Seattle Olmsted 50 Walk in October 2026
The Mountaineers are offering a week-long course in October 2026 for completing the 31-mile Seattle Olmsted 50 urban walk.
A week-long course to walk the 31-mile Seattle Olmsted 50 route will run from October 3 to October 9, 2026. The Mountaineers organization is offering the course, which costs $10 for members and has a capacity of ten people.
Registration for the course, run by the Seattle Urban Walk Committee, automatically enrolls participants in sections one through five of the urban trail. Priority will be given to individuals willing to complete all five sections within that single week.
Route and Schedule
The Seattle Olmsted 50 route stretches 31 miles, or 50 kilometers, from the Ballard Locks to Rainier Beach Playfield. The course schedule breaks the distance into five walking days over one week.
| Day | Sections | Approximate Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, Oct 3 | 1 & 2 | ~12 miles total |
| Sunday, Oct 4 | 1 & 2 | (continued) |
| Tuesday, Oct 6 | 3 & 4 | 13 miles total |
| Wednesday, Oct 7 | 3 & 4 | (continued) |
| Friday, Oct 9 | 5 | ~7 miles |
The course is designed for those seeking longer walks over a shorter period. It also ties into the nationwide "Great Saunter Fall Challenge." According to the source, the pace for the walks will be between 1.5 and 2.5 miles per hour.
Course Requirements and Badge
To earn the Seattle Olmsted 50 badge, participants must fulfill three requirements. They must complete the five walking sections. They must also earn a Stewardship Credit badge by participating in six hours of approved stewardship activities. Finally, they must pass an online quiz provided by the Seattle Urban Walk Committee.
The committee states it will keep the course open for two weeks after the walks to allow time for completing stewardship and the quiz. The source notes that stewardship work parties can be found at many Seattle Olmsted parks. For more details on urban trail data, see our stats and fixtures pages.
Participant Profile
The course welcomes several types of walkers. It is for participants willing and able to walk 50 kilometers over five days. It is for those looking for a social, mutually supportive atmosphere. It is also for present and future urban walk leaders interested in learning about Seattle's Olmsted parks and boulevards.
All participants must be Mountaineers members with a current waiver on file to register. The source lists essential gear for the urban walk: water, snacks, appropriate outerwear, sturdy shoes, and bright or reflective clothing.
Background and Resources
The route follows the heart of the 1903 Olmsted Park master plan. For more information, the source points to the Emerald City Trail book from Mountaineers Books and a November 2023 Seattle Times feature on the route's launch.
Trail developers reportedly relied on the Friends of Seattle’s Olmsted Parks website and its veterans. For comparative inspiration, the source lists other long urban walks, including New York's 32-mile Shorewalkers route and San Francisco's 17-mile Crosstown Trail. You can find similar group activity information on our squad page.
Maps and turn-by-turn information for the Seattle Olmsted 50 sections are available on the Mountaineers website.
