With highs going into the 80’s the last couple weeks, it has to get this hot before jumping into the frigid Pacific waters starts to sound like a good idea.
My sister’s friend recently asked for my favorite Seattle hikes that come with a swimming option and I thought I’d share.
With all the lakes and access to Puget Sound, most hikes near Seattle could fit the bill. But here are a few of my favorites closer to the city, all of which I’ve been able to explore without a car. I hope you enjoy.
Olympic Sculpture Park / Myrtle Edwards Park / Smith Cove Park and beyond
After visiting Pike Place Market, make your way down to the waterfront and head north along the piers. (Don’t forget to stop by Seattle Antiques Market!)
Olympic Sculpture Park welcomes you with an interesting fountain statue.. You can appreciate the art mixed in with the natural scenery, sponsored by Seattle Art Museum (SAM).
Continue along the path next to the ocean until you get to a pebble beach.
This is a great spot for swimming, fishing, and seal watching. We even had a rare humpback sighting a couple months ago.
The path goes alongside the ocean for miles. You could end up in Magnolia, Ballard, or even Discovery Park. This trail was my gym during the pandemic - it’s paved and beautiful and (most importantly) flat.
Alki is a popular swimming and snorkeling spot, and a walking trail runs between Alki Point Lighthouse, Alki Beach Park, and Hamilton Viewpoint Park.
There’s also Schmitz Preserve Park up the hill if you want more traditional woods hiking. Depending on how you get to Alki, there’s a few miles of trail along the water overlooking the Seattle skyline.
Getting to Alki Beach is the bulk of the adventure. I once attended a birthday party on the beach with several friends from Pike Place Market . We all left the market at the same time and raced each other there, each planning different routes and modes of transportation. Some chose water taxi and shuttle / walk. Others chose the bus route, with at least one transfer. A few gave up and just Ubered some or all of the way. Results were varied plus or minus an hour or two.
I recommend the water taxi and walk if you have the time. Get lunch at Marination Mai Kai on the West Seattle Water Taxi pier.
If you like biking, head South along the downtown waterfront and there is a bike path just past the ferry / water taxi that heads through SODO and over the West Seattle / Spokane Street Bridge. There is very little traffic on this route, which can be nice and also a bit creepy. But you get a sparkling view of the Olympic mountains and Seattle skyline, and I actually enjoy getting stuck at the drawbridge if you time it just right as ships are passing through.
Once you’re at the beach there are several spots to swim, plus shops and restaurants along the water. You can view the Alki Point Lighthouse from outside its fence, I haven’t yet seen it open to the public.
This park has a special place in my heart. She’s a beauty with giant towering pines everywhere, interspersed with playgrounds and athletic areas - yet it never feels like you’re in a clearing. Giant trees are forever nearby.
From downtown, take the RapidRide C Line South and it will take you right to it. From the entrance, you can head in almost any direction, all trails eventually head downhill towards the Beach Trail or Whale Trail. Once you get to the beach, the trail is flat and pretty accessible - my pug walked most of it on his wheels.
There is swimming at the beach or at the Colman Pool. Check hours of operation as the pool and public restrooms are seasonal.
Please do not miss Bruun Idun - The Way of the Bird King Troll:
Discovery Park / West Point Lighthouse Beach
West Point Lighthouse is the star of the show here. The salt and rain washed exterior feels timeless. It sits regally on a yard of boulders, towering over tiny sailboats in the distance.
Several hiking trails maneuver downhill, leading to rocky beaches and breathtaking mountain views. The beach is a bit narrow at high tide but is adequate for wading or sitting on a driftwood log with a picnic or a book.
The beach extends to the north and south of the lighthouse, and there are several wooded hikes and shaded trails from the park entrance. Be weary of the hike back, especially along Discovery Park Blvd, as the hill is pretty steep (but worth the trip).
The 24 bus picks up in North Belltown / Lower Queen Anne and drops off ~1.5 miles away from the beaches - you will need to hike the rest of the way. Driving may be preferred, but go early especially on weekends. My last visit was in January 2021 at the height of winter and the pandemic, and it was downright crowded.
Green Lake is the social hub of the city. Biking, walking, boating, fishing, swimming, athletic fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, a dog park, skateboarding, a pool, a theatre, even a bocce court and horseshoes. This park has everything.
The Green Lake Tree Walk Trail extends 3 miles around the entire lake. It’s wooded, semi-paved, and very accessible for wheelchairs and strollers. The perfect place to meet a friend for what my sister would call a “walk and talk.” The best news is that it’s flat the entire way. So many dogs!
Many spots along the route have water access, but it can get a bit swampy. The most common swimming spot is on the East Green Lake Beach, just south of the dock and across from the Soccer field and Basketball court.
Stop by the cozy Green Lake Boathouse and Coffee Shop for lattes and snacks. There are multiple trash cans and public restrooms along the trails for convenience. Snag one of the many park benches to sit and watch the rowing crew teams practice or (my personal favorite) acknowledge the geese hissing at you offensively.
It’s pretty easy to join the trail at most points along the route. Take the RapidRide E Line from downtown to start on the western side. Take the 1 Line Link Light Rail to Roosevelt Station and walk 0.5 mile to access the park on the eastern side. There is parking on both sides of the lake, but as always, come early as they fill up quickly.
Honorable mentions:
Madison Park Beach if you find yourself in East Seattle. No hiking trails nearby, but great views of Mount Rainier and the Cascades on a sunny day. Plus a giant playground at Madison Park a few feet away. I am in love with this neighborhood and like to walk around town and always visit Madison Park Hardware and Bert’s Red Apple Market.
Lake Ballinger Beach in Mountlake Terrace, just north of Shoreline. Stay tuned for a dedicated post about this park. It’s a bit of a commute / drive, but the water is clear, and the park is doing some awesome things for ecological restoration. Last time I saw an eagle!
Goose Beach on South Lake Union, mostly used as an access point for kayaking and paddle boarding. The beach is within walking distance of downtown and Belltown. The Cheshiahud Lake Union Loop is a 6.4 mile (mostly flat) paved trail all around the lake, making it a perfect 10K. Use portions of the trail to get from downtown to Fremont neighborhood and visit the Fremont Troll. Or check out Gas Works Park (also known as the location of the PaintBall scene from 10 Things I Hate About You).
I hope you are able to find some great hikes this Summer and some suitable swims. What are your favorite Seattle swimming / hiking spots? I would love to hear from you below in the comments if you are inclined to share.
Thank you for reading and if you find this list useful, please consider liking or restacking this post so others can find it as well. Stay cool!