One of our favorite things about living in the South Sound is the sheer variety of places to walk. Within a short drive of Chestnut Cottage and Little Leaf, you can circle a quiet lake, descend through a mossy forest to a hidden beach, walk beside Puget Sound or explore miles of paved trails.
This is not a generic roundup assembled from online reviews. These are places we personally enjoy and recommend to our guests. Some are peaceful and nearly level; others offer hills, forest paths or enough distance to become a proper workout.
Drive times are approximate from Chestnut Cottage and Little Leaf in Lakewood and can vary with traffic.
1. Fort Steilacoom Park and Waughop Lake
Approximate drive: 5–10 minutes
Best for: An easy morning walk, lake views and flexible distance
Terrain: Paved lake loop with additional mixed-surface trails
Difficulty: Easy around the lake; variable elsewhere
Fort Steilacoom Park is our closest favorite and one of the most versatile places to walk in Lakewood.
The nearly one-mile paved trail around Waughop Lake is peaceful, level and approachable for almost everyone. Benches, two docks and educational signs are positioned around the lake, making it a lovely choice when you want fresh air without committing to a long walk.
If you want more distance, continue into Fort Steilacoom Park’s broader trail system. The 340-acre park includes open meadows, wooded areas, gentle hills and a dedicated 5K route. Year-round restrooms are available.
Our suggestion: Begin with the Waughop Lake loop, then decide whether you feel like exploring farther. This is an especially good first-morning walk after arriving at the lake.
2. Chambers Bay Loop
Approximate drive: 15 minutes
Best for: A workout with unforgettable Puget Sound views
Distance: Approximately 3.25 miles for the classic loop
Terrain: Paved trail with sustained hills
Difficulty: Moderate
The Chambers Creek Regional Park trail system surrounds the nationally known Chambers Bay golf course and offers some of the best walking views in the area.
The classic loop combines the Soundview and Grandview trails. It is paved, but do not mistake paved for flat—the hills provide a real workout. Your reward is a continually changing panorama of Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains, islands, shoreline and the sculpted golf course.
For a gentler visit, walk a portion of the Soundview Trail, explore Central Meadow or use the pedestrian overpass to reach the beach. Beach access can be affected by tides, and visitors should always use the designated pedestrian crossing rather than walking on or across the railroad tracks.
View the official Chambers Creek park map before you go.
Our suggestion: Walk in the late afternoon and stay through golden hour. Chambers Bay is one of the most beautiful places in the South Sound for photographs.
3. Sequalitchew Creek Trail
Approximate drive: About 20 minutes
Best for: A forest walk ending at Puget Sound
Distance: Approximately 3.4 miles round trip
Terrain: Paved sections, gravel and packed dirt
Difficulty: Moderate, with a steady climb on the return
The Sequalitchew Creek Trail begins near DuPont City Hall and follows an old railroad grade through a narrow, forested canyon.
The walk begins with a gradual descent beneath a canopy of moss-covered trees. The sounds of birds, wind and the creek replace city noise as the trail winds toward Puget Sound. Near the end, a pedestrian tunnel leads to a small beach with views of the water and the remains of DuPont’s historic wharf.
The downhill walk to the beach feels deceptively easy; remember that the return is a steady uphill climb. Stay on the maintained trail, and consult tide information before exploring beyond the immediate beach area.
Parking is available at the DuPont Civic Center Plaza. The city lists restrooms, a portable toilet, benches and interpretive signage among the trail amenities.
Our suggestion: Take your time at the beach before beginning the climb back. The contrast between deep forest and open saltwater makes this one of the most rewarding walks on the list.
4. Steilacoom Waterfront and Historic Downtown
Approximate drive: 10–15 minutes
Best for: A leisurely walk with history, water views and small-town character
Distance: Choose your own
Terrain: Sidewalks, pathways and park lawns
Difficulty: Easy, with some neighborhood hills
Steilacoom is made for an unhurried wander. Washington’s oldest incorporated town has more than 12 miles of sidewalks and over 4.5 miles of public trails, along with historic homes, pocket parks and beautiful views of Puget Sound.
Begin at Pioneer Park, where benches and a waterfront bandstand overlook the bay. From there, explore Commercial Street, walk toward the ferry landing and follow the sidewalks through the historic downtown area.
For a longer outing, use the town’s official trails, sidewalks and bike-lanes map to connect additional neighborhood paths and overlooks.
Sunnyside Beach offers another stretch of shoreline, benches and distant views of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Nonresident vehicle parking at Sunnyside Beach currently carries a fee.
Our suggestion: This is less of a prescribed trail and more of a beautiful place to wander. Let the views, historic streets and ferry activity set the route.
5. Ruston Way Waterfront
Approximate drive: 20–25 minutes
Best for: A level waterfront walk with restaurants nearby
Distance: Approximately two miles one way, depending on your route
Terrain: Paved waterfront path
Difficulty: Easy
The Ruston Way waterfront follows Commencement Bay through a series of connected parks, piers and shoreline viewpoints.
The paved path is popular with walkers, runners and cyclists. Along the way, you will pass historic structures, public art, beaches, fishing piers and plenty of places to sit and watch boats cross the bay.
You can make this as short or long as you like. Park near one of the waterfront parks for a relaxed out-and-back walk, or cover the full stretch for more distance. The route is particularly enjoyable around sunset, when the light moves across Commencement Bay.
Because Ruston Way is also home to several favorite restaurants, it is easy to pair your walk with lunch, happy hour or dinner.
Our suggestion: Walk first and choose your restaurant afterward. A waterfront meal always feels a little more deserved after a few miles beside the bay.
6. Point Defiance Park: Forest Trails and Waterfront
Approximate drive: About 25 minutes
Best for: Old-growth forest, flexible trail choices and a full afternoon outdoors
Terrain: Paved loops, forest trails, stairs and waterfront paths
Difficulty: Easy to moderately challenging, depending on your route
At 760 acres, Point Defiance Park offers far more than a single walk.
For an accessible paved outing, explore the pedestrian portions of Five Mile Drive and the park’s Loop Trail. The outer loop of Five Mile Drive is permanently closed to vehicles and open to pedestrians and cyclists, creating a rare opportunity to enjoy the forest without passing traffic.
For a more natural hike, follow the interior forest trails beneath towering evergreens. The terrain can be uneven, with roots, hills and seasonal mud, so use the official Point Defiance trail map rather than choosing unmarked side paths.
You can also combine the forest with the waterfront. Walk near Owen Beach, explore Dune Peninsula or cross the Wilson Way pedestrian bridge for elevated views across Commencement Bay.
Our suggestion: Point Defiance deserves more than a hurried stop. Combine a forest walk with the waterfront and allow at least half a day.
7. Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
Approximate drive: About 25 minutes
Best for: Birdwatching, wildlife and peaceful boardwalks
Trail network: Approximately four miles
Terrain: Accessible wooden boardwalks and packed-gravel paths
Difficulty: Easy
The Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge protects a remarkable meeting point of freshwater wetlands, tidal estuary, forest and river habitat.
Its network of relatively flat boardwalks and gravel trails allows visitors to choose anything from a short nature walk to a longer exploration. The Twin Barns Loop winds through forest and wetlands, while the Nisqually Estuary Trail and elevated boardwalk open into expansive views across the tidal flats.
Wildlife changes with the seasons and tides. You may see waterfowl, raptors, songbirds, amphibians, harbor seals and, during migration, salmon moving through the river system. Interpretive panels, viewing scopes and benches encourage you to slow down and notice what is around you.
Restrooms are located near the visitor center, with portable toilets near the Twin Barns.
Our suggestion: Bring binoculars if you have them, check the weather and allow more time than you think you need. This is not a place to rush.
8. Gig Harbor Waterfront and Cushman Trail
Approximate drive: 25–30 minutes
Best for: Combining a scenic town walk with a longer paved trail
Terrain: Waterfront sidewalks and a wide paved regional trail
Difficulty: Easy along the waterfront; mixed grades on Cushman Trail
Gig Harbor offers two very different walking experiences.
Downtown Gig Harbor Waterfront
The historic waterfront follows Harborview and North Harborview Drive past marinas, parks, fishing boats, shops and restaurants. Rather than following a rigid route, begin near Skansie Brothers Park and walk as far as you like along the harbor.
The city’s waterfront public-spaces map identifies parks, docks, water access and viewpoints throughout the harbor.
This walk is best enjoyed slowly, with time to browse shops, watch boats and stop for coffee, lunch or wine.
Cushman Trail
For more mileage, head to the Cushman Trail. The paved regional trail extends approximately 6.2 miles and includes mixed grades, four parking locations, five restrooms and seating along the route.
You do not need to walk the entire trail. The Grandview, Hollycroft and Borgen trailheads make it easy to choose an out-and-back distance that fits your day. The official page includes direct directions to each trailhead and a detailed trail map.
Our suggestion: Choose the waterfront for scenery and town character; choose Cushman when you want exercise and uninterrupted mileage.
9. Titlow Park and Hidden Beach
Approximate drive: 15–20 minutes
Best for: Beachcombing, birds, wooded trails and Narrows Bridge views
Terrain: Park paths, soft-surface trails and shoreline
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Titlow Park combines forest, lagoon, estuary and Puget Sound shoreline in one compact park.
Walk around the lagoon, explore the wooded paths or continue toward Hidden Beach, a quieter shoreline area with forest trails and pedestrian beach access. From the water, you can see the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, Fox Island and the Olympic Peninsula.
Titlow is also an excellent birding location. Its lagoon and shoreline attract a changing mix of birds throughout the year, and low tide reveals more of the beach.
Use the park’s official Titlow trail map to orient yourself. Follow designated crossings and never walk along the active railroad tracks.
Our suggestion: Check the tide before visiting and wear shoes that can handle mud, roots and wet shoreline conditions.
10. Puyallup Riverwalk Trail from Farm 12
Approximate drive: 25–30 minutes
Best for: A level walk paired with coffee, brunch or lunch
Terrain: Mostly paved river trail
Difficulty: Easy
For this walk, we like to begin at Farm 12, a gathering place just outside downtown Puyallup with a restaurant, event spaces and Fika coffee shop and bakery.
From the Farm 12 area, pick up the nearby Puyallup Riverwalk Trail and choose your own out-and-back distance. The approximately five-mile city trail follows the Puyallup River for much of its route, with park access and a paved bike and walking path.
You may hear this route discussed alongside the Puyallup-to-Orting Foothills Trail system. They are near one another, but the City of Puyallup describes the continuous connection to the Foothills Trail as a future project. Starting at Farm 12 places you on the Puyallup Riverwalk segment.
What makes this walk especially appealing is the finish: coffee and pastries at Fika, weekend brunch or a meal at Farm 12.
Our suggestion: Walk first, then reward yourself at Farm 12. It turns an ordinary paved walk into an easy half-day outing.
Choosing the Right Walk
If you want something easy and close, choose Fort Steilacoom Park.
For waterfront views and a workout, walk Chambers Bay.
For a forested trail ending at the beach, choose Sequalitchew Creek.
For wildlife and accessible boardwalks, visit Nisqually.
For restaurants and scenery together, choose Ruston Way or downtown Gig Harbor.
For serious mileage, explore Cushman Trail, Point Defiance or the Puyallup Riverwalk.
A Quiet Place to Return To
After a morning on the trail or an afternoon beside Puget Sound, return to the peace of Lake Steilacoom.
Chestnut Cottage and Little Leaf offer a restorative home base for exploring Lakewood, Tacoma, Steilacoom, Gig Harbor and the greater South Sound—close to the places you want to experience, with the lake waiting when you return.
Explore available dates at Chestnut Cottage and Little Leaf and begin planning your South Sound stay.