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Bellingham

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Overview

Nestled between Lake Whatcom and the bay, Bellingham is outrageously well-stocked with recreational opportunities. The seven different sports that make up the annual Ski to Sea Race stages are a great showcase of the variety of activities that can be enjoyed in this small city. In addition to plenty of local parks, the town also boasts Washington's oldest state park, nearby Larrabee State Park. The multitude of outdoor activities combined with an active restaurant and brewery scene, make this small town a recreational mecca that visitors won't want to miss.

Local Info

Galbraith Mountain is easily Bellingham's best known selection of trails, and it's easy to see why. With over 50-miles of trails intertwined with logging roads, there are a lot of options for all-mountain shredding and cross-country adventures. The trails on "Galby" draw visitors from all over the West Coast and beyond.

In addition to the wealth of trails at Galbraith, nearby Larrabee State Park and Chuckanut Recreation Area also feature great singletrack.

Bellingham is well-steeped in mountain biking and is lucky to have such a strong community of volunteers and avid riders. It's not just riders who are stoked on the area, as Transition Bikes and Canfield Brothers also have offices in Bellingham, and Kona Bikes is based out of nearby Ferndale.

Visiting Tips

Spring and fall are especially good times to visit the trails in and around Bellingham, and the summer is great too. A milder climate means that trails can generally be enjoyed year-round as long as riders comes prepared with the right gear and a willingness to tolerate some rain.

Camping & Lodging

Bellingham has an assortment of hotels, such as the adventurer friendly Heliotrope Hotel, but not many camping options besides Larrabee State Park.

Food & Drink

There's no lack for post-trail food and libations. Bellingham is well stocked in the brewery and restaurant department, so the biggest challenge may be choosing just one to try. Visit Bellingham Whatcom County's website for a list.

Recommended Routes in Bellingham - 5

MTB Project is built by riders like you. Add Your Recommended Routes

Favorite Careful braking is essential when riding Evolution in winter snows. Galbraith Mountain, Bellingham.
Difficult Difficult

Evolution, Unemployment Line, and Atomic Dog Descent

7.4 mi 11.9 km 1,153' Up 351.58 m Up 1,162' Down 354.06 m Down

Bellingham, WA
Explore in 3D
Favorite Emily rides the edge on the Ridge Trail, Galbraith Mountain, WA.
Intermediate Intermediate

Golden Spike, SST, and Back Door Loop

5.6 mi 9.0 km 940' Up 286.4 m Up 966' Down 294.29 m Down

Bellingham, WA
Explore in 3D
Favorite Russell Stevenson drops into the log-lined g-out. You can catch some good air out of the other side, just be ready to get bucked a bit.
Difficult Difficult

Double Diamond to Double Down

2.4 mi 3.9 km 6' Up 1.85 m Up 1,684' Down 513.19 m Down

Bellingham, WA
Explore in 3D
Favorite Lily Lake
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

Lily and Lizard Lake Loop

7.2 mi 11.6 km 1,445' Up 440.37 m Up 1,445' Down 440.31 m Down

Bow, WA
Explore in 3D
Favorite Karen O'Connell powers up a short punchy rise on the Lower Ridge Trail.
Difficult Difficult

Chuckanut Ridge Trail Descent

6.0 mi 9.6 km 253' Up 77.05 m Up 2,061' Down 628.13 m Down

Bellingham, WA
Explore in 3D

Bellingham Biking

  • 180 Miles 290 Kilometers of Trail
  • 5 Recommended Routes
  • 85 Easy Trails Easy Trails
  • 150 Intermediate Trails Intermediate Trails
  • 43 Difficult Trails Difficult Trails
MTB Project is built by riders like you. Share what you know about this area!

Areas Within Bellingham

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Trails in Bellingham - 273

MTB Project is built by riders like you. Add Your Trails

0.7 mi 1.2 km #1Unemployment Line
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Bellingham, WA
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Bellingham, WA 16 
0.5 mi 0.8 km #2Upper Bob's
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Bellingham, WA
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Bellingham, WA 14 
0.9 mi 1.4 km #3Golden Spike
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Bellingham, WA
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Bellingham, WA
0.5 mi 0.8 km #4Evolution
Difficult Difficult
Bellingham, WA
Difficult Difficult
Bellingham, WA 11 
1.2 mi 2.0 km #5SST
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Bellingham, WA
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Bellingham, WA 10 
1.1 mi 1.8 km #6Double Down
Difficult Difficult
Bellingham, WA
Difficult Difficult
Bellingham, WA
0.6 mi 1.0 km #7Mohawk
Difficult Difficult
Geneva, WA
Difficult Difficult
Geneva, WA
0.8 mi 1.2 km #8Lower Bob's
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Geneva, WA
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Geneva, WA 11 
0.8 mi 1.3 km #9Mullet
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Bellingham, WA
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Bellingham, WA
1.1 mi 1.8 km #10Ridge Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
Bellingham, WA
Intermediate Intermediate
Bellingham, WA 10 

Photos of Bellingham - 114

MTB Project is built by riders like you. Add Your Photos

Exploring the July fireweed blooms on Keystone, Galbraith Mountain - Bellingham.
Jul 16, 2016 near Geneva, WA
Crossing over the bridge on Lair of the Bear, Galbraith Mountain - Bellingham.
Nov 8, 2016 near Geneva, WA
Emily rides the edge on the Ridge Trail, Galbraith Mountain, WA.
Nov 17, 2016 near Geneva, WA
Tyler boosting the step-down on Eagle Scout at Galbraith Mountain, Bellingham.
Dec 1, 2016 near Geneva, WA
Bryn Atkinson puts on a cornering clinic on some fine Chuckanut trails.
Apr 12, 2017 near Bellingham, WA
Kirt Voreis + Beastie Boys + Galbraith Mountain = One very enjoyable video.
Jun 15, 2017 near Geneva, WA
Jill Kintner and Lars Sternberg take an inaugural lap during the pumptrack's grand opening.
Aug 11, 2017 near Geneva, WA
Rolling through the flowy section.
Oct 9, 2021 near Sudden…, WA

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