Seattle Hikes , the best day hikes within an hour

Washington Park Arboretum Waterfront

Marshland and Gardens just south of Seattle's Montlake Cut. One mile of easy walking.

To Reach the Washington Park Arboretum:From I-5: Take Exit 168-B (Bellevue-Kirkland) onto Hwy 520. Immediately take the first exit (Montlake Blvd) from 520. From the exit ramp, go straight across Montlake Blvd onto E Lake Washington Blvd and follow it into the Arboretum.

From westbound 520 (Evergreen Point Floating Bridge): Take the first Seattle exit (Lake Washington Blvd. S). At the stop sign, turn left into the Arboretum.

The Graham Visitors Center is located near the north end of the Arboretum Drive E, the "upper' (eastern) Arboretum road. To reach it, turn left at the "Y" in the road as you enter the Arboretum, then right onto Arboretum Drive E.

Seward Park Loop

On the shores of Lake Washington in southeast Seattle, a 280-acre area with three miles of natural shoreline and forest. Nearly two miles of easy trails.

Getting there:

I-5 Southbound

Take the W SEATTLE BR/COLUMBIAN WAY exit- exit number 163A. Keep LEFT at the fork in the ramp. Merge onto COLUMBIAN WAY S. Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto 15TH AVE S. Turn SLIGHT LEFT onto S COLUMBIAN WAY. Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto S ALASKA ST. Turn RIGHT onto RAINIER AVE S/WA-167. Turn LEFT onto S ORCAS ST. S ORCAS ST becomes LAKE WASHINGTON BLVD S. 0.14 miles

I-5 Northbound

Take the SWIFT AVE. exit- exit number 161- towards ALBRO PLACE.

Turn RIGHT onto SWIFT AVE S. Turn LEFT onto S EDDY ST. Turn LEFT onto BEACON AVE S. Turn RIGHT onto S ORCAS ST. S ORCAS ST becomes LAKE WASHINGTON BLVD S. 0.14 miles

Hiking Boots | Hiking Day Packs

Green Lake

Two three-mile rings of pavement and gravel around the lake.

Driving Directions:

I-5 Southbound

Take the exit- exit number 171- towards N.E. 71st st./N.E. 65th st Merge onto 6TH Ave N.E. Turn right onto NE 71st St. Turn right onto E. Green Lake Dr. N.

I-5 Northbound

Take the Ravenna Blvd exit- exit number 170- towards NE 65TH ST. Merge onto NE Ravenna Blvd. Bear right onto E. Green Lake Dr. N.

Carkeek Park

Carkeek is a Seattle waterfront park with a variety of trails. Two to four miles of easy hiking.

From I-5 Taking Exit 173 to Northgate Way and turning west. After crossing Meridian, Northgate Way becomes NW 105th Street and crosses Aurora Ave. N (Highway 99). Turn right on Greenwood Ave N. and left on NW 110th Street (look for the crosswalk lights above the street). After 6 blocks, NW 110th Street becomes NW Carkeek Park Road and winds down into the valley for 1/2 mile to the park entrance. Watch for the "rainbow-colored" Department of Parks sign on your left.

Discovery Park Nature Loop

Can't get any closer to Seattle. Eight miles of easy hiking.

Driving Directions:

I-5 Northbound:

Take the Mercer Street exit. Turn right at first stoplight onto Fairview Ave N. At next set of stoplights go left onto Valley St. Stay in far right lane that merges onto Westlake Avenue N. Westlake Ave becomes Nickerson Street. Go straight on Nickerson Street past Fremont Bridge and Seattle Pacific University. Staying in left lane follow the sign to the Ballard Bridge/Emerson Street. At 3 way stop take a left onto a ½ circle viaduct and follow Emerson until you come to a 4 way flashing stop. Take a right onto West Gilman West Gilman becomes West Government Way Follow West Government Way until you come to the east entrance of the Park. (about 1/2 mile) The Visitor Center will be on the left.

I-5 Southbound:

Take the 45th Street Exit and head west (right). Follow 45th, staying to the right. 45th becomes 46th Avenue North. Follow 46th until it becomes Market Street. Continue on Market until you reach 15th Avenue NW. Go left on 15th Avenue NW, following it over the Ballard Bridge. Take the first right after the bridge onto Emerson Street. Take a right onto West Gilman at the 4 way flashing light. W. Gilman becomes West Government Way. Follow until you come to the East entrance of the Park. (about 1/2 mile) The Visitor Center will be on the left.

Hiking Rain Gear | Why Hike With Trekking Poles

Burke-Gilman Trail

The bike trail that made Seattle famous: 14 miles of paved trail from Fremont to Kenmore, linking to the Sammamish River Trail.

Burke Gilman Trail

Length: 27 miles

Surface: Paved with soft surface shoulder.

Access Points: Gasworks Park, Matthews Beach Park, Tracy Owen Station Park, Woodinville's Jerry Wilmot Park, 60 Acre Park, Marymoor Park.

Eastside hikes:

Tiger Mountain

Tiger Mountain is a very busy 3,000' hill. One to 12 miles of easy to moderate trails.

driving directions:

Drive east on I-90 and look for Exit 20 beyond Issaquah. From the exit turn right on the frontage road and drive a short distance to the gate turnaround. Walk 6/10 of a mile past the gate to the Tradition Plateau trailhead (elevation 500 feet), which offers restrooms, a shelter and picnic tables.

Little Si

On the southwest slopes of Mount Si, east of Seattle near North Bend, escape the crowded Mount Si Trail. Five miles round trip of easy to moderate hiking.

Hiking Gear Tips | Washington Resorts and Lodges

Mount Si and Little Si Driving Directions:

Head east on Interstate 90 and get off on Exit 31 (to North Bend), then drive east on North Bend Way and in less than a mile turn left onto Mount Si Road. Cross the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River bridge at 0.3 miles and drive two miles to the trailhead parking lot

Mount Si

Cascade foothills, east of Seattle near North Bend, this is the state's most popular trail offers great views. Eight miles round trip of difficult hiking.

Sammamish River

Extending the Burke-Gilman, the Sammamish River Trail leads you 17 miles from Kenmore to Marymoor Park in Redmond.

Backpacking Tips | Hiking with GPS Receivers

Cougar Mountain

Fifty miles of trails, including 20 for horseback riding.

Driving Directions:

From I-90 Eastbound, take the Lakemont Boulevard (Exit 13) exit. Head south (turn right) for 3.1 miles on Lakemont Bvd. SE. At the apex of a 180 degree turn, you will see the entrance to Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park.

From I-405, take exit 10 and follow Coal Creek Parkway east for 2.4 miles to the shopping center. Turn left at the light onto SE 72nd Place. At the stop sign, turn left onto Newcastle Rd. Newcastle Rd. turns into Lakemont. Just past the golf course signs, you will see the entrance to Cougar Mountain Wildland Park.