Seward Park Loop

Seward Park Loop circles a forested peninsula that juts into Lake Washington in southeast Seattle, Washington, at Seward Park, 5895 Lake Washington Blvd S, Seattle, WA 98118. The park can be reached by car, with free parking at several lots, or by Metro bus connecting from Columbia City Link light rail station, so no permit or fee is required. The paved loop is about 2.4 miles (3.9 km) around the shoreline and usually takes 45 to 75 minutes on foot. It is essentially flat, with only modest climbing if hikers add the interior forest trail, so the walk is easy and suited to first-time hikers, families and casual walkers. The surface is smooth asphalt on the main loop, shared with cyclists and runners, while the interior trails are dirt and gravel with roots. Exposure varies: the shoreline stretches are open with lake breezes and views toward Mount Rainier on clear days, while the interior is shaded by old-growth Douglas fir and bigleaf maple, one of the largest remaining stands of old-growth forest in the city. Key landmarks include the swimming beaches, the amphitheater, the fish hatchery nearby, the Seward Park Audubon Center, and shoreline viewpoints of the Cascade Mountains. Bald eagles, great blue herons and peregrine falcons are regularly sighted, and eagle nests are protected, so wildlife should be viewed from a distance. Restrooms and picnic areas are scattered along the loop, though water availability varies by season, and there are no huts or shelters beyond picnic structures. A turn-around is rarely needed because the loop returns to its start. Weekends are busy with cyclists and families, so walkers keep to the right and stay alert for bikes. Dogs on leash are allowed in most areas.