Cross-Kirkland Corridor

Updated 9/20/2021

The City of Kirkland has converted an old railroad into a 6 mile multi-use trail. The setting of the trail is surprisingly rural-feeling in places. The old railroad right-of-way is surrounded by a lot of trees and there are even some views out over Lake Washington. Eventually it will be possible to follow it all the way to Woodinville.

The Cross Kirkland Corridor before conversion into a trail (photo source: Wikimedia)

Getting There & Back

From downtown Seattle, ride the northbound Link Light Rail to the current end of the line at University of Washington Station at Husky Stadium. Transfer to Metro 255 (stop is on the other side of Montlake Boulevard) and ride to South Kirkland Park and Ride.

Or Use TOTAGO to get round-trip transit directions, plus offline trail maps if you download the app:

Cross-Kirkland Corridor Trail on Totago

The Hike

The hike starts at the South Kirkland Park and Ride, which has good bus access from Seattle The Cross-Kirkland Corridor (CKC) crosses 108th Ave NE just north of the park and ride lot. Turn left onto the trail, which features a smooth gravel surface covering an old railroad right-of-way. In a quarter mile look for a unmarked trail heading into the woods on the right. This pretty path crosses through a greenbelt to 108th Ave NE, and is useful if you want to hike over to Watershed Park.

The first 4 miles of the trail is the best for pedestrians. Long stretches are wooded and pleasant to walk through. At 4 miles, the trail approaches the I-405 freeway, a less scenic and noisy area. Then the trail heads into the traffic-riddled, strip-malled Totem Lake area, suburbia at its worst, from a pedestrian standpoint. I would suggest skipping this part of the trail. Instead, leave the trail in the area of Crestwoods Park at the 3.5 mile mark, and then walk on minor streets to get to downtown Kirkland, where you can catch buses at the downtown transit center. A possible route from Crestwoods Park is to walk west on 18th, then south on 2nd Ave, a quiet residential street. This route is shown on the map below.

Another option is to walk from Crestwoods Park to Juanita Bay. Follow a paved path from the north side of the park that heads downhill along 6th Street. . Soon the street ends, and the path reaches a huge staircase that descends to Fobes Creek Drive. Cross the drive, follow 108th Ave north, then turn left onto 108th Street. The street soon ends and becomes a lovely path running along the wetlands near Fobes Creek. At the west end of the trail, head north on 101st Ave, turn left on 110th Street, then follow it all the way to downtown Juanita Bay. Buses may be caught here. Or you can walk from Juanita Bay to Kirkland on trails and streets near the lake shore, an interesting route described on the North Kirkland traverse page.

For more info and a map of the trail visit:

https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Government/Departments/Public-Works-Department/Cross-Kirkland-Corridor