Looking for a Seattle area hiking guide to lead you through the outdoors this summer (and beyond)? I’m excited to share a brand new book from Moon Travel Guides called 75 Great Hikes Seattle. Full disclosure: The book is written by my cousin, avid hiker and Kirkland, Washington resident, Melissa Ozbek. I also contributed a short piece on hiking with kids including tips and ideas for heading out on the trail with young kids.
In the following video, I give a quick overview of the hiking guide, and also share what I love most about the book. Continue reading for a chance to win your own copy. I’m giving away two autographed copies of 75 Great Hikes Seattle, so be sure to enter!
75 Great Hikes Seattle
- Organized Well
The hiking guide is organized by 6 major Seattle area regions: Puget Sound, Interstate 90, Highway 2, Mountain Loop Highway, Olympic Peninsula, and Mount Rainier. Each region has a clear and concise map with numbers that mark and correspond to each hike offered in the region. Next to each map, each hike is listed along with major stats including distance, elevation, time estimation, and page number.
- Thorough Trail Profiles
As I mentioned in the video, my family and I have tackled several of her hiking suggestions, and have found her directions to be spot on, and SO helpful. Both directions to the trailhead and along the trail itself are easy to follow and provide readers with landmarks to lookout for, mileage markers, and interesting commentary about the area.
I also love her options to extend each hike—you never know when you might want to add to the adventure! Some hikes also feature restaurant, shops, and activity recommendations, which have really helped us get to know the areas we are hiking in so much more.
Each trail profile also includes a trail map. These are so well done, and invaluable as we work to navigate new trails.
- Overall Hike Selection
75 Great Hikes Seattle has a good balance of “hidden gem” trails along with classic Seattle area hikes that are popular for good reason! Melissa also includes tips and tricks for parking, crowd avoidance, and potential weather hazards.
- Best Hikes Section
The Best Hikes section located toward the beginning of the guide (starting on page 11) is one of my favorite aspects of the book! Best Beach Hikes, Best for Berry Picking, Best Kid-Friendly Hikes, Best for Mountain Views are just a few of the categories featured (5 hikes are selected for each category). When we are ready for an adventure, we often have something in particular in mind, so it’s been helpful to reference this section for ideas.
75 Great Hikes Seattle Giveaway!
What’s your favorite Seattle area hike? Or if you are new to the area or to hiking, what natural wonders do you hope to see (waterfalls, wildflowers, mountain views, etc)? For our suggestions, visit our Seattle Area Hiking with Kids post.
Photo Courtesy of Moon Travel/Avalon Books
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My favorite local hike is Talapus Lake, off of I-90!
That’s a great one, Mary! We haven’t done that since I was pregnant with Georgia (our 2.5 year old). We need to get back there.
Love doing the Lake Tradition trail at Tiger Mountain with my toddler and dog :). They can “practice” hiking there. Thanks for these awesome resources!
*Tradition lake, rather 🙂
That is such a perfect spot for hiking with toddlers! We did the Talus Rocks loop there on Father’s Day, and made a note to come back to do Tradition Lake & the Swamp Monster Trail soon.
We are new (2 years) to Seattle and are just getting to learn some of the trails. We’ve got kids and a dog so need safe, easy trails. I had a friend visiting and we did Rattlesnake Ledge and loved it!
Welcome, Kristin! Rattlesnake Ledge is one of those classic Seattle area hikes–I love it there. Also close by is Cedar Butte trail–also great views, but usually not as crowded. http://wildtalesof.com/hiking-with-kids-olallie-state-parks-cedar-butte-trail/
Sauk Mountain or Rampart Ridge at Mt. Rainier
Haven’t hiked either–but now I need to add them to our list! We snowshoed out of Longmire this past winter & it was lovely. Thanks for stopping by the blog, Camille!
Coal Creek Falls is a great hike! I’m really hoping we can go again this summer 🙂
Yes! That’s one of our favorites, Leslie!
I enjoy hiking north of Seattle. Oyster Dome in the Chuckanuts is nice.
Just hiked Oyster Dome last month with friends–so happy to finally experience that one–it was lovely! Those chipmunks are brutal though! 😉
Visiting my son and his family in Gig Harbor, Washington. I really enjoyed McCormick Forest Park!
Nice! We love Gig Harbor–such a beautiful town! We were there last May, and had such a nice visit.
I would love to do some hiking when I go to Seattle and visit. I love chasing waterfalls and wildflowers and enjoy beautiful, wild, untouched landscapes.
You definitely should, Diane! If you are staying in the city, there are plenty of parks close by that will give you that nature fix. Let me know if I can help with any planning or itinerary ideas.
I still a novice hiker and newer to the area. This looks like a great book to keep in my car!
Yes! Good idea! You never know where you mind adventure off to, and it’s great to have guides and resources right when you need them!
One of my favorites is Guillemot Cove. Even the drive there is pretty! I’m not an “avid” hiker, but I love going with the Hike it Baby group!
Awesome! Hike it Baby is such an amazing organization! We went to Guillemot Cove while camping at nearby Scenic Beach State Park last summer & had such a great adventure–that stump house is so much fun!
What a great resource! I want to get into more hiking around here. We often hike to Rattlesnake but it’s getting so crowded! Hope I win the book!
Good luck, Angie! Yes, Rattlesnake is crowded for sure–we try to go on weekdays to avoid crowds. Another great hike just across the way from Rattlesnake is Ceder Butte–nice views & not as busy. http://wildtalesof.com/hiking-with-kids-olallie-state-parks-cedar-butte-trail/
We love Annette lake off i90 past North bend
Ooohh…haven’t done that one yet, but I’ve heard great things. Thanks for sharing, Jen!
Love the Rattlesnake Ridge hike, great distance and elevation. At the top a great view from Rattlesnake Ledge and at the bottom a nice lake to cool your feet in.
It really is a great hike–just enough distance and difficultly! Thanks so much for your comment!
We love deception pass, taking the ferry anywhere, the San Juan islands, or anything with tall trees and water:)