Favorite Spring Skagit Valley Walks
Wiley Slough, Fir Island
As I’m writing this, I’m sitting in a coffee shop on an irregularly warm — but very welcome — 70-degree day in Sun Valley, Idaho. It’s a favorite place of mine, and one I’ll likely write about in a future blog.
Back home, I hear it’s 50 degrees and raining in the Skagit Valley, with flood warnings. Aside from the flooding, it sounds pretty typical for March in Skagit. The daffodils are blooming, the tulips are just about to open, and even in the rain, it’s beautiful.
This time of year, the daffodils and tulips, also bring visitors. For me, it marks the start of the busy season in the Valley, with people planning day trips and weekend getaways. Continuing my tour of the area — I’ve already shared restaurant recommendations in La Conner, Bow/Edison, and Mount Vernon — I’m now moving into something I love just as much: Skagit Valley Walks.
La Conner Viewpoint of Skagit Estuary
Usually, before I write a guide like this, I spend the week revisiting each place. But since I’m in Sun Valley, I haven’t had the chance this time.
That said, I walk often. Pretty much every morning,but most days it’s just around my neighborhood. However, when time and weather allow, I head out to some of my favorite spots. I’ve done these walks enough that I don’t really need a refresher. And I’m always grateful that my past self had the habit of stopping to take photos whenever something struck as especially beautiful or picturesque.
Looking back through those photos, I’m reminded just how many beautiful walks there are in the Skagit Valley — in every season, and in every kind of weather.
Craft Island, Summer
Honestly, Skagit Valley Walks could be their own entire series. So I’m starting with my favorite spring walks and will revisit more in summer and fall. I may also include a few in future Skagit Valley day trip itineraries.
So here we go — a few of what I think are the best walks in Skagit Valley this time of year:
Wiley Slough
In the winter, you’re sharing the space with hunters, and will hear that bang, bang — which can feel quite jarring. I’m pretty sure you’re always safe on the path, but I recommend checking the hunting season before going - I think it is late fall through early winter. The birds are also a little scarcer then — they’re getting out of dodge. Rightly so.
But there’s this window, right after hunting season ends, when everything shifts.
The birds come back in a big way. If you go early in the morning, when the fog is just starting to burn off and it’s shaping up to be a clear day, it feels magical. Pairs of swans float quietly in the ponds, snow geese move in their musical flocks overhead, and you’ll spot eagles, hawks, ducks, and so much more. I wouldn’t call myself a “birder,” but it’s hard not to be completely taken by it.
Then, just a few weeks later, the landscape starts to change again. The green comes in, and the contrasts become so vivid — warm sun, a cool breeze, crystal blue skies, white clouds, and fresh grass, including the tall marsh grass. It’s a different kind of beautiful, but just as special.
Wiley Slough Trail in late spring
The walk itself isn’t too long - it can be as short as a mile or as long as three, if you walk both the paths of the fork and take them all the way to the end at the bay. This walk is beautiful. Take your time, and let yourself enjoy it.
La Conner Estuary and Hole-in-the-Wall Viewpoint Walk
This is by far my favorite walk in La Conner. But it’s not well mapped, so I will do my best to explain.
There are a couple of places to start this walk. You can begin, in town, from the La Conner waterfront and follow along the waterfront (in the old “industrial” fishing area you have to go inland around the buildings) toward the Rainbow Bridge. Or you can park below Pioneer Park, at the corner of Conner Street.
From here, you walk along Conner Street, which becomes a wide path/dirt road along the Channel and in the direction of the Rainbow Bridge. According to Apple Maps, Conner Road becomes McGlinn Island Lane and really starts to feel like a path at this point.
You will have gone from having the Channel on one side and farmland on the other to still having the Channel on your right, but more of a woodsy, estuary feel on your left. Think… sandy path, the trees and shrubs are a bit wiry, and there starts to be beach grass.
From here, moving into the estuary side, there are multiple trails that lead through the sand and beach grass — they all lead to the same place. From my experience, you can walk any of them or simply stay on the main path.
At this point, the main path turns into more of a trail and starts to wind through the woods. It is really the only trail, so just follow it for about half a mile. Then you reach a fork. Either prong is great to take — or take both. Go out one way, come back, and take the other.
The left prong will lead you through the woods a bit more, then up a steep but very short hillside to one of the most beautiful views over the North Fork of the Skagit Estuary. Take a picnic and enjoy.
Skagit Estuary View Towards Skagit Farmlands
The right prong leads you to what the locals call “Hole-in-the-Wall.” It is where the La Conner Channel enters Skagit Bay. Here, the trail leads you down to a special little beach that is sandy, with lots of driftwood and great views out into Skagit Bay. It’s also a wonderful spot for an afternoon picnic.
The beach looking into Skagit Bay on a grey Spring day
If you are walking from downtown La Conner, this walk in total is about three to four miles — depending on whether you do one prong or both. It is not too strenuous, and the views are beautiful.
I also love how this walk reminds me how close we are to the salty waters of Puget Sound here in Skagit. Pack a lunch and spend a sunny afternoon exploring.
Padilla Bay Walk
Padilla Bay Trail on winter day
The Padilla Bay walk is a classic Skagit Valley walk that is well known, so I’m not going to spend too much time writing about it. There is easy and convenient dedicated parking, and the trailhead at either end is well marked.
Padilla Bay Trail
The path is gravel and great for walking, walking with a stroller, or biking. It is very flat and family-friendly.
Padilla Bay Trail and Snow Geese in winter
On a sunny day, you can feel the breeze and see the wispy clouds rolling across the sky. On a windy, rainy day, you’ll definitely get windswept, but if you are lucky and it’s late winter, you might catch a snow geese show. This walk is not to be missed!
