New stop for Trailhead Direct added at Eastgate Park and Ride starting July 20

ByAl Sanders
Trailhead Direct sign on side of bus preparing to take hikers

Trailhead Direct, King County’s transit-to-trails service, will add a stop starting Saturday, July 20, for hikers at the Eastgate Park and Ride in Bellevue to bring them to and from the trails at the Issaquah Alps and Mount Si.

“The goal of Trailhead Direct is to increase access to the trails while decreasing the use of vehicles that crowd the parking lots at trail sites,” said Christina O’ Claire, Director of Metro’s Mobility Division. “Going to Eastgate allows people to both use transit and transfer to Trailhead Direct, or just park their car at the Park and Ride and leave the driving to us.”

At the beginning of the 2024 season, staffing limitations prevented service to the park and ride. Community outreach asked for the return of Trailhead buses to this vital connection for Eastside hikers traveling to the trails. The agency contracted to operate Trailhead service said they now have the staffing needed to support buses picking up and dropping off hikers at the transit center.

“Trailhead Direct is transportation that truly transports, whisking people away to some of the most breathtaking hikes our region has to offer without the barrier and hassle of driving,” said King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci. “I am thrilled that we are once again expanding access by adding service to the Eastgate Park and Ride, providing Eastside residents an easy way to catch a ride to the joys and benefits of hiking.”

Service to the park and ride will continue through the end of the season on Sept. 15.

Connecting hikers to popular trails

Hikers along the Little Si Trait. Sign saying Little Si Trail is in the foreground. Hikers with their back to the sign are walking along the trail

Operated by King County Metro in partnership with King County Parks, and the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), Trailhead Direct provides two routes operating 30- and 60-minute service to some of the region’s most popular hiking trails.

  • Heading to Mount Si: Buses leave every 30 minutes from the Sound Transit Capitol Hill Link station to stops at trailheads near Mount Si, Mount Teneriffe and Little Si.
  • Traveling to the Issaquah Alps: Hourly trips for the Issaquah Alps start at the Mount Baker Transit Center and go to Margaret’s Way, Squak Mountain, Chirico Trail-Poo Poo Point, High School Trail, and East Sunset Way.

Trailhead Direct operates 14-to 32-seat vehicles with a rack for either two or three bikes. Passengers can use Trip Planner for more details about transit stops, routes, and schedules. Metro’s standard fares apply, and riders can pay with an ORCA card, Transit Go Mobile ticket, or cash with exact change. Hikers 18 and younger can ride Trailhead Direct for free.

Passengers are encouraged to check for conditions and updates related to trail accessibility and restrictions before going out and to remember the rules of the trail to ensure a safe trip.

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