I, Matt, lived in the Pacific Northwest for 15 years, and Seattle holds a particular place in my heart. The best part about Seattle, and the Pacific Northwest generally, is that no matter what you’re into, you will discover loads of things to do and see, and a passionate community devoted to your interests. You know what interest we now have that a ton of people in Seattle share? Hiking.
While we love taking within the sights, sounds, and tastes of the city, whenever we return we all the time make sure to spend a day or two exploring the surrounding wilderness and doing top-of-the-line hikes near Seattle.
Between the summer time of 2020 and 2021, we actually spent over two months around Washington dwelling in our converted Honda Odyssey and exploring one of the best that Washington, my house state, has to offer.
In this information, we’re sharing our picks for the best day hikes near Seattle, and hope that you simply discover a new trail that you just fall in love with. Did we miss one? Leave a comment! We’d love to listen to about your favorites and add them to our list!
Most of the Seattle hikes listed below are exterior of public transportation strains, so you’ll want to ensure to have a car – both a rental or your own – to access the trailheads. Some of the trailheads are at the end of a protracted, bumpy, unpaved road, which is noted within the hike description (looking at you, Heather Lake).
A quick note on driving distances. All the distances listed below are one way, so double it to get your whole drive time from Seattle. You’ll discover a wealth of amazing hiking trails, simply an hour or so away from Seattle, but when you’re prepared to go an extra minutes, you’ll discover a number of the best hikes within the state, if not the entire country.
Disclaimer: Some of the links below are affiliate links, which signifies that if you click on on one and buy something, we make a small portion of the sale at no further price to you. It goes without saying that we’d never recommend one thing we wouldn’t use or do ourselves.
The 20 Best Hikes Near Seattle: A Complete Guide
In this guide, you’ll discover hikes primarily within the Snoqualmie, Mountain Loop Highway, and Mount Rainier regions, that are probably probably the most accessible from town of Seattle.
Plus, a few hikes that are really inside the Seattle city limits!
If you want to hike in Olympic National Park or North Cascades National Park, those can be higher done as a weekend journey from Seattle.
The trailheads for all of the hikes on this guide are lower than two hours away from Seattle (one way). With the notable exception of the Skyline Trail at Mount Rainier, which is a bucket-list-worthy hike and is price the additional twenty minutes of driving to do.
Now, let’s get into the hikes near Seattle for hiking lovers of all health and expertise ranges.
The Best Hikes East of Seattle
To the east of Seattle is Snoqualmie National Forest and the Cascade Range, where you’ll discover a few of the most stunning alpine lakes and snow capped peaks in the entire nation. This is the place I grew up and where my mother and father nonetheless live.
In phrases of accessibility, you can’t beat the hikes to the east of Seattle, most of which are inside an hour of the town by car.
Coal Creek Falls
* Length: 2.7 miles
* Elevation Gain: 544 ft.
* Trail Type: Loop
* Difficulty: Easy
* Trailhead Location
* Drive Time From Seattle: 20 minutes
* Pass Required: None
This is a hike that I even have positively taken without any consideration since it is literally 5 minutes from the home I grew up in. However, after doing this hike on a cold, wet winter morning, I assume it deserves a spot on this record for two causes.
First, it’s a great winter option as a outcome of it’s at a lower elevation than most of the hikes on this listing, which suggests it’s accessible year round. Plus, the waterfall is impressive in the winter, when the circulate is excessive.
Second, this hike is insanely accessible from Seattle, which implies you don’t have to decide to a full day affair. It’s roughly 20 minutes from your door to the trailhead (closer if you’re coming from someplace on the Eastside), which makes it probably the most accessible hike near Seattle on this listing.
The most direct route to the falls is an out-and-back from the primary parking zone alongside Newcastle Golf Club Road (here on Google Maps), but we all the time choose loops, so we’d suggest this route instead (it’s BARELY longer).
The good part about the whole Cougar Mountain space is that there’s a seemingly countless community of trails that you could combine to extend your hike, depending on what you’re up for.
Here’s an extended trail that covers more floor, if you’re looking for one thing longer.
The Twin Falls Trail
* Length: 2.5 miles
* Elevation Gain: 600 ft.
* Trail Type: Out and Back
* Difficulty: Easy
* Trailhead Location
* Pass Required: Discover Pass or a $10 day pass available on the machine within the parking lot
If you’re in the market for an easy hike near Seattle with a nice payoff on the finish, this hike to Twin Falls is for you! I’ve accomplished this hike a number of totally different instances now, and it’s always a pleasing journey.
Heads up – you will need a Discover Pass to park at the trailhead. Last time I was there, the machine to buy day passes wasn’t working, which offered a bit of a conundrum for people who didn’t have an annual pass.
The hike begins out by following the South Fork of the Snoqualmie River earlier than deviating from the path of the river and climbing gently up some switchbacks through the forest. The trail drops down again to the river (briefly) before you begin the ultimate ascent to Twin Falls, which involves slightly little bit of up and down along the way.
The payoff is, you guessed it, Twin Falls. There are two viewpoints – one for the Lower Falls, and one for the Upper Falls.
For the Lower Falls, veer proper off the trail on the 1 mile mark, and take the path down the hill.
Then, climb again up to the primary trail and proceed along for another 0.1 mile, which is when you’ll attain the viewing platform for the Upper Falls.
Rattlesnake Ledge
* Length: four miles
* Elevation Gain: 1,160 ft.
* Trail Type: Out and Back
* Difficulty: Moderate
* Trailhead Location
* Drive Time From Seattle: forty minutes
* Pass Required: None
Every time I had carried out this hike it has magically been sunny on the bottom, and foggy on the prime till the newest time, so I had really solely seen pictures of the spectacular view. Now that we obtained up to the point of view over blue-green Rattlesnake Lake on a clear summer time day, I can formally verify that it’s a great view.
This is a popular hike, partially as a result of it is just a short distance outdoors of Seattle, principally within the city of Issaquah, nevertheless it feels like you’re in the middle of the wilderness.
On summer time weekend mornings, the trail is filled with families, children, and pups all getting a nice workout in and having fun with the views at the high.
You’ll be hiking straight up and straight down on a nicely maintained trail, however it could be moist and slippery if it has rained lately. You’ll be hiking through the forest on the way up, and the only time you get a break within the bushes for a nice view is whenever you reach the top.
Bring a sturdy pair of hiking boots for traction and hiking poles to save your knees on the finest way down.
If you probably can swing it, try visiting at sunrise or sunset to catch the superb view from Rattlesnake Ledge. Looking throughout the small lake right under the mountain, with views of the dense forests on the mountains in the distance, is a good way to start or finish your day!
Poo Poo Point
* Length: 7.2 miles
* Elevation Gain: 1,858 ft.
* Trail Type: Out and Back
* Difficulty: Moderate
* Trailhead Location
* Drive Time From Seattle: 20 minutes
* Pass Required: None
The hike up to Poo Poo Point is a reasonably easy hike with wonderful views over Issaquah and Lake Sammamish to the northwest. You’ll climb through the forest of Tiger Mountain, which is notoriously muddy after rain (or, simply muddy normally in the winter and spring). Another purpose to wear waterproof hiking boots.
The climb is often a little steep, and you will actually really feel it in your thighs the next day. On the finest way up to the very best point within the hike, you’ll probably see paragliders launching – it’s probably the greatest spots for paragliding in the state.
Be certain to cease here for a snack and take within the view before you head again the best way you got here to begin the descent to your car.
The Snow Lake (and Gem Lake) Trail
* Length: 7.2 miles
* Elevation Gain: 1,800 ft.
* Trail Type: Out and Back
* Difficulty: Moderate
* Trailhead Location
* Drive Time From Seattle: 50 minutes
* Pass Required: Northwest Forest Pass
If you’re at all familiar with hiking around Seattle, you most likely know Snow Lake. When you suppose about all the nice hiking in Washington, this trail is doubtless considered one of the hottest within the Seattle space because it offers you a taste of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness (one of probably the most spectacular hiking destinations within the country) without the effort of backpacking in and spending the night time.
The stunning alpine lake this hike is identified as after is among the most visited lakes within the area, attracting plenty of visitors who don’t thoughts the quick hike up. However, it is value braving the crowds to see this lake up shut and private.
You’ll begin from Alpental Ski Area near Snoqualmie Pass Ski Resort, and climb instantly from the trailhead. You’ll wind by way of the forest before emerging into a clearing, where the switchbacks start. Ascend up the rocky switchbacks, and if you crest the hill you’ll get your first views of Snow Lake.
From right here, you’ll begin to descend into the basin, and ultimately you’ll arrive on the lakefront.
Don’t stop here! Continue alongside the right facet of the lake, following the trail to the tip of the lake. You’ll be rewarded with incredible views throughout the crystal-clear lake, with the rocky peaks rising above the lake to the southwest.
If you’re up for it, you need to continue on to Gem Lake, which is far much less crowded than Snow Lake, and equally gorgeous. It’s eleven miles round journey, but a lot of the elevation achieve happens in those switchbacks firstly.
The rest of the hike is comparatively tame, and you’ll cross a quantity of log bridges that are kind of enjoyable along the way in which. We were two of four folks (and a very cute pup) at Gem Lake, while there were most likely one hundred people at Snow Lake on the same time.
If you’re really feeling good, proceed onto Wildcat Lakes, which adds another 3 miles making it a 14 mile day. If you do this, convey PLENTY of water and snacks. It would make a fantastic in a single day backpacking journey that you can probably do in one night.
The Mount Si Trail
* Length: 8 miles / 12.8km
* Elevation Gain: three,one hundred fifty ft. / 960m
* Trail Type: Out and Back
* Difficulty: Hard
* Trailhead Location
* Drive Time From Seattle: forty minutes
* Pass Required: Discover Pass
This hike is not any joke. It’s straight up, gaining over three,000 ft of elevation over the four miles it takes to get to the summit (to be clear, then there’s one other 4 miles back down).
Even though this trail is tough, it is hiked by roughly 100,000 individuals every single yr as a end result of it’s so accessible from Seattle and the encircling space. North Bend, which is the place you’ll find the trailhead, is only a forty minute drive from Seattle.
If the weather is good (it usually is in the summer), the parking zone can most frequently be found full of the vehicles of individuals attempting this brag-worthy climb.
If you’re up for a problem, this hike is certainly definitely worth the effort as the rugged great thing about the world ensures stunning environment anytime you have to cease and catch your breath. Take this hike slowly so you presumably can take it all in!
The Little Si Trail
* Length: 4.1 miles
* Elevation Gain: 1,200 ft.
* Trail Type: Out and Back
* Difficulty: Moderate
* Trailhead Location
* Drive Time From Seattle: forty minutes
* Pass Required: Discover Pass
The little brother to Mount Si, this is additionally a heavily trafficked trail.
It’s equally accessible from Seattle in terms of getting there, and considerably more accessible in terms of the hike itself. This one is somewhat more family-friendly so it is going to be busier on weekends.
Still, we wouldn’t classify this as a straightforward hike, and it’s not great for small youngsters as a end result of there’s a bunch of steep, rocky sections (namely firstly and end).
The start and end of this hike have steep inclines, however the center is extra gradual in elevation. There are some great fern-laden forest sections, and then a fantastic view from the top of the hike across the valley towards the Cascades.
Find more trail data in our guide to hiking the Little Si Trail.
Interested in hiking in Washington State? Here are another Washington hiking guides that will help you find your next superb hike.
The Best Hikes South of Seattle
If you’re heading south, a lot of the greatest hikes are in Mount Rainier National Park.
It’s the furthest you’ll have to go to get to the trailhead, but we also assume they are essentially the most rewarding hikes near Seattle.
Mount Rainier is nothing short of spectacular, and most of these hikes take you up shut and private with the mountain.
The Skyline Loop Trail
* Length: 5.5 miles
* Elevation Gain: 1,800 ft.
* Trail Type: Loop
* Difficulty: Moderate / Hard
* Trailhead Location
* Drive Time From Seattle: 2 hours 40 minutes
* Pass Required: America the Beautiful Pass
In my opinion, the Skyline Trail is likely considered one of the finest hikes in the state of Washington as a end result of it provides one of the spectacular views of Mount Rainier that you’ll discover anywhere. Plus, it takes you through the fields of wildflowers that Paradise is known for when you do it in the early summer season. It’s a bucket list worthy hike.
At the high point of the trail, you’re going to feel like you probably can literally reach out and touch the mountain, and the views aren’t something you’ll quickly forget.
This is usually beneficial as the trail to hike when you solely have time for one hike at Mount Rainier, so it’s a busy trail. If you go earlier within the morning, it’s undoubtedly somewhat quieter. We started at 7:00 am, and the massive parking zone at the base of the trail was still about half full.
This is a popular trail for a purpose. If you go in the course of the middle of summer season, the avalanche lilies and other wildflowers are in full bloom and the fog has lifted enough to permit lovely views of Mount Rainier and the surrounding areas.
Myrtle Falls is one other spotlight, with the Mountain lined up perfectly behind the falls for one of my favorite pictures I’ve ever taken.
The Mount Fremont Lookout Trail
* Length: 5.6 miles
* Elevation Gain: 1,200 ft.
* Trail Type: Out and Back
* Difficulty: Moderate
* Trailhead Location
* Drive Time From Seattle: 2 hours
* Pass Required: America the Beautiful Pass
The Fremont Lookout is considered one of solely 4 remaining hearth lookouts in Mount Rainier National Park. It is amongst the best Mount Rainier hikes for panoramic views over the nationwide park for a reason – rangers was stationed here to watch for forest fires.
The hike up to the lookout is simply as sensational, with wildflowers, a herd of curious mountain goats, loads of cute and cuddly marmots, and the ruggedly lovely mountain terrain as you comply with the ridge out to the lookout.
It could be busy, so you should positively get an early begin, however it is worth braving the crowds. Bring binoculars for the view and bug spray for the mosquitos who also enjoy the view on the lookout.
Seriously. I’ve never seen so many mosquitoes in my life, and we were completely not expecting them since it’s not wet or marshy on the prime.
The Burroughs Mountain Trail
* Length: 9 miles
* Elevation Gain: 2,500 ft.
* Trail Type: Out and Back
* Difficulty: Hard
* Trailhead Location
* Drive Time From Seattle: 2 hours
* Pass Required: America the Beautiful Pass
This is a number of the finest hiking in Mount Rainier National Park if you get pleasure from a challenge. The Burroughs Mountain Trail offers some insane views of Mount Rainier, but makes you work onerous for them.
The Burroughs are, for lack of a greater word, three lumps which are on the base of Mount Rainier’s northeastern face, and by the third one you’re basically head to head with the most spectacular pure magnificence that Washington State has to offer.
Throughout the complete hike, there are views across the whole park, including of Rainier itself, to keep you going. When you get to the height, Mount Rainier seems virtually close enough to the touch.
We were fascinated by the swirling cloud that forms above Mount Rainier and appears to grow as the day goes on.
Even in summer season some of the trail could also be covered in snow, so it is necessary to head out mid-summer once the snow has had an opportunity to soften. Aside from that, the trail is well-liked enough that it’s in fairly nice condition.
One thing we seen is that the park map has the trail ending on the second of the three boroughs. If you’re up for it, you should definitely head out to the third one, which is closest to the face of Mount Rainier, however know that it’s technically “unmaintained.”
You’ll probably encounter a couple of mountain goats alongside the best way, and perhaps various marmots.
The Tolmie Peak Trail
* Length: 7.5 miles
* Elevation Gain: 1,one hundred ft.
* Trail Type: Out and Back
* Difficulty: Moderate
* Trailhead Location
* Drive Time From Seattle: 2 hours
* Pass Required: America the Beautiful Pass
We haven’t really accomplished this hike but for one easy reason. The trailhead is at the end of a long, unpaved road, and our minivan is not super adept at navigating bumpy forest roads. Though our Honda Odyssey, and most passenger automobiles, can be fantastic as long as they took it slow. Better but, bring a good friend with a high-clearance vehicle!
This is one other hearth lookout hike, but the view from the Mt. Fremont Lookout is from the other aspect of the mountain. The trail is somewhat long, but the elevation gain really isn’t too bad for hiking in Washington. It’s in really good condition due to its popularity, so hiking at daybreak or nightfall wouldn’t make for a harder hike (just deliver a headlamp!).
I recommend anyone doing this hike to stop by Eunice Lake for a snack and a relaxation. It has lovely sapphire waters which reflect the encircling mountain peaks. In summer time, it can be buggy, so make certain to convey some bug spray with you if you’re planning a stop at the lake for lunch.
The Spray Park Trail
* Length: eight miles
* Elevation Gain: 1,700 ft.
* Trail Type: Out and Back
* Difficulty: Moderate
* Trailhead Location
* Drive Time From Seattle: 2 hours
* Pass Required: America the Beautiful Pass
This trail is a delight within the mid-summer because the meadows come alive with alpine flowers.
In my opinion, this is a few of the finest hiking in the park as a end result of it is so quiet relative to the other trails in Paradise and Sunrise. Mostly due to the aforementioned unpaved and sometimes bumpy street to the trailhead.
Among the mossy forests, it is simple to feel fully at one with nature. The trail will take you previous a powerful waterfall, alongside a babbling creek, via a number of beautiful alpine meadows, and up a quantity of switchbacks until you reach the breath-taking views of the mountain as a reward for your effort.
The Naches Peak Loop
* Length: three.four miles
* Elevation Gain: 600 ft.
* Trail Type: Loop
* Difficulty: Easy / Moderate
* Trailhead Location
* Drive Time From Seattle: 1 hour forty five minutes
* Pass Required: America the Beautiful Pass
The Naches Peak Loop may simply be the best bang-for-your-buck hike in the complete state.
It has to be on any list of the most effective straightforward hikes in Washington, given it’s solely three.four miles long with a delicate climb as a lot as the top, the place you’ll be greeted with a number of the most spectacular views of Mount Rainier within the park.
The best place to park is at the Tipsoo Lake comfort station, which is on the southwestern side of Tipsoo Lake, and has bathrooms (which is important after a two hour drive).
From the trailhead, tackle the trail clockwise. You’ll begin with a gentle climb, which passes alongside the lake and through a field of wildflowers in the early summer time before crossing a bridge and intersecting with the Pacific Crest Trail.
Continue the journey, which winds its method through the forest and previous a couple of pretty tarns (the fancy word for ponds) before reaching the summit at about half method via the hike.
At that time, you’ll be hiking straight in the direction of Rainier – which is why we suggest doing it on this direction – and there’s a half mile stretch of trail where it’s simply nonstop jaw-dropping views of the Mountain.
It’s also well-worth coming here for sunrise, when the rising solar lights up Rainier’s glaciated peak in a wonderful pink colour. The greatest place to catch the sunrise is right here, up on the road on the eastern side of Tipsoo.
Best Hikes North of Seattle
Some of our favorite hikes within the Pacific Northwest are situated up in North Cascades National Park and the Mount Baker area, but that’s too far for a day journey since it’s approximately three hours a method (definitely price an in a single day or a weekend journey from Seattle when you have time!).
Lucky for us, there are some nice hikes north of Seattle that can be carried out as a day trip with lower than three hours of whole driving.
The Wallace Falls Trail
* Length: 5.0 miles
* Elevation Gain: 1,500 ft.
* Trail Type: Out and Back
* Difficulty: Easy / Moderate
* Trailhead Location
* Drive Time From Seattle: 1 hour quarter-hour
* Pass Required: Discover Pass
We beloved this hike. As we drove east on Highway 2 towards Stevens Pass, we drove into a dense financial institution of fog sitting within the Skykomish River Valley that had us scared that we weren’t going to have the ability to see the waterfall.
As we entered Wallace Falls State Park and began up the trail, we had been proper on the edge of the fog bank. It was nonetheless unclear if there was going to be a blanket of fog shrouding the waterfall from view.
About half method to the waterfall, the fog broke and unexpectedly it went from dreary and gray to brilliant and blue!
There are a couple of routes that you could take to reach the falls – the Woody Trail follows a more direct route alongside the Skykomish River, and the Railroad Grade trail that follows the forest street that’s more even and extra accessible for people with mobility points.
We took the Woody Trail, and would highly suggest it. You could make it a loop, however the railroad grade provides an extra mile or so to the gap AND it’s much less scenic.
This hike is surprisingly tough. We saw five miles and thought “how hard can it be?”
However, the post-holiday weight and winter inactivity led to a a lot more durable hike than we were expecting. Climbing 1,500 toes over two miles or so is not any joke, and there are a bunch of switchbacks to deal with earlier than reaching the falls.
There are a couple of completely different viewpoints along this trail, and the one that you simply completely mustn’t miss is the Middle Falls Overlook, which is the epic view of the two-tiered waterfall. It’s 2.1 miles into the trail.
If it’s clear out, we think it’s definitely worth the effort to continue up previous that overlook to the Valley Overlook, the place you could have a nice view of the Skykomish Valley AND the Olympics.
We have been in a place to climb up above the fog once we did this hike in January, and had been treated with a spectacular view of the fog-covered valley with the Olympics within the distance.
You can lengthen your hike past the falls by heading out to Wallace Lake (8.8 miles), or by making it a big loop by persevering with up the trail previous the Upper Falls and heading out to Wallace Lake, making it a lollipop hike (11 miles).
The Lake 22 Trail
* Length: 5.4 miles
* Elevation Gain: 1,350 ft.
* Trail Type: Out and Back
* Difficulty: Easy / Moderate
* Trailhead Location
* Drive Time From Seattle: 1 hour 20 minutes
* Pass Required: Northwest Forest Pass
First of all, this trail gets busy.
It’s one of the most in style trails in Washington, and there’s a cause for that. The lake on the finish of this short however surprisingly strenuous hike is attractive. It’s a gem in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, which has an incredible array of nice hikes.
It’s within the rainforest, so anticipate issues to be slightly wet. Along the means in which, you’ll pass pine timber, lush green ferns, and some small waterfalls. It has some of the lushest vegetation round, and the lake itself is stunning.
While the trail may be very properly maintained, it’s at all times fairly wet, so put on good hiking boots and count on them to get a bit muddy. In winter and spring, the trail will be lined in snow and could be vulnerable to avalanches, so remember to verify situations before you go hiking.
The Mount Pilchuck Trail
* Length: 5.4 miles
* Elevation Gain: 2,300 ft.
* Trail Type: Out and Back
* Difficulty: Moderate
* Trailhead Location
* Drive Time From Seattle: 1 hour 30 minutes
* Pass Required: Northwest Forest Pass
One of the well-known hearth lookouts in Washington State! From this one, you’ll have the ability to see straight to Mt. Baker to the north and Mount Rainier to the south, at least on a transparent day. You may even catch a glimpse of the Olympics out west across the Puget Sound.
The views are nothing short of spectacular, however you’re going to have to earn them with a considerably poorly marked trail that gains 2,300 ft of elevation in slightly below three miles.
Mount Pilchuck is a troublesome hike, however you’ll be rewarded with some of the best views in the state. This is likely certainly one of the best day hikes near Seattle, particularly if you’re on the lookout for a solid exercise.
It is a busy trail though, particularly on weekends, as many people flock to the climb for the spectacular views. If you like a quieter hike, go earlier within the day, and off-peak season.
The Heather Lake Trail
* Length: four.6 miles
* Elevation gain: 1,034 ft.
* Trail Type: Out and Back
* Difficulty: Easy / Moderate
* Trailhead Location
* Drive Time From Seattle: 1 hour
* Pass Required: Northwest Forest Pass
First of all, the hardest part of this hike may truly be the pothole-ridden road to get to the trailhead. It’s not a joke when they say high clearance 4×4 vehicles are beneficial, although you are able to do it in a sedan if you take it realllllly gradual.
The hike to Heather Lake begins out steep as you permit the car parking zone, however otherwise it’s a fairly straightforward hike. It’s just outside of Seattle. You’ll climb through towering bushes and plush green ferns alongside the well-maintained trail. Once you get to the lake, undoubtedly make the loop around, which provides a half mile to your hiking distance.
The trail is somewhat marshy, like different hikes within the space, so deliver waterproof hiking boots. In the summer the trail is surrounded by wildflowers and berry bushes.
The Best Hikes in Seattle (Within the City Limits)
Hikes within Seattle are a bit more like leisurely walks, but worth trying out if you’re slightly quick on time and aren’t in a position to explore further exterior of the city. Or, when you don’t have a automobile. All of these hikes are pretty straightforward to get to via public transportation or Lyft.
Hiking in Discovery Park
* Length: 2.eight miles
* Elevation Gain: a hundred and forty ft.
* Trail Type: Loop
* Difficulty: Easy
* Trailhead Location
* Pass Required: None
Locals love exploring the most important park within Seattle’s city limits, and it might possibly get pretty busy on weekends. However, Discovery Park is well top-of-the-line hikes in Seattle. If you go at quieter instances of the day, it’s relatively widespread to identify some wildlife like bald eagles!
The main hiking trail is a 2.eight mile loop, however there are a variety of trails that wind throughout the 524 acres of woodland, and you’ll simply select a longer or shorter hike depending on the time you could have.
It’s additionally top-of-the-line hiking trails in Seattle if you don’t have a automotive because of its proximity to the town. It’s simply west of the neighborhoods of Queen Anne or Ballard. It’s also well-connected to the town via the metro.
Whatever you end up selecting, definitely make sure to hike out to the West Point Lighthouse, which is on the Pacific Ocean.
Hiking in Seward Park
* Length: 2.4 miles
* Elevation Gain: None
* Trail Type: Loop
* Difficulty: Easy
* Trailhead Location
* Pass Required: None
I wouldn’t necessarily name this essentially the most thrilling hike on the earth, but Seward Park is a beautiful green oasis on the southern edge of Seattle. It is flat, making it perfect for all talents, and provides incredible views of Lake Washington as you meander across the level alongside the lakefront.
There are a few hiking choices here – a trail that makes a loop across the perimeter of the park, and a community of trails that goes up into the forest within the center of the park.
It comes down to private choice, but we like the perimeter route since you get nice views of Rainier at the south finish of the park, and Seattle at the north finish.
You might ALMOST see the bottom of Rainier on this cloudy day However, the perimeter route it’s a flat, paved path, so if you’re looking to get into nature, choose the trails in the midst of the park, which feel rather more remote than their location would suggest (10 minutes from downtown Seattle).
We would advocate taking a picnic lunch and sitting by the lake to chill out either before or after your stroll.
Weekends and holidays are very crowded, but the park is popular all days of the week.
The Green Lake Trail
* Length: 2.eight miles
* Elevation Gain: 164 ft.
* Trail Type: Loop
* Difficulty: Easy
* Trailhead Location
* Pass Required: None
Again, I think we’re stretching the definition of the word “hike” with this one, but it’s a wonderful flat stroll. I used to live near Green Lake, so I could also be a bit biased, however I think this is among the finest hiking options contained in the Seattle metropolis limits, and one I used to do regularly if I couldn’t make it to the mountains.
The lake the trail is called after is beautiful and over 50,000 years old, shaped by the retreat of a glacier.
There are two paths across the lake, the path closest to the lake’s edge is manufactured from crushed granite and is utilized by walkers and joggers. The outer path is paved, which makes it excellent for individuals who favor a more secure surface for strolling.
Definitely attempt to come here for sundown or sunrise, the park is somewhat quieter, and the reflection of the sky in the lake’s surface is magical.
A Map of the Best Seattle Hikes
That’s all we’ve got! Whether you’re a beginner hiker looking to get out and explore for the first time, or an trail-hardened veteran, we hope you’ll uncover one thing new.
What did we miss? Hit us together with your favorite hikes near Seattle within the comments so we will add it to our record to do within the future!
Want to explore Seattle? We’ve got loads of detailed Seattle travel guides that will assist you explore Seattle and beyond.