friends. I’ve heard of people taking on the full length by bicycle, which sounds ambitious and like something worth attempting at least once with proper training and equipment.

The Lance Armstrong wannabes need to cool it. I wanted to take one jerk out who passed unnecessarily close to the dogs and yelled at me. There was nobody coming the other direction, so he was just being ridiculous. I yelled at him back. Wish he would have stopped. Bikers tend to have no upper body strength or discernible athletic ability. I would have loved to get right into his face and let him know what a self-​absorbed egomaniac he was biking like he owns the path and is in some kind of competitive race. What a loser.

This trail is really nice… especially once you get to the point where you are riding along the river. Its not to excessive on the hills. and its well maintained.
I will be back to that trail guaranteed.

Best urban bike trail I’ve ever seen. Beautiful views of the lake while riding past homes I can just dream of. If anyone wants to invite me to a party at a lake front home, chances are I’ll attend. Some day I’ll ride the whole trail in one shot, but thy day hasn’t happened yet.

Scenic, urban, long so can walk a ways and enjoy nearby parks + UDistrict.

The way I was treated was shameful. I was visiting from Nashville. My brother lives close to the trail and I was thinking this would be a lovely place to walk. I walk three miles a day and was nearly run over twice by bicyclists during my daily walk over 2 days. I was on the left side of the trail and a bicycle came right at me as if I was a target. I stepped off the trail into the berry bushes just to get out of the way. So much for a peaceful walk in the woods. Since that scary interaction, I chose to walk on the street for the remainder of my visit, it was much safer. At least cars yield to a pedestrian. The Burke-​Gilman trail seems to be very dangerous for walkers and I shutter to think if anyone let their children on this trail.

I’ve been on this trail twice. From the Eastside to Seattle. Great trails. Lots to see. I’ve been on my cruiser both time. No gears. Even though its flat for the most part it’s pretty tiring on a damn cruiser without gears. Lol. I have a bell on my bike, but never had to use it once cause I didn’t pass a single biker. I did pass a rollerblader… Barely.
Maintained pretty well. I feel safe because there are people around all the time, though not packed. Great scenery along the way. Thru some cute neighborhoods. Love it!

This is a review from a barely-​there cyclist. Got a hybrid bike about a month ago. Previous to that, my specialty was getting onto bikes that were too large in frame for me and riding into the wayward bush or tree — sober.
This is why the Burke-​Gilman is so great. Miles and miles of fairly flat and uninterrupted paved road.
I’ve ridden on the trail from Gasworks over to Ballard and in the opposite direction to Kenmore. The road to Ballard is usually busier, filled with avid cyclists and the recreational user. The trail going west also isn’t fully completed with parts of it on «regular road».
The way to Kenmore has less cyclists and is quite interesting, once you pass the University and Sandpoint areas. The road is flat and paved with occasional bumps from tree roots but otherwise a joy to ride. Other cyclists are forgiving if you’re a cycling idiot (like me), but there are the occasional cyclists or walkers who hog the road. Just wish there were more trails like this one in Seattle — exclusive to cyclists.

An awesome «little» trail running from Golden Gardens to Bothell.
Awesome because it’s mostly flat — so you can go the 20 or so miles and not want to die because of all the hills you may encounter.
Awesome because it is wide enough to accommodate bikers, runners, casual walkers, dogs, kids, strollers, roller blades, what have you. Just don’t be a jerk and take up the entire trail in a glob of feet/​wheels/​paws and block the trail for everyone else trying to enjoy it.
Awesome because the views are beautiful. From the beaches at Golden Gardens, Gasworks, Lake Washington with the Cascades behind it. this trail is pretty.
Awesome because there are plenty of places on the trail to hop off for food, drinks, and relaxation.
Awesome because it is on plenty of bus lines so if you have had ENOUGH and are miles from home you can still get there without your calves exploding out of your skin.
Awesome because there are plenty of little parks with BATHROOMS the whole trail through Ballard to Bothell.
I’ll be happy when the «missing link» in Ballard is filled in – cuz good hell biking through Salmon Bay can be a little nerve wracking considering all the traffic, train tracks, gravel, and no designated bike lanes. Also the tree roots breaking through the pavement make for a bumpy ride.
Regardless, I love biking this trail and will keep doing to to ramp up my endurance and maybe tackle a hill or two someday down the road.

I am a big fan of BGT. It’s a great place to take a stroll, go for a run, or ride your bike. It’s long and beautiful, about 25 miles starting from Ballard, stretching around Lake Washington all the way up to Bothell and beyond.
I like that the trail scenery is different depending on where you are in the trail, it showcases Seattle very well. also think it’s a lot nicer now ever since the revamp.
I only have one complaint. I’m generally not a biker, I’m more of a runner/​walker type of person and I wish they would have a designated bike lane and a designated foot traffic one. It’s not too bad because most people are respectful of each other but sometimes in some cases it can be frustrating. Other than that it’s a great place and will keep coming back.

The B-​G is a great urban pedestrian trail, I’m glad Seattle is such a great city and had the foresight to turn it into a trail once the railroad was finished with the right-​of-​way.
The trail runs (more or less) from Golden Gardens Park on the west side, through Ballard, Fremont, the U-​District, up and around Lake Washington to Kenmore where you can connect with trails down the other side of Lake Washington.
Many great city parks line the route: Golden Gardens, Gas Works, Magnuson, Matthews, etc.
It can (and will) get very crowded on nice days, and cyclists will have to deal with the occasional clan of walkers who block the whole trail, but generally folks are pretty considerate.

I really really love this trail! Honestly. There are so many posts on Unilocal about it’s greatness, I’ll stick to some interesting observations about it:
1. As a runner/​walker people on bikes swerve around me so closely they brush my jacket sleeve with their handlebars. I’m not on the bike side of the «road» either! Happens all the time and I’m a bumbley walker… someday I’m going to get hurt!
2. Why are there so many people jogging in jeans? I shrugged it off at first, but there are enough jeans-​joggers out there that I know it’s not a laundry day fluke. I know you’re not late for the bus! I admire you. Please don’t chafe.
3. Dark places away from the road = rape. I carry my house key like a tiny shank between my knuckles so if someone jumps me I can ram it into their throat.
4. Slippery leaves in the winter. That’s all I have to say.
5. Walkers– I’m not a biker, but if you’re walking next to your buddy keep in mind bikers have to get around you without hitting one another. Maybe one of you can walk in the grass? Or maybe you could walk like ducks? Coexist man.
6. Bikers– I’m sorry I cant hear you whispering «left» to me. I have my ipod in. I’m jogging. Don’t glare– I’m on the correct side of the road.
7. Bikers without shirts– you have hot bodies and I will stare at you when I jog. But please don’t look at me trundle down the lane ungracefully. It’s embarrassing for everyone.

Three years of indoor cycling, finally, I am taking it outside! I did my first bike ride from Gasworks Park to Redhood on Burke-​Gilman trail. Round trip is 40 miles in total according to my Runkeeper App on my phone.
I really enjoyed the ride. For my first ride outside, this is nice and flat. The trail is very well-​maintained and well-​paved. After U-​District area, the trail goes around Lake Washington until it connects Snohomish River Trail. I would say 75% of the trail is shaded with trees. It prevents cyclists to be over heated in a sunny/​hot day. I think it’s awesome!
It’s a friendly trail to cyclists, runners, walkers, kids, doggies, etc…
I’d like to make this my regular biking route from now on :-)

What a fantastic way to enjoy a gorgeous sunny Seattle day then going for a nice walk the Burke-​Gilman Trail.
Today was my first time on the trail and couldn’t believe all of the picturesque sights you get along the way. My wife and I walked along a little part of the trail and enjoyed watching the Fremont Bridge open for some sail boats, looked at the views of Lake Union, looked at the house boats sitting at the docks and watched the boats cruise the channel. The trail is a definite hot spot with flocks of people riding bicycles, jogging, running, walking, and others just enjoying the weather and views.

I love running or walking on the Burke-​Gilman Trail. Usually, I warm up on this trail before working out at the IMA in the U-​District. Sometimes if I have time to kill before my appointment at Powerspa in the Fremont/​Ballard area I’ll take a nice walk to clear my head. I have yet to go through the entire trail since it is pretty long.
There are a few seedy areas on this trail from what I have heard of but I have felt safe for the most part.

Commuting by bike in Honolulu made me appreciate this awesome trail in Seattle like no other. It’s a super-​highway for biking, skating, running, walking… any non-​motorized mode of transportation you can imagine.
I was introduced to this trail a year ago as a means to travel by bike from the Huskies Stadium area to Woodinville to visit the Château St. Michelle Winery and Red Hook Ale Brewery (located conveniently right across the street from each other!).
The distance between these two points on the Burke Gilman Trail was approximately 20 miles of beautiful flat, well-​maintained paved asphalt. The trail is tree-​lined and scenic the entire journey there and was a stellar recovery after imbibing at the winery and eating great food at the brewery.
On my most recent visit a few weeks ago, a portion of the trail was shut down for maintenance which caused us to take a lengthy HILLY and slightly confusing detour, but it was a pleasant change of pace and made for a much more challenging ride — which garnered the need for more alcohol and food this time around.
I was also able to experience the trail in the opposite direction this year, making our way via bike from the UW area to Gasworks Park and on toward the Fremont Area.
Being able to take advantage of visiting city sights and activities by bike was priceless and there is no way I could have (safely) experienced the same things without this trail — thank you Seattle DOT & Parks and Rec for maintaining such an awesome amenity for both tourists and locals alike!
#10/​365

I have been coming to the Burke-​Gilman trail since I was a child, so yes, for A VERY LONG TIME now. This is the best trail for biking and I absolutely love it!
This trail offers such a nice ride with the most scenic views that the greater Seattle area has to offer! You can ride on the eastside and enjoy the views of Woodinville’s wineries and stop off at Red Hook and refuel. Or you can explore the Seattle side riding through Gasworks, Fremont and Ballard along Lake Union as it flows into the locks with a view of the skyline.
I have yet to do the full loop which can be around 74 miles all inclusive but it would be nice to do that some day! The ride is great and pretty easy going and I am always shocked with how far you can ride and not even realize it.
If you really want to see the beauty of this area and get a nice ride in at the same time, I highly recommend this trail.
If you’re lucky, you’ll find a couple of little girls selling ice cold fresh lemonade for $.50 near Metropolitan Market on the trail right when you need it :)
Such smart little business women picking the perfect location for us thirsty bikers, wouldn’t you say?