HomeWashingtonBellingham › South Bay Trail

South Bay Trail

5 ★★★★★ 15 Google reviews · Running trail in Bellingham, Washington · Hours vary

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Boardwalk
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Not reported

Confirmed from South Bay 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.

BoardwalkScenic

What runners say about South Bay Trail

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (15 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 8 mentions

“The boardwalk is wide and easy to walk, and the sweeping views of Bellingham, Bellingham Bay and the islands are gorgeous.”

Very nice place to walk and enjoy the view. Many seating areas to enjoy especially if weather is good.

★★★★★ — Hassan , Jan 2023

A fantastic trail connecting downtown Bellingham with Fairview. It's mostly flat, so good for a decent distance without elevation. It can get really loud if a train happens to go by, but it's more than made up for by the beautiful views! We

★★★★★ — Jess , Jan 2026

Fabulous place to go for a walk. The boardwalk is wide and easy to walk, and the sweeping views of Bellingham, Bellingham Bay and the islands are gorgeous. The views at sunset can't be beat!

★★★★★ — Denise , Jul 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 15 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 13 mentions

“The boardwalk is wide and easy to walk, and the sweeping views of Bellingham, Bellingham Bay and the islands are gorgeous.”

More trails like this →

🪵 Boardwalk

“The boardwalk is wide and easy to walk, and the sweeping views of Bellingham, Bellingham Bay and the islands are gorgeous.”

More trails like this →

Plan your run at South Bay Trail

The practical stuff

  • AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
  • SurfaceBoardwalk — flat and scenic, and slick when wet, so watch your footing
  • 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.

Where to find South Bay Trail

801 Railroad Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225

Get directions

Running trails near Bellingham

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Bellingham Boardwalk

4.8 ★★★★★ 928 reviews

Bellingham, WA

BoardwalkLitScenic

Breezy park boasting a boardwalk and beach access, plus cafes and playgrounds.

under a mile away

Connelly Creek Trail

4.4 ★★★★☆ 24 reviews

Bellingham, WA

1.3 miles away

North Chuckanut Mountain Trailhead

4.7 ★★★★★ 201 reviews

Bellingham, WA

ScenicDog-friendly

Trail entry point for challenging mountain hikes featuring scenic overlooks, waterways & ridges.

2.0 miles away

Zuanich Point Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,514 reviews

Bellingham, WA

LoopMixedScenicDog-friendly

Harborside park with picnic tables, a playground, paved paths & a bay-view rental facility.

2.0 miles away

Arroyo Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 199 reviews

Bellingham, WA

Natural surfaceScenic

Scenic tract featuring waterfalls and trails (some for biking), over a creek.

2.0 miles away

New Waterfront Trail

4.4 ★★★★☆ 67 reviews

Bellingham, WA

MixedScenic

Scenic park with a playground, skatepark, plus a rocky beach, picnic area and a brewery.

2.2 miles away

All running trails in Bellingham, WA →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.