Bothell Walks

Bothell Landing and Blyth Park

Hike Length: 2 or so miles

Elevation Gain: up to 400'

Hike Difficulty: easy

Updated 9/22/2021

Bothell Landing and Blyth Park are two pleasant parks in the town of Bothell. Watch ducks swim in the peaceful Sammamish River, then tackle some of the steep trails in Blyth Park. Extended hiking is available on the Burke Gilman Trail and Tolt Pipeline. The city of Bothell recently bought an large tract of land next to Blyth Park, which should provide improved walking opportunities in the future.

Bridge over the Sammamish River, Bothell Landing Park (photo by Joe Mabel, Wikimedia Commons)

Getting There

In downtown Seattle, catch Sound Transit 522 and ride to Bothell. Get off at Old Bothell Way and 98th Ave, near downtown Bothell

The Hike

Walk south on 98th ave, then cross SR 522/Bothell Way to get to Bothell Landing Park, where you will see some historic buildings and lawns overlooking the slow-moving waters of the Sammamish River. It's a pleasant place to relax and watch people and ducks do their thing.

A arch-shaped pedestrian bridge spans the river. Walk across the bridge, turn right, and follow the paved path (part of the Burke-Gilman Trail) as it rambles along the shore of the river. The area is a bird-watchers paradise: sloughs and wetlands support flocks of waterfowl, and free-roaming chickens forage along the path. After a quarter mile, the Burke-Gilman Trail crosses the river on a bridge. To get to Blyth Park, don't cross the river, but instead veer left on another paved path. Shortly this path joins another paved bicycle path, The Burke Gilman Trail. Cross the bicycle path, then climb the grassy bank on the far side to get to Riverside Drive. Turn right (S) and walk the road to the entrance of Blyth Park.

The lower part of Blyth Park is a green expanse of lawn with picnic tables and other amenities. For a little more adventure, explore some of the steep, sometime muddy trails that climb the forested slope above the lawn. There is one main loop trail of about a half mile that is worthwhile. Unfortunately, nobody seems to be maintaining the trail and it has become nearly unusable. Just south of the park is the Tolt Pipeline Trail, here a steep swath of lawn underneath power lines. Climbing to the top of the hill will get your heart pumping. Unfortunately, the summit is a bit anti-climatic--the fences of suburban homes greet you on top. The Tolt Pipeline Trail can be hiked eastward for many miles.

Some recent good news: the city of Bothell has purchased the big golf course adjacent to Blyth Park, which in the future should provide greatly expanded walking opportunities.

Sammamish River at Bothell Landing

Getting Back

At Bothell Way and 180th NE, and catch Sound Transit 522 back to Seattle. Alternatively, walk to Bothell's cute downtown, explore a bit, then catch Sound Transit 522 at the Bothell Park and Ride.