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Seattle, WA: Mercer Island Loop
A classic year-round Seattle ride, this 16.5-mile loop tours the tree-lined roads of Mercer Island, offering intermittent views of Mount Rainier.
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| Author: | jschoen12 |
| Activity: | Bicycling |
| State: | Washington (WA) |
| Distance: | 16.53 mi |
| Difficulty: | 5 / 10 |
| Rating: | Unrated |
Starting at the eastern exit of the Mount Baker bike tunnel, ride east on the I-90 bike path and cross the floating Lake Washington Bridge. Take in stunning views of the Cascade Range, Mount Rainier, and Mercer Island as you pedal across Lake Washington.
Just past the bridge, merge onto the bike path and start the clockwise loop around Mercer Island. After 3 miles, you'll ride past the southern tip of Luther Burbank Park, home to 135 species of birds and 50 species of waterfowl. (If you have time, park your bike and head north to check out the swim beach, fishing pier, and picnic areas.)
One mile later, leave the bike path and turn right onto Mercer Way—prepare for a curvy, 2-mile stretch of road that features 25 snaking turns. At the southern tip of the island, follow the road north for the 7.5-mile stretch back to the I-90 bike path and the Lake Washington Bridge.
-Mapped by Matt Mikul
TO TRAILHEAD: This ride starts and finishes at the Mount Baker Tunnel at the west end of the Lake Washington Bridge. Note: Cyclists can depart from anywhere in the city.
| Position Format: | Datum: |
Tracks
Mercer Island Loop
| Distance: 16.53 mi | Points: 711 |
| # | Distance | Instruction | Distance to next |
| 1 | 0.00 mi | Start - Head east on the 1-90 Bike Trail. | Then go 1.85 mi |
| 2 | 1.85 mi | Turn Left - Mercer Way | Then go 0.01 mi |
| 3 | 1.86 mi | Bear Right - Bike Path | Then go 0.58 mi |
| 4 | 2.44 mi | Straight - Cross 76th Ave. SE | Then go 0.02 mi |
| 5 | 2.46 mi | Straight - Bike Path | Then go 0.46 mi |
| 6 | 2.92 mi | Straight - SE 26th St. | Then go 0.02 mi |
| 7 | 2.94 mi | Straight - Bike Path | Then go 0.93 mi |
| 8 | 3.87 mi | Straight - Cross Mercer Way | Then go 0.27 mi |
| 9 | 4.13 mi | Turn Right - Leave the bike path and turn onto Mercer Way. | Then go 10.54 mi |
| 10 | 14.67 mi | Turn Left - I-90 Bike Trail | Then go 1.86 mi |
| 11 | 16.53 mi | Stop - |
Points of Interest
Start/End: Mount Baker Tunnel
Location: 47.590449, -122.287231The ride starts and ends at the Mount Baker Tunnel. Ride east on the bike path that crosses Lake Washington Bridge.
Junction
Location: 47.590261, -122.247947After crossing the floating bridge, start the clockwise loop around Mercer Island. Turn left onto Mercer Way (the main road around the island), then immediately bear right onto the bike path. The next 10 miles climb gradually along the bike path and Mercer Way.
Luther Burbank Park
Location: 47.585876, -122.226698The bike path skirts the southern tip of <a href="http://www.ci.mercer-island.wa.us/Page.asp?NavID=1138">Luther Burbank Park</a> (home to 135 species of birds, 50 species of waterfowl, beaver, tree frogs and rabbits). Park your bike and head north to check out the park's swim beach, fishing pier, and picnic areas, or continue riding southeast.
Leave the Bike Path
Location: 47.578603, -122.207365Turn right and leave the bike path. Follow Mercer Way to the south.
Curvy Road
Location: 47.567666, -122.211657Prepare for a curvy stretch of road. In less than 2 miles, you'll maneuver through 25 snaking turns.
Hairpin Turn
Location: 47.545018, -122.214961Navigate a tight left-hand turn, and continue toward the southern tip of the island.
Downhill
Location: 47.542005, -122.212987A fast-paced, half-mile descent starts here.
Southernmost Point
Location: 47.525924, -122.226977Mercer Way curves to the right at the route's southernmost point and heads to the northwest for the return trip.
Descent
Location: 47.562714, -122.227750From here, it's a steady descent north on Mercer Way back to the Lake Washington Bridge.
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