Walking for exercise in Olympia (Tumwater, Priest Point: neighborhood, place to live, restaurant)

[rheadabovewater]

I currently live in a nice area in No. CA, and my way of exercising is walking. Although I tend to walk on my lunch hours at work, I also like to walk in the mornings in my neighborhood before and after work.

If I live in the Olympia area (and I realize this is a generalization), would you say - in general - that it's not a good place for a single woman to walk? I am going to try to pick a nice area, but considering the alarming post I just read regarding all the offenders in the Olympia area, do you think this is something I should really consider when picking a place to live?

...and sidewalks are definitely desired, I know some of the rural areas don't have them.

[Ultrarunner]

There are many walking trails in and around Olympia...

You won't find many sidewalks unless you are town proper or one of the new tract communities in the area.

A favorite little walk is a loop trail at the Tumwater Falls and there is a nice Restaurant overlooking the Falls.

Another path is the old right-of-way in the direction of Boston Harbor.... plus there are several Parks with trails like Priest Point park just minutes from Downtown...

[rheadabovewater]

Thanks Ultrarunner....but it does seem that it isn't safe for a woman on her own to walk anywhere near downtown by herself, right? I'm asking only because sometimes I will walk around the block or in my area at sunrise, one of my favorite times of the day. Would be nice to be able to walk without having to drive somewhere first....

[Sandy Nelson]

Rheadabovewater,

I live in downtown Olympia and walk around Capitol Lake early in the mornings. I have never felt scared or threatened. It's a lovely walk (approximately 1.6 miles) with views of the Capitol, the Sound and the lake. For a more vigorous walking experience I go to Watershed Park. It has more ups and downs.

Sandy

[chris]

morning is probably the best and safest time to go walking in Olympia. The undesireable element(s) of Olympia should still be sleeping.

[KLW]

I walk in Olympia, alone and with my 5 year old, and I've never had any problems. Capital Lake is great, and there are so many other great trails also. In all areas of the city and more rural areas, at least the ones I frequent, I often see single women walking for exercise. I haven't felt unsafe here at any time....just use common sense!

[ysabella]

There are very few places in downtown Oly where I wouldn't feel okay walking alone, especially in the morning. The main problem is panhandlers along one strip of 4th, where there are a lot of bars, in the evenings. Even then, it's not scary, it's just annoying.