Good beginner trails within driving distance of Seattle

Deets78 · Aug 16, 2011

Mr. Lynch said:
Some of the trails at Dash Point are pretty easy.

Thanks

Slynger · Aug 17, 2011

Don't overlook Soaring Eagle. It is very close to Duthie hill but gets a lot less traffic since Duthie has more varied options. It's a good place for beginners to develop skills without a crowd watching. there are no real hills, just modest rollers but a few are big enough to require some real effort/momentum.

I live less than 1/2 mile from Soaring Eagle so I get out there regularly. Trails are in good shape right now but wear long sleeves and full finger gloves as the nettles are kinda nasty.

Deets78 · Aug 18, 2011

I was looking and there is also one at fort stillicoom in lakewood

Medic Zero · Aug 18, 2011

Although I have lots of other biking skills (touring, hilly city commuter, cargo courier, bike-polo, tallbike jousting) I'm new to mountain biking and my girlfriend is very rusty despite being an avid mountain biker a decade ago. We just did Banner Forest twice in the past week and found it suited our skill levels quite well. Fun, fast, twisty trails, some root negotiation, very little elevation changes, but with the occasional challenging little climb. If any trail there is too tough for her you can turn back and there are tamer ones that serve as spines that the more technical trails branch off of. These make for a good place to catch your breath while remaining in the saddle too. The short ferry ride from West Seattle (Fauntleroy terminal to Southworth) is pleasant, picturesque, and provides a break during the drive back and forth. Banner is only 3 miles from the Southworth ferry terminal.

Things to be aware of at Banner:
- The one port-a-potty listed on the map seems to have disappeared.
- It is a mutli-use area and there were a handful of runners and equestrians about. We switched trails when we caught up to some horses once and the joggers weren't a problem.
- There are reports of a bear in the area sometimes, and one of the mountain bikers we saw actually had a bear bell on his bike. That said, with joggers, horses, and a fair number of mountain bikers using it I didn't actually expect to run into a bear, and was okay with the fact that I had to leave my bear pistol at home as no firearms are allowed in the park.

Don't let the above discourage you! Banner was great for us beginner-again types! Lots of fun!

woodway · Aug 18, 2011

Medic Zero said:
-There are reports of a bear in the area sometimes, and one of the mountain bikers we saw actually had a bear bell on his bike. That said, with joggers, horses, and a fair number of mountain bikers using it I didn't actually expect to run into a bear, and was okay with the fact that I had to leave my bear pistol at home as no firearms are allowed in the park.

In fact a man was attacked by a bear a few years back while riding in Banner. I think a bear bell on multi-use trails is a good idea if nothing else to let the horses and joggers know you are coming.

Bear Attacks Kitsap Man in Forest - News Story - KIRO Seattle

DECIM8 · Aug 18, 2011

I went riding on the Centennial Trail the other day with a buddy. He was going on and on about how he read that there are cougars in the area and we needed to watch out. Now he is fitter than I am and can ride faster on his setup. I assured him he would be alright because he just needed to be faster than than the slowest person he is riding with. He didn't get it the first few times I made the comment but then it sunk in and he stopped talking about cougars.

Borneo · Aug 19, 2011

Rode around the Redmond Ridge Trails today after work for a quick spin. Some sections are actually pretty fun. Nice woods and mostly away from any homes. Construction is breaking up one section on the SE side but you can walk your bike across that for now.
Area would be perfect for beginners getting into biking and is reasonably signed and connected to the Redmond Watershed trails on the North side.

Redmond Ridge Urban Planned Development
For older maps but should be good enough.

Trail map of the Watershed here.
Redmond Watershed Preserve

Watershed is NE of the Redmond Ridge Trails and they connect.

No, I'm not going to make a wiki entry. It's too hard...

TomJones · Aug 22, 2011

Nice thread going here. Thanks.

Just wanted to say that I took my son and his friend (both 13) to Duthie Hill last week. Lots of fun for all of us and quite easy to get to. The Wiki provided us with all of the info. we needed to get there and have a whole lot of fun.

Just a note: we went on Friday and it was almost deserted.

Good beginner trails within driving distance of Seattle

Deets78

Slynger

Deets78

Medic Zero

woodway

DECIM8

Borneo

TomJones

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