Burke-Gilman Trail

About the Trail

The Burke-Gilman Trail (BGT) runs more than 20 miles from Shilshole Bay in the City of Seattle to the City of Bothell where it intersects the Sammamish River Trail. Part of the "Locks to Lakes Corridor," the BGT is a paved, off-road facility over its entire length with the exception of an on-road segment in Ballard.

The trail crosses Ballard, Fremont, Wallingford, the University District and View Ridge within the City of Seattle, as well as the cities of Lake Forest Park, Kenmore and Bothell. The trail is managed by Seattle within the city limits south of Northeast 145th Street and by King County outside Seattle.

The trail follows a historic railroad route near the Lake Washington Ship Canal and north along Lake Washington to the Sammamish River. Along the way it passes the Hiram Chittenden Locks, Fremont Canal Park, Gas Works Park, University of Washington, Magnuson Park, Log Boom Park in Kenmore, Wayne Golf Course in Bothell and Blyth Park in Bothell.

King County's best-known regional trail, the BGT is highly popular with cyclists, joggers, skaters and strollers. It is also an important nonmotorized route for weekday bicycle commuters between Seattle and the Eastside. The trail provides great access and views of the Ship Canal, Lake Union, Seattle neighborhoods, suburban cities, Lake Washington, and points east via other regional trails.