Where to take a break
Some of the city's best-known sights sit right beside the trail, so it is simple to stretch a ride into a full day. Plan to hop off at these stops:
- Ballard Locks, where the Ship Canal meets the boats heading in and out of the city.
- Gas Works Park, where old industrial steam structures rise over wide lawns and a hill made for flying kites.
- The University of Washington campus, which rolls past as the trail bends toward Lake Washington.
Grab a bike for the day
Leave your own wheels at home if you like. Unlock an e-bike through the city's Lime and Veo bikeshare programs, or rent from one of the bike shops near the trail. Traveling with kids? Pedal Anywhere Seattle rents adult and kids bikes and will drop off and pick up bikes, helmets and locks wherever you need them. Check with each provider directly for current rates and availability.
Circle Lake Union for Views and Pocket Parks
The Cheshiahud Lake Union Loop is a 6-mile route that walkers and cyclists share as it wraps around Lake Union. It connects Gas Works Park on the north shore with Lake Union Park at the south end. Expect steady lake views the whole way, plus more than 35 small pocket parks where you can pause along the water's edge.
This loop makes a natural centerpiece for a family day. One popular plan starts in South Lake Union, rides about two miles to Woodland Park Zoo, then coasts down to Gas Works Park for a picnic. If the zoo is on your list, buy timed-entry tickets ahead of time. As the sun goes down, wind down beside the wooden boats on South Lake Union.
Easy Lake Laps for a Relaxed Spin
Some rides are about the pedaling, not the destination. Seattle has a couple of lakeside parks where a slow, flat lap is the whole point.
Green Lake
Cruise a leisurely circuit around Green Lake. If someone in your group wants more air, Lower Woodland Skatepark sits right next door with a set of dirt jumps that draw BMX riders.
Seward Park
Over on the Lake Washington side of the city, Seward Park is another fine pick for an unhurried ride. Head here when you want water views without the distance of a longer trail.
Hit the Dirt and Bring the Kids
Looking for mountain bike trails without leaving the city? Head to Cheasty Greenspace at Mountain View, home to the park system's only wooded off-road bike trail, a 0.8-mile loop. It is short, but it gives you real dirt under your tires and trees all around, right in town.
For kids still finding their balance, start at the Bike Playground at Dick Thurnau Memorial Park. Built for new riders, it teaches the rules of the road in a safe, playful setting.
Roll Toward Kubota Garden
The Chief Sealth Trail is a paved green corridor of nearly nine miles in South Seattle. Follow it as it curves northwest into Beacon Hill, and finish at the far end with a stroll through Kubota Garden, a 20-acre Japanese landscape laced with winding paths. Check with Seattle Parks and Recreation for current conditions before you set out.
