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Loop Trails near Seattle

There are 14 hikes near Seattle in our database that fit. They average 2.3 km and 50 m (164 ft) of ascent, with the longest running to 7.1 km.

That is 8 percent of the 165 routes we map near Seattle. They are shorter than the local average, 2.3 km against 4.0 km, which is what makes this a practical shortlist for a half day. They also climb less than the area average, 50 m (164 ft) against 100 m (328 ft), so they suit a recovery day or a group with mixed fitness.

Circular routes: park once, finish where you started, and never walk the same section twice. Most of these are on the gentler end, which makes the list a good starting point if you are new to the area. A good share of them are loops, so you can park once and finish where you started.

Trails

Moderate

Outside Loop Trail

Washington · United States

Distance
6.8 km
/ 4.2 mi
Elevation gain
150 m
Typical duration
1 hr 39 min
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Around the Lake Trail

Washington · United States

Distance
2.4 km
/ 1.5 mi
Elevation gain
53 m
Typical duration
35 min
  • Lake
Easy

Cascara Loop

Washington · United States

Distance
1.2 km
/ 0.8 mi
Elevation gain
27 m
Typical duration
18 min
Easy

Cottonwood Loop

Washington · United States

Distance
0.7 km
/ 0.4 mi
Elevation gain
14 m
Typical duration
9 min
Easy

John Nelson Trail

Washington · United States

Distance
0.5 km
/ 0.3 mi
Elevation gain
11 m
Typical duration
7 min
Easy

Loop 2

Washington · United States

Distance
0.6 km
/ 0.4 mi
Elevation gain
13 m
Typical duration
8 min
Easy

Main Loop Trail

Washington · United States

Distance
2.4 km
/ 1.5 mi
Elevation gain
54 m
Typical duration
35 min
Easy

Tateuchi Loop Trail

Washington · United States

Distance
0.8 km
/ 0.5 mi
Elevation gain
17 m
Typical duration
11 min
Easy

Treefrog Loop Trail

Washington · United States

Distance
0.6 km
/ 0.4 mi
Elevation gain
13 m
Typical duration
8 min
Easy

Trillium Trail

Washington · United States

Distance
1.5 km
/ 0.9 mi
Elevation gain
32 m
Typical duration
21 min

The shortlist, side by side

The ten highest scoring routes on this page, so you can compare effort before opening any of them.

Distance, ascent, walking time and difficulty for the top routes
RouteDistanceAscentTimeDifficultyBest season
Outside Loop TrailWashington6.8 km150 m1 hr 39 minModerateApril to October
Around the Lake TrailWashington2.4 km53 m35 minEasyApril to October
Cascara LoopWashington1.2 km27 m18 minEasyApril to October
Cottonwood LoopWashington0.7 km14 m9 minEasyApril to October
Discovery Park Lighthouse and Loop TrailWashington7.1 km155 m1 hr 42 minModerateApril to October
John Nelson TrailWashington0.5 km11 m7 minEasyApril to October
Loop 2Washington0.6 km13 m8 minEasyApril to October
Main Loop TrailWashington2.4 km54 m35 minEasyApril to October
Microsoft Red Fitness LoopWashington5.1 km112 m1 hr 14 minEasyApril to October
Rhododendron Garden LoopWashington0.9 km19 m13 minEasyApril to October

If you only have time for one, start with Outside Loop Trail, Around the Lake Trail, Loop 2. Those are the routes people come back to. Every route on this page links through to a full guide with the map, elevation profile, seasonal advice and what to bring.

Frequently asked questions

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