10 Milers
These are easy to access 10 milers for basic conditioning and for earning the Hiking Merit Badge.
Simple 10 Miles Hikes
Used for conditioning prior to high adventure, shakeouts for boots and gear, and earning the Hiking Merit Badge.
These can be fun events and can end with pizza, burgers or ice-cream.
Discovery Park to Golden Gardens Park Loop
A nice loop hike through Discovery Park, the Ballard Locks, Golden Gardens and the Nordic Center with it's Troll.
It is about 50% dirt/sand trail and 50% paved bike trail. There are stairs at Discovery Park and at Golden Gardens. Otherwise, the rest of the route is reasonably flat.
To see everything, you should plan to travel 11 miles. It can be shortened to 10 if you really want to, but you miss out on the fun extra mile of trails or the Troll at the end.
NOTE: There are many intersecting trails at Discovery Park. You will need good navigation skills and/or track your route with a GPS or smartphone app.
Nice walk includes:
Discovery Park
Trails, Beach walk and lots of stairs
Ballard Locks
This is pay for parking - $8 for 4 Hours Max
You need to travel at a good pace to make it back in 4 hours
You can pay for 2.5 hours, circle back and do another 2.5 if you really want to...or park at one of the other parks
Golden Gardens Park
Beach Walk
Staircase to 85th with coffee shop and Pizzeria at top
Ice cream shop at entrance of park
Optional excursion to Nordic Center with Troll
May Start/End at any one of these locations
Length 10.45 mi
Elev. gain 997 ft
If Starting at Discovery Park:
4.4 Miles - Ballard Locks
7.1 Miles - Golden Gardens Park
9.3 Miles - Nordic Center - Troll
10.45 Miles - Finish
Food
Little Coney at the entrance of Golden Gardens has $4 ice-cream cones
Fantastic if you have one Scout
Price if you have a bunch of Scouts
Sunny Hill
Pizza at top of Golden Gardens Staircase on 85th
7-11
Across from Ballard Locks - Slurpee?
Lockspot Cafe
Olmets and Fish n Chips at Ballard Locks
Pagliacci Pizza
Across street from Ballard Locks
Lake Union Loop
This is a really nice scenic loop. In the heart of Seattle, you can also go and visit more areas if you have the time and engery to do so. Manage your bladder, plan for the few rest stops or consider visiting a coffee shop as needed.
Gasworks Park to the UW to Eastlake to Volunteer Park to MOHAI to Westlake to Troll back to Gasworks
Uses Cheshiahud Lake Union Loop and adds the UW and the troll to expand it to 10+ miles
Cheshiahud Lake Union Loop Map
Points of Interest
History House Torn down - now has Berlin Wall Display
Gas Works Park - Restrooms
Waterway 18
Waterway 15 9
“The Wall of Death” public art piece
Eastlake Bouledrome - Picnic Tables
Lynn Street Mini Park - Picnic Tables
“Shear Draft” public art piece
Lake Union Park - Restrooms
Crockett Street End
Garden with a Secret - ???
Waterway 1
Note: there are 2 public restrooms
One at Beginning/End at Gas Works Park
One at 7 mile mark by MOHAI
One at 9 mile mark at PCC Community Markets
You will need to manage your bladder or try a coffee shop/cafe
Start/Finish
Gasworks Park
maps.app.goo.gl/nYRSANsCHfV7ETLe7
47.6462, -122.3349
Restrooms
0.9 Miles
I-5 Underpass
47.6553, -122.3225
1.1 Miles
Eastlake Underpass
47.6552, -122.3184
1.2 Miles
Left/North Turn
47.6548, -122.3168
Head north to Lincoln Way at 47.6553, -122.3164
Head east
1.8 Miles
15th and 45th
47.6611, -122.3118
2.2 Miles
UW Quad
47.6572, -122.3072
2.5 Miles
Enter Burke Gilman
47.6561, -122.3024
3.6 Miles
47.6548, -122.3168
Head north to Lincoln Way at 47.6553, -122.3164
Head West
3.7 Miles
Eastlake Bridge Enter
47.6554, -122.3181
4.0 Miles
Eastlake Bridge Exit
47.6515, -122.3211
4.1 Miles
Under I-5
47.6520, -122.3225
4.4 Miles
Fairview Park
maps.app.goo.gl/UX5LYRbgzc7UNZsU8
47.6477, -122.3253
5.1 Miles
Lynn Street Mini Park
maps.app.goo.gl/sJjTANqMtxHf1Mnp8
47.6397, -122.3294
5.3 Miles Break
Terry Pettus Park
maps.app.goo.gl/FARjszRuvBoaw8Ud7
47.6366, -122.3290
Picnic table and 2 benches
Turn left/east on E Newton St
5.4 Miles
Turn right/south on Yale
47.6367, -122.3271
5.5 Miles
Turn left/east on E Howe
47.63579, -122.3256
Head under I-5 up stairs
5.8 Miles
Top of Stairs Howe Street Stairs
maps.app.goo.gl/yiDntW3BmmA5AM4m8
47.6358, -122.3201
Turn right/south and then right/west at next intersection
Go down Blaine Street Steps
maps.app.goo.gl/D5eYsyA3Qyaimwtv8
5.9 Miles
Bottom of Blaine Street Steps
47.6350, -122.3224
Cross street and Turn right/north on and then left/west down path
6.2 Miles
Turn left/south on Fairview
47.6347, -122.3270
6.7 Miles
Duke's Seafood South Lake Union
maps.app.goo.gl/G5kr2tNzmrNSZYTK9
47.62961245208173, -122.33000035867235
Head into parking lot and handrail shore
7.2 Miles
The Center for Wooden Boats
maps.app.goo.gl/TyDSgoueKTYR3Rma7
47.6262, -122.3366
Restrooms
7.3 Miles
Walking Bridge
47.6270, -122.3379
Cross bridge and turn right/north and handrail lake
8.8 Miles
Under Aurora Bridge
47.6453, -122.3473
8.9 Miles
4th Ave and Fremont Bridge
47.6464, -122.34958
Head right/north over bridge
9.2 Miles
Waiting For The Interurban
maps.app.goo.gl/exvLXJXfNuJ42HVHA
47.6494, -122.3495
Turn left/west on J P Patches/34th
9.2 Miles
Evanston Ave / PCC Community Markets - Fremont Co-op
maps.app.goo.gl/FviVgZqc3i4k9nBVA
47.6497, -122.3512
Turn right/north
Restroom?
9.3 Miles
The Fremont Rocket
maps.app.goo.gl/KEwVYBMmj7ZsDN7b7
47.6506, -122.3512
9.4 Miles
Statue of Lenin
maps.app.goo.gl/pnStpRPWAxU2Lo7Z8
47.6513, -122.3510
Turn right/east
9.5 Miles
Fremont Troll
maps.app.goo.gl/PRnzZBYAXHAjhg3C9
47.6510, -122.3474
Turn right/south under bridge
9.7 Miles
Northlake Way
47.6484, -122.3473
Turn left/east and get on Burke Gilman Trail
Start/Finish
Gasworks Park
maps.app.goo.gl/nYRSANsCHfV7ETLe7
47.6462, -122.3349
Restrooms
Nearby Sites of Interest
This is or is near the heart of Seattle. There are many places worth visiting.
U Village - shops and restaurants
Dick's Drive-In - there are 3 that circle Lake Union
Ivar's
Ivar's Salmon House by Gasworks
Ivars on the waterfront - feed the seagulls
University Way - many places to eat
National Nordic Museum in Ballard
So many Parks
Lynnwood Kohl's to Ballinger Park and Back
Upsides
Close to Home - Only reason to do this hike
Parking is easy and free
Start and stop at same spot
Trail mostly dedicated to foot/bike traffic
Easy access to most of trail with vehicle
Can start/end or turn around at Church
Restroom at start/mid/end each way
Downsides
There and Back trips not as enjoyable as loops or one-ways
Many road crossings
Boring
Start/Finish
Kohl's Parking Lot
maps.app.goo.gl/k5LKXF6CEyN2NHgL9
47.8308, -122.2663
Restrooms in Kohl's and Target if needed
Target has food
Mall with Mall Stuff like Cold Stone Creamery
Beech Road Crossing
47.8309, -122.2652
0.4 Miles
Alderwood Mall Parkway Underpass
47.8271, -122.2689
1.0 Miles
Footbridge connects to 196th heading East
47.8215, -122.2796
Use if going to Chick-fil-A
1.1 Miles
Overpass on Alderwood Mall Blvd
47.8206, -122.2815
1.7 Miles
Bridge over 44
47.8149, -122.2924
1.8 Miles
Lynnwood Transit Center Garage
maps.app.goo.gl/tMwUyxx8EXQCGEWo6
47.8156, -122.2931
Possible Restrooms (depending on Construction)
2.0 Miles
Underpass
47.8136, -122.2946
2.2 Miles
48 Ave Crossing
47.8125, -122.2978
Power Station to SE
2.2 Miles
Link Rail Underpass
47.8124, -122.2982
2.4 Miles
52nd Ave Crossing
47.8108, -122.3031
2.5 Miles
53rd Ave Crossing
47.8102, -122.3045
follow sidewalk to 54th and Double Crossing
2.6 Miles
208 St and 54 Ave DOUBLE Crossing
47.8100, -122.3057
3.1 Miles
South Lynnwood Park - Road to North
47.8076, -122.3139
Restrooms
Map by Google Maps - Map
3.2 Miles
212 St Crossing
47.8066, -122.3168
Power Station both sides of street
3.4 Miles
66 Ave Crossing
47.8047, -122.3219
3.6 Miles
68 Ave Crossing
47.80383, -122.3245
3.7 Miles
216 St Crossing
47.8031, -122.3258
4.0 Miles
220 St Underpass
47.7996, -122.3299
Possible to walk east to Church from here
4.4 Miles
224th St Crossing
47.795965, -122.3300
Lots of parking north of crossing (with towing signs)
4.4 Miles
226th Crossing
47.7937, -122.3306
4.5 Miles
Trail Fork
47.7928, -122.3308
Heading Out: Turn left/east at T after 226th
Heading Back: Turn right/north at T
Power Station to the west of T
4.5 Miles
72nd Pl Cul-de-sac
47.7927, -122.3303
Hidden trails between homes on West AND East side of Cul-de-sac
Continue straight through
4.6 Miles
Crosswalk across Lakeview Dr
47.7920, -122.3290
Turn Around Point 5.2 Miles
Lake Ballinger Beach
maps.app.goo.gl/hLecnVqy9U8nUoCk7
47.7849, -122.3261
Restrooms
Beach
Picnic Benches
Town Center at Lake Forest Park (Third Place Commons) East to Brackett's Landing and Back
Upsides
Parking is easy and free
Start and stop at same spot
End at place with Restrooms, frozen yogurt, pizza, indoor meeting area, pharmacy
Trail mostly dedicated to foot/bike traffic
Several checkpoints with Restrooms
Good portion of trail is secluded from roads
Follows Lake and River
Easy access to most of trail with vehicle
Downsides
Beginning and end legs are somewhat next to busy road
There and Back trips not as enjoyable as loops or one-ways
A few road crossings
Map by Google Maps - Map
Start/Finish
Lake Forest Park Town Center
maps.app.goo.gl/o34HjVcZyaiZWV4k8
Start at SW corner of parking lot 47.7532, -122.2787
End Swirl Yogurt or Mod Pizza (or head back to cars)
Restrooms, parking, food
Gyro Boss
Rite Aid Pharmacy
Albertsons
Swirl Frozen Yogurt
Subway
MOD Pizza
Starbucks
Amped Adventure - Bike Shop
0.8/9.1 Miles
Log Boom Park
maps.app.goo.gl/HahnpDAQYnV4FazQ8
47.7579, -122.2646
Restrooms
1.7/8.1 Miles (at Crosswalk)
McDonald's
maps.app.goo.gl/i7ziJPcedRB3ChWY9
47.7579, -122.2446
Restrooms
3.3/6.6 Miles
Red Brick Road Park
maps.app.goo.gl/y5au1ViYy3xFq1ry6
47.7501, -122.2128
3.4/6.5 Miles
Sammamish River Trail / Burke Gillman Fork
47.75037, -122.2108
Continued east across bridge on way out
Continue west on way back
3.5/6.4 Miles
Blyth Park
maps.app.goo.gl/EDrDMbGSn2tb1hSz6
47.7507, -122.2088
Restrooms
3.6/6.3 Miles
Sammamish River Trail / Burke Gillman Fork
47.7524, -122.2083
Don't get mixed up here
3.7/6.2 Miles
Sammamish River Trail / Bridge / Burke Gillman Fork
47.7527, -122.2096 Bridge
Don't get mixed up here
4.2/5.7 Miles
New Bothell Walking Bridge - keep straight
maps.app.goo.gl/h8vv4EvHuBcdz9Mq6
47.7576, -122.2064
The Park at Bothell Landing other side of bridge with Restrooms
4.3/5.6 Miles
Sammamish River Park
maps.app.goo.gl/uMTxZh2mbsK3q7Pa8
47.7584, -122.2042
Walk under 102nd bridge
4.8/5.1 Miles
Bridge over Sammamish River
47.7550, -122.1961
Turn Around Point
Brackett's Landing
maps.app.goo.gl/Cfdk4sAHCnxhGAa27
47.7548, -122.1934
Transition from Trial to Sidewalk
Sit by River if desired
Town Center at Lake Forest Park (Third Place Books) South and Back
Nice walk/bike around Lake Washington to UW
Dedicated trail
A few road crossings
Matthews Beach Park Playground is only Restroom on trail - and may be closed
It is 11.4 miles if you turn around at Magnuson Cafe & Brewery
It is 12.8 miles if you turn around at Magnesium Park which has Restrooms
Start/Finish
Town Center
maps.app.goo.gl/o34HjVcZyaiZWV4k8
Start at SW corner of parking lot 47.7532, -122.2787
End Entrance of Third Place Books
Restrooms, parking, food
Cedar Park
maps.app.goo.gl/7i1sRjxAphGA51Z98
47.7257, -122.2881
Porta Potties if you really need it - good walk off trail
2.6/7.5 Miles
University Lake Shore Place
maps.app.goo.gl/w11hKcSKb8rDiVeZ8
47.7190, -122.2799
Road Crossing at 125th
4.2/5.9 Miles
Matthews Beach Park Playground
maps.app.goo.gl/mabUBDRrNDNM8vRx8
47.6971, -122.2753
Restrooms (may be locked so don't count on these)
4.9/5.4 Miles
Inverness Dr Crossing
47.6928, -122.2718
Street Sign confirms location
Turn Around Point
Burke Gillman Trail Fork
47.6907, -122.2683
Bench, fork in trail and trail signs
Map by Google Maps - Map
Optional Turn Around Point
Magnuson Cafe & Brewery
11.4 Miles if you stay on Burke
10.4 Miles if you cut through Mathews Park (but there isn't a sidewalk!)
maps.app.goo.gl/79Dpw8sok57hrQvB8
47.6881, -122.2649
Restrooms and dining
Optional Turn Around Point
Magnuson Park
12.8 Miles
maps.app.goo.gl/N8HdQznLDvuHgCy57
47.6816, -122.2595
Restrooms
Picnic area - if NOT used/reserved
Other Trails
We have many choices to consider, including incredible routes. The following are entry level trails to get younger Scouts started.
Bothell to Redmond
Length: 11 miles - need to be a there and back hike unless you continue on to Burke-Gilman
Asphalt
Road does not follow route, but reasonable access to road for most of route
Location: Duvall to Rattlesnake Lake (near Riverbend) - Connects to Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail
Trail surfaces: Gravel (includes sections of Road)
Trail category: Rail-Trail
Flattest portion of the trail extends about 9 miles from Duvall to Carnation
Location: Snohomish to Arlington
Trail surfaces: Asphalt
Trail category: Rail-Trail
snohomishcountywa.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Centennial-Trail-33
Some elevation and industrial zone pass-throughs
Crosses the Whitehorse Trail
Ends at the Nakashima Barn Trailhead
Location: Darington to Arlington - Connects to Snohomish County Centennial Trail
Trail surfaces: Ballast, Gravel
Trail category: Rail-Trail
Mostly gravel with some muddy portions
Not as busy as many other trails
snohomishcountywa.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Whitehorse-Trail-105
Location: Everett to Seattle
Trail surfaces: Asphalt
Trail category: Rail-Trail
Numerous gaps exist -- and occasional closures
Location: Ballard to Bothell - connects to Sammamish River Trail
Trail surfaces: Asphalt
Trail category: Rail-Trail
Mostly flat asphalt route from Ballard to Bothell/Woodinville
Note:
"the Missing Link" - 1.4 miles along Shilshole Ave NW
Many busy street crossings
Many places to stop and eat - Burgers?
Location: Sedro-Woolley to Concrete
Trail surfaces: Crushed Stone, Gravel
Trail category: Rail-Trail
Bike camping is a fun option with nearby Rasar State Park
Henry Thompson Bridge - the longest single span cement bridge in US when it was constructed