Circumambulating Lake Washington

on the trail

South Day Street Park to University Village

8 miles one-way with 416 feet of elevation gain

Start at small South Day Street Park, which is on Lakeside Ave S under the I-90 bridge. Then head north where Lakeside Ave S merges with Lake Washington Blvd, passing Leschi Park, Madrona Park, and Viretta Park. At E Madison St, turn left and continue uphill to the entrance to the Washington Park Arboretum. Follow the trails or road to the Visitors' Center, then continue to the trail leading to Foster and Marsh Islands. Cross the Montlake Bridge and then follow the Ship Canal trail past the Water Activities Center and Conibear Shell House. Take a pedestrian bridge to reach the Union Bay Nature Preserve and the Center for Urban Horticulture. End your hike at nearby University Village.

UNIVERSITY VILLAGE TO TRACY OWEN Station Park

10.3 MILES one-way with 400 FEET of elevation gain

Starting at the University Village, we walk to the University of Washington Horticulture Center waterfront trail, then the new Yesler Swamp boardwalk along the shoreline at the foot of Laurelhurst. Then we join the Burke-Gilman Trail at NE 40th, follow it to 65th NE and turn right into Magnuson Park. We walk the shoreline in Magnuson and walk by the Mountaineers headquarters as we rejoin the trail. Connect with the Burke-Gilman Trail again as it heads to Matthews Beach Park. Continue on the paved trail for another 4 miles until we reach our destination at Tracy Owen Station Park (aka Log Boom Park) in Kenmore.

TRACY OWEN STATION PARK TO MARINA PARK

10.4 MILES one-way with 650 FEET of elevation gain

Marina Park to Bellevue Transit Center

11 MILES one-way with 200 FEET of elevation gain

Start at Marina Park and walk along the shoreline as close as you can be using public pathways and several public parks. Continue on the trails provided, paralleling SR 520 into a bird sanctuary area and down to historic Yarrow Point. Crossing under SR 520, make your way to Medina City Hall Park. Take a lunch break along the waterfront. Walk through Medina Park, along Lake Washington Blvd, and into the historic part of downtown Bellevue ending at the Transit Center.

Bellevue Transit Center TO GENE COULON PARK & RENTON TRANSIT CENTER

12 MILES one-way with 200 FEET of elevation gain

This one way route goes from the Bellevue Transit Center to the Renton
Transit Center walking through Mercer Slough Nature Park, Newcastle
Beach Park, and Coulon Park.

Gene Coulon Park to Virginia Mason Athletic Center

2.5 miles one-way with 150 feet of elevation gain

DOWNTOWN RENTON TO BEER SHEVA PARK VIA KUBOTA GARDEN

5.6 MILES one-way with 400 FEET of elevation gain

BEER SHEVA PARK TO SOUTH DAY PARK VIA SEWARD PARK

6.5 MILES one way with 150 FEET of elevation gain

Montlake to Kirkland via 520 Trail

11.6 miles one-way with 200 feet of elevation gain

Enjoy walk from Montlake to Kirkland, crossing Lake Washington on the 520 trail with nice views of Marsh Island and Foster Island along the way. After crossing the lake take a short tour of the Wetherill Nature Preserve. Continue towards Kirkland along the shoreline of Lake Washington where many points of interest are to be found. After walking through Juanita Bay Park the walk ends at a bus stop for a quick return to Seattle. Visit the WSDOT website to learn more about this trail.

notes

• Visit the King County Metro Trip Planner web page to find bus routes to and from the start and end of your walk.

• Suitable Activities: Day Hiking, Trail Running, Urban Walking, Urban Adventure
• Seasons: Year-round
• Weather: View weather forecast

• Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
• High Point: 250 ft

• Land Manager: University of Washington Botanical Gardens
• Parking Permit Required: None
• Recommended Party Size: 25
• Maximum Party Size: 25
• Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12