Best nature walks in Seattle?

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  • #602829

    skeeter
    Participant

    Help me out here folks! Our family is trying to find all the best nature/outdoor walks in Seattle. We like walks that feature wildlife and/or scenic views. So far these are our favorites (in no particular order):

    Alki Park trail

    Lincoln Park trail

    Seward Park trail

    Discovery Park trail (loop trail)

    Are there any more trails we should check out? Preferably within 10 miles or so of West Seattle? We have a car so that’s no problem. Advice please!

    #754364

    bailecyclist
    Participant

    Arboretum – many trails.

    #754365

    mannamc
    Participant

    We love walking through Schmitz Park. We have a certain loop that we do but there are several trails.

    #754366

    herongrrrl
    Participant

    Camp Long! Several great trail loops through there.

    Herring’s House Park/Terminal 107 Port of Seattle Park(right across the street from the Duwamish Longhouse on W Marginal)is a great wildlife viewing site, too…not so much a hiking trail, but take a leisurely stroll along the shoreline and you’ll see all kinds of birds (Ospreys especially active this time of year), rabbits, and harbor seals and sea lions in the river. You could make it into a longer walk by following the bike trail down to T105 public access, also landscaped for wildlife (check for baby salmon in the artificial slough there), although the walk between the two parks isn’t very visually appealing itself.

    Emma Schmitz Park shoreline, combined with a trip through the trails at Me Kwa Mooks park across the street, would also make a very satisfying nature walk. Especially at a low tide.

    Carkeek Park has lots of nice trails, too.

    #754367

    skeeter
    Participant

    Thank you all. Camp Long!! How could I forget? Very close to our house. Haven’t been in a while. Will go there soon, too.

    Arboretum is a good idea too.

    I forgot to mention in my first post – we prefer trails/paths that are stroller friendly. Though we have a carrier for the kiddo for rough paths. But our little girl likes the stroller better.

    #754368

    herongrrrl
    Participant

    Herring’s House/T107 would be ideal for strollering. The Herring’s House portion (which is a Seattle Park, where T107 is Port property) even has paved trails.

    Not all of the Me Kwa Mooks trails are stroller-able, but the main trail leading up from the interpretive sign into the recently restored area would be fine, and if it’s a jogging stroller/has nice big wheels, you should be able to take it all the way around the loop that lets off at the corner of 58th and Snoqualmie.

    #754369

    skeeter
    Participant

    Thanks Herongrrrl!

    #754370

    Franci
    Participant

    Here is another option that sometimes has Seattle walks and always has something in the general area, ie.. King County.

    This is the AVA or American Volksport Association website. The walks are free to the general public, its a great way to get out and explore locally and other areas of the state.

    http://www.ava.org/ava_search.asp?search=true

    #754371

    lanab12
    Member

    Check out Lincoln Park. There are 14 trails, including a beach walk and plenty of wooded area, available for hikes. Also convenient are the picnic and play areas. In the summer, kids can cool off in the wading pool. Here’s a guide to some other great family friendly hikes in Seattle:

    http://www.redtri.com/seattle/best-seattle-hikes

    #754372

    ghar72
    Participant

    What about heading south to Seahurst? We haven’t been on their trails, just to play at the beach. But they do have maps of trails, so worth checking out. https://burienwa.gov/facilities.aspx?pagenum=4&RID=19&Page=detail

    #754373

    Jiggers
    Member

    I know Lincoln Park like the back of my hand…:)

    #754374

    nighthawk
    Participant

    I know someone said Arboretum but I’m guessing they are thinking the main one not in W. Seattle. South Seattle Community College also has an arboretum . Small but nice. The new chinese garden is there to.

    I also know that nature conservancy is working on trails through w. duwamish green space but i dont know the specific cess points for those.

    Also at farmers market sustainable west seattle had a guide “walkable w. seattle”

    #754375

    Bonnie
    Participant

    We recently went to the University of Washington to see the flowering cherry blossom trees. How could I possibly forget how beautiful it is there? Nice to just go and walk around. Not ‘nature’ but very beautiful.

    #754376

    365Stairs
    Participant

    Halfway down Barton St. towards the water…there is a smaller park on the south side of street…entrance tucked in the green belt…

    This has several miles of maintained trails in various loops. It is good for walking or mountain biking…

    It is darker – so day time is best.

    We called it “Whisky Woods” as kids…but thats another story..

    #754377

    herongrrrl
    Participant

    365Stairs, are you talking about Fauntleroy Creek Park?

    #754378

    365Stairs
    Participant

    Yes…There you go…thats the name..around Barton and 41st(ish)

    #754379

    add
    Participant

    I like Whiskey Woods better!

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