Where to Run in Redmond, Washington

Redmond, Washington

Redmond is a suburb of Seattle, in the upper left corner of Washington state. Redmond is a hop, skip, and a jump across the I-90 bridge from downtown Seattle, meaning I can be in the heart of the city in about 20 minutes any time the desire hits. Redmond is also only a short half hour drive from Snoqualmie pass, a gorgeous hiking and skiing destination in the Cascade Mountain range. Like the rest of the coast, Redmond is rainy but mostly mild in terms of weather year-round and greener than fern gully thanks to the grey winters. Lots of evergreen trees and beautiful greenery, and we never worry about over-heating on runs or having issues with drought!

Where to Run

Located right in the heart of Redmond is Bridle Trails State Park, a gorgeous little escape into the woods. The park offers about a 5-mile loop exterior loop, and tons of options of trails zig-zagging within. It is large enough to get lost in, but not so big that you ever feel unsafe (which is great for solo runners like myself), and the trails are very non-technical. My favorite thing about Bridle trails is the easy access – it is an easy mile run from my apartment. If you’re looking for a bigger playground though, Squak Mountain is located about 25 minutes away in Issaquah, and offers much larger (6-15 mile loop variations) with more elevation and space. The trails are still mostly non-technical, and provide a great outlet for fair-weather trail runners. If you’re looking for a bigger challenge, try running Mt. Si! It is more of a hike, but the 7.6 mile loop allow for about 3300 feet of elevation. It is a great place to run/hike, and has a killer view from the top if you’re able to find a clear day for it! Trust me, it’s worth the hustle to the top.

Where to Eat:

If you’re a coffee fiend like myself (and most other Seattle-ites) for pre-runs, I recommend Down Pour Coffee. They have a great selection of baked goods, and offer gluten free and vegan options, and are located right down the road from the entrance to Bridle Trails. Where not to eat is more the question… If I had to narrow it down, I would have to say that HomeGrown is my favorite meal spot, especially after a long run. The restaurant is organic, local, and hip, offering a great array of sandwiches and salads. Pro Tip: Get the BLT. I mean, anything with bacon is always a good idea. If you like happy hours (and the best nachos you’ve ever had), check out The Matador in Redmond Town Center.

Where to Shop:

Road Runner Sports has my heart in terms of running gear in the area. I love the VIP rewards and shoe selection, as well as the expertly trained staff who can do running analysis on the spot to help you find the best shoes. Beyond that, REI takes the cake in terms of gear. I purchase all my running essentials (packs, Nuun, etc.) here!

Who to run with?

Seattle has a couple of great clubs, like Seattle Running Club and Eastside Runners! The Seattle Running club offers great member discounts for races as well, and who doesn’t love to save some money?

Resources:

Strava Segments:

• Bridle Trails Segments
• Squak Mountain Segments
• Mount Si Segments

Trail Sisters Club on Strava: 

Track Goals, Share Runs, Build Camaraderie – Click here to join.