Seattle Olmsted Circuit: Ballard Locks to Rainier Beach to Ballard Locks

Maps, turn-by-turn directions and a gpx file are accessed by tapping the Resources folder below.

On the Trail

The Seattle Olmsted 50 route runs 31 miles (50km) from the Ballard Locks to Rainier Beach Playfield, a feast of explorations through the heart of the 1903 Olmsted Park master plan. The Seattle Olmsted 70 route runs 44 miles (70km) from Rainier Beach Playfield through West Seattle, Downtown and Discovery Park back to the Ballard Locks. The route can be done in any north to south order of section(s). Section descriptions run clockwise and include public transportation, public toilets, and treats at both section junctions and midway points. Stroller access is noted.

Seattle olmsted 50

Section 1 starts at the Ballard Locks then goes to Golden Gardens, and finishes at Woodland Park Zoo. It's 5.9 miles one-way with 526 feet of elevation gain  (9.4 km  with 159 m of elevation gain).

Section 2 starts at Woodland Park Zoo and then goes to Green Lake, Cowen/Ravenna Parks, Ravenna Boulevard, and finishes near Husky Stadium. It's 6.4 miles one-way with 362 feet of elevation gain (10.3 km  with 110 m of elevation gain).

Section 3 starts near Husky Stadium then goes to Marsh & Foster Islands, The Arboretum,  Interlaken Park, Volunteer and Louisa Boren Parks, and finishes at Washington Park Playfield. It's 6.7 miles one-way with 650 feet of elevation gain (10.7 km with 197 m of elevation gain). Another 75 feet of elevation gain gets you to the views atop the Volunteer Park Water Tower.

Section 4 starts at the Washington Park Playfield then goes to Lake Washington Boulevard, Denny Blaine, Viretta, Howell, Madrona, Leschi, Frink, Colman and Mount Baker Parks, and Hunter Boulevard, and finishes at Stan Sayres and Genesee Parks. It's 6 miles one-way with 585 feet of elevation gain (9.7 km with 177 m of elevation gain).

Section 5 starts at Stan Sayres Memorial Park and Boat Launch then goes to Lake Washington Boulevard, Seward Park, Martha Washington Park, Pritchard Island Beach, Rainier Beach Urban Farm, Be'er Shiva Park, and finishes at Rainier Beach Playfield . It's 6.8 miles one-way with 445 feet of elevation gain (10.8 km  with 139 m of elevation gain).

Seattle olmsted 70

Section 6 starts at Rainier Beach Community Center (beside the Playfield) then follows the Chief Sealth Trail before crossing over I-5 and the Duwamish River towards South Park.  The trail continues under Hwy99 then over SR509 by bus or on foot to White Center and Dubsea Coffee in Greenbridge.  Much of the route follows the path of the Olmsted’s unrealized Dunlap Canyon Parkway. It’s 7.3 miles one-way with 767 feet elevation gain (11.7km, 234 m of elevation gain).

Section 7 starts in the Greenbridge Neighborhood through Westcrest and Highland Parks before moving through the Longfellow Creek Natural Area to Greg Davis Park.  Elevation is regained to and through Camp Long, site of the CCC built Schurman Rock where legendary Mountaineers trained.  The route finishes south down 35^th Avenue SW along the unrealized South Bourne Parkway to Myrtle Reservoir Park and Seattle’s High Point, elevation 520ft. It’s 6 miles one-way with 529 feet elevation gain (9.6 km, 162 m of elevation gain).

Section 8 starts at High Point between the two standpipes and heads through Fauntleroy Park past Captain’s Park and the Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal to Lincoln Park. The Bruun Idun Troll greets shoreline walkers on their way to Lowman Beach Park. Passing Me-Kwa-Mooks Park near the unrealized Sound Bluffs Parkway, the route pauses in Constellation Park to end at the Coast Guard Alki Point Lighthouse.  . It’s 6.9 miles one-way with 143 feet elevation gain (11.1 km, 44 m of elevation gain).

Section 9 starts at Alki Point and passes along Alki Beach Park and Alki Playground before entering Schmitz Boulevard and Schmitz Preserve Park where old growth trees are yet found. Crossing over the unrealized West Seattle Parkway, the route leads to Hiawatha Playfield, an Olmsted city park.  The route finishes down sets of little known stairs to walk along the beach via the intended Duwamish Head Parkway at the Seacrest Park Foot Ferry Terminal. It’s 5.3 miles one-way with 425 feet elevation gain (8.6 km, 130 m of elevation gain).

Section 10 starts at the Seacrest Foot Ferry Terminal and heads south, on the Alki Trail past Jack Block Park to the Dragonfly Pavilion and Gardens and Salmon Bone Bridge in the Longfellow Creek Greenspace. The trail climbs stairs and sidewalks to Pigeon Point in the West Duwamish Green Belt then down to pass over the Duwamish River on the Spokane Street Bridge. This maritime industry walk finishes near the Pioneer Square Habitat Beach and Seattle Foot Ferry Terminal.  It’s 5.9 miles one-way with 340 feet elevation gain (9.5 km, 104 m of elevation gain).

Section 11 starts at the Seattle Ferry Terminal and celebrates public art installations through downtown past Hammering Man to the Pike Place Market and the Olympic Sculpture Garden. Myrtle Edwards Park leads past more sculptures to the Terminal 86 Grain Facility, then passes over the Magnolia Bridge to the Elliott Bay Marina below the Admiral’s House high on the bluff. A concealed path leads to Hidden Beach street end and then to the Magnolia Village Pub.  It’s 6 miles one-way with 352 feet elevation gain (9.6 km, 107m of elevation gain)

Section 12 starts in Magnolia Village and runs along the Magnolia Boulevard W where great views lead to a long stairway down to Perkins Lane (where houses have slid into the Sound).  The trail rises to Discovery Park to again follow the bluff until finding the West Point Lighthouse. A switch backed trail leads back into the heart of  Fort Lawton passing Daybreak Star on the way to Commodore Park and the Ballard Locks, to complete the 120km circuit.  It’s 6.7 miles one-way with 779 feet elevation gain (10.8 km, 237m of elevation gain).

Notes

• Walkers are on the traditional land of the Coast Salish peoples who live here and steward these lands and waters as they have for time immemorial.
• The Seattle Olmsted Circuit 50/-70 is a joint project of The Mountaineers Seattle Urban Walk Committee and Friends of Seattle's Olmsted Parks.  

Information for Leaders

Scheduling

• This route allows multiple bookings. Please check scheduled trips listed below in the "Activities" tab to see if there is another group already booked on the same day. Leaders are expected to contact the leader(s) of existing trips to ensure there are no concerns or conflicts, according to The Mountaineers Outdoor Ethics Policy. Please review our Group Size & Multiple Bookings page for guidance.

• Suitable Activities: Urban Walking
• Seasons: Year-round
• Weather: View weather forecast

• Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
• Length: 75.0 mi
• Elevation Gain: 5,853 ft
• High Point: 520 ft

• Land Manager: Seattle Parks and Recreation
• Parking Permit Required: None
• Recommended Party Size: 12
• Maximum Party Size: 25
• Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 25