Bothell Landing and Blyth Park

Hike Length: 2 or so miles
Elevation Gain: up to 400'
Hike Difficulty: easy
Map: King County Thomas Guide or street map
hike overview map


Bothell Landing and Blyth Park are two pleasant parks in the town of Bothell. Watch ducks swim in the peaceful Sammamish River, then tackle some of the steep trails in Blyth Park. Extended hiking is available on the Burke Gilman Trail and Tolt Pipeline. Bus access from Seattle is very easy.

Getting There:

From downtown Seattle, catch the ST 522 and ride to the intersection of Bothell Way and 180th St NE

The Hike:

Walk east on 180th street a block to Bothell Landing Park, where you will see some historic buildings and lawns overlooking the slow-moving waters of the Sammamish River. It's a pleasant place to relax and watch people and ducks do their thing.

A arch-shaped pedestrian bridge spans the river. When you are ready to continue, walk across the bridge, turn right, and follow the paved path (part of the Burke-Gilman Trail) as it rambles along the shore of the river. The area is a bird-watchers paradise: sloughs and wetlands support flocks of waterfowl, and free-roaming chickens forage along the path. After a quarter mile, the Burke-Gilman Trail crosses the river on a bridge. To get to Blyth Park, veer left on another paved path. Shortly this path joins another paved bicycle path. Cross the bicycle path, then climb the grassy bank on the far side to get to Riverside Drive. Turn right (S) and walk the road to the entrance of Blyth Park.

The lower part of Blyth Park is a green expanse of lawn with picnic tables and other amenities. For a little more adventure, explore some of the steep, sometime muddy trails that climb the forested slope above the lawn. There is one main loop trail of about a half mile that is worthwhile. A branch trail traverses south through the forest, shortly leading to the Tolt Pipeline Trail, here a steep swath of lawn underneath power lines. Climbing to the top of the hill will get your heart pumping. Unfortunately, the summit is a bit anti-climatic--the fences of surburban homes greet you on top. The Tolt Pipeline Trail can be hiked eastward for many miles. One can catch a bus at various points to return to Seattle.

If you are not attempting a long-distance hike on the Burke-Gilman or Tolt Pipeline trails, retrace you steps to Bothell Landing Park.

Getting Back:

At Bothell Way and 180th NE, and catch the ST 522 back to Seattle.