I’d like to start this off by sharing that this is a love story, not only of our fondness for this trail but of how our Gazelle E-Bikes have been our tool for exploring it.
Residing less than two miles from our home, the Burke-Gilman Trail, has become a mainstay of our lives in Seattle. We’re on it several times a week— mostly riding our Gazelle E-Bikes— riding to our local farmers market for the latest fresh produce, enjoying the ride to our Thursday dinner dates, or just clearing our heads after work in the sunshine along the lake. What started as an option for walking the dog, has became a ritual. Over time, the trail has become a thread through our weeks and a quiet reminder of how much community can grow around something as simple as a path.
Of course, it wasn’t always this way. The Burke-Gilman Trail began its life in the 1880s as a railway, built by Judge Thomas Burke and Daniel Gilman to haul coal and timber from the Cascade foothills into Seattle. After the tracks were abandoned decades later, neighbors and local leaders saw opportunity in the overgrown corridor. In 1971, more than 2,000 people marched the route in protest—pushing for it to be turned into a public trail instead of lost to development.
Due to public persistence, their vision won out. By 1978, the first 12 miles were open to the public. It was the first official rail-to-trail conversion in the country—an idea that’s now become a steady movement across the country, with new trails like this one reshaping how cities connect people to nature, neighborhoods, and each other.
Today, the Burke-Gilman stretches nearly 20 miles through the Seattle metro area, from Ballard to Bothell. Our Gazelle E-bikes allow us to easily weave through the backyards and waterfronts, under bridges and past breweries, linking up some of our city’s most iconic neighborhoods without feeling exhausted afterwards. The whole city feels within our grasp without navigating tortuous traffic.
Quite simply, the trail has become a lifeline for our community—a place where people slow down, move with purpose, and sometimes just sit and watch the world go by.
Over the last year we have logged hundreds of miles on our Gazelle e-bikes, and have broken down the 20+ miles of trail into 3 distinct sections. Within each section, we will focus on food & drinks as well as local finds. This is a living document as we continue to explore and learn more each month.
🌲 North Lake Washington
Lake City · Lake Forest Park · Kenmore · Bothell
There’s something quieter about this stretch of the trail—quieter in the best way. It’s the part we ride when we want less traffic and follow the meandering Sammish River. The light through the evergreens here is soft, filtered, and the trail dips into a rhythm all its own. On a sunny morning, you’ll see retirees out for a stroll with thermoses of tea, teenagers biking to part-time jobs, and neighbors who wave like they’ve seen you a hundred times before—even if they haven’t.
🍽 Eat & Drink Along the Way
Local 104 (Lake Forest Park) is our go-to for wood-fired pizzas and a patio bevvy especially after a longer ride.
De La Soil (Kenmore) is a much appreciated farm to table restaurant that has been in the works for nearly a year. We have attended many pop ups and are so excited to learn they are officially permitted for daily service
The Bine (Bothell) is known for its great beer selection and some genuinely good pub fare.
Alexandria’s (Bothell) is our favorite breakfast spot in the area, and is always packed on the weekends, for good reason!
🛍 Local Finds & Weekend Favorites
Every Sunday, we make a point to stop at the Lake Forest Park Farmers Market. It’s small but mighty: fresh flowers, handmade goods, live music, and a rotating cast of small producers who somehow remember you even if you’ve only been once. It’s got that community energy that makes you feel like you belong.
Taking in our Farmers Market bounty down at Log Boom Park in Kenmore.
🎓 University District & Ravenna
UW Campus · Ravenna · Green Lake · Magnuson Park
This stretch of the trail buzzes with energy in a way the northern section doesn’t—it’s where the city starts to pick up pace. Bikes blur past in a flash of backpacks and earbuds, joggers dodge puddles in the shade of overgrown big leaf maples, and campus life hums in the background like a well-tuned engine full of life. It’s familiar to us in that Seattle way—equal parts collegiate nostalgia, neighborhood calm, and sudden lake views that remind you to pause.
We tend to hit this area when we’re looking for a balance: a good ride, a great meal, and a few people-watching moments in between.
🍽 Eat & Drink Along the Way
Pancita (Ravenna) tucked near the edge of campus—it’s known for its clean, modern Mexican dishes with amazing wines predominantly from Mexico producers.
Burke-Gilman Brewery (Ravenna) has the perfect combination of small-batch brews and bike racks that are always full.
El Camion (Ravenna) is our favorite taco truck in the entire city, and there is one steps away from Burke-Gilman Brewery!!
Ravenna Brewery (Ravenna) is just a short detour off the path and totally worth it—cozy, neighborhoody, and one of those places where you might accidentally spend your whole afternoon.
Seven Coffee Roasters Market & Cafe (Ravenna) The ultimate third place that we dream of; amazing coffee and bites to eat, plus a top notch wine selection that you can enjoy on the patio or bring home.
Layers (Green Lake) a pricey but delicious sandwich shop that will make you slow down to savor each bite. Highly recommend a to go sandwich with a slow walk around Green Lake
Venezuelan Arepas (UW District) we recently discovered this place after a few beers from Ravenna Brewery and we will be back! Courteous service, big servings and hot sauces that delight
🧭 Places to Explore
This is where you want to make time for detours. Magnuson Park is an easy peel-off from the trail and has everything from waterfront picnic spots to an off-leash dog area and even a kite hill if the wind’s right. Green Lake is a classic for a reason—the 2.8-mile loop is an easy bonus ride if you want to stretch your legs and people-watch in equal measure.
If you’re feeling especially curious, ride through the winding paths of Ravenna Park—a steep little gorge that feels like something out of a fairy tale. It’s a green tunnel that hums with birds and shade, and you’d never guess it’s tucked right in the middle of the city.
🏙 North Lake
Fremont · Ballard
This is where the Burke-Gilman turns from neighborhood thread into urban lifeline. It hums a little louder here. The buildings get taller, the beer gardens get rowdier, and suddenly you’re weaving between breweries, houseboats, and art installations like the Fremont Troll, who sits quietly under Aurora Avenue like some half-forgotten urban legend.
We usually ride this stretch when we’re feeling social. It’s where you end up bumping into friends, running into a street fair, or deciding you absolutely need oysters and wine at 3PM “just because.” It’s quintessentially Seattle—industrial and artistic, tidy and wild, all at once.
Great wine and dishes at Hamdi
🍽 Eat & Drink Along the Way
The Whale Wins is a longtime favorite—its wood-fired dishes and airy interiors make for the kind of dinner you remember a month later.
Three Sacks Full is a newer addition that serves up an ever changing menu with ingredients sourced locally. It’s smaller, and reservations are encouraged
Fremont Brewing is our go to brewery in the area. Their urban beer garden is always full of dogs, locals, and the occasional startup team meeting over IPAs. Grab a bench, soak in the buzz, and stay longer than you meant to.
Hamdi (Ballard) Holy smokes (and fire, lots of fire), a husband and wife duo put on a culinary show blowing away your taste buds with seared meats and vegetables with Turkish influence. Reservation recommended!
Imperfetta (Ballard) A great communal bottle shop with fun tastings always on deck. A cute eclectic shop entails pastas, oils and other goodies from around the world.
Petite Bottle Shop (Ballard) Arguably, the best wine shop in the area. They bring in world class producers weekly, and it’s always worth a glass while shopping at the Ballard Farmers Market
🧭 Places to Explore
Start with Gas Works Park, where the trail runs right along the edge. It’s one of Seattle’s most iconic green spaces—equal parts post-industrial sculpture garden and hilltop lounging zone. On a clear day, the views of Lake Union and downtown are unbeatable.
From there, detour into Fremont to say hi to the Troll, grab a snack, or browse the quirky shops and boutiques along 34th Street. And if you keep heading west into Ballard, you’ll hit the Ballard Locks—a fun and oddly soothing place to watch boats pass through, salmon climb ladders, and tourists snap selfies with confused sea lions in the background.
Also worth a visit: the Nordic Museum in Ballard, which blends sleek design with rich cultural storytelling. It’s a beautiful stop if you’re in the mood to pair your ride with a little history and heritage.
