Guest Writer: Shannon Murray of Snorkels and Snowpants
Washington’s remarkably diverse landscapes range from temperate rain forests and rugged, snow-capped mountains to wildlife-rich coastlines and the semi-arid landscapes east of the Cascades.
For nature enthusiasts, Washington has endless opportunities to explore. It’s also very bike-friendly, and you will often find dedicated bike lanes throughout the towns and cities, small and large, plus bike trails everywhere!
Seattle & Tacoma
Whether you’re a resident or a visitor, chances are you’ll either pass through or start your journey in the Seattle area, and it’s a great place to eBike.
The Alki Trail is nearly 4.5 miles long, offering waterfront biking along Puget Sound with views of the Seattle skyline. The trail begins, or ends depending on your route, near Alki Beach, where you can enjoy waterfront dining at places like Salty’s.
There are so many eBiking options in Seattle; I can’t begin to cover them all! Luckily, the Seattle Department of Transportation has an interactive bike map.
We spent nearly a month in Tacoma, just south of Seattle, at the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Holiday RV Park. For active-duty, retirees, and veterans with service-connected disabilities, it’s a great option. The beautiful campground is set in an old-growth forest, with a multi-mile bike path through the base and easy access to both Tacoma and Seattle.
Point Defiance Park is a must-visit in Tacoma. Encompassing a zoo and aquarium, gardens, miles of biking and hiking paths, and gorgeous beaches, it’s the Pacific Northwest’s version of Central Park. You can bike Five Mile Drive as well as the waterfront promenade. Park at Owen Beach for easy access to both routes. The beach also makes a perfect picnic spot, where seals and bald eagles are common sights.
From the Promenade, you can connect to Ruston Way and extend your ride another five to ten miles. The trail follows the waterfront, passing condos, parks, and restaurants along the way. On a clear day, you’ll have stunning views of Mount Rainier for much of the ride from Point Defiance.
Near the end of Ruston Way, Northern Fish serves as both a restaurant and seafood market. Grab fish and chips and eat on the dock, or pick up fresh and smoked seafood for later. The smoked salmon and squid salad are two of my favorites.
For another adventure, head over to Chambers Bay Loop in nearby University Place. Here, you’ll find a public golf course surrounded by several miles of paved trails. Be prepared for some steep descents and climbs, but that’s part of the fun. The route winds through forest, alongside the bay, and through a section of the golf course before eventually reaching a pedestrian bridge to the beach.
Near the bridge, find the Love Locks art installation. In the past, locks were attached to the bridge, much like in Paris, Rome, and other cities. However, so many were attached, it began to damage the bridge itself. So instead of banning it, the county created this alternative!
Olympic Peninsula
The Olympic Peninsula is a few hours’ drive from the Seattle area and feels like a breath of fresh air after the city. With beaches on both sides of the peninsula and mountains and rain forests in between, the scenery is spectacular.
Olympic National Park is the area’s biggest draw, and biking is permitted along many of the park’s roads. The Olympic Discovery Trail also runs from Port Townsend to La Push, crossing the northern portion of the peninsula and a section of the park. Olympic National Park covers about 40% of the peninsula, so the terrain varies dramatically, from rugged mountains and dense rain forests to miles of coastline.
Outside the park, in towns like Pacific Beach and Seabrook, you can bike directly on the beaches. This was one of my favorite eBiking experiences in Washington. The beaches here are incredibly wide and stretch for miles, with some sections even open to vehicles.
South of the Olympic Peninsula, the town of Westport sits on the Point Chehalis Peninsula. It’s a charming seaside community filled with fresh seafood restaurants and small shops. The Westport Light Trail, two miles, connects the town to Westport Light State Park, home to Grays Harbor Lighthouse, the tallest lighthouse in the state. Start at the Westport Viewing Tower and eBike along the shoreline until you reach the lighthouse, which is generally open to the public Thursday through Sunday, except during December and January when tours are by appointment.
Mount Rainier
No trip to Washington is complete without a visit to Mount Rainier National Park. While biking is permitted along the roadways, always be sure to check the park’s bicyclists page for the most up-to-date information. The biggest draw of Mount Rainier, though, is the hiking.
When you’re ready to trade your eBike for hiking boots, there are so many stunning trails, but you can’t miss the Skyline. This 5.5-mile loop climbs from the Paradise Inn, with indescribable views of Mount Rainier and surrounding mountains. Look for bears, mountain goats, and marmots. In the summer at the lower elevations, wildflowers are abundant, while higher areas will often have snow through July.
For a lesser-known hike, take the Stevens Canyon Road and look for Snow Lake. The trailhead has a small parking lot, with additional roadside parking. At just 2.5 miles roundtrip, the hike passes Bench Lake (offering a perfect Mount Rainier reflection on calm days) before reaching Snow Lake. Ringed by snow-capped mountains, the lake looks like the reward from a much longer and more difficult hike.
Honorable Mention
We had planned to spend a few weeks outside North Cascades National Park. The Centennial Trail in nearby Arlington is 30 miles, offering a wonderful eBike adventure.
Along the route, the Nakashima Heritage Barn stands testament to the forced incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II.
Unfortunately, a family situation changed our plans, and we didn’t make it to this area or get a chance to eBike the trail. It’s firmly on our list for next time, though. If you bike it before we do, let us know what you think!
Why eBiking is the Best Way to Explore Washington
Aside from the obvious fun of it, we were especially happy to have our eBikes in Washington for several reasons.
First, pedal assist made Washington’s numerous hills and climbs far more manageable. It allowed me to experience rides I could never have attempted on a traditional bike.
Second, Lectric’s water-resistant gear, including our pannier bags, came in especially handy in the rainy Pacific Northwest. It allowed us to keep exploring even when the weather wasn’t ideal.
And finally, with the cost of gas, particularly on the West Coast, eBiking saved us a surprising amount of money. Instead of driving everywhere, we could park the truck, hop on the bikes, and make the ride part of the adventure.