13 Mercer Slough Nature Park

The largest wetlands on the shores of Lake Washington have been preserved as Mercer Slough Nature Park. The park’s well-maintained interpretive trails provide easy access to this important wildlife habitat. Day hikers not only enjoy the outdoors but also learn about wetland wildlife, the fascinating history of the area’s early settlers, and the only operating blueberry farm in the vicinity, which thrives in the boggy wetland soil.

Distance: 2.1-mile double loop

Approximate hiking time: 1 hour

Difficulty: Easy, flat trail

Trail surface: Raised boardwalk, bark chips, dirt

Best season: Year-round

Other trail users: None

Canine compatibility: Leashed dogs permitted

Fees and permits: No fees or permits required

Schedule: Open year-round, dawn to dusk

Maps: USGS Bellevue South W; Bellevue street map

Trail contacts: Bellevue Parks, (425) 452-6885; www.ci.bellevue.wa.us/parks_homepage.htm

Finding the trailhead: From Seattle drive east on Interstate 90, and take exit 9 (Bellevue Way SE). Drive north on Bellevue Way SE and watch for the WINTERS HOUSE sign on the right. Turn right into the parking lot. The trailhead begins behind the Winters House. GPS: N47 35.49' / W122 11.58'

The Hike

In 1856 Native American tribes assembled at a place called sa’tsakal to organize an assault on the pioneer settlement of Seattle. That staging ground was located at present-day Mercer Slough, and the skirmish, a failed protest over treaty terms, would later become known as the Battle of Seattle. Today the city of Bellevue surrounds Mercer Slough and the vast natural wetlands that border it, a habitat for more than 170 species of wildlife.

Start your hike on the Heritage Trail behind Winters House. This trail begins on a long raised boardwalk over the bogs and wetlands and eventually becomes a bark-chip trail following the edge of a working blueberry farm. The trail soon reaches the slough and crosses the Slough Channel Bridge—a footbridge that’s a great place to pause and see how many species of waterfowl you can spot.

On the other side of the slough, the Bellefields Loop Trail begins on the left and switches between a boardwalk and soft-surface trail with wetland interpretive displays along the route. Follow this trail to the left for a clockwise hike through wetlands, into an upland forest, down through wetlands again, and back to the Slough Channel Bridge. A few unmarked trail junctions can make the Bellefields Loop Trail confusing, but if you remember that when in doubt you should follow the right-hand fork for a clockwise loop, you won’t go wrong. The only exception is at the end of the loop, where a left-hand turn onto the raised boardwalk leads you back to the Slough Channel Bridge.

Across the bridge, rejoin the Heritage Trail. Immediately on the left, a short spur to a viewing deck provides a quiet spot to rest and observe wetland life. As you continue on the Heritage Trail, the modern high-rises of downtown Bellevue come into view on one side and the summit of Mt. Rainier on the other. Follow the trail signs back to the Winters House.

The Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center, not on this hike’s route, is located across the park at the 118th Avenue SE entrance. Great for kids and adults, the center’s worth a visit for the interpretive displays about the wetlands and local history, nature art exhibits, and educational programs. A quick visit to the center prior to hitting the trail can make your hike through Mercer Slough Nature Park a more informed experience.

Miles and Directions

0.0Start at the trailhead behind the Winters House.

0.5Turn left at the trail intersection, cross the Slough Channel Bridge (footbridge), and follow the raised boardwalk to the left (Bellefields Trail).

0.7The trail forks; follow the left fork for a clockwise loop on the Bellefields Trail.

1.0Come to an unsigned junction. Follow the trail on the right.

1.1Come to another unsigned junction. Follow the trail on the right.

1.3At the trail junction, follow the trail on the right directing you to Slough Channel Bridge.

1.4At the trail junction, turn left and follow the trail on the raised boardwalk.

1.5Cross the Slough Channel Bridge and turn left for a short spur trail to an observation platform. Back at the main trail, turn left.

1.6At the trail junction, turn right and follow the trail back to Winters House and the trailhead.

2.1Arrive back at the trailhead.