Seattle, a.k.a. The Emerald City, is an absolute gem for tourists and locals alike. Sitting atop seven hills, washed on two sides by Puget Sound and Lake Washington, the city features miles upon miles of mountain and waterfront views. Moreover, the city has over 5,500 acres of parks. All of this makes running in Seattle an absolute treat.
Seattle is very car-centric, with so much traffic it’s become legendary. However, city officials are trying their best to relieve the situation by creating new public transport solutions, including better metro and bus systems.
Seattle’s weather is relatively mild. You will experience many days of rainy and chilly weather in winter and a mostly gentle summer with occasional dry days.
“What are some good places to run near me?” you might be wondering. Read on and learn about 8 of the top runs in Seattle. Spoiler alert: it is actually 9 runs, but we cheated a bit.
1. Elliot Bay Trail
Seattle’s most iconic running trail is the waterside Elliot Bay Trail, stretching for about 7 miles from Lumen Field to Smith Cove Park. There are many nice stretches to choose from here. We recommend the 1.5-mile section from Olympic Sculpture Park to Myrtle Edwards Park. The whole run is flat and paved, with some street lighting and limited shade.
Why is it great?
- Iconic waterfront views.
- Many sculptures along the way.
- Many amazing sections to choose from.
- Paved course.
- Flat route.
- Limited shade and street lighting.
2. Green Lake
Green Lake hosts one of the most beloved Seattle running routes. This 2.8-mile inner loop is partially lit at night, well-shaded during the day, and always crowded with runners. There is also an outer 3.1-mile loop, which sees less use due to being farther away from the lake.
The trails feature crushed granite paths for runners and paved paths for bikers and wheelchair users. There is a steady elevation gain, up to 65 feet.
If you want to add some variety to your run, try Woodland Park. It is just south of Green Lake and features miles and miles of green parklands and forestry.
Why is it great?
- Paved and crushed granite paths.
- Separate paths for bikers and runners.
- Majestic lake views.
- Well-shaded during the day.
- Slight elevation gain.
3. Lake Union
Lake Union is just a stone’s throw away from downtown, not too far away from the Capitol Hill neighborhood. The loop around the lake is almost a perfect 10K, making it the ideal location for the Lake Union 10K, one of the most esteemed Seattle running races.
The loop features stunning views of the city skyline, the lake itself, the Olympic Mountains, Mount Rainier, and the Gas Works and Lake Union Parks. The trail also has some steady elevation gain, up to 311 feet.
Why is it great?
- Magnificent views of the lake, mountains, skyline, and parks.
- Well-lit at night.
- Host to the Lake Union 10K, perfect for familiarizing yourself with the course.
- Paved path.
4. Burke-Gilman Trail
The Burke-Gilman Trail is a 27-mile urban cycling and pedestrian trail that runs through many parts of Northern Seattle, stretching from Golden Gardens Park to Redmond.
The course has many dirt paths running alongside the asphalt trail. It closely hugs Puget Sound, Lake Union, and Lake Washington, ensuring no lack of great waterside views.
The eastern parts are pretty hilly. The western parts are not exactly flat either but are less challenging.
Why is it great?
- Well-shaded during the day.
- Hilly trail.
- Separate asphalt and dirt paths.
- Magnificent waterside views.
- Long trail with many nice sections to choose from.
5. Washington Park Arboretum
The Washington Park Arboretum is an absolutely stunning 230-acre park along Lake Washington, making it one of the best Seattle running destinations.
The park has two main loops, Azalea Way and Arboretum Loop Trail. Each is roughly 2 miles of well-shaded gravel paths. Azalea Way is undoubtedly the highlight with its abundance of plants, but the Arboretum Loop Trail can also surprise you with its majestic forests, which include maples, magnolias, and oaks.
Why is it great?
- Unique forest and arboretum views.
- Flat route.
- Gravel path.
- Well-shaded during the day.
6. University of Washington Campus
The University of Washington has one of the most beautiful campuses in the world, with many age-old buildings and beautiful green glades filled with pink cherry blossoms in spring.
The trails could be more structured, but you should definitely visit Drumheller Fountain and Suzzallo Library. Outside of that, just pick a direction and enjoy your journey.
If you want to extend your run, throw the Washington Park Arboretum into the mix. You can transition there through the Arboretum Waterfront Trail, taking you through Marsh Island and Foster Island for some amazing waterside views.
Why is it great?
- Well-shaded during the day and well-lit at night.
- Paved path.
- Flat course.
- Amazing architecture.
- Unique views in spring.
- Great possible extensions.
7. I-90 and 520 Bridges
There are two main bridges connecting Seattle to its eastern suburbs. These Seattle running routes will offer you breathtaking waterside views and take you through some of the most beautiful parks in the area.
The I-90 bridge route stretches roughly 5 miles through Mercer Island, connecting mainland Seattle to Beaux Arts Village. You can extend your run by adding Lakeside Ave. South or some parks on Mercer Island.
The 520 bridge route will take you to Hunts Point, passing next to Marsh Island and through Foster Island. The whole course is roughly 3 miles, although you are welcome to extend it by adding the previously mentioned Washington Park Arboretum or University of Washington campus trails on one side or other points of interest in Bellevue.
Note that neither path is lit or shaded. With Seattle’s weather and daylight cycle, this might not be an issue but keep that in mind.
Why is it great?
- Paved path.
- Flat course.
- Great waterside views.
- Many possible extensions.
8. Discovery Park
Discovery Park is the largest urban park in Seattle, covering over 530 acres of land and spanning over 10 miles of trails of various scenery and degrees of intensity. This park is the prime spot for trail running in Seattle, with many rugged paths and hilly quad-busting climbs. The elevation gain goes up to 364 feet, so get ready to sweat hard on this track if you are up for the challenge.
Why is it great?
- Well-shaded during the day.
- Terrific park views.
- Rugged and paved paths.
- Flat and hilly stretches.
- Great for a challenging run.
Conclusion
Seattle is a fantastic city for runners with no lack of diverse trails: from hilly mountain climbs to flat parks with waterside or forest views. Simply put, Seattle has it all!
We hope you enjoyed our top Seattle runs. Did we forget your favorite spot? Let us know in the comments.
