The New York Times’ Travel section wrote that Columbia City “feels like a microcosm of [Seattle] itself, a gumbo of art galleries, bike shops, yoga studios and butchers, where it’s easier to find homemade tamales or good pulled pork sandwich than a macchiato.” Explore this area with its multitude of parks and quaint neighborhoods. Walk along Lake Washington, and see the Rowing Center. Find many local favorite bakeries, shops and restaurants in this Historic Landmark District.
Distance & Trail Rating: 6K and 10K. Rating: 2A.
Online Start Box: This walk has the option to register either at the Physical Start Box at All the Best Pet Care (see below), or on the Online Start Box (OSB). For OSB registration information, go to ava.org, or try this link. Once you’ve registered online, the walk directions and map will be available for you to download.
Start Location & Physical Start Box: All the Best Pet Care. 4805 Rainier Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98118. Start Box is purple plastic folder – kindly ask for it at counter. GPS coordinates for Start Location: 47.5593, -122.28623
Start Location Hours: Mon – Sat: 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sun: 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Amenities: Restrooms: yes – see “Comments” | Pets: yes – see “Comments” | Strollers: medium | Wheelchairs: no
Comments: No restroom at Start Location, but restrooms available at PCC Grocery next door – go to your left, behind produce. Pets not allowed on Light Rail, but ok on walk route if arriving otherwise. Leash and clean-up laws apply. The 10K route will be closed for SeaFair (August 1-3, 2025) due to congestion and blocked sidewalks along the route. The 6K route will be available, but will be congested. See comment below about parking. Check out the Farmer’s Market, held right next to the start location, Wednesdays in the summer, and monthly in the winter.
AVA Special Programs: Par for the Course. Step to the Beat.
ESVA Special Programs: That’s Entertainment (Cultural, Crafts/Hobbies). Tell Me a Story.
Light Rail Challenge II: Qualifies under “South” category.
Walk to Start from Columbia City Station: Disembark the train and walk south to Edmunds St. Turn left and cross Martin Luther King. Walk two blocks to Rainier Ave. S. Turn left and walk a half-block to store. Store entry faces parking lot. See map below.
Driving Directions & Parking: From I-5, exit onto I-90, eastbound. Immediately take exit 3 (Rainier Ave. S.). Turn right onto Rainier and drive 2.3 miles. At one half-block south of S. Alaska St., turn right into store parking lot. Parking at store is ok to register, then move your car. The OSB download and the Physical Start Box have handouts for a map and driving directions to free street parking in the area.
Metro Bus: Routes 7, 9, 50, 106.
Contact: Jane Clark. (206) 920-2544
Sponsoring Club: Emerald City Wanderers
AVA Walk Sanction Name and Number: Light Rail – Columbia City Station. Y2414.
Map of Qualifying Stations in “South” Region:
