Olmstead Trail I: Seward Park

Enjoy a walk in historic Seward Park and along the shore of Lake Washington

Hike Length: 4 (Park only); 8 miles to Columbia City

Elevation Gain: minor

Hike Difficulty: Easy to moderate

Updated 9/24/2021

Seward Park is one of the finest urban wildlands you’ll find anywhere. Located in south Seattle, the 278 acre park occupies the entire area of the Bailey Peninsula that juts out into Lake Washington. Attractions include over 2 miles of lake shore and the largest old growth (unlogged) forest in Seattle.

The park is named after William H Seward, who as Secretary of State was responsible for the purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867. Many Americans at the time did not think much of paying so much cash for what was thought of as an arctic wasteland, so Alaska was soon dubbed “Seward’s Folly”. The Bailey Peninsula was purchased by the city of Seattle and made into a park in 1911.

Seward Park anchors the southern end of a park-and -boulevard system designed in 1903 by the famed landscape architects, the Olmsted Brothers. This greenbelt extends all the way to Green Lake in North Seattle. To fill out a day, combine a visit to Seward Park with a walk following Olmsted’s boulevard along the shore of Lake Washington.

Seward Park waterfront on a misty day

Getting There

From downtown Seattle, Ride Link Light Rail to the Columbia City station. Walk two blocks west on S Edmunds Street, then north a block on 35th Ave S to Alaska Street. Here, transfer to the eastbound Metro 50 bus, and ride to the intersection of Seward Park Ave S and Juneau Street. Walk Juneau Street down the hill to the park entrance.

The Hike

Seward Park is too small to recommend any definite itinerary; just explore to your heart’s content. Be sure to walk the 2-1/2 mile paved trail that loops all the way around the park’s waterfront. Along the way, fine beaches may temp you to take a swim on a hot day. When done with the shoreline trail, head into the middle of the park, much of which is covered with Seattle’s largest remaining old growth forest. A network of good trails allows easy exploration of the park’s interior. When you’re lost among the huge firs, cedars, and hemlocks, you’ll sometimes feel like you’re in some remote valley deep in the Cascade Mountains, not urban Seattle.

For more exercise, leave Seward Park and head north along the shore of Lake Washington, following a narrow ribbon of landscaped park squeezed between the lake and Lake Washington Boulevard. After about two miles, you will reach Sayres Park, where the annual Seafair hydroplane races are held. Restrooms available.

To get to Columbia City, head south from Sayres Park through Genesee Park's expanse of lawn. At Genesee Street, the park turns west. Follow it to Rainier Avenue, then walk south a few blocks to downtown Columbia City. Cafes and coffee shops are here if you need a boost. Walk west on Edmunds three blocks to get to the light rail station.

Waterfront path on Lake Washington north of Seward Park

Getting Back

Ride the Link Light Rail from the Columbia City stop to downtown Seattle.