Bellingham

Enjoy a quick Amtrak trip to a charming college town

Hike Length: 6 miles

Elevation Gain: 500'

Hike Difficulty: Moderate

At last! A hike that you can ride a train to. The city of Bellingham has created an extensive system of urban trails and parks that are a joy to walk through. The urban sights of this historic and highly livable college town are also enjoyable to visit for a day. Amtrak provides a quick way to get there, and the train schedule allows a full day of hiking.

The itinerary below is just a suggestion. Feel free to follow your bliss and wander about in other parts of Bellingham. The town has its own bus system which you may use to get to other interesting places such as Lake Whatcom.

Bellingham's waterfront north of Fairhaven

Getting There

Ride the morning Amtrak from Seattle to Bellingham.

The Hike

The Amtrak train station is located at the waterfront of the historic suburb of Fairhaven, south of downtown Bellingham. Walk east and uphill on Harris Street to the quaint town center of Fairhaven, where you may want to spend some time looking at the shops and sip an espresso drink at the popular Colophon Cafe.

Next, head north a block and start walking on the waterfront South Bay Trail. Part of this fun path is built out over the water and provides plenty of views and fresh breezes. On clear days, the snow-capped coast range in Canada is visible to the north. The island-dotted Puget Sound forms a picturesque backdrop to Bellingham Bay to the west. After a half mile, the trail leaves the shore and follows an old railroad grade into downtown Bellingham. The trail eventually becomes an alley between condominium buildings, then disappears into the street grid.

At Laurel Street, turn right and go uphill, crossing two major streets, Forest and Garden. Above Garden there is a hillside micro-park with a unique winding walkway climbing thourgh it. Follow this path to the next street, High, then turn right (southwest). Follow High about 3/4 of a mile to the campus of Western Washington University.

Unique Bellingham Halloween display

When done looking around the campus, climb trails on the steep and forested hill of Sehome Arboretum to the rickety, view-rich lookout tower on the summit. From here, follow trails south along the top of the ridge. At one point you can walk through a picturesque tunnel carved in solid rock, once an attraction for early motorists in their Model Ts. Just beyond the tunnel is a parking lot for present day automobiles.

From the parking lot, follow trails downhill and southward through the lovely forested park to McDonald Parkway. Cross at the Ferry Street intersection. Follow Ferry east, then go south on Voltaire. Just south of an apartment complex is the start of Connelly Creek Trail. This path heads through a pleasant greenbelt of wetlands and woodlands for about a mile. When the trail arrives at Donovan Ave, follow it west a short distance, then look for a continuation of the Connelly Creek trail on the left side. This bit of trail goes to Fairhaven Parkway.

Cross Fairhaven Parkway and follow it westbound for a quarter mile to the intersection of 24th Street. Just beyond is an access point to the Interurban Trail, named for the former train line that ran from Everett to Bellingham. The Interurban Trail becomes increasing wild toward its west end as it follows a wooded canyon beside the rushing waters of Padden Creek. Eventually, the trail ends at the Fairhaven waterfront, very close to the Amtrak station where your journey began.

Western Washington University Campus

Getting Back

It's simple...catch the afternoon Amtrak train back to Seattle