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Bellingham

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Overview

Nestled between Lake Whatcom and the bay, Bellingham is outrageously well-stocked with recreational opportunities. The seven different sports that make up the annual Ski to Sea Race stages are a great showcase of the variety of activities that can be enjoyed in this small city. In addition to plenty of local parks, the town also boasts Washington's oldest state park, nearby Larrabee State Park. The multitude of outdoor activities combined with an active restaurant and brewery scene, make this small town a recreational mecca that visitors won't want to miss.

Visiting Tips

Spring and fall are especially good times to visit the trails in and around Bellingham, and the summer is great too. A milder climate means that trails can generally be enjoyed year-round as long as hikers comes prepared with the right gear and a willingness to tolerate some rain.

Camping & Lodging

Bellingham has an assortment of hotels, such as the adventurer friendly Heliotrope Hotel, but not many camping options besides Larrabee State Park.

Food & Drink

There's no lack for post-trail food and libations. Bellingham is well stocked in the brewery and restaurant department, so the biggest challenge may be choosing just one to try. Visit Bellingham Whatcom County's website for a list.

Recommended Routes in Bellingham - 16

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Favorite San Juan Islands
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

Oyster Dome Loop

8.3 mi 13.4 km 1,971' Up 600.87 m Up 1,970' Down 600.49 m Down

Bow, WA
Explore in 3D
Favorite Padilla Bay shore trail at Indian Slough -- You can see a bit of the wide, flat, well-maintained trail to the right of the barn.
Difficult Difficult

Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail: Oyster Dome-Deception Pass

37.8 mi 60.9 km 1,266' Up 385.84 m Up 1,299' Down 396 m Down

Bow, WA
Explore in 3D
Favorite No Photos
Intermediate Intermediate

Burnout Trail

8.2 mi 13.2 km 1,697' Up 517.29 m Up 1,698' Down 517.42 m Down

Bellingham, WA
Explore in 3D
Favorite It takes some work to get there, but the view from the Chantrelle Lookout is grand.
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

Chantrelle Full Loop via Hertz Trail

9.7 mi 15.6 km 2,168' Up 660.83 m Up 2,180' Down 664.39 m Down

Sudden…, WA
Explore in 3D
Favorite Raptor Ridge Lookout.
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

A Chuckanut Classic via Raptor Ridge

9.0 mi 14.5 km 1,816' Up 553.58 m Up 1,816' Down 553.55 m Down

Bellingham, WA
Explore in 3D
Favorite Navigating the most technical part during the Chuckanut 50k.
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

Chuckanut Lost Lake Loop

10.6 mi 17.1 km 2,213' Up 674.5 m Up 2,212' Down 674.36 m Down

Bellingham, WA
Explore in 3D
Favorite View from North Butte Trail
Intermediate Intermediate

North Butte from Lower Blanchard Hill Trailhead

9.8 mi 15.8 km 1,666' Up 507.85 m Up 1,666' Down 507.85 m Down

Bow, WA
Explore in 3D
Favorite Ashley jogs between the ferns on a mild winter evening.
Intermediate Intermediate

Stimpson Family Nature Reserve Loop

3.1 mi 4.9 km 369' Up 112.61 m Up 370' Down 112.74 m Down

Sudden…, WA
Explore in 3D
Favorite Cresting the last small hill at the end of the Lake Padden Loop.
Difficult Difficult

Lake Padden Trail Half Marathon

13.7 mi 22.0 km 1,677' Up 511.22 m Up 1,676' Down 510.89 m Down

Geneva, WA
Explore in 3D

Bellingham Running

  • 141 Miles 226 Kilometers of Trail
  • 16 Recommended Routes
  • 78 Easy Trails Easy Trails
  • 118 Intermediate Trails Intermediate Trails
  • 14 Difficult Trails Difficult Trails
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Areas Within Bellingham

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Trails in Bellingham - 194

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1.3 mi 2.1 km #1Raptor Ridge
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Bellingham, WA
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Bellingham, WA
0.7 mi 1.2 km #2Rock Trail
Difficult Difficult
Bellingham, WA
Difficult Difficult
Bellingham, WA
7.0 mi 11.2 km #3Interurban Trail
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Bellingham, WA
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Bellingham, WA
2.4 mi 3.9 km #4South Bay Trail
Easy Easy
Bellingham, WA
Easy Easy
Bellingham, WA
1.5 mi 2.4 km #5Whatcom Creek Trail - East
Intermediate Intermediate
Bellingham, WA
Intermediate Intermediate
Bellingham, WA
2.9 mi 4.7 km #6Chuckanut Ridge Trail
Difficult Difficult
Bellingham, WA
Difficult Difficult
Bellingham, WA
0.7 mi 1.1 km #7Clayton Beach Trail
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Bellingham, WA
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Bellingham, WA
0.8 mi 1.2 km #8Huckleberry
Intermediate Intermediate
Bellingham, WA
Intermediate Intermediate
Bellingham, WA
1.7 mi 2.7 km #9Pine and Cedar Lakes Trail
Difficult Difficult
Geneva, WA
Difficult Difficult
Geneva, WA
2.7 mi 4.4 km #10Hemlock Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
Bellingham, WA
Intermediate Intermediate
Bellingham, WA

Photos of Bellingham - 131

Trail Run Project is built by runners like you. Add Your Photos

Winding section towards the top of Fragrance Lake Trail.
Apr 14, 2015 near Bellingham, WA
Bombing down Dan's Traverse during the Fragrance Lake Half Marathon.
Apr 14, 2015 near Bellingham, WA
Navigating the most technical part during the Chuckanut 50k.
Apr 14, 2015 near Bellingham, WA
On the Chuckanut 50k through Arroyo Park
Apr 23, 2015 near Bellingham, WA
San Juan Islands
Apr 17, 2016 near Bow, WA
A view east off of the Chuckanut Ridge Trail.
Aug 30, 2016 near Bellingham, WA
View from North Butte Trail
Jul 12, 2017 near Bow, WA
Ashley jogs between the ferns on a mild winter evening.
Feb 25, 2018 near Geneva, WA
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