Autumn has arrived in Bellingham, and although the inviting warmth of summer is gone, opportunities to experience the great outdoors are certainly not.
Whether you’re exploring on foot or seeking thrills on a mountain bike, here are some of your best options for getting out on the trails in Bellingham.
Walking/Running
For Western Washington University students, hiking is a popular way to get out and experience the natural beauty of their own backyard.
“We’re right next to the Chuckanuts and it’s an hour out to [Mt.] Baker and the North Cascades,” said Nick Lipinski, an officer of the WWU Hiking and Outdoors Club. “There’s just ample opportunity, and it’s beautiful all year long.”
The WWU Hiking Club organizes group outings to these areas almost every week, providing carpools for those who can’t drive out to more remote excursions. As a second-year leader of the club, Lipinski has no shortage of trail recommendations for Western students and Bellingham residents alike.
“Oyster Dome is probably the first one to pop up on anybody’s list. It’s close by, it’s really pretty, and you can see the bay,” Lipinski said.
While there are a few ways to accomplish this moderately difficult out-and-back hike, Lipinski recommends the Samish Overlook route, which is about four miles in length.
Also located in the Chuckanuts, Fragrance Lake rewards hikers who take on its moderately steep trail with a small but picturesque lake and views of Bellingham Bay. Similar to Oyster Dome, its out-and-back route is just over four miles.
The Chanterelle Trail is a fairly new out-and-back route on Lipinski’s list, located near Lake Whatcom and measuring just under five miles in length. For those who climb its approximate 1,000 feet of elevation gain, it offers spectacular views of the lake as well as the San Juan Islands and the surrounding mountains.
However, not all trails in and around Bellingham are steep slopes and full-day trips. For those looking for easy, accessible ways to get outside and enjoy the beauty of the Pacific Northwest, you need not look outside city limits.
Bellingham Parks and Recreation maintains 84 miles of trail in parks and around town, said Park Operations Manager Steve Janiszewski. Many of these are wide, relatively flat, crushed limestone pathways, perfect for casual outings or after-dinner evening walks.
These multipurpose trails include:
The Railroad Trail, which runs from Bloedel Donovan Park to Memorial Park
The Bay to Baker Trail, which starts at Squalicum Creek Park and goes east over to Sunset Pond
The Whatcom Creek Trail, which parallels the creek from Maritime Heritage Park in downtown Bellingham to Whatcom Falls Park
The Interurban Trail, which goes south from Fairhaven and eventually along Chuckanut Drive
And the South Bay Trail, which runs alongside Bellingham Bay from downtown to Fairhaven
“To me, my favorite is the South Bay Trail,” Janiszewski said. “Just because of the historical significance, the amount of water you get to see, and of course, the Bellingham Bay being right there.”
The Interurban Trail, one of Bellingham’s many accessible crushed limestone pathways, is pictured on Oct. 8., 2024. The trail starts near Fairhaven Park. // Photo by Jonah Billings
A side trail located just off the Interurban Trail is pictured on Oct. 8., 2024. Trails such as this one promise quiet, serene walks through the forests south of Bellingham. // Photo by Jonah Billings
For Western students specifically, Sehome Hill Arboretum offers immediate access to six miles of trails right next to campus. About three miles away, Lake Padden Park is also a popular option for students wishing to enjoy a scenic and fairly easy 2.6-mile loop around the lake.
Mountain biking
Bellingham has long been recognized as one of the nation’s premier mountain biking destinations and was one of only 34 communities in the U.S. awarded Gold status by the League of American Bicyclists as of February 2024.
The central location for mountain bikers of all skill levels in the region is undoubtedly Galbraith Mountain, where over 70 miles of trails provide endless opportunities to ride with views of Bellingham Bay on some of the upper areas.
Beginners can start with the Bunny Trails on the south side of the mountain, accessible via the new parking lot at Samish Way and Galbraith Lane, said Ellie Price, communications manager at Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition. WMBC is a nonprofit organization responsible for building and maintaining all trails on Galbraith Mountain.
“You can make some really fun loops with some views out over the sound,” Price said. “If you head up on Kaya or The Big Dipper or Arch Trail, you have a view of Lummi Island and the Puget Sound.”
Price also recommends heading over to the Lone Wolf and Lost Giants areas, the trees of which are now just growing back after being clear-cut several years ago.
On the north side of the mountain, Cedar Dust features a progression area where cyclists can build their confidence on various features such as jumps and drops. From there, opportunities for more difficult terrain higher up the mountain are myriad.
Galbraith Mountain is also open to hikers, runners and equestrians, and is certainly worth exploring even if mountain biking is not your area of expertise.
Jonah Billings (he/him) is a Sports and Recreation reporter for The Front. He is a second-year Western student and is majoring in journalism with a minor in history. In addition, he is a member of Western’s varsity cross-country and track and field teams. He enjoys running, reading and spending time with friends. You can reach him at jonahbillings.thefront@gmail.com.
