UW Medicine’s Memory and Brain Wellness Center is once again offering guided nature hikes for people living with early-onset dementia.
Now in its fourth year, the program features monthly hikes at parks and natural areas around Puget Sound. Participants are joined by a family member or friend and take part in small-group outings designed to promote physical activity, social connection, and time outdoors.
The hikes are led by a recreation specialist from Seattle Parks and Recreation and typically cover two to three miles on easy-to-moderate trails.
The next hike is scheduled for 10:45 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 27, at Richmond Beach in Shoreline, where participants will explore local trails and the waterfront.
The program is open to people diagnosed with dementia before age 65 who can comfortably walk about 2 miles per hour without needing to stop and rest. Participants may meet at the hike location or use free van transportation from the Jefferson Community Center in Seattle’s Beacon Hill neighborhood.
Organizers say the program will continue through the coming year and conclude with a retreat at Golden Gardens Park in June 2027.
Those interested must register in advance for each hike. More information and registration details are available through UW Medicine’s Shared Outdoor Adventures for Resilience (SOAR) program.