Type: Trail, Loop
Difficulty: 4 / 10
Altitude: 140 ft
Dog Friendly: No
Jog-Stroller Friendly: Unknown
Filed Under: Running
Discovery Park is a 534 acre natural area park operated by the Seattle Parks and Recreation. It is the largest city park in Seattle, and occupies most of the former Fort Lawton site.
The 2.8-mile Loop Trail begins at the Visitor Center, but you can spin off early onto the South Beach Trail that takes you down (via trail and stairs) to a beach with tidal pools and driftwood all over it, then out to an 1881 lighthouse (closed to the public). From here, pick up the North Beach Trail that eventually reconnects you to the Loop. Run clockwise on the map, and take as many turns "out" towards the perimeter to make the run longer than the inner nature trail. Short steep hills give you a couple of hundred yards of total gain on this run.
Heading North on I-5:
Take the Mercer Street exit. Go right at first stoplight. At next set of stoplights go left. Stay in far right lane that merges onto Westlake Avenue N. Follow Westlake until you reach the Nickerson Street. Go straight on Nickerson Street past Fremont Bridge and Seattle Pacific University. Staying in left lane follow the sign to the Ballard Bridge/Emerson Street. At 3 way stop take a left onto a ? circle viaduct and follow Emerson until you come to a 4 way flashing stop. Take a right onto W. Gilman that becomes W. Government Way. Follow until you come to the east entrance of the Park. The Visitor Center will be on the left.
Heading South on I-5:
Take the 45th Street Exit and head west (right). Follow 45th going west and stay to the right. 45th becomes 46th Avenue North. Follow 46th until it becomes Market Street. Continue on Market until you reach 15th Avenue NW. Go left on 15th Avenue NW, following it over the Ballard Bridge. Take the first right after the bridge onto Emerson Street. Take a right onto W. Gilman at the 4 way flashing light. That becomes W. Government Way. Follow until you come to the East entrance of the Park. The Visitor Center will be on the left.
Heading North on Hwy 99:
Follow 99 to the Western Avenue exit. Head north on Western to Elliott Elliott becomes 15th Avenue W. Follow 15th to the Dravus Street exit. At stoplight take a left onto Dravus. Take a right onto 20th Avenue W. 20th will become Gilman Avenue W. at 4 way stop. Gilman Avenue W. then becomes W. Government Way. Follow until you come to the East entrance of the Park. The Visitor Center will be on the left.
From Downtown Seattle:
Go west on Denny Way to Elliott and follow directions for Highway 99.
From Ballard:
Follow direction from 15th Avenue NW to Ballard Bridge.
To get to the North Parking Lot:
Continue going through the park past the Visitor Center. Take a right following signs to get to North Parking Lot. Also see signs to Daybreak Star.
Posted by: tradkelly and last modified on Feb 02, 2006 by thoos
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