The original 12.1 miles of the trail connecting Seattle's Gas Works Park and King County's Tracy Owen Station in Kenmore were dedicated on August 19, 1978. The trail also reaches east to Redmond by means of the Samammish River Trail. The Burke-Gilman Trail is an outstanding success and has been beneficial to the neighborhoods which it passes through. The trail has become a major transportation corridor that serves thousands of commuter and recreational cyclists. The trail can at times be busy and even crowded with cyclists, walkers, joggers and skaters.
Busy periods require all users be especially watchful, cautious, and respectful of others.
Fast cyclists must adjust their speed to suit the conditions or use alternative routes. All trail users must keep to the right. Right Respect Others Horses and motorized vehicles are not allowed on the Burke-Gilman Trail. Trail Etiquette Bicyclists - Bicyclists should yield to pedestrians and give an audible warning when passing others on the trail. All riders should ride at a safe speed and avoid pacelines and pack riding.