Biking trips are becoming an increasingly popular way to take in the beauty of Skagit County and be healthy in the process. With so many route options, you can choose to bike for a few hours or a few days. Design a route that takes you into the Cascades or towns such as La Conner and over to Anacortes. Your trip can be a relaxing pedal through the valley, an enthusiastic workout up a mountain, or a historical trip on the North Cascades Highway. You can even take the Guemes Island or San Juan Island Ferries for an island bicycle experience. Wherever the road takes you, you are sure to have a good view our beautiful county from the back of your bike.
Anacortes
The Sharpes Corner roundabout is now open for traffic. Roundabouts can be tricky to navigate if you are not used to them. Suggested routes emphasize the separated, graded path at the roundabout.
In some situations, a cyclist may find himself or herself needing to pass through Sharpes Corner roundabout. The routes through the roundabout are designated by the direction of travel as one approaches, followed by the word “to” and a second direction of travel after completing the roundabout. For example, travel from Burlington (or Mount Vernon or Whitney) to Oak Harbor is designated “Westbound to Southbound.” Travel from Oak Harbor to Anacortes is designated “Northbound to Westbound.”
Keep in mind that whenever possible the USBR 10 route over the Tommy Thompson Parkway trestle is a much quieter, less challenging traffic experience and would be recommended for east to east, west to west, and north to west travel plans. The reduction in traffic and the long shared use pathway of the Tommy Thompson Parkway is one of this region’s gems.
Ride With GPS has some great routes for bikers to follow.:
- Westbound to Westbound via Tommy Thompson Trail & Trestle
- Westbound to Southbound
- Eastbound to Eastbound Preferred Route via Tommy Thompson Trail & Trestle
- Eastbound to Eastbound via WA20and Fidalgo Bay Road
- Eastbound to Southbound Preferred Route via Tommy Thompson Trail & Trestle
- Eastbound to Southbound via WA 20 and Fidalgo Bay Rd. S
- Northbound to Westbound
- Northbound to Eastbound
These instructions are intended to help cyclists to choose which route is suitable for their skill level. Consult the Skagit County Bike Map for general details about roadway characteristics such as shoulders and customary motor vehicle use.
Little Mountain Trails
Family-friendly trails await you at Little Mountain Park. In total, the park now has over 6.5 miles of single-track bike trails plus, there’s the 1.4-mile road for those who prefer a smooth, quick way up to save their energy for the ride down. There are some trails that can get a little challenging, with narrow spaces and a few steep gradients, but overall the course is best suited for beginners and intermediate riders. There’s a lot of effort put into keeping the trails maintained and accessible at all times, making it a great place to learn the ropes of mountain biking.
Chuckanut Drive
Approximately 21 miles on State Route 11, Chuckanut Drive just North of Burlington and the Fairhaven suburb of Bellingham. This dramatic cliff side route hugs the base of Chuckanut Mountain weaving its way through evergreen forests along the rocky shoreline of Chuckanut Bay.
Cascade Trail
The Cascade Trail is a 22.5-mile rail trail following the abandoned Burlington Northern grade connecting the towns of Sedro-Woolley and Concrete, and can be accessed from three trailheads off of the North Cascades Highway.
La Conner
Take a bicycle tour through the daffodil fields during the La Conner Daffodil Festival and the tulip fields during the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. Tour display gardens, view open fields, stop at a cafe for a delicious lunch made with local ingredients and experience the festival taking in all the sensory elements. Don’t miss the Daffodil Festival Bike Ride and the Tulip Pedal, both happen annually.
Cyclists must consider their own skill level in choosing to travel any route. Also, temporary conditions such as weather, construction and congestion cannot be factored into these route recommendations. Ultimately the rider must use his or her best judgment in the choice of route, or whether to use another mode of transportation instead of riding.
It is the responsibility of the cyclist to remain alert not only for his or her safety, but for the safety of all other road users, motorists, pedestrians and persons with disabilities.
The Skagit Bicycle Club has websites for maps of member’s favorite rides and a calendar listing monthly rides where nonmembers are welcome to ride along.
