Bicycling, Inline Skating, or Walking on the Centennial Trail
If you’re a Seattlite who enjoys the outdoors, you’ve doubtlessly trod, skated, or biked upon the popular Burke Gilman Trail. Its popularity translates into crowded pavement whenever the sun comes out, which forces you to weave your way around (or be passed by) scads of bikers, skaters, joggers, and parents pushing baby strollers. True, it’s not nearly as crowded as Green Lake, but on those warm summer days, all the “on your left”s can grow trying after a while.
That’s why I offer up an alternative for those willing to drive north of the city: the Centennial Trail (note the extreme lack of people in this picture).
The 6-foot wide paved trail runs from the town of Snohomish north to Arlington, and I’ve yet to find a crowded day on it. This less densely populated part of Puget Sound just doesn’t draw as many people as the Burke Gilman Trail, which is a big part of its charm. The scenery is another perk.
Little of the trail passes through urban areas, so the traffic noise is forgotten, and there are few streets you need to cross. Instead you’ll see lots and lots of trees and the occasional pastoral farm as you travel. Since the trail was paved in the last couple years (a former railroad, it has a nice smooth grade), there aren’t any bulging roots and cracked pavement to navigate either–it’s wonderfully smooth for inline skaters.
The only downside is you’re not going to find a 7-11, Jamba Juice, or coffee hut near its borders (okay, there are a few places in Snohomish, and the old rail station in Machias has a soda vending machine), so bring your own drinks and snacks when you come.
For a list of access points, visit the county’s site: Centennial Trail