The San Juan Islands are known throughout the world for their biking opportunities, and Lopez Island is hands down the best island to ride. This is one of a collection of Lopez Island biking maps that are designed for you by The Edenwild Boutique Inn. Expect a nice mix of coastal views, charming country roads, and shady Northwest forests in all of our Lopez Island bike rides. Some of the routes are created as if you are staying in the Lopez Village, but other maps are designed as if you are taking a day trip from Anacortes, Friday Harbor, or Orcas Island. Edenwild has a bike fleet at the ferry landing and the village for those who choose not to bring their own bicycles.
Fishermans Bay Loop Bike Ride (8.2 mi +271 ft / -274 ft)
This is a perfect Lopez Island ride for the nonrider who wants a low impact bicycle ride with absolutely beautiful views. It is also perfect for the serious cyclists who want to fit in one last ride before heading to the ferry. If you would like to download this ride onto your Smartphone so that you have a interactive GPS map and cue sheet here is a Ride with GPS Map Link.
On this ride, you will almost circumnavigate Fishermans Bay to complete the whole loop you would have to swim the last 150’ of the inlet! You will almost always have a view of the water on this bike ride. At one point, you will see water on both sides of the road as you cross a causeway. The ride ends at Fishermans Bay Preserve which has beautiful views of Fishermans Bay dotted with moored sailing craft and idyllic Lopez Village in the distance. Add a hike to this bike ride by unsaddling and following a meandering trail through Fishermans Bay Preserve. The trail ends at a long stretch of sandy Lopez Island Beach.
Lopez Village to Fishermans Bay (Mile 1)
Biking mile 1 will take you past the Island Marine Center, so expect the typical hustle and bustle of a busy marina. At mile 1.5, you will bike pass the tiny Bayview Day Park with a picnic table that offers a shady spot to watch the yacht traffic mooring in the inner bay.
Lopez Island Bay and Shore Views (Mile 2)
At mile 2, you will turn on Bay Shore road and start a winding descent to a causeway with watery views on both sides. To the right is the backside of Fishermans bay and to your left the Strait of Juan de Fuca as you pedal this ½ mile causeway called Otis Perkins Park. This is by far the highlight of the ride.
Shady Forest to Sandy Beaches (Mile 3-4)
At mile 3.25, you will trade in the pavement for dirt when you take a right on Peninsula Road. This charming route will lead you through a shady coastal forest that eventually opens up into a grassy peninsula lined with the sandy shores named Fisherman Bay Preserve. The road ends at a parking lot with restrooms and bike racks.
We highly recommend hiking to the beach and following it to the tip of the peninsula and back. Here is a link to a GPS Hiking Map. The whole hike is a mile, but to hike to where the beach begins is a little less than ½ mile. Highlights on this hike are migratory bird nesting grounds, a literal forest of driftwood that washed ashore from countless king tides and storms. You will also enjoy sandy beaches and the remains of Lopez Island’s Reef Net Boat Fleet, a salmon fishing technique adopted from native fishermen that was popular back when salmon was king of the San Juan Islands.
We hope you enjoy this pleasant Lopez Island Bike Ride. If you are looking for another bike route, check out Lopez Northend Loop.
