For rainy-season rambles, don't forget lovely Seward Park

Location: South Seattle

Walk length: A 2.4-mile paved pedestrian road encircles the park perimeter; more than two additional miles of trails lace the forested hilly interior.

Level of difficulty: Level paved road, gentle-to moderate gravel/old pavement trails

Setting: When you visit this lovely 277-acre peninsula jutting out into the southwestern flank of Lake Washington, thank Seattle's lucky stars that this lakefront land became a park early in the city's history and escaped ending up a gated enclave or a private estate. A bridge was proposed from here to Mercer Island in the 1920s and '30s, but luckily the plan fizzled, and the park retains some of the last remaining stands of old-growth forest in Seattle.

Most visitors stick to the perimeter road, walking briskly alongside a friend, cycling determinedly or gripping the lagging end of a dog-powered leash. But for more solitude, mindlessly wander the woodland trails in the hilly interior of the park. You really can't get lost — going downhill always puts you on the lakeside road, so the looping forest trails have a labyrinth-walk effect, letting you empty your mind's mental trash can.

Highlights: Fall and winter are good times to come here when you need a good long walk but the mountains are socked in by bad weather. Many of the trails here are paved or high and dry, you won't hear any highways, and when it's clear, you can see Mount Rainier looming beyond the south end of the lake.

Facilities: Restrooms, water and playground near the entrance. The park's Environmental & Audubon Center (open Wednesdays through Saturdays 10 a.m.-5 p.m.) offers guided nature walks and great children's programs; attend the Enchanted Forest Party on Nov. 13, 6:30-8:30 p.m., to check out the center's new exhibits (costumes encouraged).

Restrictions: Leash law and scoop laws in effect. No bikes on interior gravel trails.

Directions: To reach Seward Park from Interstate 5 southbound, take Exit 163A (West Seattle Bridge/Columbian Way) and bear left onto Columbian Way South. Turn right on 15th Avenue South, bear left on South Columbian Way, and turn right on Beacon Avenue South. Turn left on South Orcas Street; at Lake Washington, turn right into the park. From I-5 northbound, take Exit 161 (Swift Avenue) toward Albro Place, turn right on Swift Avenue South, turn left on South Eddy Street, and turn left on Beacon Avenue South. Turn right on South Orcas Street and proceed as above.

By bus: Metro Route 39 runs near Seward Park and connects with Sound Transit light rail at the Othello Station; 206-553-3000 or transit.metrokc.gov.

For more information: 206-652-2444 (Nature Center) or 206-684-4396; or see http://sewardpark.audubon.org or www.sewardpark.org.