Run Mercer Island: Your Guide to Eastside's Best Routes

Scenic Waterfront Trails, Challenging Hills, and Peaceful Loops Around Lake Washington

Mercer Island is a runner's paradise. This 13.1 square mile island in Lake Washington between Seattle and Bellevue offers incredible variety: waterfront trails with stunning views, forested paths through peaceful parks, challenging hills for strength building, and safe neighborhood streets perfect for easy miles. The island's perimeter naturally creates a half-marathon distance training loop, making it the ideal location for distance runners year-round.

The Mercer Island Waterfront Loop: 10-Mile Scenic Classic

Runner on scenic waterfront path alongside Lake Washington with autumn trees

The perimeter waterfront loop is Mercer Island's signature run, offering approximately 10 miles of scenic beauty around the island's edge. This route showcases everything special about Pacific Northwest running.

Distance: ~10 miles (full perimeter)

Elevation Gain: ~400 feet

Surface: Paved paths and sidewalks

Difficulty: Moderate

Best For: Long runs, half marathon training

Route Highlights

  • Luther Burbank Park: Popular starting point with parking, restrooms, and water fountains
  • Lake Washington Views: Continuous waterfront scenery with Seattle skyline and mountain vistas
  • Quiet Residential Sections: Safe, tree-lined streets through beautiful neighborhoods
  • Multiple Parks: Groveland Beach Park, Aubrey Davis Park, and others for water/rest stops
  • Mostly Flat: Gentle rolling hills make it accessible while building strength

Best Times to Run: Early morning for stunning sunrises over the Cascades, or weekday afternoons for less foot traffic. Summer evenings offer beautiful golden hour light across the water.

Luther Burbank Park and North End Trails

Luther Burbank Park serves as the unofficial running hub of Mercer Island. Located on the northwest shore, this 77-acre waterfront park offers both scenic trails and serves as the perfect starting point for routes exploring the island's north end.

Park Features for Runners

  • Ample parking (free)
  • Clean restrooms and water fountains
  • Shoreline paths with beach access
  • Wooded trails for softer surface running
  • Open grass areas for stretching and drills

North End Route Options (3-5 miles)

From Luther Burbank, explore several shorter routes perfect for easy runs or when time is limited:

  • First Hill Loop: Head up into residential neighborhoods for challenging climbs and beautiful homes
  • East Channel Views: Run north along the waterfront for views of the I-90 bridge and Bellevue
  • Park Loop: Combine park trails with nearby streets for varied 3-4 mile routes

Official information: Mercer Island Parks & Recreation

Runner stretching at park trailhead entrance with green space

Challenging Hill Routes for Strength Training

Determined runner powering up steep residential hill

Don't let the "island" name fool you—Mercer Island features significant elevation changes that make it ideal for hill training. These challenging routes build leg strength, improve running economy, and prepare you for race day hills.

Top Hill Training Locations

  • SE 40th Street Climbs: Steep sustained grades perfect for hill repeats
  • Island Crest Way: The island's spine road with rolling elevation throughout
  • First Hill Neighborhoods: Multiple short, steep residential streets for interval work
  • North Mercer Way: Challenging grades on the northern perimeter

Hill Training Benefits

Incorporating Mercer Island's hills into your training provides multiple advantages:

  • Builds quad and glute strength crucial for half marathon endurance
  • Improves cardiovascular fitness more efficiently than flat running
  • Develops mental toughness for challenging race conditions
  • Enhances running form and power

Hill Workout Example: 6-8 x 60-90 second uphill efforts at hard pace with easy jog down recovery. Start with 4-6 repeats and build over weeks.

Connecting to Regional Trail Systems

Wide shot of I-90 Trail bridge with cyclists and runners

Mercer Island's connection to the broader Seattle Eastside trail network opens up unlimited possibilities for extending your long runs and exploring new terrain.

I-90 Trail Connections

The I-90 Trail crosses Lake Washington via floating bridges, connecting Mercer Island to both Seattle and Bellevue. This paved multi-use trail offers unique bridge running experiences with stunning water views.

Eastside Trail Extensions

  • Mountains to Sound Trail: Extends east from I-90 toward the Cascades
  • Bellevue Waterfront: Meydenbauer Bay and Downtown Park running routes
  • Lake Sammamish Trails: 20+ miles of lakeside paths in Issaquah
  • Cougar Mountain Trails: Forest trail running just minutes away

Extending Long Runs

For 13+ mile long runs, combine the Mercer Island perimeter (10 miles) with bridge crossings and Bellevue trails. Or start in Bellevue, cross to Mercer Island, loop the island, and return—creating 15-18 mile routes with incredible variety.

Explore, Run Safe, Respect the Community

Mercer Island's diverse running routes offer something for every workout—from easy recovery runs along peaceful waterfront paths to challenging hill sessions that build strength. As you explore these routes, remember to stay visible during dark Pacific Northwest mornings and evenings, carry ID, be aware of traffic in residential areas, and respect private property. The local running community is welcoming and active year-round, embracing beautiful fall colors, winter rain, and spring blooms. See you on the trails!

Training Plans Running Community