Best Kid-Friendly Fall Hikes Around Seattle

Distance: 3–6 miles round trip, scant elevation gain

Location: Explore the many trails of Lord Hill Regional Park near Snohomish.

Description: Close enough for an after-school hike, wild enough to leave the city behind, Lord Hill offers an autumn respite near home for urban hikers and equestrians. The park comprises some 1,400 acres of upland nature preserve along the Snohomish River, with more than 5 miles of designated trails that crisscross the old homestead. Varied river, forest and pond habitats support a lot of wildlife creatures that are more active in autumn, including bears, bobcats, beavers, birds and garter snakes.

Take the entrance trail between the upper and lower parking lot to the main trail. Short loops can be created from side paths that branch off from it. Use the map to create a loop of your desired distance; many of the trails are signed. For a varied path with great fall color and possible wildlife sightings, hike the Beaver Lake Loop: From the main trail, turn left on the Beaver Lake Trail, right on the Pipeline (which takes you past the pond), and then return to the main trail via the short Pipeline Connector Trail.

Directions: From Snohomish, take Lincoln Avenue south from the southeast edge of town; this road becomes the Old Snohomish–Monroe Highway. Continue for 2.7 miles, turn right (south) onto 127th Avenue Southeast. Continue 1.6 miles to the park entrance and trailhead.

Next stop: Tonga Ridge