Urban Hiking: Discover Seattle Stairways with The Mountaineers

More than 560 publicly accessible staircases wander throughout Seattle's gardens, district neighborhoods, and urban nooks and crannies. Join Mountaineers hike leaders up and down Seattle's many staircases.
Peter Hendrickson Peter Hendrickson
Seattle Branch Chair + Hike Leader
February 13, 2017
Urban Hiking: Discover Seattle Stairways with The Mountaineers

Did you know Seattle is home to more than 560 publicly accessible staircases wander throughout Seattle's gardens, district neighborhoods, and urban nooks and crannies? That's over 10,0000 hidden steps! The Mountaineers are hitting the streets to explore these steps with urban adventures this winter. 

Join Mountaineers leaders for our Seattle Stairway walk series. The walks vary in mileage and elevation gain, but usually take no more than a couple of hours. Great for anyone who wants to get some fresh air but doesn't have time for a full day hike. Sign up for one or many!

To guide our way, we'll be referencing Seattle Stairway Walks: An Up-and-Down Guide to City Neighborhoodsthe city's first guidebook to 25 of the best neighborhood walks that feature public Seattle stairways. Each route description includes driving and public transit directions to the starting point, full-color photos, a detailed map, QR codes for saving abbreviated directions on your smart phone, tips on sections that are family-friendly, suggestions for cafes and pubs for that perfect espresso and sandwich en route, fascinating sidebars on Seattle's neighborhood history and community anecdotes, and much, much more.

Upcoming stairway hikes

Lake Washington - March 14

This early evening urban adventure brings us through a section of the Olmstead vision for a Puget Sound to Lk Washington series of linked parks. Sign up.

Madrona & Leschi - March 21

Hike through stair-rich stair - rich Madrona and Leschi from Madrona - Sally Goldmark Public Library to Lake Washington with a winding return. Sign up.

Previous walks:

South Magnolia - February 28

South Magnolia #13 is another in a series of evening Seattle Stairways Walks -- about 2 hours, reasonable pace. See hike.

Northwest Queen Anne  - February 21

We'll explore north/south/north portions of NW Queen Anne including a stroll through the Seattle Pacific University campus. See hike.

Fremont - February 14

Valentine's day starts near Fremont's Theo's Chocolate - an after hours hike up and down many stairs. See hike.

Southwest Queen Anne - February 8

Another early evening Seattle Stairways Walks hike on Queen Anne Hill -- about 2.5 hrs. See hike.

Queen Anne/Mrytle Edwards Loop - January 17

This two-hour East Queen Anne hike is another in a series of early evening Seattle Stairway Walks. See hike.

Volunteer Park Conservatory & Lakeview Cemetery - January 10

Early evening, 2 hour, stair climb hike from Capitol Hill to Portage Bay and return. See hike.

Want to lead a stairway walk or other urban adventure?

Contact to become a leader.