The Bridle Crest Trail

Ramble from Kirkland to Redmond on some horsey trails

Hike Length: 6 miles

Elevation Gain: 200 feet

Hike Difficulty: moderate

Updated 9/21/2021

A corridor of parks and trails at the northern fringes of Bellevue makes for a fine day of walking. Enjoy the peaceful greenery of Kirkland Watershed Park, horse around with the equestrian set in Bridle Trails State Park, and romp with the fido fanatics in Marymoor State Park's huge off -leash dog area. Bus access from downtown Seattle is good and fast.

Poodles enjoying the off-leash dog area at Marymoor Park (photo from Wikimedia Commons)

Getting There

From Downtown Seattle, ride Link Light Rail northbound to the University of Washington station at Husky Stadium. There, catch the Metro 255 bus and ride it to the stop on 108th Ave near 45th Street, just north of the South Kirkland Park and Ride.

The Hike

From the bus stop on 108th Ave NE, walk east on 45th Street until it bends left(north). At the bend is an entrance to forested Kirkland Watershed Park. A sign at the entrance shows a map of the park. If you have the time, wander the various short loop trails; otherwise stay left at junctions, following trails heading along the north boundary of the park. You’re generally climbing uphill through leafy woods. At one point you come close to the cul-de-sac end of 112th Ave, then further on, you pass to the right of a round concrete-lined pit (an old reservoir?). As the trail approaches the I-405 freeway, obvious from the traffic noise, head left at a junction (north) out of the park onto 114th Ave NE. Follow this quiet residential street north for a few blocks. Where the street appears to end in an apartment complex, follow a short pedestrian trail through the complex onto another street, a continuation of 114th Ave.

At NE 60th St., turn right (east) toward the freeway, which is spanned by a pedestrian overpass. Cross the bridge, which offers an impressive view toward Lake Washington and the distant Olympic Mountains. On the far side of the bridge is the intersection of 116th Ave NE and 60th St. Beyond the intersection looms a great green wall of trees marking the edge of Bridle Trails State Park. A few steps east of the intersection, on the south side of 60th, enter the park via a narrow trail, marked by a sign.

The trail shortly joins a larger, gravel-surfaced trail, which is the main “perimeter” trail that circles the edge of the entire park. One can really get lost in Bridle Trail’s 28 miles of trails and 500 acres. There seems to be little in the way of trail signage anywhere in the park. The easiest way to navigate the wilderness is follow the perimeter trail. Of course, if you have the time and energy, feel free to plunge into the heart of the park.

For this hike, the shortest way through the park is to turn left (east) onto the perimeter trail, and follow its various twists and turns along the park’s north edge. Avoid taking minor trails heading left toward houses or right into the jungly depths of the wilderness. Bridle Trails Park is popular with the equestrian set, and even if you don’t meet horses (if this happens, give the jumpy animals a wide berth), you will sometimes have to step carefully to avoid their “souvenirs”. The trail briefly disappears under a power line clearing next to a equestrian show ring; the trail resumes on the far side of the clearing, a bit south of the ring.

At length you will arrive at the NE corner of the park, at the intersection of 60th St. and 132nd Ave. A prominant gravel trail splits left off of the perimeter trail and takes you to the intersection. Cross 132nd and walk east onto the signed Bridle Crest Trail. To this point, you’ve come about 2 miles from the start of the hike.

The Bridle Crest Trail heads due east, following a narrow corridor between suburban lots. It’s not wilderness, but the dirt-surfaced path is nevertheless pleasant to walk on. After a mile, a major arterial (145th Ave) is crossed at a pedestrian-activated stoplight. Further along, the trail crosses the SR 520 freeway; note the unique horse-friendly path with high guard rails installed on the side of the bridge. Just before the freeway bridge is a short path that explores a wetland preserve, worth a look.

Beyond the bridge the trail turns into ordinary suburban sidewalk along 60th St. At 156th Ave, turn right (south), following any “horse” signposts that you see. Shortly, you will arrive at the the expanse of lawn marking Westside Park; go left (east) and walk down the sloping lawn. Walk onto the signed trail that resumes at the lower edge of the lawn. This pleasant stretch of trail descends a forested ravine, before reaching the edge of the Lake Sammamish Parkway. Go left (north) and follow the west edge of the parkway a short distance, then cross the road at a stoplight next to the main entrance of Marymoor State Park( 4 miles from hike’s start).

If you are pressed for time, go left (north) onto the paved Sammamish River Trail, which begins here. Otherwise, its worth exploring the grounds of the expansive Marymoor State Park. Continue hiking north on the Sammamish River Trail until you reach 85th Street. Follow 85th east to the King County Library, where you may catch buses back to Seattle. The Library is a fine place to spend time while waiting for your bus.

Sammamish River at Marymoor Park

Getting Back

Ride Sound Transit 545 from downtown Redmond back to Seattle.