You can easily access these hiking trails in and around Seattle year-round!
After a long work week, it’s important to decompress with some fresh air and movement. Luckily those of us in Seattle are perfectly situated to take advantage of the natural beauty that Washington state has to offer. We gathered our favorite hiking trails that are in or close to Seattle, ranging from easy urban trails that are fully paved and ideal for families to challenging mountainous trails for adrenaline seekers. All of these hiking trails in and around Seattle are easy to get to and will make your workout a scenic treat.
Here are our top 8 hiking trails to visit this weekend:
1. Seward Park
📍Where: 5900 Lake Washington Blvd
🔎Difficulty: Easy
👣Length: 2.4 miles
Get your daily dose of vitamin D without heading out to the mountains. The trail is completely paved and appropriate for a walk, run or bike ride. It can be enjoyed by people of all fitness levels.
2. Cable Line Trail
📍Where: Issaquah Alps – Tiger Mountain (33 miles from Seattle)
🔎Difficulty: Intermediate
👣Length: 3 miles
A short but intense trail will lead you up Tiger Mountain. The incline is steep and quite slippery at times. Ideal for hiking amateurs and quick training sessions.
3. South Beach Trail
📍Where: Discovery Park
🔎Difficulty: Intermediate
👣Length: 3 miles
The best trail for bird watchers from April to October. Begin your promenade at Discovery Park and finish at the beautiful lighthouse. Maps available at the Visitors center!
3. Cherry Creek Falls
📍Where: Duvall, Washington (30 miles outside Seattle)
🔎Difficulty: Intermediate
👣Length: 4.9 miles
Dazzling scenic trail perfect for nature watching. Don’t forget to take waterproof boots or sneakers if it’s been rainy, it gets very muddy and you’ll have to walk over stream crossings.
4. Shoreview and Boeing Creek Loop
📍Where: Shoreview Park
🔎Difficulty: Medium
👣Length: 1.5 miles
Downhill lover? Shoreview will become your obsession. Whilst most of the hike is easy, there’s a part of the loop where you’ll be walking very close to the creek. It’s quite challenging not to fall into the water, so be prepared to avoid slipping on rocks. Not recommended for kids!
5. Burke-Gilman Trail
📍Where: From Golden Gardens Park at Seaview Ave. NW to 102nd Ave. NE near Woodinville Dr./SR 522
🔎Difficulty: Easy
👣Length: 20 miles (one-way)
Burke-Gilman follows a historic railroad route along Lake Washington to the Sammamish River. The entire 20 miles are paved, so it’s perfect for walking, bike or even roller-skate rides. It passes other important Seattle parks like Gas Works, Magnuson and Log Boom. You can also reach trail connections to Sammamish River.
6. East Lake Sammamish Trail
📍Where: NW Gilman Blvd. and 4th Ave. NW (Issaquah) and NE 70th St. at SR 202 (Redmond) (20.6 miles away from Seattle)
🔎Difficulty: Easy
👣Length: 11 miles
The trail passes the waterfront park, where you can stop to swim, fish or workout on the grass. It has a beautiful picnic area you can’t miss!
7. Cougar Mountain
📍Where: 18201 SE Cougar Mountain Dr (14.3 miles away from Seattle)
🔎Difficulty: Difficult
👣Length: 35 miles
A good option for experienced trekkers and fitness junkies. Cougar Mountain includes forests, caves, wetlands, streams and cliffs. Although it’s mostly visited by hikers, some parts of the trails allow horse-riding. You’ll get spectacular views of Lake Sammamish, the Cascades, and the Seattle skyline.
Edited by Sarah Nash.