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!

 

Fremont

Arguably, the streets of Fremont are alive with more color, energy and visual interest than any other neighborhood. It's a mashup of blue-collar, artsy-bohemian, and high-tech hipster, a direct reflection of the 100-year-plus history of this neighborhood. If you do both routes detailed in the book, you'll come away with a broad view of this hugely varied neighborhood.

The main route starts along the ship canal, then climbs up to the northern border of Fremont at Fremont Peak Park, a very cool pocket park with a mythological theme and big views to the west. After that you work your way back down along the eastern side of the neighborhood. This walk is replete with those characteristic revelatory Seattle stairs - always showing you out-of-the-way nooks and crannies you'd never see otherwise!

The optional route adds a loop past the tourist attractions in the commercial zone, like the Lenin statue and the Bridge Troll, the famous "Waiting for the Interurban" staute and the beautifully renovated Fremont Library, with a new little companion park and curvaceous stairway on the side.

The "www" icon points out additional pictorial content, referenced in the book, that is included here in the form of a slideshow. You can view more pictures below that.

Top of the second flight, N 40th Street stairs

Fremont Peak Park, pictured in the slideshow above, is a recent grassroots creation and a real point of pride in the neighborhood. For the story of its local roots, take a look at this Seattle Times piece, Fremont Peak Park Story. For a fascinating description of the park's mythological and astronomical references, check out the website of the lead artist, Laura Haddad.

"Emergency Phone" whimsy, Greenwood Avenue N in Fremont

Walking down the second flight of Bowdoin Place stairs, toward Fremont Avenue N

Fremont bridge opens for a boat moving along the Ship Canal in early morning