I like this trail a lot. Not too congested and kept up fairly well. My only warning is a specific raised railroad crossing that was bumpy enough to knock my bike chain loose. I’ll be returning as the weather keep getting nicer.

This is a very nice trail. Be aware of a few things: Steel connector plates at fairly regular intervals make a jarring bump. On very nice days, the trail can be crowded and you have to keep speed down. The trail is loud, right next to traffic lanes with a “Jersey barrier” separating bikes from cars. Strong cross winds can make this trip unpleasant during bad weather. And although the bridge seems very flat from a car, there are actually modest climbs at each end. The trail connects nicely to the Lake Washington trail, but the Montlake Bridge crossing to UW and the Burke-Gilman trail is tight. The connection toward Lake Union is difficult to locate and can be unusable.

This is a wonderful trail. The southern end is a little vague for access. Around Totem Lake, the trail is under construction (2020-2022 or ?) and a bypass is necessary. The northern end of the trail also does not connect well into other trails, ending a couple of miles from the Sammamish River Trail, but the busy & fast NE 124th connects the two with a good bike lane.

The Burke-Gilman Trail is excellent and was important in creating the concept of Rails to Trails. The trail is all good but could be better in spots. The trail is missing a section between Ballard and the UW. Don’t expect to find a parking space in Ballard. Between UW and Bothell, the trail is very good except that in many places the bumps (from roots) and cracks in the pavement are excessive. In Bothell, the Burke-Gilman transitions directly into the Sammamish River Trail, which goes to Woodinville and Redmond. One of the most convenient parking areas for the Burke-Gilman Trail is actually the Wilmot Gateway Park on the Sammamish River Trail. One wish (besides fixing bumps) is that there was a convenient place to charge ebikes on the trail.

I rode the entire trail, up and back. The surface of the trail is nearly all in excellent shape. The grades are mild and none are very long. The street crossings in Snohomish are mostly very easy. Further up, in Arlington, the street crossings are not quite as safe. The trail has plenty of places to stop and restrooms at key locations. The trail passes through some very pretty forest and farm country. There are markets and coffee shops in two or three places. There are several excellent places for a lunch stop. I spotted eagles twice. To avoid the traffic on the Snohomish end, consider parking at Machias Road access (Three Lakes exit from Highway 2). Going up and back from Machias or Pilchuck parking areas gives approximately 50 miles up and back instead of 61.

Clean trails lots of bikes very beautiful set out in the country we started in South Prairie everyone was very friendly!

Beautiful ride.

I have enjoyed walking this trail in Gig Harbor . Got out of the habit of walking it during the peak of the pandemic. Have returned to the trail to get in shape for another long trek, Lisbon to Santiago and beyond. I am also rehabbing my most recent knee replacement. Today I was able to make a 3+ mile round trip walk from the Burnham Drive parking, near home depot. The lot is tight for my big vehicle and there is evidence of a broken window glass in the lot so, caution. Most dogs are on leash but their owners leave their dropping behind in poop bags. This year I noted markers for rescue vehicle to be able to more clearly identify where you are should the need arris.

Nice trail with tons of shade. I only saw 4 people on the trail the day I walked it.