The Issaquah Alps, a trio of small mountains, hold forest hikes that lead to stunning overlooks Poo Poo Point on Tiger Mountain and Coal Creek Falls on Cougar Mountain are two local favorites. Just east of the city, things turn to near-wilderness quickly, and you can be hiking in the wild in less than an hour’s drive. Kubota Garden ( 9817 55th Ave S) in South Seattle has paths traversing its 20 undulating acres of Japanese landscapes, and it sits at the end of the nearly nine-mile paved Chief Sealth Trail, a green strip that curves northwest into the city’s Beacon Hill neighborhood. In 230-acre Washington Park Arboretum ( 2300 Arboretum Dr E), Azalea Way moves through the signature flowers, among other meticulously maintained plants. Many city walking routes travel through gardens that remain lush year-round thanks to the city’s temperate climate.

The waterfront makes an appearance on dozens of Seattle trails, including the Union Bay Natural Area ( 3501 NE 41st St) near the University of Washington, where-don’t let the name fool you-the Yesler Swamp route is absolutely gorgeous. North in Ballard, Pipers Creek Trail in Carkeek Park ( 950 NW Carkeek Park Rd) follows a waterway that tumbles through the forest and past a restored orchard, down to Puget Sound. Discovery Park ( 3801 Discovery Park Blvd) in the Magnolia neighborhood is webbed with 12 miles of trails, including the North Beach trail that swings by a picture-perfect lighthouse. Hiking is basically the unofficial sport of Seattle, and fortunately we don’t have to go far to hit the trail.

The famous daily dozen exercises