With an average daily temperature hovering in the mid-60s, a pretty good likelihood there will be a gentle mist—our code word for rain—to cool you off and breathtaking natural landscapes practically everywhere you turn, the Emerald City is a hiker’s paradise. Lace up your best shoes and grab a bag of trail mix (organic of course!); here are five of the most beautiful walks in Seattle and the surrounding area:
Green Lake Park
As if the Emerald City weren’t blessed enough, 259-acre Green Lake is a gorgeous body of water just north of the University of Washington whose adjacent park offers a wealth of pet- and family-friendly leisure activities. A 2.8-mile loop around the entire length is paved for walkers, cyclists and rollerbladers and affords pretty views and an easy opportunity to give your gams a workout.
Hiking time: 55 minutes
Distance from Seattle: 6 miles
Green Lake, Seattle | ©Steven Pavlov / http://lovingwa.blogspot.com/
Related: 13 unashamedly hipster things to do in Seattle.
Gazzam Lake and Close Beach
Bainbridge Island may be a land of pretty sailboats and million dollar waterfront homes, but the 400 acres of undeveloped land that comprise Gazzam Lake and Close Beach spell paradise for all and is only a ferry ride from the city. This 3.4-mile trek offers lush cedar and maple forests, eagle sightings, picnic areas and views of the Kitsap Peninsula and the Olympic Mountains.
Hiking time: 65 minutes
Distance from Seattle: 10 miles
Bainbridge
Annette Lake Trail
This 7.5-mile hike is located near the pretty mountain town of North Bend which you may recall was the setting for the TV series Twin Peaks. This moderate, dog-friendly trail is a popular one as it winds its way through verdant forest and rises 1900 feet until it reaches the crystal clear waters of gorgeous, crater-shaped Annette Lake which is snow-capped during parts of the year.
Hiking time: 2.5 hours
Distance from Seattle: 47 miles
Annette
Related: 15 things never to say to a Portlander.
Twin Falls Trailhead
You want waterfalls, right? We don’t blame you. This 2-mile trek is similarly located near North Bend and offers hikers a moderate journey to a pair of stunning waterfalls that poor into a similarly scenic pool and offer selfie-worthy photo opportunities galore. Note: You’ll first be hiking the Iron Horse Trail until it joins with the Upper Twin Falls Trail about a third of the way into the hike.
Hiking time: 40 minutes
Distance from Seattle: 35 miles
Summerland Trail
It’s a hike—no pun intended—just getting from Seattle to Mt. Rainer National Park (almost 90 miles), but if you’re in the mood for a hearty road trip this 8.9-mile hike will reward you with wildflowers, a roaring river, grazing mountain goats, glaciers and snow-capped mountains. Arrive early, hundreds make this popular trek on sunny summer weekends and the parking lot does fill up.
Hiking time: 3 hours
Distance from Seattle: 83 miles
