Matador Network Awards 2024: Adventure Destination

Mountain biking Galbraith Mountain near Bellingham. Photo: Cavan-Image /Shutterstock

Mountain biking for all levels can be found in and around Bellingham. Galbraith Mountain is particularly known for its expert trails like Mohawk and Spacewolf, though with more than 70 miles of singletrack, there’s plenty for all levels. Chuckanut Mountain has certain trails for mountain bikers, or take an adventurous route on the US Forest Service and logging roads (just make sure to check the access rules first). The Waterfront Park Pump Track, Lynden Pump Track, and Civic Dirt Jump Track offer a place to test your skills off the trail. As to be expected in a place with so many mountain biking opportunities, there are related festivals and events throughout the warm months, like the annual Northwest Tune-Up Festival.

For travelers who can’t, or don’t want to, take their bike with them, there are many rental shops around town. Some of these, like Dig Deep Tours, also have guided trips that range from a single-day trail ride based on your skill level to an advanced, seven-day Crest the Cascades journey.

A hiking trail on Mt. Baker during wildflower season. Photo: hansen.matthew.d/Shutterstock

Or stick to your own two feet rather than wheels. Day hikes like the five-mile, 1,000-foot-elevation-gain Chanterelle Trail have expansive views. Challenging mountain hikes abound around the nearby town of Glacier, North Cascades National Park, Mount Baker, and, closer to the Canadian border, Mount Larrabee. These hikes lead to remote waterfalls, lakes, fern-filled forests, elevated lookout points, streams, and more. Wheelchair-accessible paths are no less stunning when it comes to views.

A scene from a hike in Whatcom Falls Park. Photo: DaveWalker/Shutterstock

Even inside the city there are hiking options: Whatcom Falls Park has 5.5 miles of trail, and the Interurban trail connects Fairhaven Park to Larrabee State Park. Those who want to take their hikes a little faster with a trail run will find guaranteed stunners in and around Bellingham as well, and the challenging Chuckanut 50k puts trail runners to the test.

The Salish Sea and its many bays define outdoor adventure in Bellingham just as much as the forests and mountains. Kayaking, paddle boarding, sailing, and fishing options feel endless, and the city has a water trails map with a variety of different routes.

Whatever level of exertion your summer activity brings, there are few better ways to cool off and refresh than a jump off of Taylor Dock into the chilly Bellingham Bay.

Searching for fresh snow in the Mt. Baker Ski Area backcountry. Photo: Cascade Creatives/Shutterstock

Winter brings a lot of snow to the mountains, and the opportunity for snowsports from skiing to snowshoeing. Mt. Baker Ski Area about an hour from Bellingham sees an average annual snowfall of 659 inches with more than 40 percent of runs falling into the expert category. Salmon Ridge Sno-Park Area has up to 15 miles of cross country skiing trails, and a like-minded community can be found at the Nooksack Nordic Ski Club.

Adventure sports blend into so many aspects of Bellingham, but there are more relaxed things to do that that add to any outdoor-focused trip as well. There’s a good chance you’ll find your new favorite gear in the local outfitters, or some inspiration at the expansive Village Books and Paper Dreams. Washington is a beer-loving state, and Bellingham has no shortage of craft breweries to design a hike around or end an adventure at, like Stemma, El Sueñito, and Otherlands. Stiffer drinks can be found in the lively college town bars as well, like Red Rum for tiki drinks or the space-themed Orion for cocktails and pool tables. Don’t miss the locally famous Bellingham pick-me-up drink the PBF — a mix of Ranier, orange juice, and a shot of Captain Nelson spiced rum — at Cap Hansen’s Lounge. For some of the finest seafood in the Pacific Northwest, look no further than Taylor Shellfish, located a short and scenic ride away on Chuckanut Drive.

It feels like you could spend days on end without leaving nature in Bellingham, and the hyper ambitious just might do so. But there’s something special about an outdoors-focused town with just as many options for things to do when you need a break.

Nominations for the 2024 Matador Network Adventure Destination Award were sourced from across the well-traveled Matador Network team. The nominees were judged based on accessibility, range of experiences, sustainability, cost, seasonality, accommodations, and crowds.

Our other top nominees, in no particular order:

• West Texas
• South Dakota Badlands
• Crested Butte, Colorado
• Squamish, BC
• Anchorage, Alaska
• La Paz, Mexico
• Ogden, Utah
• Durango, Colorado
• Karakol, Kyrgyzstan
• Galapagos Islands
• Nelson, Canada
• Borneo Island, Indonesia
• Hokkaido, Japan