Seattle Olmsted 50: Ballard Locks to Rainier Beach
The Seattle Olmsted 50 route runs from the Ballard Locks to the Rainier Beach Playground through myriad Olmsted Parks and Boulevards. There are five 6-mile (10k) sections, each with maps, turn-by-turn directions, and a gpx file.
Maps, turn-by-turn directions and a gpx file are accessed by tapping the Resources folder below.
On the Trail
The Seattle Olmsted 50 route runs 31 miles (50km) from the Ballard Locks to Rainier Beach Playfield, a feast of explorations through the heart of the 1903 Olmsted Park master plan. The route can be done in any north to south order or section(s). Section descriptions include public transportation, toilets, and treats at both section junctions and midway points. Stroller access is noted.
Section 1 starts at the Ballard Locks then goes to Golden Gardens, and finishes at Woodland Park Zoo. It's 5.9 miles one-way with 526 feet of elevation gain (9.4 km with and 159 m of elevation gain).
Section 2 starts at Woodland Park Zoo and then goes to Green Lake, Cowen/Ravenna Parks, Ravenna Boulevard, and finishes near Husky Stadium. It's 6.4 miles one-way with 362 feet of elevation gain (10.3 km with 110 m of elevation gain).
Section 3 starts near Husky Stadium then goes to Marsh & Foster Islands, The Arboretum, Interlaken Park, Volunteer and Louisa Borken Parks, and finishes at Washington Park Playfield. It's 6.7 miles one-way with 650 feet of elevation gain (10.7 km with 197 m of elevation gain). Another 75 feet of elevation gain gets you to the views atop the Volunteer Park Water Tower.
Section 4 starts at the Washington Park Playfield then goes to Lake Washington Boulevard, Denny Blaine, Viretta, Howell, Madrona, Leschi, Frink, Colman and Mount Baker Parks, and Hunter Boulevard, and finishes at Stan Sayres and Genessee Parks. It's 6 miles one-way with 585 feet of elevation gain (9.7 km with 177 m of elevation gain).
Section 5 starts at Stan Sayres Memorial Park & Boat Launch then goes to Lake Washington Boulevard, Seward Park, Martha Washington Park, Pritchard Island Beach, Rainier Beach Urban Farm, Be'er Shiva Park, and finishes at Rainier Beach Playfield . It's 6.8 miles one-way with 445 feet of elevation gain (10.8 km with 139 m of elevation gain).
Notes
- Walkers are on the traditional land of the Coast Salish peoples who live here and steward these lands and waters as they have for time immemorial.
- The Seattle Olmsted 50 is a joint project of The Mountaineers Seattle Urban Walk Committee and Friends of Seattle's Olmsted Parks.
Information for Leaders
Scheduling
- This route allows multiple bookings. Please check scheduled trips listed below in the "Activities" tab to see if there is another group already booked on the same day. Leaders are expected to contact the leader(s) of existing trips to ensure there are no concerns or conflicts, according to The Mountaineers Outdoor Ethics Policy. Please review our Group Size & Multiple Bookings page for guidance.
- Suitable Activities: Urban Walking
- Seasons: Year-round
- Weather: View weather forecast
- Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
- Length: 31.0 mi
- Elevation Gain: 3,280 ft
- 520 ft
- Land Manager: Seattle Parks and Recreation
- Parking Permit Required: None
- Recommended Party Size: 12
- Maximum Party Size: 25
- Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 25
This is a list of titles that represent the variations of trips you can take at this route/place. This includes side trips, extensions and peak combinations. Not seeing a title that fits your trip? Log in and send us updates, images, or resources.
- Seattle Olmsted 50
- Seattle Olmsted 50: Section 1
- Ballard Locks to Woodland Park Zoo
- Seattle Olmsted 50: Ballard Locks to Woodland Park Zoo
- Seattle Olmsted 50: Section 2
- Woodland Park Zoo to Husky Stadium
- Seattle Olmsted: Woodland Park Zoo to Husky Stadium
- Seattle Olmsted 50: Section 3
- Husky Stadium to Washington Park Playfield
- Seattle Olmsted 50: Husky Stadium to Washington Park Playfield
- Seattle Olmsted 50: Section 4
- Washington Park Playfield to Stan Sayres and Genessee Parks
- Seattle Olmsted 50: Washington Park Playfield to Stan Sayres and Genessee Parks
- Seattle Olmsted 50: Section 5
- Stan Sayres Memorail Park to Rainier Beach Playfield
- Seattle Olmsted 50: Stan Sayres Memorail Park to Rainier Beach Playfield
| Name/Description |
|---|
| Seattle Olmsted 50 Map A map of the entire Seattle Olmsted route done in GAIA GPS by Peter Hendrickson Oct 2023. |
| Seattle Olmsted GPX File A GPX file of the entire Seattle Olmsted route by Peter Hendrickson Oct 2023. |
| Seattle Olmsted Section 1 Info Sheet An info sheet including public transportation, toilets, and treats at both section junctions and midway points for Section 1, Ballard Locks to Woodland Park Zoo, of the Seattle Olmsted route by Peter Hendrickson Oct 2023. |
| Seattle Olmsted Section 1 Map A CalTopo map of Section 1 of the Seattle Olmsted 50 route by Peter Hendrickson Oct 2023. |
| Seattle Olmsted Section 2 Info Sheet An info sheet including public transportation, toilets, and treats at both section junctions and midway points for Section 2, Woodland Park Zoo to Husky Stadium, of the Seattle Olmsted route by Peter Hendrickson Oct 2023. |
| Seattle Olmsted Section 2 North Map A CalTopo map of the northern part of Section 2 of the Seattle Olmsted 50 route by Peter Hendrickson Oct 2023. |
| Seattle Olmsted Section 2 South Map A CalTopo map of the southern part of Section 2 of the Seattle Olmsted 50 route by Peter Hendrickson Oct 2023. |
| Seattle Olmsted Section 3 Info Sheet An info sheet including public transportation, toilets, and treats at both section junctions and midway points for Section 3, Husky Stadium to Washington Park Playfield, of the Seattle Olmsted route by Peter Hendrickson Oct 2023. |
| Seattle Olmsted Section 3 Map A CalTopo map of Section 3 of the Seattle Olmsted 50 route by Peter Hendrickson Oct 2023. |
| Seattle Olmsted Section 4 Info Sheet An info sheet including public transportation, toilets, and treats at both section junctions and midway points for Section 4, Washington Park Playfield to Stan Sayres and Genessee Parks, of the Seattle Olmsted route by Peter Hendrickson Oct 2023. |
| Seattle Olmsted Section 4 North Map A CalTopo map of the northern part of Section 4 of the Seattle Olmsted 50 route by Peter Hendrickson Oct 2023. |
| Seattle Olmsted Section 4 South Map A CalTopo map of the southern part of Section 4 of the Seattle Olmsted 50 route by Peter Hendrickson Oct 2023. |
| Seattle Olmsted Section 5 Info Sheet An info sheet including public transportation, toilets, and treats at both section junctions and midway points for Section 5, Stan Sayres Memorial Park to Rainier Beach Playfield, of the Seattle Olmsted route by Peter Hendrickson Oct 2023. |
| Seattle Olmsted Section 5 North Map A CalTopo map of the northern part of Section 5 of the Seattle Olmsted 50 route by Peter Hendrickson Oct 2023. |
| Seattle Olmsted Section 5 South Map A CalTopo map of the southern part of Section 5 of the Seattle Olmsted 50 route by Peter Hendrickson Oct 2023. |