5 Best Hiking Trails in Seattle (2026)

Independently ranked by our review of ratings, reviews and reputation · How we chose

By Vespera Quill, Expert in Local Experiences and Cultural Analysis · ✓ Data verified August 2026 · 7 min read

Seattle does not hide its trailheads behind a long drive. Discovery Park alone has logged more than 8,300 Google reviews at a 4.8 average, and every other trail on this page still clears 4.7, so the real decision for hiking trails in Seattle is less about quality and more about which landscape you want under your boots today.

Short answer: Discovery Park is Seattle's top-rated hiking trail (4.8 stars across more than 8,300 Google reviews), prized for its bluff-top views and two miles of tidal beach. Elliott Bay Park (4.7, 302 reviews) and Foster Point Trail (4.7, 127 reviews) round out the top picks for waterfront walking and a quieter Arboretum loop. Every trail here is free to walk.

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1. Discovery Park
2. Elliott Bay Park
3. Foster Point Trail
4. Taylor Creek & Trail
5. End of Burke Gilman Tr…
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Seattle's Top Hiking Trails at a Glance

#	Business	Rating	Reviews	Best for
1	Discovery Park	4.8 ★	8,373	Bluffs, beach and biggest loop	View ›
2	Elliott Bay Park	4.7 ★	302	Waterfront walk or run	View ›
3	Foster Point Trail	4.7 ★	127	Quiet loop near the Arboretum	View ›
4	Taylor Creek & Trail	4.7 ★	70	Short neighborhood trail	View ›
5	End of Burke Gilman Trail	4.8 ★	25	Endpoint for a long ride or run	View ›

Our top trail picks, reviewed

#1 Overall🕑 Open 7 days

Discovery Park

4.88,373 Google reviews

Discovery Park is Seattle's largest park, a 534 acre natural area on Magnolia Bluff overlooking Puget Sound. The city-run site includes two miles of protected tidal beach, open meadows, sea cliffs and forest groves, and it runs a free shuttle bus on summer weekends between the parking lots and the beach. It is built for a full day out, not a quick loop.

What people praise

Sweeping views of the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges
Two miles of tidal beach and a lighthouse walk
Well-marked trails that stay manageable for most fitness levels
Restrooms and picnic areas spread across the grounds

Worth knowing

Parking fills up fast on sunny weekends
A stroller can manage the paved sections but not the full loop

Reputation scorecardrank in Seattle

Rating4.8 / 5

Review volume8,373 · 95th

Confidencevery high

Recency2 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown82% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The most-reviewed trail in Seattle by a wide margin, and the pick for a half-day outing with real coastal scenery. Get there early on weekends before the lots fill.

Website +1206-684-4075 Directions

Seattle, WA 98199

#2🕑 Open 7 days

Elliott Bay Park

4.7302 Google reviews

Elliott Bay Park is a waterfront trail running along Elliott Bay, with separated paths for walkers and cyclists and landscaped grounds including a rose garden. Reviewers describe manicured grass slopes, tree-lined stretches and a cafe along the route, all within walking distance of downtown.

What people praise

Wide, well-maintained path split for walkers and cyclists
Views of the Sound, ferries and Mt. Rainier on a clear day
A rose garden and benches for stopping along the way
Close to downtown without the downtown noise

Reputation scorecardrank in Seattle

Rating4.7 / 5

Review volume302 · 86th

Confidencehigh

Recency7 weeks ago

Info completenesshours

Rating breakdown78% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A close second to Discovery Park for scenery, and the better option if you want a waterfront walk without leaving the city center.

Directions

Elliott Bay Trail, Seattle, WA 98119

#3🕑 Open 7 days

Foster Point Trail

4.7127 Google reviews

Foster Point Trail winds through Foster Island and Marsh Island, connecting the Washington Park Arboretum with East Montlake Park. Reviewers describe it as an easy hike or jog with a distinctive view of Union Bay, including a bridge crossing lined with lily pads.

What people praise

Unique water-level views from the island bridge crossing
Easy, short enough for a lunchtime walk
Connects directly to the Washington Park Arboretum
Quieter than Seattle's bigger-name trails

Worth knowing

The Marsh Island section can get muddy
Trail junctions are not always clearly marked

Reputation scorecardrank in Seattle

Rating4.7 / 5

Review volume127 · 77th

Confidencemoderate

Recency5 months ago

Info completenesshours

Rating breakdown74% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The pick for a shorter, calmer outing, especially if you are already visiting the Arboretum next door.

Directions

Foster Point Trail, Seattle, WA 98112

Taylor Creek & Trail

4.770 Google reviews

Taylor Creek & Trail is a short hiking trail tucked into the Lakeridge neighborhood, running alongside a small stream through wooded terrain. Reviewers describe a narrow, tree-covered path with a few footbridges and stairs, easy to miss unless you already live nearby.

What people praise

A relaxing, tree-shaded walk next to running water
Short enough to fit into a lunch break
Quiet, with fewer crowds than the bigger parks
Interesting fungi and wildlife along the path

Worth knowing

Trail markings are thin at a few intersections
Parking is limited and can be muddy

Reputation scorecardrank in Seattle

Rating4.7 / 5

Review volume70 · 68th

Confidenceearly

Recency4 months ago

Info completenessbasic

Rating breakdown80% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: Worth knowing about if you are near Lakeridge and want a short, peaceful walk rather than a destination hike.

Directions

68th Ave S. &, Holyoke Way S S, Seattle, WA 98178

#5🕑 Open 7 days

End of Burke Gilman Trail

4.825 Google reviews

End of Burke Gilman Trail sits at Golden Gardens, marking the western finish of the Burke-Gilman Trail, which reviewers note can connect for up to 42 miles toward the Sammamish River trails. The spot itself has a beach, picnic tables, a play area and a coffee shop.

What people praise

A natural finish line for a long bike ride or run
Beach views for sunrise or sunset
Picnic tables, restrooms and a coffee shop on site
Connects to a much longer regional trail network

Reputation scorecardrank in Seattle

Rating4.8 / 5

Review volume25 · 50th

Confidenceearly

Recency3 weeks ago

Info completenesshours

Rating breakdown84% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: Less a hiking trail on its own and more a scenic reward at the end of one. Good pick if you are already riding or running the Burke-Gilman.

Directions

Seaview &, Golden Gardens Park Rd, Seattle, WA 98117

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How we rank these trails

Every number on this page comes from public Google data on the date shown. Rating is the live Google star average. Review volume measures how many visitors have rated the trail, ranked against other Seattle hiking spots. Confidence weighs the rating by that volume, so a 4.8 from thousands of visitors counts for more than a 4.9 from a handful. Recency reflects how recently people are still leaving reviews. No business or organization can pay to change these numbers.

How much does it cost to hike in Seattle? (2026)

The trails on this page are free public parks with no entry fee. The only cost most visitors run into is parking, and at Discovery Park and similar sites that is typically metered street parking or a paid lot near the entrance during peak hours.

Hiking trails across Seattle

These trails span Seattle from Magnolia and Interbay in the north to the Arboretum, Minto-adjacent Lakeridge in the south, and Ballard’s Golden Gardens. Searching for a hiking trail near me? Each listing below shows the address and a live map link so you can find the closest option fast.

What to check before you hike in Seattle

What is the trail’s actual length and elevation gain?
Is the trailhead accessible by public transit, or is parking required?
Are dogs allowed, and do they need to stay leashed?
Does the park have restrooms and drinking water along the route?
Is the trail muddy or slippery after Seattle’s frequent rain?
Are there seasonal closures, like the summer shuttle at Discovery Park?

Frequently asked questions

How did you choose these hiking trails?

We started from Seattle’s hiking areas and parks with a public Google presence, then ranked by rating, review volume, consistency, and recency. See How we rank these trails above.

Are these rankings paid?

No. Rankings come from public Google data. A business can pay to be a Featured Partner, which adds a badge and top placement, but that never changes another listing’s score or position on the underlying data.

How often is this updated?

The data carries a verified date (August 2026 on this page). We refresh listings periodically so ratings and review counts stay current.

Is Discovery Park good for beginners?

Yes. Reviewers describe the main loop as expansive but not exhausting, with well-marked paths, though the south beach trail is steeper than the rest.

Are dogs allowed on these Seattle trails?

Reviewers mention walking dogs at several of these trails, including Discovery Park and Taylor Creek & Trail, but always check posted leash rules at the trailhead.

The bottom line

Discovery Park is the safe default for a full day of hiking with real coastal views, while Foster Point Trail and Taylor Creek & Trail are better picks if you want something short and close to home. Whichever you choose, check the trailhead for parking and seasonal notices before you go.

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