La Conner, Washington, is tucked between the shores of Skagit Bay to the west and the majestic Cascade Mountains to the east, granting gorgeous scenery along the area's many bike trails. Home to a thriving artist community, you’ll find the streets of La Conner lined with art galleries and artisan shops, while the waterfront buzzes with energy as local fishermen and pleasure boaters come and go. The city’s designated bike routes begin in town and extend out or loop through the surrounding communities. Detailed route maps and directions are available from the La Conner Chamber of Commerce.
Swinomish Reservation Loop Tour
- Follow this 10-mile on-road loop for views of the Swinomish Channel in the east and Simalik Bay in the west, with views of Deception Pass in the distance. This bike route begins in La Conner and follows the shoreline, cutting across Fidalgo Island, a bridge-accessed island across the channel. Begin this loop on Maple Avenue, also known as Pioneer Parkway. The Swinomish Reservation Loop Tour follows lightly trafficked roads without bike lanes, and passes several campgrounds and a picnic area.
Tulip Fields Loop Tour
- Imagine vibrantly colored fields stretching out like patchwork quilts toward the horizon and you’ll have some idea of what La Conner -- and much of Skagit County -- looks like in the spring. Ride this 14-mile, on-road bike loop any time of year, but plan a visit during April or May for optimal tulip, daffodil and iris viewing. The Tulip Fields Loop Tour begins on Chilberg Road and follows moderately to lightly-trafficked and rural roads past farms and vineyards, using bike shoulders and vehicle lanes.
Rexville Loop Tour
- Cruise through the Mount Vernon community of Rexville and stop in for a souvenir at the historic 1935 Rexville Grocery. The return ride on this 11-mile on-road bike loop takes you past rolling fields of flowers. The Rexville Loop Tour begins in La Conner and heads east to Dodge Valley, Rexville and the tulip fields. Allow plenty of time for stopovers on this scenic route that passes by a pickle a farm, a seasonal art gallery, a seasonal produce market and several vineyards and flower fields. The trail follows roads with moderate traffic through Rexville, and rural roads past the vineyards and flower fields. Cyclists will need to use road shoulders and vehicle lanes at times.
Mount Vernon to La Conner Spur Tour
- Spend a few hours exploring the city of Mount Vernon by following this one-way, 9-mile spur route. Mount Vernon’s historic downtown features antique shops and award-winning breweries, wineries and distilleries. Mount Vernon is also home to the 1926 Lincoln Theatre and the Washington State University Discovery Garden, which is made up of more than two dozen individual gardens. This one-way route begins in Mount Vernon and extends to La Conner, but the route can be completed in reverse or as a loop. The Mount Vernon/La Conner Spur Tour follows a levee of the Skagit River, passing wetlands, historic farm houses, dairy farms and tulip fields. This route uses bike shoulders and vehicle lane routes. Cyclists may pass through heavy traffic in downtown Mount Vernon.
Bayview Loop Tour
- Allow a full day for this 27-mile bike loop beginning in La Conner and extending north and then east into the Samish River Valley. The Bayview Loop Tour follows the shoreline north along Padilla Bay from La Conner, passing through the Bayview State Park before turning east and dropping down into the valley, past wetlands, tulip fields and farms. Along the route, you’ll pass the Padilla Bay Interpretive Center and the Upland State Game Bird Habitat. The Bayview Loop Tour uses vehicle lanes, bike shoulders and a multipurpose gravel trail on mostly rural and lightly trafficked roads.
