The Best Bike Trails in Bellevue and the Greater Eastside

The Eastside’s trail network is one of the most connected and expansive in the region, and for many commuters and recreational riders, it’s more accessible than they realize. Paved trails now link Renton, Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, and Issaquah, with connections to Seattle and beyond. May is Bike Everywhere Month, and there’s no better time to get out and explore everything the Eastside has to offer.

The Eastrail

The Eastrail is one of the region's most ambitious trail projects. This future 42-mile regional trail will ultimately connect Renton to Redmond and Snohomish County. While still under construction, several segments are already connecting riders through Bellevue, Kirkland, and Woodinville. For commuters, the trail connects directly to Sound Transit’s Wilburton Station on the 2 Line, making it a practical bike-to-transit option on the Eastside.

The Northup Connector links the Eastrail directly to the 520 Trail Corridor in Bellevue, meaning you can ride from Kirkland all the way to Seattle without leaving the trail network.  

And the trail is only getting better. Several major projects are in the works that will dramatically expand what’s possible on the Eastrail. The historic 120-year-old Wilburton Trestle is being converted to an 18-foot-wide elevated trail with three viewing platforms facing both east and west, and is targeted to open in mid-2027. A 1.7 mile I-90 Bridge Trail Segment is also in design, which will retrofit the existing steel bridge over fourteen lanes of I-90 and close the final southern gap of Eastrail. Further north, Snohomish County has begun planning Centennial Trail South, the last 12 miles of the Centennial Trail that will eventually connect the Eastrail to the Skagit County line. The Eastrail’s best days are still ahead.  

The SR-520 Trail  

The 9.9-mile SR-520 Trail across Lake Washington connects Montlake (Seattle) to Medina (Eastside), with 11 viewpoints along the bridge that offers breathtaking views of our region. It’s one of the most scenic commuter routes and a thrill to ride. At the Eastside section, it connects Bellevue, Redmond, and Kirkland through Eastrail, via the Northup Connector. If you’re commuting or riding between Seattle and the Eastside, this is the trail for you.  

The East Lake Sammamish Trail

The East Lake Sammamish Trail runs 11.5 miles through Issaquah, Sammamish, and Redmond. This fully paved trail is a key part of the 44-mile Locks to Lake Corridor, that connects Ballard to the Eastside and the Cascade foothills. In mornings and late afternoons, this trail acts as a commuter corridor, carrying bicycle commuters between employment centers. Class I and II e-bikes and electric scooters are permitted, but it is ofted used by recreational bicyclists as well.  

The Sammamish River Trail

The Sammamish River Trail runs 10.1 miles along the Sammamish River from Bothell to Marymoor Park in Redmond, paved its entire length and one of King County's most popular regional trails. It's flat, wide, and approachable for riders of all experience levels, and it doubles as a busy commuter corridor connecting Redmond, Woodinville, and Bothell. As a part of the Locks to Lack Corridor, it connects directly with the East Lake Sammamish Trail, creating a continuous paved route.

The I-90 Trail

The I-90 Trail is an 8.8-mile route from Seattle to Bellevue that takes you across Lake Washington on the Homer M. Hadley Memorial Bridge, riding alongside the 2 Line lighrail. It’s part of the larger Mountains to Sound Greenway, a 100-mile corridor along I-90 stretching from the Seattle waterfront all the way to Ellensburg in Central Washington. For Bellevue commuters, the City of Bellevue is actively building out segments to close gaps across our region, making the east-west connection even more seamless in the years ahead.  

Ready to Ride? Earn Rewards!

The Eastside trail network gives riders real options. Every bike trip to, from, and around Bellevue is eligible for the Choose Your Way Bellevue Rewards program. Log your sustainable trips and earn rewards like local gift cards just for commuting the way you already want to.

These rewards include:  

• Log 16 non-drive-alone trips (8 round-trips) and earn a $10 local coffee shop gift card while supplies last.
• Log 20 non-drive-alone trips (10 round-trips) for a chance to earn a $50 local grocery store gift card.
• Log 30 non-drive-alone trips (15 round-trips) for a chance to earn a $150 local restaurant gift card.