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.

Southwest Queen Anne

The three stairway routes on Queen Anne each have a unique look and ambience. Southwest Queen Anne is the elegant one. It encompasses the stately, neo-Gothic Wilcox Wall; secluded stairways beneath towering trees and opulent homes; and famous, wide-open views across the city.

While the three Queen Anne stairway walks cover specific routes around the hill, Architect Thomas Horton has created a beautiful (and whimsical) hand-drawn map of all of the hill's stairways (see the sidebar link). It can be purchased via the Queen Anne Historical Society. 

The slideshow below, as denoted by the "www" icon, contains material that is referenced from the book. Scroll below the slideshow for even more scenes from the route.  

Heading down the 4th Avenue stairs

At the top of the 1st Avenue stairs you'll find the landmark Ballard-Howe residence