Length
Elevation Gain
Highest Point
Starting at the western end, the trail jumps right up to the elevated road level at East Montlake Park and continues east past Marsh and Foster Islands. There is access to the Arboretum Waterfront and Lake Washington Ship Canal trails from this western starting point as well. Follow the trail dropping down from the western high rise of the 520 bridge and across Lake Washington. Don't miss several very nice trail pullouts along the length of the bridge with interpretive signage on the area's history and wildlife. After reaching the eastern shore, the trail crosses through 520 Bridge View Park, a second easy access point and a good turn around place if you are only interested in the bridge walk.
Leaving 520 Bridge View Park, the trail passes the Fairweather Nature Preserve on the north side, though there currently is no access. Views of Fairweather Bay and Cozy Cove as you continue through the communities of Hunts Point and Yarrow Bay. Approximately 0.8 of a mile past the eastern end of the 520 bridge is the Wetherill Nature Preserve. This preserve offers interesting open forest and water access to Cozy Cove. The 520 trail continues another mile downhill until ending at Northup Way just a few blocks shy of the Cross Kirkland Corridor Trail.
WTA Pro Tip: There is a local Bald Eagle pair that nests next to the western end of the bridge - watch for them hunting or hanging out in the trees in East Montlake Park along with the cormorant, heron, gulls, ducks, and other animals that make the Union Bay wetlands home.
Trailhead
