Forests, a creek and beach access await you on this classic hiking and walking destination in Northwest Seattle. Found just off of 105th Street, Carkeek Park has 3.5 miles of trails along Piper’s Creek, leading down to the shores of the Puget Sound. With seasonal salmon runs, as well as views of the Olympic Mountains to the west, this often-overlooked park is the perfect urban hiking destination.

While Discovery Park isn’t quite a secret, its hiking trails that feel like out-of-town treks are a kind of hidden gem. Discovery Park is Seattle’s largest public park, holding nearly a dozen miles of trails to explore. Your best bet on a scenic day is to take the Loop Trail, which is more than three miles long. Along this trail, you’ll have a mile of beach walking with a chance to walk to the West Point Lighthouse. Discovery Park is also Seattle’s best park to see wildlife, with more than 270 species of birds along with seals, sea lions, and even orcas.

Across the Montlake Cut from the University of Washington, the Washington Park Arboretum is another great place to hike right in town, highlighting the beauty of the region with the grandeur of a botanical garden. The arboretum has more than five miles of trails to explore, which are mostly flat and very easy to follow. Each month, the park offers different displays of plants blooming and flowering, making it a year-round favorite. While the area is surrounded by houses, the trails feel far from the hustle and bustle of the city.

An hour north of Seattle, past Everett and overlooking the Salish Sea, Ebey’s Landing is a classic hiking destination that’s perfect for beginners. With 5.6 miles of trails and just 260 feet of elevation gain, this National Historic Reserve has amazing views, great birding opportunities, and even chances to see seals and whales. With Mount Baker and the Olympic mountains visible right along the sandy shores, this is a well-deserved destination for those in need of visual splendor.

Denny Creek is a popular summer and fall hike 49 minutes from downtown Seattle. Found along the I-90 corridor, this trail may be difficult for some—it’ll have you gaining over a thousand feet of elevation while putting in roughly six miles round trip—but those who do have the time and energy will love the trip. What makes this trail great for beginners is that it’s well-maintained and easy to follow, making it a perfect introduction to more serious hiking in the Cascades. The trail gets you into the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, where you’ll have incredible views of the creek, mountains, and even waterfalls!.

Found just 22 miles from Seattle, Soaring Eagle Regional Park is a fantastic, mostly overlooked introduction to the “Issy Alps” found near Issaquah. With 12 miles of trails to explore, the network of paths in the region are a great place to go when you need an escape from the concrete but don’t want to head all the way to Snoqualmie. Here, you’ll find a mix of forests and wetlands, which are home to deer, bears, and a variety of birds.