Tiger Mountain

Description for Tiger Mountain

Tiger Mountain is one of Seattle's most popular mountain biking destinations. Its close proximity to Seattle, good parking facilities, and a variety of trail difficulties draw the masses. Summer weekends see a steady stream of bikes ranging from 45 lb. DH rigs to old-skool fully stiff cromoly frames. The Preston Railroad Trail, Iverson (Fat Hand) Trail, and Northwest Timber Trail are all open to bicycles. All other trails are (currently) closed to mountain bicycles. The trails are closed seasonally from October 15 to April 15, but there are many miles of roads open all year long. Many of these make for excellent training rides.

Trails vary in difficulty. Iverson is considered the most difficult, followed by Preston Railroad Grade and then Northwest Timber. Both Iverson and NW Timber have rolling grades although NW Timber has less roots and rocks impeding your way. Iverson is usually ridden from the top down because the lower section can be quite challenging to climb. NW Timber is often ridden both directions. Preston is either a climb, descent, or both and sports several challenges with rocks and roots along the way.

The standard Road > Preston > NW Timber Trail loop

• Climb up the main Tiger Mountain Road.
• After approx 2.5 miles you'll reach an intersection, stay to the left.
• About 1/3 mile further you'll see the entrance to the Preston RR Trail on your right. If you go down a big hill you've gone too far.
• Take the Preston RR Trail, it's about 4 miles long and has no intersections.
• When you come out on the road, take a left and go for a short distance.
• Take a right turn at the first intersection.
• Follow this road for approx 2 miles. You'll go down a big dip, and then climb up a hill.
• At the Top of this hill you'll see some gravel piles and a road heading off to your right. The entrance to the NW Timber Trail is just past the road on your right.
• Take the NW Timber trail for approx 2.5 miles.
• At the road, take a left and coast back down to the lower parking lot, about 1/3 of a mile -or- take the connector trail back to the upper parking lot.

The Iverson Loop (AKA Fat Hand Trail)

• At the lower parking lot, take the left-hand road (West Side Road) towards the upper lot.
• Continue past the upper lot, going around gate.
• After about 1.5 miles, you will see the entrance to the Iverson Railroad Trail to your right.
• The trail starts with a short climb and has several short ups-and-downs before heading back down.
• At the bottom, the train intersects the connector trail just before the bridge.
• Turn right and you will quickly hit the upper parking lot.

West Tiger

• Only Puget Power Trail and High School Trail are open to mountain bikes.
• Bus Trail and Bonneville Trail are both not signed for limited use (Use your best judgment).
• All other trails are off limits to bikes
• From the bottom of the High School Trail, take your first right, then left at the 'T' up to Puget Power
• The climb up from the High School to Puget Power is 18%-20%, High School is about 15%
• High school is smooth double track, Puget Power is a middle chain ring fire access road.
• It's 2.8 miles from the High School to the High Point Trailhead. Out and back using Bonneville is about 7.5 miles
• Grunt 3 | Tech 1

Directions to Tiger Mountain Trailhead