Our water and mountain-ringed paradise has yet another claim to fame: Bellingham was named the 2nd most fitness-friendly city in America.
Bellingham ranked second only to Boulder, Colorado among 369 metropolitan areas on which the Huffington Post gathered extensive data in three categories:
People: are there local people who can help with fitness goals?
Businesses: are there organizations in town to assist with health milestones?
Fast food: how available are unhealthy eating options?
Looking for some outdoor inspiration? Here’s a few of Whatcom County’s best outdoor oases:
Oyster Dome—this 6.5 mile roundtrip hike in the Chuckanuts features breathtaking views of Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands.
Galbraith Mountain—Galbraith is a mountain biker’s mecca, flaunting over 50 miles of singletrack that wind through 3,000 acres and overlook the city and Bellingham Bay.
Lake Whatcom—outdoor enthusiasts can get their dose of adventure in a variety of ways on the shores of Lake Whatcom. This 10-mile long lake is ready to accommodate whether you’re in the mood for fishing, hiking, swimming, or boating.
Boulevard Park—you’ll find bbq pits, a fishing dock, a trail that connects Bellingham’s two urban centers and a coffee shop and the best sunsets in the region in this bayside park.
Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest—the glacier-covered peaks, mountain meadows, and old-growth forests dotting the landscape of this national forest make for year-round fun—from camping, hiking, and swimming in the warmer months to snowboarding, skiing, and snowshoeing in the winter.
This award is one of several that Bellingham has accumulated recently.
Best Place to Play Year-Round: Sunset Magazine
Great Adventure Towns, #11: National Geographic
Best Beer Cities, #8: Livability
100 Best Places to Live, #47: Livability
The Best Ski Towns for Real Estate Investing, #2: RealtyTrac