Public (and FREE) Places in Bellingham to Be Active (Part 2: Hiking)

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This is part 2 of our Public (and FREE) places in Bellingham to be active. Part 1 can be found here.

Hiking Opportunities abound in Bellingham! Below are some popular hikes in Bellingham, from the Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism (Bellingham Experience) website:

  • Boulevard Park / South Bay Trail – 2 miles of trail
    Waterfront park with great views of Bellingham Bay Trail connects Fairhaven District to downtown Bellingham with a section of the boardwalk over water. Best access is at the park or in Fairhaven at 10th & Mill St.

  • Lake Padden Park – 2.6 miles around lake
    The trail skirts this serene city park lake. There’s also 5 miles of bridal and mountain bike trails. Take I-5 exit 252 & drive southeast 2 miles

  • Whatcom Falls Park – 5 1/2 miles of trail
    Trails braid around Whatcom Creek in this woodland park. Features a waterfall and old stone bridge. Connects with Bloedel Donovan Park at Whatcom Lake. Take I-5 exit 253 and drive 2 miles east on Lakeway Dr. Or begin the Whatcom Creek Trail in Maritime Heritage Park in downtown Bellingham.

  • Cornwall Park – 1.5 miles of trail
    Wooded park with many recreational amenities. Excellent for viewing a wide variety of trees and Squalicum Creek. Display rose garden during summer. Take I-5 exit 256 and drive 1/2 mile south on Meridian St.

  • Fairhaven Park – 1/2 mile loop within park, and beyond
    Adjacent to Padden Creek, this park features many recreational amenities. The loop trail connects with the Interurban Trail. Located 1/2 mile south of the Fairhaven District, on Chuckanut Drive.

  • Zuanich Point Park / Squalicum Harbor – 1 mile of trail
    Paved trail runs from Hotel Bellwether around the harbor to Zuanich Point Park. Beautiful views of the bay and boats. Restaurants. Parking.

  • Interurban Trail – 9 miles of trail
    Trail connects the Fairhaven District with Larrabee State Park, running adjacent to Chuckanut Drive most of the way. Switchbacks go through Arroyo Park, or you may skirt around the park on paved roads if bicycling. There are trailheads with parking in Fairhaven Park, on Old Fairhaven Parkway, Old Samish Highway and Chuckanut Dr.

  • Railroad Trail – 3 miles of trail
    A gentle grade trail through neighborhoods. Connects Memorial Park with Bloedel Donovan Park. Views of the bay from the bridge. Look for marsh birds There are several access points or begin at one of the parks.

  • Sehome Hill Arboretum – 5 miles of trail system
    Wooded hill adjacent to Western Washington University. View of bay from observation tower at the summit. May drive to the top of the hill and park. I-5 exit 252, left on Bill McDonald Pkwy. & right on 25th St.

  • North Lake Whatcom Park / Hertz Trail (Bellingham) – 3 miles of trail
    A level scenic lakeside trail snuggled tightly between Stewart Mountain and Lake Whatcom. Drive around the north end of the lake and almost to the end of North Shore Road to get to the parking lot and trailhead.