The best walks and hikes around Seattle

Yes, Seattle has many options for families. Within the city, the Green Lake Trail loop is a very popular, flat, and paved path perfect for strollers and young children. For a more natural setting, the trails in Discovery Park offer easy walks through forests and meadows with views of Puget Sound. Further afield, the Nisqually Vista Trail in Mount Rainier National Park is a paved, family-friendly loop with incredible glacier views.

Dog policies vary significantly depending on the park. In general, dogs are welcome on-leash in most Seattle city parks, like Discovery Park and Seward Park. However, most trails within National Parks such as Mount Rainier and Olympic National Park do not permit dogs to protect wildlife and the delicate ecosystem.

State Parks like Wallace Falls often have specific dog-friendly trails. Always check the specific regulations for the trail you plan to hike before you go.

The region around Seattle is famous for its waterfalls. Near the city, Snoqualmie Pass is a hotspot with iconic falls like the easily accessible Snoqualmie Falls and rewarding hikes to Franklin Falls and Twin Falls. In Mount Rainier National Park, the trail to Myrtle Falls offers a stunning view of the waterfall with the mountain in the background. For a different experience, the Sol Duc Valley in Olympic National Park features the beautiful Sol Duc Falls amidst a lush rainforest.

For hikers seeking a challenge, the surrounding mountains offer strenuous climbs with rewarding views. The Skyline Loop Trail in Mount Rainier National Park is a demanding hike that rewards with panoramic vistas of glaciers and wildflower meadows. The North Cascades National Park, known as the 'American Alps,' provides numerous difficult trails through rugged, remote wilderness. Closer to the city, trails near Snoqualmie Pass like the one to Snow Lake offer significant elevation gain and lead to stunning alpine scenery.

Absolutely. Many of Seattle's most popular urban hikes are loops. The Seward Park Perimeter loop is a beautiful walk through old-growth forest along Lake Washington. In Discovery Park, the Discovery Loop Trail is a local favorite that combines forest paths with coastal views. For a longer urban loop, the Cheshiahud Lake Union Loop circles the entire lake, passing through various neighborhoods.

Accessibility varies by location. Trailheads within the city, such as those in Discovery Park, Green Lake Park, and Washington Park Arboretum, are generally accessible via Seattle's public transit system and have dedicated parking areas. Hikes further out in the Cascade Mountains or National Parks almost always require a car to reach the trailhead. Parking at popular trailheads like those in the Snoqualmie Pass area can fill up very early, especially on weekends.

The views are incredibly diverse. Hikes within the city often feature stunning vistas of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains, especially from Discovery Park. Other urban trails offer beautiful scenes of Lake Washington and the city skyline. As you venture into the Cascade Mountains, you'll find panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, vibrant alpine lakes, and deep forested valleys. In the National Parks, expect everything from glacier-clad volcanoes to wild Pacific coastlines and lush temperate rainforests.

The hiking trails around Seattle are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.7 stars. Reviewers frequently praise the incredible variety of landscapes accessible from the city, from the convenience of forested urban parks to the majestic wilderness of the nearby mountains. The well-maintained trails and the stunning views of water, forests, and mountains are consistently highlighted as major attractions.

There are over 250 hiking routes to explore in and around Seattle. These range from easy, flat urban walks suitable for all fitness levels to challenging mountain ascents for experienced hikers. The extensive network ensures there's a trail for every type of adventure.

It depends on where you hike. Hikes within Seattle city parks are free and do not require a pass. However, for trails in Washington State Parks, you will need a Discover Pass. For hiking in National Forests, a Northwest Forest Pass is often required at trailheads. National Parks like Mount Rainier and Olympic have their own entrance fees or accept a National Parks Pass. Always check the requirements for your specific destination before you go.

Seattle offers several highly-regarded parks for hiking. Discovery Park is a local favorite and the city's largest park, offering miles of trails with dramatic views over Puget Sound. For a different experience, the Washington Park Arboretum provides serene walks through a vast collection of trees on the shores of Lake Washington.

For those willing to drive a bit, Mount Rainier National Park is an iconic destination with world-class hiking through wildflower meadows and around glaciers. Similarly, Wallace Falls State Park is a very popular spot known for its impressive waterfalls and forested trails.