The road to the top is narrow and windy as any proper mountain road should be. By the time you’ve negotiated your 80th hairpin switchback you’ll consider yourself ready for the Pike’s Peak Hill Climb. The road is heavily traveled in summers, so be cautious on the one-way bridges and the narrow corners. The drive will take a good 20 minutes to reach the 2,409 ft. Summit so be sure to leave plenty of time before sunset when heading up. A short 100-yard walk from the small parking lot takes visitors to the stone tower at the summit and the amazing view. A stone observation tower allows visitors to climb high enough above the summit for a 360-degree view. On a clear day you can, as they say, see forever: Vancouver to the north, the Cascade Range and Bellingham to the east, the rest of the San Juans and the Gulf Islands, Anacortes and the Olympic Range to the south.

If you’re looking to stretch your legs out on a healthy day hike, you’ll have your pick of trails on Mt. Constitution. Cascade Falls (highly recommended), Little Summit, Mountain Lake and North Trail are a small sampling of trails ranging from easy 1/4-mile strolls to 4.7-mile loops with steep (1,239 ft. elevation gain) scrambles.

Written By: Glen Berry

Features
Walking Trails

Comments
This is an epic ride, with a steep incline and many brutally steep switchbacks. The view at the top is absolutely awesome, well worth the super human climb. On 8-21-06 I did it with my double crank 39 x 25 gear and a very light Seven Ti racer. Almost bruned my brakes out by the bottom...man what a white knuckler. Would be much easier with a triple. In the area, this climbs is more difficult than Hurrican Ridge and Mt. Baker. Although, Baker's steep and much longer...both epic rides!
- Mike Saad on Sun, August 27, 2006

We took the long way up. The switch backs were a great reminder of why I need to go hiking more often. We were so proud to almost reach the top when we then realized you could drive all the way up. But believe me, it's worth the 4 mile hike up. Not only is it an awesome hike the view is the best. Pack a lunch.
- Susan on Tue, August 15, 2006

In the mid 1980's our 6th Grade Class from Mt. Erie School in Anacortes was fortunate enough to spend some time hiking and camping on Orcas Island. We camped out at Camp Ocilla. Hiking up this mountain was one of the most grueling and satisfying task of our entire trip! Any school mates still remember this many years later. Being a life long native of Fidalgo Island, we feel truly blessed that we live in the very best and most Beautiful part of the world. Thank you to all that made this memory! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Here’s to 2006 – yippee! Enjoy and God Bless. p.s. if you hike it, be sure to have lots of water, energy bars (major energy) and A GOOD PAIR OF HIKING BOOTS! Back then my tennis shoes left awesome blisters!!
- Liz Bullock on Mon, December 26, 2005

During a tandem bicycle tour of the San Juan Islands, we discovered Moran State Park and Mt. Constitution. My wife and I successfully climbed to the top, whew! Braking on the descent was actually more difficult. We were much younger back then! Good Luck!
- Don Wells on Thu, December 1, 2005

The ride up by bike is tough, of the 2400ft of climb, the first 2200ft of it is in in apx 3 mi. Trekking gears on a tour bike are do-able, but recomend a Mt. Bike for this climb. On a clear evening You can see Mt Baker to the east, With Lummi Isl in the foreground. Hike, Bike or drive, It truely is spectacular.
- Steven Jones on Fri, July 29, 2005

I went to the top when it was the second best maritime view in the world. It is the most spectacular view in memory. The highways of ships and tankers were so cool looking. Take lots of water! Look for the Lop Eared Rabbits!
- cindy on Thu, May 5, 2005

The ride up is not too difficult, although you will need to persevere. I did it during the summer of 1984 with a 10-speed beast weighing in at about 29 pounds. Today's wonder-bikes are significantly lighter and with the right gearing should make the job realatively straight forward. Take your time and enjoy!
- John Bohica on Sat, June 21, 2003

is it too technical and/or steep or is it simply a epic ride? Do you know of any other interesting technical trails on the island? Thanks
- Emma Corbilla on Wed, June 13, 2001

You better be tougher then nails to get up this in a bike.
- Wayne Berry on Fri, December 8, 2000

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