Hiking and nature walk guide for Seattle

Take a hike: A guide to trails around Seattle

Discovery Park in Seattle with a lighthouse and the water in the background

Discovery Park offers one of the most popular Seattle trails. | Photo via Seattle Parks and Recreation

Lace up your shoes, because we’ve compiled a hiking and nature walk guide for the Seattle area with 27 routes and trails. Let us help you plan your next adventure and experience our great outdoors.

Key: Easy = 🥾 | Moderate = 🥾🥾 | Hard = 🥾🥾🥾

Seattle

Myrtle Edwards Park to Elliott Bay Park, 3130 Alaskan Way

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: 2.7 miles out-and-back
Pet friendly: Yes, leash required
Wheelchair accessible: Yes

This paved path offers views of the waterfront, trains, boats, and the nearby sculpture park. There are separate paths for hikers and bikers — and it’s a great option for those just getting into trail running.

Discovery Park and Lighthouse Loop Trail, 3801 Discovery Park Blvd.

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: 4.4-mile loop
Pet friendly: Yes, leash required
Wheelchair accessible: Portions (but limited)

This easy-to-follow stroll is close to town and gives you a little bit of everything, from forests and beaches to small sand dunes.

Snoqualmie

Snoqualmie Falls Trail, Fisher Creek Park, 7805 Fisher Ave. SE, Snoqualmie

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: 1.4 miles out-and-back
Pet friendly: Yes, leash required
Wheelchair accessible: Yes

Known for its lovely waterfall views, this steep but well maintained and wide, paved path is perfect for families who want a short adventure. The hike will take you roughly 50 minutes to complete and the viewpoints are the same ones you’ll see in the opening credits of the show “Twin Peaks.” Pro tip: Be prepared for crowds on this popular trail.

Cedar Butte Trail, Olallie State Park, 51350 SE Homestead Valley Rd., North Bend

Difficulty: 🥾🥾
Length: 3.1 miles out-and-back
Pet friendly: Yes, leash required
Wheelchair accessible: No

For the trails less taken, check out this forested butte hike that only has 900 feet in elevation gain. This route is less crowded than other options in the region, providing several switchbacks and glimpses of Rattlesnake Lake. One you reach the summit, take in the views on the low log seats. Discovery Pass is required for park entry.

23 MORE ROUTES

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Today

Across the West and Toward the North | Wed., Sep. 28 | 10 a.m. | National Nordic Museum, 2655 NW Market St. | $10+ | Discover the beginning of tourism photography and explore the changing landscapes of the US. 📷

Thursday

My Mother’s Italian, My Father’s Jewish & I’m In Therapy | Thurs., Sept. 29 | 2 p.m. + 7:30 p.m. | Kirkland Performance Center, Kirkland | $70+ | This long-running one-man show offers more than 30 characters and voices brought to life by comic Peter Fogel. 🎭
Down The Rabbit Hole | Thurs., Sept. 29 | 7:30-10:30 p.m. | Nordo, 103 S. Main St. | $105 | This Lewis Carroll-themed dinner features immersive art installations and hare-raising cocktails.

Friday

In the Time of the Butterflies | Fri., Sept. 30 | 7:30 p.m. | Seattle Center | $38+ | Sister revolutionaries fight the 30-year reign of dictator Rafael Trujillo in the Dominican Republic in this play based on a historical novel.

Saturday

Run or Wine 5K Series | Sat., Oct. 1 | 12 p.m. | Warehouse Wineries, 19510 144th Ave. NE, Woodinville | $35+ | Enjoy a brisk Eastside run or walk with wine, beer, cider, and post-race snacks as a reward. 👟
Rat City Recon | Sat., Oct. 1 | 4 p.m. | Southgate Roller Rink, 9646 17th Ave. SW | $30 | This head-banging festival celebrates 10 years of rocking with 15 bands and an outdoor night market.

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

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100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

63º | Scattered showers | 30% chance of rain

Sunrise + Sunset

Rise: 7:04 a.m.
Set: 6:54 p.m.

Civic

Yesterday, Mayor Bruce Harrell released his 2023 city budget proposal with a focus on affordable housing, homelessness, public safety, and transportation. The City Council will review the proposal and host public hearings over the next two months — final adoption is expected on Tues., Nov. 22.
The Seattle Board of Parks and Recreation recently voted to allow wheeled transportation back onto the inner loop around Green Lake. The team hopes to complete the implementation plan at the board’s next meeting on Thurs., Oct. 13. (Seattle Times)

Closing

After 46 years, Burien’s King Wha Restaurant — known for its Sichuan, Mandarin, and Korean bites — will close permanently on Mon., Oct. 3. Owners Lien + Lin Yu announced their retirement earlier this year, and longtime customers have been filing in to say their goodbyes. (Seattle Times)

Sports

Julio Rodriǵuez of the Seattle Mariners has been named Baseball America’s 2022 Rookie of the Year. So far this season, the 21-year-old has 27 home runs, 73 runs batted in, 81 runs, and 25 stolen bases. (KING 5)
Yesterday, the Seattle Thunderbolts celebrated winning the Minor League Cricket title with a victory parade and team photo at Marymoor Park. The newly-founded organization had eight straight victories to win the league, along with receiving $150,000 for club development. 🏏 (Seattle Met)
Top 2024 softball prospect Alexis DeBoer — daughter of UW Huskies football coach Kalen DeBoer — has verbally committed to the Huskies. She hit 19 home runs and batted a .391 for a NorCal-based club this year, but currently plays for Bellevue High School. 🥎 (24/7 Sports)

Ranked

You either love us or you hate us. In a recent study by Clever Real Estate, Seattle was named one of the most polarizing cities in the US — 21% said that Seattle is one of the five best places to live, and 16% said it was the worst. Millennials were the biggest supporters. (Seattle Times)

Drink

We’re serious about our coffee. Espresso State of Mind and Fulcrum Coffee Roasters are teaming up to host Seattle’s After Party Throwdown. Head over to 4660 Ohio Ave. from 6-10 p.m. on Sat., Oct. 1 and watch as 64 baristas face-off in a tournament for the $1,000 grand prize. ☕️

Biz

Yesterday, local aviation company Eviation took its all-electric airplane for its first-ever test flight, successfully landing around Moses Lake. The craft can travel up to 500 miles, has a weight capacity of 2,500 lbs, and can reach speeds up to 288 mph. (Geek Wire)

Number

49,062. That’s how many newsletter subscribers (like you) we reach every day through SEAtoday. Have a local, regional, or national business and want to expand your audience? Learn how to advertise with us.

Pets

Woof woof. That’s the sound of your pup asking what they’re going to be for Halloween this year. Our ideas: Sherlock Holmes, a professional chef, a fluffy lion, Oscar the Grouch, or a taco. Cats can get in on the fun too, as a “Meowbucks” barista, a slice of bread, or a sophisticated Parisian. 🎃 *

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Pour one out for local trails

Two Beers Brewing partners with the Washington Trails Association

Two Beers Brewing and Washington Trails Association beer partnership

These brews have never tasted better now that they benefit our trails. | Photo by @twobeersbrewing

Don’t forget to pack a cold one to enjoy at the end of your next adventure. We’ve got a local option that pairs nicely.

Two Beers Brewing recently announced it will donate a portion of sale proceeds from its Wonderland Trail IPA to the Washington Trails Association — the nation’s largest hiking and trail maintenance nonprofit. 🌲

The flagship beverage is inspired by the famed 93-mile route around Mount Rainier — and brewed with Washington-grown Amarillo, citra, mosaic, and cascade hops.

In October, Two Beers Brewing will showcase a limited-release fresh hop version of the beer.

Not a fan of IPAs? Here are some other local options that would go great on the trail.

Stoup Brewing, 1108 NW 52nd St.

Save the Snake River Lager

Cloudburst Brewing, 2116 Western Ave.

Rock The Boat Hazy Pale Ale

Redhook Brewlab, 714 E Pike St.

Lagersquatch Lager

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Trevor.

Editor’s pick: Ready to Kick Brest Cancer this Sat., Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. with the OL Reign? ⚽️

Get tickets and head to Lumen Field this weekend for the OL Reign’s final regular season match against the Orlando Pride — kicking off at 7 p.m.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Catch the train as it returns to Vancouver.

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Editorial: Alina Hunter-Grah, Gabe Guarente, Trevor Peters, Britt Thorson, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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