For this year’s Easter walk, we will bring back our popular route through the UW. Starting in Laurelhurst, the walk will descend through the neighborhood to explore the UW Horticulture Center gardens, the Union Bay Natural Area, and the UW campus. The walk will qualify for the Light Rail Challenge, as it will pass by the University of Washington Station.
Date and Time:
Saturday, June 19, 2025
Registration: 9:00 – 10:30 am
Start Location:
Laurelhurst Playfield (north end)
nearest street address:
4530 46th Ave. NE
Seattle, WA 98105
GPS coordinates: 47.66135, -122.27737
See below for driving directions.
Distance & Trail Rating: 6K, 10K and 11K. Rating: 2B.
Amenities: Restrooms: yes | Pets: yes | Strollers: hard | Wheelchairs: no
Comments:
This will be a map-walk, with limited trail markings. Route includes paved sidewalks, as well as dirt trails in the Union Bay Natural Area. The 10K route includes stairways going down. A workaround for strollers will be available – ask for it at registration. The 11K option goes on boardwalks through Yesler Swamp, and on an extension of the dirt trail in Union Bay Natural Area to the shoreline – some parts of this trail extension may be muddy if there are heavy recent rains. Not suitable for wheelchairs. Restrooms at Start Location at Laurelhurst Park, and along the route.
Driving Directions:
From I-5, take exit 169 and head east on NE 45th St (northbound drivers will turn right, southbound drivers will turn left). Continue straight on NE 45th St for 1.5 miles to fork in road where the main arterial veers left. At fork, STAY RIGHT to continue on NE 45th St, uphill, to the Start Location, near 46th Ave NE. Laurelhurst Playfield is at the top of the hill, on the right. Look for the pedestrian bridge crossing over NE 45th St and find street parking in the vicinity. Start will be in the park, near this pedestrian bridge. (Note, the Start Location is at the north end of park and doesn’t have a legal street address – the address given above is the nearest actual street address – for your use as the destination for driving / setting your GPS).
AVA Special Programs: A-MAZE-ing Labyrinths. Par for the Course. Rails to Trails (Burke-Gilman). Step to the Beat (UW Music Building). Walking with the Wild Things (Gargoyles). Not all routes qualify for all Challenges.
ESVA Special Programs: On the Road Again (Holiday, New to Me). Strolling Along the Rivers (Ravenna Creek). Tell Me a Story, That’s Entertainment: Cultural (Burke Museum), Sports (Husky Stadium). Not all routes qualify for all Challenges.
Light Rail Challenge II: Qualifies under “North” category for University of Washington Light Rail Station. (10K and 11K routes only)
Metro Bus: Route 31 / 32.
Contact: Jane Clark. (206) 920-2544
Sponsoring Club: Emerald City Wanderers
AVA Walk Sanction Name and Number: Easter Weekend Walk. Traditional Event Sanction: 127533 – 2025.
Map of Qualifying Stations in “North” Region:
