Lesser-known Lakeside Walks (or runs) in and Around Seattle - Five Favorites
I relish my time on the salt waters and beaches of Puget Sound and the Pacific Ocean more than many people do. But having grown up around Lake Washington I know that Seattle’s freshwater lakes somehow bring a sense of calm and nature in a more accessible way to residents and visitors alike.
When thinking about Seattle’s lakeside walks, locals often imagine our countless laps (3 miles) around Greenlake, leisurely strolls along Lake Washington Boulevard and the beautiful lake vistas from Seward Park’s peninsula loop. Thanks to these and other incredible Olmsted Parks and Boulevards, Seattle, the “Emerald City”, is majestic and highly livable.
However, there are many other lakeside walks, around the city, where one can explore something new and often, they are less crowded thus quieter. Lake Union, Portage Bay, the man made “cut” that joins Lake Union to Lake Washington and Lake Washington itself create incredible opportunities for in-city walks along our peaceful and productive fresh waterways.
By nature, most of these walks (or runs) do not have much elevation gain, so I will only include, as appropriate, in my list. Make them longer or shorter depending on your mood. So, without further ado, here are five favorite lesser-known lakeside walks in and around Seattle:
Bridge to Bridge, Seattle, 4-mile loop
First off know that this is my name for the walk. It circumnavigates the eastern portion of Lake Union, Portage Bay, and includes the Montlake and Roosevelt Bridges.
Begin at the Montlake Community Center where there is plenty of parking. Take the pedestrian path to the east of the football field and cross under SR 520. Once up the hill past NOAA, follow Montlake Boulevard north and cross the historic and scenic double -leaf bascule Montlake bridge built in 1925. At the north end of the bustling bridge, past the lovely lantern, take an immediate, somewhat hidden left, and follow the worn path in the lawn down along the generally peaceful “Montlake Cut”, built in 1916, which connects Lake Washington to Portage Bay.
Montlake Bridge, Seattle from Portage Bay
Keep walking west along the “cut” though the University of Washington, past Aqua Verde Kayak Club (kayaks and tacos), and onto the beautiful new west facing Fritz Hedges Waterway Park on Portage Bay which opened in 2020. The featured photo on this blog is Fritz Hedges Waterway Park!
After cherishing a little time at the park make your way (north on Brooklyn Street or north up through the University of Washington Fisheries buildings) to the Roosevelt Bridge, also a double-leaf bascule bridge, built in 1909. While crossing the bridge you will see bustling Lake Union and on a clear day the Olympic Mountains to the west. Looking down to your immediate east is the unique and coveted Portage Bay community of houseboats – somewhere I always dreamed of living.
Once across the bridge turn east off noisy Eastlake Avenue East onto Furhman Avenue. I enjoy all the homes and gardens here, especially with the sweet smells and eye candy of spring. After a mile turn north on 15th Avenue East, walk a block and then turn right on a little path. You will be back at the Montlake Community Center. Obviously, this walk can be done counterclockwise as well.
St Edward State Park, Kenmore, 3-mile loop, 400 feet elevation gain
At 326 acres, St Edward State Park, sits on the northeast shores of Lake Washington. It’s rich history dates to several native tribes who were, unfortunately, eliminated by disease in the 1830’s.
The area was presumably logged in the 1850’s and then utilized for farming, after which it was acquired by the Northwest’s Catholic Diocese inspired by Edward O’Dea, Seattle’s first bishop. Washington State’s first seminary was built on this site and opened in 1931 to address the severe shortage of priests in the Northwest. After decades of operations, the seminary was closed in 1976 due to declining enrollment. The State acquired the land and buildings in 1977. After extensive renovation, by Daniel’s Realty, the former seminary opened as a luxury hotel with a fabulous restaurant on May 7th, 2021.
The Lodge, St Edward Park, Kenmore
This is all to say that St Edward State Park is a lesser-known gem with a rich history. There are many trails through the second growth forest of Douglas fir, Western hemlock, red alder, bigleaf maple, Western red cedar and Pacific madrone.
The highlight is the lake shore trail. Begin on trail #2, the northern boundary trail, just north of the main parking lot (Discovery Pass needed). The well-worn and maintained trails are nicely marked. You will descend a steep trail alongside a large ravine through the forest.
Once at Lake Washington, you will turn south and follow the Lake’s eastern shore on trail #3. The 3,000-foot shoreline gives the last glimpse of what the original Lake Washington shoreline was like before development!
The vegetation opens at a picnic area for nice views of the Lake and North Seattle neighborhoods across the Lake. From here you have four options to return to the parking lot and seminary. Whatever you choose will ascend over 400 feet to get back and obviously the shortest is the steepest.
St Edward Park, Kenmore, WA
There are many other trails to explore via mountain bikes or hiking!
The Lodge, the renovated Seminary, is wonderful to tour and lunch is a treat, although not inexpensive.
Arboretum Waterfront Trail, Seattle, 3-mile loop trail, (or 6 miles)
Many of us often think of Azalea Way when considering walks in the Washington Park Arboretum. However, the Waterfront Trail is a wonderful adventure through the wetlands of Lake Washington.
The wetlands, Foster Island and Marsh Island, were created when Lake Washington was lowered with the building of the “cut”, connecting Lake Washington to Lake Union, in 1916.
The unique feature of this walk is the wooden boardwalk connecting Foster Island to Marsh Island and then to the “mainland”.
Arboretum Waterfront Trail, Seattle
If you begin at/or park at the Graham Visitor Center in the Arboretum head north down to the water’s edge and follow the path east. Enjoy the wetlands, herons, waterfowl and in the spring the white blooming water lilies (unfortunately, non-native). You will even see beaver lodges.
Once you walk across a scenic little wooden bridge you will be on Foster Island. Continue along the path under SR 520 and keep walking until you reach Foster Point.
Take some time to enjoy the fabulous view. To the west you will see the historic Montlake Bridge which frames the “cut” below and the Olympic Mountains, above, on a clear day. Directly across you will see the University of Washington’s Husky Stadium along with the historic boathouse featured in “Boys in the Boat”. To your right or east you will look out over Lake Washington to see the Cascade Mountains!
Once satiated, head west and follow the sometimes-muddy path and then board walk over to more mud on Marsh Island while enjoying more views of Lake Washington and a close look at waterfowl. If the lake is high, it will be muddy. If it is low, it won’t.
You will cross a final bridge to the “mainland”. SR 520 construction can be noisy on this stretch. I will update this blog as things change. Currently, you will take the bike path heading east under SR 520 and through more construction. Once to Lake Washington Blvd keep walking back to the Arboretum and Visitor Center.
Map of Arboretum Waterfront Trail
This loop trail can also be done clockwise. I did it this direction the other day – feels like a completely different walk!
For more miles and/or time savoring the Arboretum, walk the closed road, the new loop trail or famous Azalea Way.
Union Bay Natural Area and Yesler Swamp, 3 mile loop, (or 7 miles)
Begin your adventure by parking at the Center for Urban Horticulture. Take a few minutes to savor the lovely garden surrounding the Center’s buildings before you begin your walk.
Follow the pathway to your east down to Yesler Swamp, named for Yesler’s old sawmill, and walk along the .3-mile wooden board walk loop, opened in 2016. This swamp, a wetland with trees, did not exist until Lake Washington was lowered in 1907 and today is one of the few remaining swamps along Lake Washington. Restoration work has been massive and is ongoing, creating a magical urban oasis filled with native plants, a resident beaver and over 100 bird species! Lake views enhance the experience.
Once back to the Center you will want to head to the west and follow the signs to the Union Bay Natural Area. With over 200 species of birds, it is a birder’s paradise right in Seattle. Recently, we have enjoyed watching the Trumpeter Swans, the largest swans in the world, and a myriad of other waterfowl.
Trumpeter Swans by Larry Hubbell @ Union Bay Watch
The Natural Area includes 4 miles of shoreline with several trails, the loop trail being my favorite.
To make this a longer walk (or run) park at the Montlake Community Center. Follow the path under SR 520 per the “Bridge to Bridge” walk above. After crossing the Montlake Bridge on the east sidewalk take an immediate right and follow the path east down to the UW boat launch and then along the lake on the east side of Husky Stadium. Eventually you will enter the Natural Area from the south. This will add 4 miles, roundtrip, to the walk – we like it!
Cheshiahud Lake Union Loop Trail, 6-mile loop
Even though the other walks featured here are “in and around Seattle” they are primarily focused on nature. This walk, circumnavigating Lake Union, is an urban adventure (and is paved) which is a different kind of fun! While the trail is somewhat pieced together, it is well signed and there is a lot to explore along the way.
You can enter many places on this loop trail but Gas Works Park, at the north end of Lake Union, has plenty of parking and is a good place to start and to soak in the city views over Lake Union to the south.
Lake Union, Seattle from Gas Works Park
Other highlights along the way, going counterclockwise, are the historic Freemont Bridge, the marinas of Westlake, Lake Union Park and the Wooden Boat Center at the north end and the house boats along Fairview Ave on the east side.
Being an urban oasis, it is fun to pick a spot for food and/or drink along the way!
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