Bainbridge Island, Washington, is known for its waterfront access, beautiful homes, quaint downtown area, and extensive trail system. For those who love to jog, walk their dogs, bike, or simply stroll the island, which is about 95% of us, understanding the trail system and knowing where you can walk is crucial. Let's take a deep dive into some of the waterfront trails in downtown Bainbridge Island, Eagle Harbor, the place where the ferry is coming from, and other Trail systems that are connected.
Waterfront trails in downtown Bainbridge Island
If you're looking for an easy, scenic walk where you've got water on one side and coffee shops on the other, the Waterfront Trail is ideal. There are two Loops along Eagle Harbor, a West Loop for busier Walkers, more shops, Parks, and the marina, and an East Loop, in a quieter neighborhood with a beach segment at Hawley Cove.
The West Loop is downtown-facing and the most popular. This includes walking by parks, restaurants, and the marina, plus several historical sites and notable landscaping. You'll have excellent water views, the harbor town feel, and lots of convenient shortcuts. This loop is about 2 miles and takes about an hour on foot, depending on how fast you go.
The East Loop is more along the Hawley Cove Park and runs through a residential area along the beach. There's a nice wooded path and there are two practical call-outs straight from the city. Most people recommend sturdy walking shoes during this portion, and all residents ask you to respect private property along the route. The East Loop is about 1.5 Mi round trip and typically takes less than an hour for most walkers.
Most trails are extremely popular because they have easy access from downtown Winslow and the ferry dock area. The downtown City map here is built around the walking straight into town and on to the waterfront reality. If you're starting near the ferry terminal, it's easy to do the West Loop for classic harbor views and most amenities. If you're looking for a quieter walk, the East Loop is better.
Additional Trails on Bainbridge Island.
The Waterfront Trail connects to a lot of other Trails on the island. Fort Ward to Blakely Harbor Trail is a south connection between two major parks with forest and Wetland scenery.
The Bainbridge Island Metro Park system maintains a broader network with a lot of different printable maps and trail finders to explore options beyond downtown. Our extensive trail network totals nearly 50 miles.
What Walkers Should Know
The Waterfront Trail isn't right on the beach the whole time. There are spots that highlight beach segments along the way, and the West Loop emphasizes parks and downtown access.
It's important to stick to designated public access and posted rules because there are a lot of private property locations along the trail.
Grand Forest Trail
If you're truly looking for that Pacific Northwest Vibe, the Grand Forest Trail is the best option. The Washington Trails Association offers over 240 acres of forest with miles of flat Trails perfect for horses, joggers, and mountain bikers.
Gazzam Lake Trail
The Gazzam Lake Nature Preserve is another nature-forward area with a great park loop and immersive vibe.
Cross Island Trail
This Trail offers the views of the Seattle skyline and Mount Rainier. This is a nice 5-mile point-to-point trail, and you can leave a second vehicle at Battle Point Park or arrange for pickup.
The Fort Ward and Blakely Harbor connection is perfect for a single-day outing. This is a popular connector route at about 1.25 miles with easy terrain perfect for hiking, biking, horses, and is dog-friendly.
How to Find Trails on Bainbridge Island
The Metro Parks Trail Finder is the easiest way to find trailheads near a home or neighborhood. They even offer printable maps for the Cross Island Trail, downtown corridor, and more.
Bainbridge Island has a lot of trails, and if you want a complete immersive experience, simply pick a route and head out for the day. You might find your new jogging route, a great place to throw the ball for your dog, an equestrian trail, or just new places to explore. There's always something new and exciting to find on Bainbridge Island.