The North Cascades Loop is a beautiful 440-mile driving itinerary in the North Cascades of Washington. The diverse drive encompasses pristine mountains, grand rivers, picturesque islands, and rolling river valleys.

Understand

Mount Shuksan and Picture Lake in the North Cascades

This loop showcases the spectacular and diverse scenery of northwestern Washington:

• WA-526, across the bucolic Whidbey Island
• North Cascades Highway (WA-20), through North Cascades National Park
• US-97, along the Columbia River Gorge
• Stevens Pass Highway (US-2), back through the Cascade Mountains

All roads on this route are paved and well-maintained, but the North Cascades Highway is closed in winter, making this loop only passable during the summer months.

To complete the loop, you also need to take a Washington State Ferry from Mukilteo to Whidbey Island (Clinton), or shortcut via the less scenic Interstate 5.

Prepare

Driving is the only way to experience this loop.

While completing the loop as a day-trip is possible, it would not leave any time for stops. Two days will allow enough time enjoy the scenery, and three to four days will allow you to sample the hiking and outdoor recreation opportunities along the route.

If you only intend to cross the state one-way and must choose only one of the mountain highways, the North Cascades Highway is regarded as more scenic and wild, but is also slower and further away from other regional destinations.

Get in

By plane

The closest major airports to the route are Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, about 45 minutes south of Everett, and Vancouver International Airport about one hour and fifteen minutes from Burlington (in the Skagit Valley). Bellingham and Everett have regional airports with service to other western states. Wenatchee has three flights from Seattle-Tacoma.

By car

From Seattle, take I-5 north to Everett, and begin the loop from there.

From Vancouver, take BC-99 and I-5 south to Burlington.

From Eastern Washington, including Spokane, take US-2 (or I-90 and US-97) to join the loop at Wenatchee.

By train

Amtrak Cascades serves Everett and Mount Vernon. Amtrak's Empire Builder serves Wenatchee, Leavenworth and Everett.

Drive

This itinerary describes the route as starting in Everett, then going clockwise. You can start anywhere and go either direction.

The loop has been divided into five main sections.

Whidbey Island

From 1 Everett, drive west on WA-526 to Mukilteo, and catch the ferry across Possession Sound to 2 Clinton, on Whidbey Island.

Whidbey Island is one of the longest islands in the continental US and is also one of the most scenic. As you drive north on WA-525 and WA-20, the main road running along the spine of the island, you pass through pastoral countryside and cute little towns such as Langley and Coupeville, as well as Fort Ebey State Park and 1 Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve. At the north end of the island is the beautiful 2 Deception Pass State Park, which includes land on both Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands. There are beaches, freshwater lakes and the majestic Deception Pass bridge towers over it all. Take the bridge across to Fidalgo Island.

The Skagit Valley

3 Anacortes, on Fidalgo Island, is the ferry terminal to the San Juan Islands, which make a wonderful (overnight) side trip. From here, the route takes WA-20 east across the Swinomish Channel to the mainland in the Skagit Valley. This fertile valley is famous for its tulips and claims to grow more of these flowers than Holland. The colorful town of La Conner is just off the highway. WA-20 continues to speed through Burlington (Washington).

The North Cascades Highway

Washington Highway 20 in the North Cascades

4 Sedro-Woolley has an information center for the upcoming North Cascades National Park. As the Skagit Valley melts away, the imposing Cascade Mountains come into view. At Concrete, a US Forest Service Spur leads to 3 Baker Lake, in the shadow of Mount Baker. This reservoir is popular for hiking, canoeing and angling. Back on the highway, WA-20 passes through Rockport State Park and the Skagit River Bald Eagle Natural Area.

Continuing on the highway, you will enter North Cascades National Park. The first stop in the park is the park visitor center in Newhalem. Next up, see the lookout for 4 Gorge Creek Falls. You will then you reach the crystalline Diablo Lake and Ross Lake, both large reservoirs. From there, the highway climbs up to Rainy Pass (4855'), a wonderful viewpoint and a popular trailhead for the Pacific Crest Trail. The road ascends even higher up to Washington Pass (5477'), the highest point on this loop.

The highway then descends into the Methow Valley, through the cute western town of Winthrop, which has still retained the flavor of the frontier. Winthrop is also an outdoors hub: with 300 days of sunshine, it's a popular base for backpacking, climbing, and backcountry skiing.

After leaving Winthrop, the route follows the Methow River first on WA-20, then switching onto WA-153 south down the lower Methow Valley toward the Columbia River.

The Columbia River

Lake Chelan National Recreation Area

The Columbia River is the grandest river of the Pacific Northwest, and the drive follows it for quite some time. At 5 Pateros, take US-97 south and soon you will arrive at the lake resort town of Chelan. Lake Chelan is one of the deepest lakes in the US, and extends well into the mountains. Popular private ferries sail all the way up the lake, to remote Stehekin in the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area.

From Chelan, go along the west side of the Columbia River on US 97-A. You will soon reach Wenatchee.

The Stevens Pass Highway

Double Rainbow at Wallace Middle Falls

6 Wenatchee is regarded as the "Apple Capital of the World". While there, visit the Ohme Gardens, a beautiful retreat. The Wenatchee Museum has great exhibits on the history of the apple industry and an 11 mile loop trail skirts both sides of the Columbia River.

From Wenatchee, take US-2 west, the Stevens Pass Highway, through the Wenatchee Valley. At Cashmere, stop by the Aplets and Cotlets Factory where they make delectable fruit treats, or visit a pioneer village.

A few miles west, the town of Leavenworth reinvented itself into a charming Bavarian village and is now a top tourist destination. Leavenworth is a base for endless outdoors possibilities, especially rafting the Wenatchee River and hiking The Enchantments. Continuing west, the drive passes through the beautiful Tumwater Canyon to Coles Corner, where a road leads to pristine Lake Wenatchee State Park.

Stevens Pass at 4061', is a major ski resort, and another trailhead to the Pacific Crest Trail.

From Stevens Pass, the highway quickly descends into the Skykomish Valley. Along the way, stop at Deception Falls, and enjoy the dramatic relief of the surrounding mountains, featuring the jagged Mount Index.

At the town of Gold Bar, stop at Wallace Falls State Park. The center of his park is the 265-foot waterfall, accessed by a trail.

By Sultan, the mountains mellow out into the foothills of the Puget Sound. Continue through Monroe to port city of Everett, completing the loop.

Stay safe

Fuel

On the North Cascades Highway, there is no gas for 70 miles between Marblemount and Mazama.

Cell Coverage

There is also no cell phone coverage from Ross Lake to Mazama. If you need assistance, you'll have to flag down someone with a two-way radio, or obtain a lift.

Avalanches

The Cascade Mountains see significant snow accumulation during the late fall and winter months. This poses a danger for avalanches whenever these areas experience warm up periods, regardless of how brief they may be. When there's snow, refer to the Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center website for current avalanche danger information before starting your trek.

Stevens Pass Highway is sometimes closed for avalanche control. Check the Washington State Department of Transportation website for avalanche control infromation.

Go next

• Seattle
• Olympic National Park Accessible from Whidbey Island or Seattle via ferry.
• Vancouver about 1.5 hours from Burlington
• The San Juan Islands can be reached by ferry from Anacortes
• Victoria This city with a British charm can be reached from Anacortes by ferry