This is a city park! Anacortes, Washington is a small Puget Sound town that is mostly ignored but for the ferry service that resides there. Hikers do not see this as a ‘destination’ which is why it’s a destination! If you are tired of the steep trails, the blisters from tough leather hiking boots and the biting flies, this may be your choice for a gentle and beautiful hike.

This is a 220 acre park right on the Sound. The park covers all of Fidalgo Head, a rocky peninsula with a forest covered crown. It is almost totally surrounded by water so elevation gain? Ha! Relax. You can walk it or bike it. Part of the trail lands you back on the road to re-connect with other trails, but it is a slow one laner with many speed bumps so no worries. You can sit on the beach and watch the ferries come and go as well as the occasional tanker and fishing boats. Since it is pretty much a local hang-out you won’t be inundated by crowds. It’s a lazy little town so relax. The light weight day-hike boots are fine here.

Get there from I-5 out of Seattle heading north for about 64 miles. Take exit 230 at Mount Vernon and turn west (left) to go under the freeway and follow the signs for Anacortes for about 14 miles. The highway has two designations: 20 and 237. Once in Anacortes, turn left at the sign for the Victoria/San Juan Ferry which is another incredible side trip one day when you have the time to trek into Canada and into Victoria BC. That is a wonder in its own right.

One final note: if you plan this trip right, do it in the spring when the tulips are in bloom. Mount Vernon is one of the world’s largest growers of tulips and daffodils. When in bloom, fields stretch forever with purples, reds, and yellows that are a shock to the system. You can walk through the fields in some cases and of course you can buy the flowers and bulbs.