Stairs vs. Sidewalks: Which is "Healthier?"

The New York Times' health blog, "Ask Well," makes an interesting health comparison between walking and climbing stairs. Veteran health writer Gretchen Reynolds writes that slowly taking stairs will burn almost twice the energy than walking at an everyday pace along a flat surface.

Stairway walking also "activates more muscles," might have balance benefits, and increases cardiovascular fitness more quickly than regular walking on a level surface. Even walking down stairs seems to use up more energy than flat walking!

A really healthy way to have fun outside! (Howe stairs, Capitol Hill)

Best Seattle Stairway Workouts: Around Union Bay

Our book offers 25 stairway routes through 20 neighborhoods, with an emphasis on discovering "new" neighborhood nooks and crannies on foot. Still, we're sometimes asked which stairways are best for exercise. In response, we're showcasing Seattle stairs that lend themselves to a good workout. This third post puts the spotlight on the Union Bay area - specifically the Ravenna, Laurelhurst and Montlake neighborhoods. 

The NE 52nd Street stairs - Ravenna (Chapter 1): One of the longer stairways in town is located in Ravenna, just north of the UW and University Village. The base is located way at the back of a P-Patch garden just off Ravenna Avenue NE, where NE 52nd Street would be if it weren't so darn steep. Here, NE 52nd has been replaced by a series of stairways that head up the hill for 218 steps, pausing briefly to cross 22nd Avenue NE and then 21st Avenue NE, finally coming to an end just before 20th Avenue NE. After that, NE 52nd Street starts up again.

The lower NE 52nd Street stairs start at the back of a P-PatchThe stairs pause briefly here to cross 22nd Avenue NE, then 21st, with one last gasp just before reaching 20th

The Laurelcrest stairs - Laurelhurst (Chapter 6): Also on the north side of Union Bay, in the Laurelhurst neighborhood, is a wonderful set of 94 stairs that provides views across Lake Washington toward Kirkland as they meander down from 50th Avenue NE to Laurelcrest Lane. They don't follow any particular street right-of-way, so we just call them the Laurelcrest stairs. The top of the staircase is just a couple of houses shy of where 50th Avenue NE dead-ends. You might have some fun finding it, tucked away in shrubbery on both sides. Sidewalk landmarks include a mailbox and a fire hydrant.

Looking up the Laurelcrest stairs; the bottom ends near a small shoreline access point adjacent to the Laurelhurst Beach Club

The 22nd Avenue stairs - Montlake (Chapter 14): On the south side of Union Bay, in the Montlake neighborhood, the 107 steps at 22nd Avenue E are a nice challenge. They don't have a particular point of interest, so you'll be sure to concentrate on your up-and-down circuits. After that, you can visit one of the nearby pub or cafe opportunities along 24th Avenue E; or take a stroll in nearby Washington Park Arboretum.

The base of the 22nd Avenue stairs