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Seattle Urban Hike: North Beacon Hill

explore Seattle, immerse yourself in nature without leaving the city, and support local businesses!

By Joe NastaPublished 3 years ago 4 min read
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Spring is here! When Spring starts warming Seattle, the city bursts into green. Take advantage of a gorgeous Saturday by exploring green spaces in North Beacon Hill!

Take an urban hike through the neighborhood on some of Seattle's underrated greenways and trails. Where the city and nature meet, this is perfect for anyone craving a fun and easy way to get some green time without leaving Seattle. Grab coffee before and ice cream after at local Beacon Hill favorites.

daylight view from Jose Rizal Bridge

1. Power up at The Station Coffeehouse

· This hike is perfect for an early afternoon start on a weekend. Before you begin, power up with your favorite energizing beverage at The Station Coffeehouse! They’re a community centered, politically active business (they are a black and Latinx owned business that employs POC and LGBTQ people from the community) with great coffee. It’s on the corner just north of the Light Rail Station. You’ll know you’re at the right place when you see the tiled murals and little free library outside. They are open for to-go coffee and food, so put your mask on and walk in through the entrance door on the right and order at the register. Check out the local artists whose work is displayed on the walls.

· https://www.thestationbh.com/ @thestationcoffeeshop on Instagram

· 1600 S ROBERTO MAESTAS FESTIVAL ST, SEATTLE, WA 98144

Catwalk in Lewis Park
Trail Marker at Lewis Park

2. Urban Hike

· You’re ready to set out on the hike! You will be walking 2.7 miles, which should take an hour to an hour and a half. A map of the hike is located here.

· Head East on S Roberto Maestas Festival Street, cross 17th Ave S and turn left on 18th Ave S. This street is a part of the Seattle Neighborhood Greenways Network (a system of safe walking routes throughout the city) and is a Stay Healthy Street currently opened to pedestrians and cyclists only. Checking out all the houses in the neighborhood is one of my favorite activities.

· At the cul-de-sac on the end of 18th Ave S, Enter the I-90 Trail from 18th Ave S and turn left.

· Follow the trail until you get to the gazebo in Daejon Park. When you see the gazebo next to the path, turn left and cross Sturgus Avenue S on S Judkins St. Tucked into the first alley on your right is a set of stairs that will bring you to the Salmonberry Trail in Lewis Park!

· Lewis Park is a pocket of forest tucked in the city. You’ll forget your in Seattle for a moment! Continue on the Salmonberry Trail, keeping right. This will merge into the Swordfern Trail and take you over a metal catwalk in the woods. This forest is undergoing Active Restoration by The Green Seattle Partnership, so be sure to stay on the trail to respect their work conserving our city’s forested parks!

· As you leave Lewis Park, you’ll see the Jose Rizal Bridge and a great view of the skyline! Cross S Charles St and follow the asphalt path down to the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trail, turning left. Snap some photos with the Smith tower, the Stadiums, and Elliot Bay in the background!

· After you round the corner following the bridge, you’ll see a gate and a dirt path on your left—follow this up the hill into Dr. Jose Rizal Park for even better views! This path will continue straight until you pass through another gate and merge back onto the Mountains to Sound Greenway.

· The Greenway continues until you hit Beacon Ave. Turn left and hike up the hill. Continue straight on Beacon Ave South until you return to the light rail station on your left. You made it!

my biggest fantasy finally being convenient for someone
when did I remember nothing seriously that nothing
when I emerged from the light rail station elevator, Beacon
Hill flooded in white suds, oops caught me in the tub with bubbles
wanna hear a dirty one? The joke sunset played live onscreen
when Jeff Bezos decided the sky was no longer real.

3. Reward yourself with Ice Cream Bars at Perihelion Brewery

· After your hike you deserve a cool-down treat! Diagonally across from the light rail station is Perihelion Brewery. They’re one of my favorite neighborhood restaurants and have the best Housemade Ice Cream Bars that come in flavors like Rose Pistachio, Matcha Raspberry, and Banana Split. There’s always vegan options as well. They look great in an Instagram photo and taste delicious. The flavors rotate weekly and I check every week to make sure I can taste the newest one before it sells out!

· Look for the burnt orange awnings and ample outdoor seating. There is a takeout window by the large barrel, and you can order from the sidewalk. You can also order online for pickup.

· http://www.perihelion.beer/ @perihelionbeer on Instagram, opens at 12pm on Saturday and Sunday

· 2800 16TH AVE SOUTH, SEATTLE, WA 98144

Window with Ice Cream Bar Menu at Perihelion Brewery
sunset on Jose Rizal Bridge

Hope you enjoy the urban hike! Drop a heart to let me know! <3

activities
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About the Creator

Joe Nasta

Hi! I'm a queer multimodal artist writing love poems in Seattle, one half of the art and poetry collective Eat Yr Manhood, and head curator of Stone Pacific Zine. Work in The Rumpus, Occulum, Peach Mag, dream boy book club, and others. :P

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