Seattle walk – Lake Union Park station to Gas Works Park

Seattle Walk – The Lenin statue – Image supplied

Start/Finish	Category	Distance	Estimated Walking Time
Lake Union Station / Gas Works Park	Drifter	5.0 km	1hr 15 min*

Summary

This walk explores the Cheshiahud Lake Union Loop, including the neighbourhoods of Queen Anne and Fremont before ending at Gas Works Park.

Public transport

Catch a Streetcar to Lake Union Park.

Directions

Starting point – Lake Union Park Station

This walk starts at Lake Union Park station. From the station head west and then join up to the Cheshiahud Lake Union Loop, which follows Westlake Ave North around the lake towards Aurora Bridge in a northerly direction.

Continue along the trail past Diamond Marina and you will eventually walk underneath Aurora Bridge. From here continue north up Fourth Ave North and onto Fremont Bridge. Fremont Bridge, which was opened in 1917, is a double leaf bridge which connects the neighbourhoods of Fremont and Queen Anne. 

Fremont Bridge

Fremont Bridge, Seattle – Image Supplied

Walk over the bridge and then turn left up North 34th St. Turn right onto Evanston Ave North and past the Fremont Rocket, which bears Fremont’s coat of arms and motto De Libertas Quirkas or ‘Freedom to be Peculiar’.

From the Fremont Rocket continue north over Fremont Place North and you will come to the statue of Lenin. You might be wondering, why is there a 16 foot statue of a former Soviet leader in the heart of Seattle?

The answer to this question is not entirely clear. Some argue that it is simply a landmark of curiosity, or maybe even a trophy of western triumphalism. Others suggest it venerates a 19th century communist dictator. Which ever side of this argument you take, it is definitely is an unusual sight in a suburban Seattle street. 

From the statue of Lenin turn right onto North 36th St walking in a easterly direction. Further down the street you will pass under the Aurora Ave North freeway. Under the freeway is a sculpture known locally as the Fremont Troll, which was constructed by four local artists in 1990.  

Keeping walking down North 36th St and then turn right along Stone Way north heading back towards the lake. At the end of Stone Way North you will connect back up with the Chesiahud Lake Union Loop, which runs parallel with North 34th St. Take the loop in an easterly direction, which will veer off down North Northlake place and then North Northlake Way.  

Gas Works Park

Gas Works Park, Seattle – Image Supplied

Finish – Gas Works Park

Cross North Northlake Way into Gas Works Park where the journey ends. The Park, which offers great views of the lake is the site of the former Seattle Gas Light Company, which closed in 1956.  To get home you can catch a bus from North 35th St, not far from the park.

Seattle Walk – GPX file

To access to the GPX file for this walk click on the download button below.

Information on GPX files and how to import them into Google Maps on your phone can be found here.

Seattle Walk – Map

Start –  Lake Union Park station

1. Goose Beach
2. Aurora Bridge
3. Fremont Bridge
4. The Fremont Rocket
5. Statue of Lenin
6. Fremont Troll
7. Gas Works Park

Finish – Gas Works Park