King County parks and trails you can take a bus to year round
King County is highlighting a series of regular bus routes that access some terrific local hiking all year round.
Trailhead Direct, King County’s summer bus service that takes hikers to trails at Mount Si and the Issaquah Alps during weekends in the summer months, recently wrapped up for the 2024 season. But, there are plenty of transit options that will get you outside all year round.
King County is highlighting a series of regular routes that access some terrific local hiking all year round.
Juanita Bay Park is a birder's paradise and one of the outdoor destinations served year round by King County Metro bus routes.
Transit is an essential way for hikers without cars to access the benefits of spending time in nature, but it has advantages for everyone, from saving on fuel costs to reducing the stress of trailhead parking. It can even create more options for hikers to put together some big adventures that start in one place and end in another.
(Read: Why WTA trip reporter and transportation advocate TransitTrekker, thinks that transit hiking is better than driving to the trailhead.)
Here are a few routes you can try any time.
King County Metro Route 60 to Westcrest Park
Westcrest Park in the southwestern corner of Seattle offers a network of forest trails to hike. In addition to trails, you'll find a community garden P-Patch, a large off-leash dog park, a playground, sports fields, and a viewpoint for spotting Mount Baker on a clear day.
Hop on King County Metro’s Route 60 from points in Capitol Hill, First Hill, Beacon Hill or South Park. This route has transfer points at the Capitol Hill Link Light Rail Station, Beacon Hill Link Light Rail Station and multiple points on the South Lake Union Streetcar. Exit the bus at the SW Roxbury St. and 8th Ave. SW stop to travel to Westcrest Park.
King County Metro RapidRide F Line to Green River Trail
The Green River Trail follows the Green River for 19 miles from south Seattle into the Green River Valley. The trail is perfect for walking, biking, and commuting.
King County Metro’s RapidRide F Line runs from Burien to Renton with stops at the Burien Transit Center, Tukwila International Boulevard Link Light Rail Station, Tukwila Sounder Train Station and Renton Transit Center. Exit at the Southcenter Blvd. and 65th Ave. S stop to find the Green River Trail at Southcenter Boulevard near the intersection with 66th.
King County Metro Route 255 to Kirkland Watershed Park and Juanita Bay Park
Kirkland’s Watershed Park contains 73.37 acres of upland forest with hiking trails. The 110 acres of Juanita Bay Park span different habitats, including wet meadow, marsh, open water and wetland (a birdwatcher’s delight!). You can reach both with a ride on King County Metro Route 255.
Route 255 travels from the University of Washington Link Light Rail Station across Lake Washington and past Watershed Park, the Kirkland Transit Center, Peter Kirk Park and Community Center, Heritage Park, Marina Bay Beach Park, Juanita Beach Park and Juanita Bay Park.
King County Metro RapidRide H Line to Seahurst Park
At Seahurst Park you can hike in the forest and on the beach with possibilities to spot wildflowers (in the spring), birds and marine life.
King County Metro’s RapidRide runs from downtown Seattle at the edge of Pioneer Square to West Seattle, White Center and Burien. Use the Ambaum Boulevard SW and SW 142nd St. stop to get to Seahurst Park.
Making our public lands more accessible to all
WTA has supported the Trailhead Direct program since its inception, and works with King County and other partners on ways to increase service. We are excited to see what the program can offer when it returns in 2025.
On the federal level, WTA advocates for more funding to support transit to nature programs through the Transit to Trails Act so more communities can benefit from public transportation to trails.
In the meantime, happy transit hiking!
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