A short run, bike or drive south of Bellingham will take you to a labyrinth of foot, bike, and horse trails in the Chuckanut Mountains. Trails access old forests, lakes, streams, waterfalls, and have great views of Mount Baker, Bellingham Bay, the San Juan Islands, and the Olympic Peninsula.
Whatcom County Parks & Recreation, Larrabee State Park, City of Bellingham Parks and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife jointly manage interconnecting trails on more than 4,000 acres of publicly-owned land. Come experience why the Chuckanuts are the heart of Bellingham's year-round recreation lifestyle.
Primary Chuckanut Trails
Hemlock Trail
The Hemlock Trail is the main gateway into the northern part of the Chuckanuts. From the North Chuckanut Mountain Trailhead and Arroyo Park, the Hemlock Trail links to the Lost Lake trails to the south and the Pine and Cedar Lakes trails to the east. This trail will lead you to amazing views of waterfalls, mountains, Bellingham Bay, and the San Juan Islands.
From the North Chuckanut Mountain Trailhead
Moderate, 2.7 miles round trip to Chuckanut Falls via loop
Moderate, 1.2 miles one-way to the Lost Lake Trail Junction
Moderate, 2.1 miles one-way to the Huckleberry Trail
Moderate, 2.5 miles one-way to the Salal / Huckleberry Trail Junction
Difficult, 3.5 miles one-way to the Raptor Ridge Trail
Difficult, 4.1 miles one-way to the junction with the Pine and Cedar Lakes Trail
Lost Lake Trail
The Lost Lake Trail is the main access to the central portion of the Chuckanut Mountains and provides the primary link to the Larrabee State Park trails from North Chuckanut Mountain, Arroyo, and Pine and Cedar Lakes trailheads. From North Chuckanut Mountain Trailhead, hike 1.2 miles up the Hemlock Trail until you reach the North Lost Lake Trail junction. There are many opportunities from here for short and long trips on foot, bike, or horse.
From the North Chuckanut Mountain Trailhead
Moderate, 1.5 miles one-way to Lower Salal Trail
Moderate, 2.4 miles one-way to the Salal / Chuckanut Ridge Trail junction
Moderate, 2.9 miles one-way to the Madrone Crest Trail junction
Moderate, 3.4 miles one-way to the Raptor Ridge Trail
Moderate, 5.2 miles one-way to Lost Lake
Pine & Cedar Lakes Trail
Pine & Cedar Lake Trail begins with a strenuous climb of 1,300 feet in 1.6 miles to the junction with Hemlock Trail. Continue left for 0.2 miles to a junction with a spur trail to Cedar Lake or an additional 0.3 miles to Pine Lake. The Cedar Lake spur loops around the lake and connects to a 0.5 mile hiking-only overlook trail.
Primitive tent camping sites are available along the lakeshore at both Pine Lake and Cedar Lakes. All sites are first-come, first served. Practice Leave-No-Trace camping, pack out your trash, properly dispose of waste. Open fires are prohibited.
From the North Chuckanut Mountain Trailhead
Moderate, 1.5 miles one-way to Lower Salal Trail
Moderate, 2.4 miles one-way to the Salal / Chuckanut Ridge Trail junction
Moderate, 2.9 miles one-way to the Madrone Crest Trail junction
Moderate, 3.4 miles one-way to the Raptor Ridge Trail
Moderate, 5.2 miles one-way to Lost Lake
Horses are prohibited on the viewpoint and lake access trails to protect sensitive shoreline areas.
Interurban Trail
The last electric train clacked along the Interurban Railway in 1928, but the route connecting urban greenways in Bellingham's historic Fairhaven with Larrabee State Park has been a favorite with walkers, runners, bicyclists and equestrians. Views of the San Juan Islands and spur trails to mountain views, lakes and beaches entice you to linger. Whatcom County manages a portion of the trail between Arroyo Park and Larrabee State Park.
From the North Chuckanut Mountain Trailhead
Easy, 0.2 miles up to Hemlock Trail to the Interurban Trail
Additional trailhead parking available on Hiline Road and at Larrabee State Park
Secondary Chuckanut Trails
Madrone Crest Trail
A short loop and viewpoint option accessed from Hemlock / Salal trails or North Lost Lake Trail.
From the North Chuckanut Mountain Trailhead
Moderate, 3.6 miles one way
Moderate, 3.4 miles one-way to the viewpoint via North Lost Lake Trail
Lower Salal Trail
Rooty, Rocky, Rugged: this trail is a challenging option for hikers, runners, and cross-country mountain bikers in the northern Chuckanuts.
From the North Chuckanut Mountain Trailhead
Difficult, 1.7 miles one-way to the bottom via North Lost Lake Trail
Difficult, 2.6 miles one-way to the top via North Lost Lake and Salal Trails
Raptor Ridge Trail
Old trees, views, cliffs, crags, streams and wetlands: Raptor Ridge is the top choice for a challenging backcountry experience. There are a myriad of ways to get to the short, steep, winding climb that takes you to the viewpoint overlooking Oyster Creek and Bellingham Bay.
From the North Chuckanut Mountain Trailhead to the viewpoint
Difficult, 3.8 miles one-way via the Hemlock / Huckleberry Trails
Difficult, 4.5 miles one-way via the North Lost Lake Trail
Salal Trail
Hike deep into the woods among cliffs and dense forest to see diverse ecology of the Chuckanuts. This trail is a major connector between the Hemlock and North Lost Lake Trails.
From the North Chuckanut Mountain Trailhead
Moderate, 2.5 miles one-way via the Hemlock Trail
Moderate, 2.4 miles one-way via the North Lost Lake Trail
Huckleberry Trail
These trails provide some loop options to get you off the beaten path. If you are headed to or from the Salal or Raptor Ridge trails, you can get away from the crowds and see new country on the Huckleberry Trail.
From the North Chuckanut Mountain Trailhead
Moderate, 2.1 miles one-way to the Huckleberry junction via the Hemlock Trail
Other Chuckanut Mountain and Blanchard Forest Block Trails
The City of Bellingham, Larrabee State Park, and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) manage many miles of trails around Whatcom County Parks trails. For more information:
Arroyo Park, City of BellinghamOther Area Trails
Teddy Bear Cove
A switchback trail through the forest leads to magnificent shoreline views of Chuckanut Bay and Clark's Point and an unusual white shell beach. Arrive at low tide to explore tide pool marine life, or wander paths on the bluff through a forest of Madrone and Garry Oak trees.
From the North Chuckanut Mountain Trailhead
Moderate, 1 mile one-way
A system of Emergency Medical Service (EMS) checkpoints is established in the Chuckanut Mountains to aid lost or injured visitors. If you or someone in your party is injured, make your way to the nearest EMS checkpoint and call 911. Relay your location and the nature of your injury to the 911 dispatcher.
The downloadable park map provides the locations of the EMS checkpoints in the northern portion of the Chuckanut Mountains. This system continues to the south on Blanchard Mountain.
Day Use Hours
Daily 8am-dusk
Trailhead Locations
North Chuckanut Mountain Trailhead
Pine & Cedar Lakes Trailhead
Arroyo Park
Larrabee State Park
Park Facts
Acquired 2002
987.9 acres
16.5 miles of trails
Chuckanut Mountain Park
745 Old Samish Road
Bellingham, WA 98229
Phone: 360-778-5850
Email: [email protected]
Regional Parks Supervisor
Tom Chisholm
Parks & Recreation Survey