Break out your hiking boots and get ready to explore Mount Si and the Issaquah Alps. King County’s Trailhead Direct, the transit-to-trails service on summer weekends and holidays, returns on Saturday, May 24.
Trailhead Direct, King County’s transit-to-trails service, begins its eighth season on Memorial Day weekend. Trailhead Direct is operated by King County Metro in partnership with King County Parks and the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), with promotional support from Amazon.
Trips to the Issaquah Alps and Mount Si trails will operate on weekends and holidays, starting Saturday, May 24, and will run through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 1. The 2025 season includes service on Independence Day.
“Access to some of the nation’s best hiking trails is one of the greatest perks of living in King County,” said Executive Braddock. “What sets Trailhead Direct apart is that it brings you to incredible outdoor spaces, without the need to drive. I’m excited for people across the region to use this service and get out to enjoy these amazing trails!”
Thanks to the support of Seattle voters, SDOT will fund 50% of Trailhead Direct’s 2024 operating costs for routes connecting Seattle to eight popular hiking destinations along the I-90 corridor, through the Seattle Transit Measure (STM).
“Trailhead Direct is a powerful example of our One Seattle vision in action—connecting people to opportunity, to nature, and to each other,” said Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell. “Through strong regional partnerships with King County and investments like the Seattle Transit Measure, we’re making outdoor adventure more accessible, sustainable, and equitable. This service helps more people experience the beauty of our region while reducing traffic and emissions for our most popular trails.”
Departures every 30 minutes to the region’s best hikes
This season, Trailhead Direct doubled the frequency of service from Metro’s Mount Baker Transit Center to the Issaquah Alps. Trips will depart every 30 minutes to Margaret’s Way, Squak Mountain, Chirico Trail-Poo Poo Point, High School Trail, and East Sunset Way.
Service will also run every 30 minutes from Capitol Hill, stopping at the Sound Transit Capitol Hill Link light rail station and downtown Seattle, to trailheads near Mount Si, Mount Teneriffe, and Little Si.
New this season, hikers will be able to use the Sound Transit Link 2 Line to connect with both Trailhead Direct routes via a stop at the South Bellevue Station.
“I’m excited to welcome Trailhead Direct for its eighth year—it’s such a great way to experience the natural beauty we have here in King County,” said King County Council Chair Girmay Zahilay. “It’s all about making it easier for people to step out of the city and into the outdoors, without worrying about parking or traffic. I’m looking forward to seeing even more people explore our trails thanks to this amazing program.”
“Cascade Mountain trails are a great place to take kids to explore the beauty of the Pacific Northwest,” said King County Councilmember and Transportation, Economy and Environment Committee Chair De’Sean Quinn. “Metro will drive your family to the best trailheads on the I-90 corridor. Take Trailhead Direct this summer and enjoy!”
“The new Trailhead Direct service connecting Sound Transit’s 2 Line South Bellevue Station to the Issaquah Alps and Mount Si opens up our region’s fantastic hiking trails – all without needing to drive or finding parking,” said King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci. “This is transit at its best: giving our residents and visitors car-free access on weekends and holidays throughout the summer to some of King County’s most breathtaking natural treasures.”
Trailhead Direct launched in 2017 in response to overcrowding at popular trailhead parking lots, which exceeded capacity frequently over spring, summer, and holiday weekends. The service has become a popular, eco-friendly way to get out of the city and explore the trails of King County. Since launching, passengers have used Trailhead Direct to enjoy more than 88,500 hikes, including 9,971 in 2024.
“We hear from car-free hikers that they especially appreciate how easy Trailhead Direct makes it to connect directly with nature and the Issaquah Alps,” said King County Metro General Manager Michelle Allison. “With larger shuttles and trips every half hour on both routes, this hiking season promises to be our best yet.”
“Trailhead Direct is an excellent example of how we’re making healthy outdoor recreation accessible to more people throughout King County,” said King County Parks Director Warren Jimenez. “Thanks to the strong partnership that makes this popular service possible, more people will enjoy some of the region’s best hiking trails without having to drive this summer.”
“Everyone should have the chance to enjoy our region’s incredible trails—no matter where they live or whether they own a car,” said Adiam Emery, Interim Director of SDOT. Trailhead Direct, supported by the Seattle Transit Measure, helps break down barriers to the outdoors and makes it easier for more people across Seattle to access the natural spaces that make this region so special.”
Trailhead Direct operates vehicles with 22 to 27 seats and a rack for two or three bikes. Passengers can use Trip Planner for more details about transit stops, routes, and schedules. Metro’s standard fares apply, and riders can pay with an ORCA card, ORCA with Google Pay, a Transit Go ticket, or cash with exact change. Hikers 18 and younger can ride Trailhead Direct for free and are encouraged to get a Free Youth ORCA card.
Passengers are encouraged to sign up for email or text alerts about Trailhead Direct service. For more information on preparing for your hike, visit King County’s wilderness safety web page.
Originally posted at the King County Parks Blog
Trailhead Direct is done for the 2024 season, but there are so many other ways that you can use transit to access nature! It’s important for all of us to have access to nature and outdoor spaces, and transportation is often mentioned as a barrier for many in our community. Thanks to the folks at King County Metro, there are actually a bunch of year-round bus routes from across the county that can connect you to a range of outdoor experiences. Whether you’re looking to get to a park, trail, beach, forest, or beyond, we can get you there – no car required!
Scroll down or use the links below to discover a route to take you on your next outdoor adventure:
- Route 60 – Capitol Hill trough Beacon Hill to White Center
- RapidRide F – Burien to Renton
- Route 255 – University of Washington to Eastside up through Kirkland
- RapidRide H – Downtown Seattle through West Seattle to Burien
King County Metro Route 60
Yesler Terrace Park and Community Center, Jefferson Park and Community Center, Westcrest Park
Route overview: King County Metro’s Route 60 bus winds north to southeast from Capitol Hill through First Hill passing by the Capitol Hill Link Light Rail Station, multiple South Lake Union Streetcar transfer points, the Beacon Hill Link Light Rail Station, the Olsen Place and Myers Way Park and Ride in South Park, and Westcrest Park, before making its last stop at Westwood Village in the West Seattle/White Center area and repeating the trip in reverse.
Park, trail, and recreation points:
- Yesler Terrace Park and Community Center: Take the 60 or make a connection from the South Lake Union Streetcar and disembark at either the Yesler Way and Broadway Ave. or 12th Ave S. and S. Jackson St. stops right on the doorstep of an urban gem. Completed in 2018 as part of the Yesler neighborhood redevelopment with land from Seattle Housing Authority, this park boasts sweeping downtown, Elliott Bay, and Mount Rainier views. Youth and adults alike will love the splash pad, picnicking areas, wide range of recreation opportunities offered at the community center, playground, and sports courts.
- Jefferson Park and Community Center: Continue south on the 60, passing the Beacon Hill Link Light Rail Station, and disembark at either the 15th Ave S. and S. Spokane St. or 15th Ave S. and S. Dakota St. stops to enjoy the 6th largest park in the city. Take in views of the city, the Duwamish River, and the Olympic Mountains while choosing from a wide array of recreational activities – including the oldest golf course in Seattle, the Jefferson Community Center, lawn bowling, a skatepark, a spraypark, and more. Enjoy a walk around the ¾ mile walking trail or rent one of the spacious picnic shelters for a celebration. The park is also located next to the Beacon Food Forest, a 7-acre, volunteer-driven, open harvest forest garden that is the largest public food forest in the nation.
- Westcrest Park: Continue even further south as the 60 curves through Georgetown, over the Duwamish River, and through South Park, stopping at the Olsen Place and Myers Park and Ride. Disembark at the SW Roxbury St. and 8th Ave. SW stop to access Westcrest Park. An 8.4-acre stretch set above and off to the west of Boeing Field, it features a lot of open spaces and forested, shaded walking trails. You can also enjoy picnicking areas and a playground, and this park features special enjoyments for four-legged friends: An off-leash dog area, including a special, separated area for shy dogs, as well as a doggie drinking fountain.
King County Metro RapidRide F Line
Moshier Park and Community Arts Center, Tukwila Park, Green River Trail, Interurban Trail, Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park
Route overview: King County Metro’s RapidRide F Line provides an express route west to east from Burien to Renton. Originating at the Burien Transit Center, it cruises through Burien by Moshier Park and on through Tukwila by the Tukwila International Boulevard Link Light Rail Station and the Tukwila Transfer Center. The F Line bisects the Green River Trail, makes a stop at the Tukwila Sounder Train Station, and also bisects the Interurban Trail. The F Line continues on into Renton, swinging by the Renton Park and Ride and the Renton Transfer Center, before making its last stop at The Landing in Renton and repeating the trip in reverse.
Park, trail, and recreation points:
- Moshier Park and Community Art Center: Take the F Line east and disembark at the S. 156th St. and 4th Ave S. or S 156th St. and 2nd Ave S. stops to access Moshier Park and Community Art Center. A 15.2-acre park, Moshier Park is home to soccer, baseball, softball, and football fields and a running track. The Community Art Center offers classes and workshops in ceramics, painting, drawing, mosaics, sculpture, and much more for students of all ages and skill levels. 24-hour access studio spaces for artists and classes for adults and teens with special needs are also available.
- Tukwila Park and Green River Trail: Continue east on the F Line into Tukwila, stopping by the Tukwila International Boulevard Link Light Rail Station. Disembark at the Southcenter Blvd. and 65th Ave. S. stop to access Tukwila Park. This 6.5-acre park is one of Tukwila’s oldest parks and it’s clear from the beautiful mature trees and plants providing shade for walking trails. Visitors can also enjoy a playground, picnicking areas, a basketball court, tennis/pickleball courts, and a gazebo that can be rented for private events of up to 35 people. If you’re interested in taking a riverside walk or roll, the Green River Trail can also be accessed by way of the entry point at the southeast corner of the park off of Southcenter Boulevard near the 66th intersection. For a more detailed look at entry points to King County trails, and to stay up-to-date on closures or detours, check out the King County Parks Backyard Funfinder.
- Interurban Trail: Continue just a touch east to the Tukwila Sounder Train Station stop. From here, the Interurban Trail can be accessed by way of an entry point a .2 mile walk from there at the corner of Longacres Way and Nelson Place. As mentioned above, for a more detailed look at entry points to King County trails, and to stay up-to-date on closures or detours, check out the King County Parks Backyard Funfinder.
- Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park: Continue on the F Line northeast past the South Renton Park and Ride and the Renton Transit Center and disembark at the Logan Ave. N. and N. 10th St. stop just before the route’s end point at The Landing. From this stop, Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park can be accessed by a .8 mile walk. Gene Coulon Memorial Park is a lovely 57-acre park stretching along the southeast shore of Lake Washington. Visitors can take advantage of a swimming beach, fishing pier, boat launch, waterfront walking trails, sand volleyball courts, tennis courts, horseshoe pits, picnic shelters, play equipment, and even Ivar’s Fish and Chips and Kidd Valley Burgers walk-up windows within the park. Please note that dogs aren’t allowed.
King County Metro Route 255
Watershed Park, Peter Kirk Park and Community Center, Heritage Park, Marina Bay Beach Park, Juanita Beach Park, Juanita Bay Park
Route overview: King County Metro’s Route 255 journeys from the west side of Lake Washington to the east side and on up through Kirkland. Departing from the University of Washington Link Light Rail Station and the public parking lot E19 that can be used as a park and ride, route 255 crosses the 520 Floating Bridge and brings you 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. The route makes its last stop at the Totem Lake Transit Center at The Village at Totem Lake before repeating the trip in reverse.
Park, trail, and recreation points:
- Cross-Kirkland Corridor/Eastrail: Hop on the 255 and use the 108th Ave. NE and NE 38th Pl. stop to access the Cross-Kirkland Corridor, part of King County’s larger eastside paved trail corridor, Eastrail. Enjoy a bike, walk, or roll on this stretch, which will take you as far south as NE 4th St. in Bellevue and as far north as Woodinville if you’re feeling motivated. For a more detailed look at entry points to King County trails, and to stay up-to-date on closures or detours, check out the King County Parks Backyard Funfinder.
- Watershed Park and Bridle Trails State Park: Just a bit further north on the 255’s route, use the 108th Ave. NE and NE 45th St. stop to access Watershed Park. A natural park with forests, walking trails, and a scenic overlook, it’s a lovely green oasis in the city. From Watershed Park, trail access is available from the south end of 114th Ave NE, the south end of 112th Ave NE, and the intersection of NE 45th St and 110th Ave NE. There’s also a short trail segment connecting 108th Ave NE with the Cross Kirkland Corridor/Eastrail. If you’re up for stretching your legs with a longer walk, you could also access Bridle Trails State Park by way of a 1.5 mile walk that takes you over the 60th Street Overpass. Bridle Trails State Park is a lush park that is extremely equestrian-friendly. It’s home to 28 miles of multi-use trails, metal detector areas, and picnicking areas. Please note the park can be very busy on horse show days.
- Peter Kirk Park and Community Center: Continue north on the 255 to the Kirkland Transit Center stop to access Peter Kirk Park and Community Center. Peter Kirk Park is a 12.5-acre park and community center located next to downtown Kirkland. It features a lighted baseball field, playground, skate park, basketball court, tennis courts, and seasonal pool. The community center has a stage, kitchen, and meeting rooms, and offers programming for adults 50+ years old. The community center can also be rented out for events The Kirkland Performance Center and library border the park as well.
- Marina Park and Heritage Park: Just a little further north on the 255, use the Market St. and 4th Ave. or Market St. and Waverly Way stops to access Marina Park and Heritage Park. A 3.6-acre park curling right around the waterfront and marina, Marina Park features a boat launch, dock, sandy beach, picnicking area, and a beautiful open-air pavilion with beautiful views of Lake Washington and Seattle. The pavilion is the site of Kirkland’s Summer Concert Series. Walk just .3 miles north and you’ll arrive at Heritage Park, a 10-acre park near downtown Kirkland featuring tennis courts, a play area, picnic tables, an interpretive walk, gardens, a large grass field, and Heritage Hall, which is available for rental.
- Juanita Bay Park: Further north on the route, use the 98th Ave. NE and Forbes Creek Drive stop to access Juanita Bay Park. If you’re craving time with nature and the animals that call it home, Juanita Bay Park is a sprawling 110.8 acres on a waterfront that is a protected wildlife area. This park is filled with diverse plant and animal species and features views of the Forbes Creek Wetland, Juanita Beach, and Juanita Bay. Enjoy a walk on the boardwalk, particularly on the first Sunday of every month, when Eastside Audubon hosts nature and bird interpretive walks.
- Juanita Beach Park: Still further north on the 255, use the 98th Ave. NE and NE 116h St., 98th Ave. NE and 117th St., or 98th Ave. NE and NE 119th Way stops to access Juanita Beach Park. A 21.9-acre park, Juanita Beach Park also features 1000 feet of Lake Washington lakeshore. This park has a rich history as a popular summer destination since the early 1900s, the story of which is told via interpretive signs scattered throughout. Other amenities available at this park include a playground, bathhouse, sand volleyball courts, ballfields, tennis courts, walking path, picnic shelters, and a seasonal swimming beach. Additionally, the park also hosts the Juanita Friday Market, a weekly farmers market held during the summer.
King County Metro RapidRide H Line
Delridge Playfield and Community Center, Puget Park, Southwest Pool and Teen Life Center, Steve Cox Memorial Park and White Center Teen Program, Salmon Creek Ravine Park, Seahurst Park
Route overview: King County Metro’s RapidRide H Line originates in downtown Seattle at the edge of Pioneer Square, only a short walk from the ferry terminals, Pioneer Square Station, and King Street Train Station. From there, it provides an express route southwest across the water via 99 and the West Seattle Bridge down into West Seattle, White Center, and Burien. It draws close to the Southwest Spokane Street Park and Ride and stops at the Holy Family Church Park and Ride on its way south before making its last stop at the Burien Transit Center and repeating the trip in reverse.
Park, trail, and recreation points:
- Delridge Playfield and Community Center and Puget Park: Cruise southwest on the H Line and use the Delridge Way SW and SW Genesee St. stop to access Delridge Playfield and Community Center to the west and Puget Park to the east. As the name suggests, Delridge Playfield has large turf playfields for soccer and football, tennis/pickleball courts, a baseball/softball field, basketball court, skate park, play area, a large grass field, wading pool, outdoor fitness area, and a picnicking area with barbecue grills. Delridge Community Center, which is located on the park grounds, offers an array of programs for preschool age children to teens to adults, a full-sized basketball court, showers, an entertainment room, a dance/multipurpose room, a kitchen, and a fitness room. From here, it’s about a 1 mile walk to the West Seattle Golf Course and Camp Long. If you’re up for more of a nature jaunt in the middle of the city, Puget Park is part of the West Duwamish Greenbelt, the largest greenbelt in the city. Enjoy wooded walking trails home to fox, red-legged frogs, hawks, and bald eagles.
- Southwest Pool and Teen Life Center: Continue south on the H Line and use the Delridge Way SW and SW Thistle St. stop to access the Southwest Pool and Teen Life Center. Southwest Pool offers all types of swimming opportunities and lessons for adults, teens, and children. It also features a 1-meter and 3-meter diving board, a sauna, and ADA compliant stairs and a pool lift. The Teen Life Center offers a wide array of opportunities like computer lab, social activities, music recording, cooking classes, late night programs, community service, jobs and career development, and more. The hours of operation are Tuesday – Thursday from 1 PM – 8 PM, Friday from 3 PM – 7 PM and 7 PM – 12 AM, and Saturday from 7 PM – 12 AM.
- Steve Cox Memorial Park and White Center Teen Program: Proceed south on the H Line, passing the Holy Family Church Park and Ride and into White Center, and use the 15th Ave SW and SW 102nd St. stop to access Steve Cox Memorial Park. The park is home to the Mel Olson Baseball Stadium, baseball fields, basketball courts, tennis courts, a volleyball court, play and picnic areas, an open play field, and a foot reflexology path. It’s also home to the historic White Center Community Center, or the “Log Cabin,” built in 1940 as part of a Works Progress Administration project. The “Log Cabin” houses the White Center Teen Program (WCTP), which provides after-school recreational programming to youth 12-19. The WCTP offers a neighborhood gathering space for youth to take part in free homework help, computer resources, leadership training, volunteer opportunities, field trips, drop-in activities, special events, snacks, Wi-Fi, and more. The hours of operation are Tuesday – Saturday from 3 PM – 8 PM.
- Salmon Creek Ravine Park: Take the H Line as it curves even further south through White Center and into Burien, use the Ambaum Boulevard SW and SW 122nd St. or Ambaum Boulevard SW and SW 128th St. stops to access Salmon Creek Ravine Park. Visit the 88-acre, minimally developed park with trails that wind through forested hillsides to enjoy a hike or walk in a forested area in the middle of an urban setting. The park has a heavily wooded ravine is home to Salmon Creek and several tributaries, which is currently believed to support small numbers of cutthroat trout, sculpin, and planted juvenile coho salmon. Other animals such as bald eagles, raccoons, red fox, muskrat bats, osprey, otters, and grey squirrels also call the ravine home.
- Seahurst Park: Take the H Line just a touch further south and use the Ambaum Boulevard SW and SW 142nd St. stop to access Seahurst Park. Visitors should note that it’s about a 1-mile walk from the H Line stop to Seahurst Park since the park and its gorgeous waterfront lies at the bottom of a hill. That said, it’s definitely worth the walk or roll if you can swing it because this park is the jewel of Burien. Once there, you can look forward to a long beach with views of the Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains with large, reservable picnic shelters facing the panoramic view. It’s also home to a playground, walking trails, wetlands, forest, and a rich variety of marine plants and animals. Because of the marine biodiversity, Seahurst is home to an Environmental Science Center, and is a popular location for volunteer naturalists, photographers, and schoolchildren on field trips alike. Once you’ve finished enjoying the park, make sure to plan your time accordingly when it comes to the walk back up the hill to catch the bus.
King County is a unique place where nature, open space, and recreation is often so interwoven into city centers that owning a car doesn’t need to be the only way to access the outdoors. With just the 4 King County Metro routes covered in this piece, you can access a whopping 29 different parks, trails, community centers, beaches, pools, and more! This list is just the beginning of options to get to green spaces without a car.
To dive deeper into transit planning and stay up-to-date on any route changes or disruptions, check out the King County Metro Trip Planner. To plan your journey by geography or which activities you’re most in interested in, check out King County Parks’ Backyard Funfinder. Even if you have a car, opting to use public transportation is a more sustainable way to travel, eliminates worries around whether parking will be available or not at your destination, and saves you money on gas. We hope this post has inspired you to try out a new way to get to a park!
King County Parks has partnered with King County Metro on the popular city-to-trailhead bus service Trailhead Direct that runs from May to September since 2017. Transportation has long been a barrier to people accessing nature, and the program yielded a lot of good community feedback and information, particularly around other types of transportation needs and desires, particularly from communities that have historically been the most marginalized. Based on that feedback, King County Parks looked to expand the scope of their collaboration with King County Metro to include the Community Van program in order to meet a broader range of community needs, and the Transit to Nature partnership was born.
Where Trailhead Direct focuses on providing scheduled bus service from the urban Seattle area to eastside trailheads, Community Van focuses on providing neighborhood-based rideshare service to destinations anywhere within a 2-hour drive time from where the van is picked up—whether it’s a King County Park or anywhere else you’d like to visit. Looking to get the whole team to their little league game in one swoop? Hoping to get your extended family out for a BBQ at the park? Trying to get a group of seniors to the local pool for water aerobics? Community Van is a flexible, affordable option to connect you and your loved ones to the outdoors and beyond! Ride in a Community Van for no more than the price of a standard King County Metro fare, and don’t forget that means that youth 18 and under ride for free.
Thanks to ongoing funding for the Transit to Nature partnership and contributions from Amazon, King County Parks has limited funds to cover Community Van outings for organizations that serve people of color, immigrant, refugee, non-English speaking or English as a second language, disabled, LGBTQIA+, youth, elderly, and/or unincorporated King County residents through the end of 2024. Reach out to Helen Potter (hpotter@kingcounty.gov) to learn more and share your proposed outing.
King County Metro covers the cost of gas, insurance, tolls, and Discover Passes (which covers a visit land managed by Washington State Parks, Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Department of Natural Resources). Wheelchair-accessible vans and bike racks are also available upon request. Check out our Transit to Nature blog post (available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, Traditional Chinese, and Somali) for more details about the program, steps on getting started, and brochures.
Like getting outside but don’t have a car? Want to get to nature but leave your car at home? Community Van is here to help you and your group get outdoors.
¿Le gusta estar al aire libre, pero no tiene un vehículo? ¿Quiere estar en la naturaleza, pero dejar su vehículo en casa? Community Van está aquí para ayudarle a usted y a su grupo a disfrutar del aire libre.
Bạn muốn đi chơi ngoài trời nhưng không có xe? Bạn muốn hòa mình vào thiên nhiên nhưng muốn để xe ở nhà? Community Van có mặt để giúp bạn và nhóm của bạn ra ngoài trời.
외출하고 싶지만 차가 없으십니까? 차를 집에 두고 자연으로 나가고 싶으십니까? Community Van에서 귀하와 귀하 단체의 야외행을 도와드립니다.
想去戶外，但是沒有車？想要親近大自然，但是不開車？Community Van可以幫助您和您的團體前往戶外。
Ma jeceshahay inaad dibadda u baxdo laakiin ma haysatid baabuur? Ma rabtaa inaad banaanka u baxdo laakin baabuurka guriga ku dhaafto? Faan Community Van inuu ku caawiyo adiga iyo kooxdaada inaad dibadda u baxdo.
Continue reading “Take transit to nature with Community Van! “
Trailhead Direct offers access to countless trails ranging from easy to strenuous. We want you to be safe during your hiking adventure whether it’s a casual walk on Cougar Mountain or a steep hike up Mailbox Peak. Here are some tips and tricks for what to bring, trip planning, and hiking etiquette.
Continue reading “Hiking Tips & Preparedness”
There are many options for borrowing or purchasing affordable hiking gear in the King County region such as the WTA Gear Lending Library or Value Village. Check out our list of suggestions for places to outfit yourself for your next Trailhead Direct adventure!
Continue reading “Where can I acquire hiking gear?”