Walk Around Lake Union's Chesiashud Trail

We started and ended our walk at Gasworks Park

Last weekend we finally got to do an urban hike we've talked about for years: the Chesiahud Trail, encircling Lake Union. The 6-mile Trail connects Gasworks Park on the north end with its much newer counterpart across the water, Lake Union Park.

This trail is all about enjoying an intimate view of the varied neighborhoods clinging to this erstwhile industrial lakeshore. The hike is mostly level, so stairways don't figure as importantly on the Chesiahud Trail as they do in our book routes. Still, a walk around the Chesiashud Trail feeds that same exploratory spirit!

We joined about 20 other people with the Urban Hikers Meetup Group. Our walk began with clouds and sprinkles in the morning, but ended with crisp Fall sunshine that brilliantly highlighted the season's beautiful colors. The slides below are just a few of the scenes you'll discover on this wonderful route.

Stairway Access to the Aurora Bridge

Seattle stairs lead to all kinds of interesting places. In Fremont, the famous Bridge Troll sits under the Aurora Bridge, munching on a Volkswagen. Steps head up either side of the distracted troll, and brave walkers can take them up to the northbound or southbound sides of the bridge. From there a narrow sidewalk, just a couple of feet away from whizzing traffic, takes you high over the Ship Canal to Queen Anne. On that end, opposing stairs allow you to get back to Fremont, with views from the opposite side of the bridge if you desire.

We'd never walked the Aurora Bridge, and on this crisp, sunny November Sunday we finally decided it was way past time. We parked in Fremont next to the Ship Canal and headed back toward the Farmer's Market to start our urban hike.

This is the quintessential Seattle stairs adventure: steps allowing unique access to an incredible scenic byway, in this case one that carries you high over the Ship Canal. We got gorgeous late afternoon views of Fisherman's Terminal on the west, Lake Union and Gasworks Park on the east, and the surrounding mountains - including, on this day, Mt. Rainier in all its hulking glory.

In the Fremont chapter, the book details a side trip with a visit to the Bridge Troll and other attractions in the commercial part of the neighborhood. To add spice and create your own urban adventure, just sneak around the Troll and take the bridge over to Queen Anne and back!