Hiking & Trails

The difference between hiking and walking can be fuzzy, but if you're looking to cover good distance on flat terrain, or tackle some hills, or find a bit of wilderness in the city, here are some ideas and resources.

Discovery Park, Seattle's Largest

Discovery Park covers 534 acres and includes miles of trails on majestic bluffs, along beaches, across hilly meadows and through forests old and new. Some people say it's as close to wilderness as you can get within city limits. Here's a trail map and more info on the park.

Other parks with "get away from it all" hikes: 

• Carkeek Park in NW Seattle
• Washington Park Arboretum in Central Seattle
• Lincoln Park and Camp Long in SW Seattle
• Seward Park in SW Seattle has hilly old growth forest in the center

If you like walking a (mostly flat) distance, try:

• Burke-Gilman Trail
• Cheshiahud Loop around Lake Union
• Myrtle Edwards Park (into the Port of Seattle's Centennial Park)
• Green Lake loop
• Seward Park outer loop
  • Seward Park Walking Tour Special Presentation: Almost entirely encircled by Lake Washington, this 300-acre park is in southeast Seattle. There is a lot to discover! Learn about the park's rich history and unique environment as you walk or bike along the 2.4-mile lakeside path. Visit this informative and lovely companion for a historical walk in Seattle's Seward Park

You can also visit Washington Trails Association online for short or long walk and hike ideas in Seattle, as well as membership websites like AllTrails.

Or you can simply use your favorite search tool and key in "hikes near me" or "best city hikes in Seattle" for other ideas.

Happy trails to you!