Our Favorite Ways to Explore the City of Anacortes, Located on Fidalgo Island
Anacortes, located on Fidalgo Island, is home to some of the most beautiful wildlife and sceneries in the Pacific Northwest. Located in Skagit County about sixty miles north of Seattle, Fidalgo Island is separated from the mainland by the Swinomish Channel and from Whidbey Island to the south by Deception Pass, which is well-known for its other-worldly vistas. The island itself offers 2,800 acres of lush forests, meadows, wetlands, and lakes, providing spectacular wooded, sea, and mountain views as well as over fifty miles of multiple-use trails. If you’re looking to spend a day or two exploring Fidalgo Island, it’s highly recommended that you visit one of the six lakes located on the island, which are easily accessible through a multitude of hiking trails, ranging from easy to challenging. Read on to discover some of our favorite local Fidalgo Island hiking trails.
Tommy Thompson Trail
This mostly flat and paved trail begins near the Port of Anacortes and follows the 3.3-mile route along the old Burlington Northern Railway. Popular amongst bikers and walkers, this trail winds around the island’s shoreline, providing beautiful views of the Cascade Mountains and Mount Baker. The trail’s highlight can be found in the southeastern portion of the trail, where you’ll cross a railway trestle over Fidalgo Bay that offers captivating vistas.
Cranberry Lake
Though this lake is home to a variety of trails, the main one is a 1.5-mile loop around Little Cranberry Lake that brings you to various off-shoots for other hiking routes. One of the more popular off-shoots is a hike to Rock Ridge, a neighborhood that offers outstanding views of the San Juan Islands. If you head south on the trails, you’ll also pass Little Beaver Pond, Big Beaver Pond, and Mitten Pond. These trails are considered mostly easy, though some areas do get muddy and rugged, so it’s best to come well-prepared.
Heart Lake Trail & Whistle Lake Trail
A 2.86-mile trail loops almost entirely around Heart Lake through cedar and hemlock forests, with pocket views of the lake throughout. Considered an easier trail, this hike is acceptable for children and families. After you’re done, you can enjoy various activities on the lake, such as fishing and kayaking, which many families opt to do here. Next to Heart Lake, you’ll find the Whistle Lake Trail, which is the largest trail system in Anacortes. The 3.7-mile Whistle Lake Trail passes through a variety of sceneries, including swamps, wooded areas, rocky parts, and Whistle Lake that is warm enough to swim in during the summer months! Those seeking a longer or more challenging hike may wish to begin their hike in Heart Lake and end in Whistle Lake, or vice versa, as the trail systems are connected. Those that choose to do so will visit the two highest points in Anacortes—Mount Erie and Sugarloaf, which are both located near Heart Lake.
Ship Harbor Interpretive Preserve Trail
This trail was designed to delight visitors with interpretive platforms and benches that allow them to take in the views of the ferry, birds, and islands. A newly constructed boardwalk guides visitors through a portion of the wetlands, while the trail itself leads visitors along the 2,000 feet of Ship Harbor’s sandy beach shoreline.
Sharpe Park and Montgomery-Duban Headlands Trail
This 2.6-mile loop trail guides hikers through the largest undeveloped and privately owned waterfront on the island that includes 110 acres of marshlands and woods with large firs and madrones. A more secluded trail, there is just one access point to enter and exit, but it’s well worth it as hikers will experience scenic viewpoints of Lopez Island, the Olympic Peninsula, and 400-foot headlands rising from the sea.
Washington Park
Located along the western side of Fidalgo Island, this park is home to various trails that lead through 220 acres of forest to delight visitors with breathtaking views of the Olympic Mountains and San Juan Islands. Though some hikes are rather steep or unpaved, there are a handful of other hikes in this park that are easier and paved, making this a great hiking destination for all ages and skill levels.
Rosario Head & Bowman Bay
Part of the Pacific Northwest Trail and Deception Pass State Park, these hiking trails are great for visitors as they can decide how long of a hike they want to do. For those wanting longer hikes, opt for Rosario Head or Bowman Bay—both can start and end in either location. For a shorter hike, follow the Rosario Head trail to a 0.3-mile rocky point loop that offers striking views of Rosario Strait, Deception Island, Whidbey Island, and the Olympic Mountains—please note, however, that this shorter hike has some steep, rocky sections. Another shorter hike option is the Lighthouse Point Trail, accessible from Bowman Bay, that offers spectacular views of Deception Pass, Canoe Pass, and Deception Pass Bridge.
Before you go, make sure to look up whichever hiking trail you decide to try. It’s advised that you bring a map of the area along with you on your hike just in case. While the Anacortes Forest Land trails don’t require a paid pass, the ones along the Deception Pass Park do require a Discovery Pass.
If you’d like to learn more about Fidalgo Island and its wonderful outdoor escapes, you can visit their website. And if you’d like to explore Anacortes, please visit their website for a list of fun things to do or get in touch with us, your local experts.