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Burke Gilman Trail
4.4 ★★★★☆ 35 Google reviews · Running trail in Seattle, Washington · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Burke Gilman Trail's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
What runners say about Burke Gilman Trail
It's a great walk except the fact the bicyclists love to zoom two feet away from you and shout I'M ON YOUR LEFT in your ear instead of just giving you a reasonable distance. I'll be sure to honk loudly at every cyclist to alert them to my presence going forward when driving.
I love riding my bike as fast as possible on this trail, just to ride as close as possible to joggers, and that’s when I strike.. as soon as I’m within 30-8” of their ear I scream ON YOUR LEFT in a lumbering Scottish accent.
Wonderful urban trail for hikers, runners, and cyclists. I enjoy running along the trail, both to Golden Gardens and all the way to Kenmore. It is pretty quiet and peaceful in the early mornings especially the segments farther away from the city.
One of the best bike paths in the area. Experiences may vary based on whether you are jogging/walking or biking, and also by who you are sharing the path with at the time, but overall it's accessible to a lot of people and well maintained for how much use it gets. The river is pretty too!
Trail conditions & character
“Nice paved walking/bike path definitely a hidden gem”
“Totally freaks people out man last week I made a lady freak out so bad she knocked over her stroller and even the baby got pranked!”
Plan your run at Burke Gilman Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websiteseattle.gov
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