Saint Edward State Park has a lot to offer. It’s historic, scenic, boasts a labyrinth-type trail system that’s easy to follow, and it has picnic areas and a massive playground.

The park is the largest undeveloped area on Lake Washington. About 3,000 feet of shoreline is found here.

Find an information kiosk to the north of the parking lot and pick up a map.

In the late 1920s, Catholic bishop Edward O’Dea of the Seattle Diocese purchased the property with his personal inheritance and donated it to the diocese for use as a seminary by the Sulpician Order, an educational order of priests.

The seminary was named for Edward the Confessor, founder of Westminster Abbey and king of the west Saxons of England in the 11th Century.

In 1930, on the feast of Saint Edward, the cornerstone of the seminary was laid. Construction was completed in September of that year.

For many years, the seminary was operated as a boys school and seminary. In the fall of 1977, after declining enrollment and changes in the education of seminarians, the Seattle Diocese sold 316 acres, including the seminary buildings, to the state of Washington for use as a park.

In 1978, the grounds were opened to the public.

In 1997, the former seminary building was placed on the Washington State Heritage Register, and in 2007 it was placed on the National Historic Register.

The day-use area has sprawling lawns and forested trails surrounding impressive Romanesque Revival style brick buildings. There is a gymnasium on the grounds as well as an indoor, Olympic-size swimming pool.

One thing to keep in mind is that the park is popular and in the middle of massive metropolitan area, yet its parking lot is relatively small.

Distance: 2.6 miles

Destination: Shore of Lake Washington

Difficulty: Moderate

Elevation gain: Minimal

Getting there: The trail is in Saint Edward State Park. To reach the park, take I-405 south to exit No. 23-B (Hwy. 522). Drive through Bothell to Kenmore. Turn left on 68th Avenue. 68th Avenue turns into Juanita Drive at Simonds Road. Reach the park entrance in 1.5 miles. The entrance on the right.

The Trek: There are a plethora of trails from which to choose.

For the purpose of this writing, several trails were used.

After parking, head south, passing the restrooms and playground. At the trailhead, find the sign for the Water Tower Trail on the left, just off the paved path. The trail runs 0.3 of a mile.

The double-wide trail immediately descends as it enters the lush forest. This path gets a lot of use, so expect to encounter runners, joggers and bikers.

Pass a picnic area as the trail rises and falls along a straight route. Pass plenty of ferns and sections of mud.

The trailhead for the Plateau Trail is passed on the left as a hill is reached. The pitch levels out as the trail arcs to the east and parallels the road. High above, the trail’s namesake — a massive water tower with “Bastyr” (University) emblazoned upon it — looms.

Pass a large cedar tree before a split-rail fence is reached. This is the trailhead for the South Ridge Trail.

According to the sign, this trail is rated “most difficult.” Considering the steep downhill sections and copious amounts of slick mud, the rating is well deserved.

Venture through a stand of Douglas fir and a carpet of ferns. Except for the muddy section, the trail is in good shape.

The path twists and turns before reaching a section enveloped by a thick canopy. Here, the surroundings are dark and cool as the trail meanders along a ridge line. Broken trees litter the understory.

Reach the first of many steep sections of the trail, which is now bordered by a forest’s worth of stinging nettles. Pass a bench atop a knoll and trek down the hill on the other side.

Encounter another downhill pitch covered with mud that continues up the hill on the other side. The trail narrows as it continues along another ridgeline. Hike up a staircase of roots and pass two large fir trees. Deep ravines now border the trail on both sides.

Another steep descent is beset with roots, rocks and a quagmire of mud. The trail narrows considerably as it rounds a bend. Through the trees, Lake Washington can be seen shimmering in the sunshine.

Reach the first of several narrow switchbacks as one descends to the shoreline. Continuing down, reach an intersection. To the right is the South Canyon Trail.

Stay straight, making your way through another split-rail fence before crossing a bridge and bursting out onto a beach.

Boulders line the shoreline. The views across the lake are impressive. A sandy beach allows boaters access to the state park.

After soaking up the sun, wind and waves, prepare for the return trip where those steep downhills are now messy, lung-burning uphill stretches that lead back to the rig.