Hiking & Biking

Pedal Power

The Best Bicycle and Skate Shops in Seattle

Wheels are life—and the city is full of places to keep us rolling.

05/04/2022 By Allison Williams

Getting Out

Accessible Hikes Near Seattle and Beyond

Try these six flat and paved trails in the Pacific Northwest wilderness, great for beginners and just about anyone.

04/13/2022 By Allison Williams

Mud Ahoy

Best Rainy Day Hikes Near Seattle

Waterfalls, hot springs, and views made for wet days: The best trails to explore in the Western Washington drizzle, from North Bend to Issaquah.

03/28/2022 By Allison Williams

Lumberjacked up

How to Cut Down a Christmas Tree in the Woods

Want a tree straight from the forest? Buy a permit, grab a saw, and head to the woods.

11/23/2021 By Allison Williams

Muddy Boots

Shoulder Season Hikes for National Take a Hike Day

From short day hikes to longer-haul backpacking opportunities, here are the best fall hikes near Seattle.

11/17/2021 By Allison Williams, Craig Romano, and Seattle Met Staff

Bicycle Diaries

Never Have I Ever: Commuted via Bike

A casual weekend bicycle enthusiast straps on a helmet and heads to work downtown.

09/16/2021 By Allison Williams

Native Names

This Land Is Their Land: The Rise of Land Acknowledgements in the PNW

A growing wave of Indigenous acknowledgments tie outdoor recreation to the tribes that first lived here—but just saying so isn’t enough.

06/29/2021 By Allison Williams

ELECTRIC AVENUES

Washington's Best E-Bike Routes

Six routes made for an e-bike adventure, from sleepy streets to formal trails.

06/22/2021 By Allison Williams

Guide to Electric Bikes

Don’t Call an E-Bike a Bicycle

A guide to Seattle's plugged-in pedals.

06/22/2021 By Allison Williams

Go Green

Trailhead Direct Restarts Bus Service to Hiking Trails

Skip the parking lot shuffle at Mount Si or Tiger Mountain.

06/01/2021 By Allison Williams

Winter walks

10 Best Snowshoe Hikes in Western Washington

Trails look a little different in winter, but with the right footwear there's no reason to stay inside.

11/25/2020 By Allison Williams

Float On

Washington Guide to Snowshoes and Winter Hiking

Winter’s most accessible sport—with the goofiest footwear—keeps getting bigger. Here's how to do it safely.

11/25/2020 By Allison Williams

Gun Shy

How to Hike in Hunting Season

And why the camo crew and the backpack brigade are really on the same team.

10/16/2020 By Allison Williams

Feature

The 15 Best City Trails in Seattle

The greatest urban escape routes in the Seattle area, threading downtown, the waterfront, far-flung neighborhoods, and the abundant nature beyond.

08/10/2020 By Allison Williams

GO FOR IT

Hiking Is the Safest Way to Have Fun This Summer

Bears? Bees? Nah. As long as you bring a jacket and look where you’re walking, Northwest trails are a safe place to spend the pandemic.

07/24/2020 By Allison Williams

Outward Bound

Best Washington Hikes

These trails, from family-friendly routes on Cougar Mountain to all-day treks in Snoqualmie, offer something for trail runners and casual hikers alike.

07/02/2020 By Allison Williams, Craig Romano, and Seattle Met Staff

Guide to Mount St. Helens

Journey Into the Crater of Mount St. Helens

A visit to the inner sanctum of a fitful volcano, as Bill Nye the Science Guy tags along.

05/06/2020 By Allison Williams

Potty Plight

Hiking Trails Are Open! But What About Going to the Bathroom?

What to do when nature calls while you're socially distancing.

05/05/2020 By Allison Williams

Cabin Fever

How to Get Outside: An Updated Primer

We're all craving the great outdoors. Get the latest on how and where to get some nature.

03/16/2020 By Allison Williams

WIDE OPEN SPACES

How to Get Outside to Beat Cabin Fever

Social distance yourself right out into the woods and ski slopes—but take a few precautions.

03/13/2020 By Allison Williams

Seattle Met