One of Bainbridge Island’s greatest assets is its walking, running, hiking and biking trails. The trails dot the island and some are connected by road or through-property easements. You can enjoy the Bainbridge Island trails year round too. The forested canopy keeps the trails cool during the summer and covered on rainy days.

Walking and Running Trails

As trail regulars, our family would visit a Grand Forest Trail or other island trails three times per week. It was a great way to explore Bainbridge Island without getting completely lost. In addition to exploring, it was a way to keep our young kids moving so they’d sleep at night. Later, we used the Bainbridge Island trails almost exclusively to train for runs. Property-easements connect multiple trails and lead to a ‘see something new’ loop for your road-free run.

Walking and Running Trails on Bainbridge Island

• Gazzam Lake: very level running trail loop and option to hike down to a private west island beach.
• Grand Forest East/West: connected by the Hilltop Trail, Grand Forest East/West is ideal for walks and a challenging run.
• Eagledale Park to Blakely Harbor to Fort Ward: like Grand Forest East/West, the Eagledale Park to Fort Ward trail is great for everything. You can start at Ft. Ward or Blakely Harbor too.
• Battle Point Park Loop: walking and running trail that loops around Battle Point park. Great place to sneak in a walk or run during your kids’ activities. Forest to Sky trail at the south end of Battle Point park connects to the Grand Forest trails.
• Pritchard Park: walk or run on 50 acres of beaches and trails. Pritchard Park is also home to the Japanese-American Exclusion Memorial.
• Trillium Trail Run: annual 5k/10k run that starts/ends at Battle Point Park and runs through Grand Forest East and West.

Mountain Biking

It’s not Bend Oregon or Whistler BC but the same trails that are great for walking/running are great for mountain biking. My husband was introduced to biking the Bainbridge Island trails and absolutely loves it! It’s not about challenge – it’s all about fun and it’s local. The interconnected trails make it possible to ride multiple trails and loops. One note: always be on the lookout for walkers and runners. They have the right of way on the trails and also check in advacne to make sure mountain biking is allowed.

Biking trails on Bainbridge Island:

• Eagledale Park to Blakely Harbor to Fort Ward: hilly sections, mixed with flat, that end up on the water at Fort Ward. Bonus – ride over to Lynwood Center to refuel.
• Gazzam Lake: you’ll see a lot of riders on the Gazzam Lake trail. There are several ‘off-trail’ trails that you can ride and end up on roads. Be sure to check the map for no-biking sections.
• Grand Forest East/West and Battle Point: you can ride the Trillium Trail Run route starting at Battle Point Park.
• Cross Island Trail: we haven’t ridden this entire ride but based on the map, it’s road and trail riding. The road riding sections have very little traffic.

Horse Trails on Bainbridge Island

Judging by the amount of horse poop, a large number of the Bainbridge Island trails are horse friendly. Unless you’re with your kids, you mostly ignore the poop but there are quite a few trails that are available for riders. Check out the individual maps to find horseback riding trails on Bainbridge Island.