A Ramble Through Ballard’s “Outer Ring”, Fall, 2022

This is a companion, of a sort, to Ballard’s Central District walk. This skirts around that one and is both more industrial and more residential. That said, it is by no means inclusive and while I may have a couple more to do to give the neighborhood any justice, I will leave that to later installments. Ballard sees itself as only somewhat eccentric, unlike it’s cousin and neighbor, Fremont. This may be primarily owing to its roots as a Swedish outpost from a century ago but more likely due to its mix of industry and a post-war middle class growth spurt that gave it the shape is has today. In any case, I hope you enjoy this rable around one of Seattle’s oldest neighborhoods, Ballard!

Around Central Ballard

• Start Address: NW Leary Way and 14th Ave NW

• Stop Address: NW Leary Way and 14th Ave NW

• Mileage: 2.59 miles

• Animated map: here

• Difficulty/Terrain: Sidewalks but plenty of street-grade dirt and old railroad tracks

• Ascent: 118 ft, Descent: 118 ft.