8 Secret Urban Hikes for Seattle-Area Kids and Families

Just along the border between Seattle and Shoreline, Llandover Woods begins like a secret forest at the edge of the city. Deep, heavily wooded ravines make this park seem like stepping into the mountains (though there are no views of the water here). The .7-mile-long loop trail is wide and well maintained, and the twitter of golden crown kinglet song high in the conifers might be the only sound you hear other than your tread.

On the day we visited, my son eagerly walked the entire distance, downhill and uphill, while finding sticks. On another visit with some friends, we all enjoyed playing hide and seek along the way. We passed other area residents out for a run or dog walk, and learned from the park signage that it is possible to extend the walk by passing through the neighborhood in one big loop.

Find it: Llandover Woods is a Seattle park but does not have bathroom facilities; however, the park is near the retail area of Northeast 145th and Greenwood Avenue North. There is ample off-street parking at the park entrance at Northeast 145th Street and 3rd Avenue Northwest.

Length of trail: 0.7 miles for the forest loop trail. Find Washington Trails Association info and trip reports.

Tips: Combine a walk at Llandover woods with a trip to nearby Central Market, which has a diverse range of international foods and live seafood to look at, plus, of course, the chance to grab some groceries.

Next trail: Madrona Woods