Cascade Loop Road Trip in Washington
Washington’s Cascade Loop paints a dramatic portrait of the Pacific Northwest’s raw and wild scenery. The area’s roadside attractions feature granite mountain peaks that reach toward the sky, quaint towns nestled among greenery, and emerald islands sprinkled across cobalt waters.
While many stops along the Cascade Loop are must-sees on their own, together they form an unforgettable road trip itinerary.
Along its course, the road trip reveals a tapestry of lakes, rivers, forests, and mountains. With twisting scenic byways and opportunities for jaunts into untamed wilderness, the 440 mile loop is a testament to the varied landscapes of America’s Upper Left.
CASCADE LOOP: THE ULTIMATE WASHINGTON ROAD TRIP
The Cascade Loop road trip encapsulates the best of Washington’s scenery. Though it only includes one of the state’s three national parks, the 440 mile route is simply breathtaking.
The Cascade Loop does not have definitive start and end locations. While this post chronicles the drive in counterclockwise fashion from Everett, the route can be enjoyed in either direction, from a number of destinations along its course.
As a bare minimum, driving the Cascade Loop requires two full days. Four to five would be ideal—especially if you’d like to stray from the main road and explore some of the area’s scenic hiking trails.
INDEX WASHINGTON
Index is one of Washington’s top hiking destinations . The small town of 200 boasts stunning trails and granite precipices. Its soaring 500 ft cliffs—known as the Index Town Walls—are among the Pacific Northwest’s top outdoor rock gyms.
I have a complex relationship with Index. On the one hand, the area’s scenery offers a paradisiacal mountain escape close to Seattle.
On the other hand, I’ve rarely visited the area without getting frustrated by its notorious traffic jams.
During summer months, the trails around Index fill with day-trippers who are eager to escape city life. Crowds swarm the parking lots, clog the trails, and contribute to gridlock on Highway 2.
That being said, if you’re able to avoid traveling to Index on a weekend, the area truly conceals a lot of gems. Chief among them are Wallace Falls State Park and Lake Serene.
Wallace Falls State Park boasts one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Washington State. It lies near the tiny town of Gold Bar, along Highway 2.
Just down the road from Wallace Falls, Lake Serene is another popular day trip destination. The Lake Serene Trail is an 8.2 mile route that leads past Bridal Veil Falls to a glacial alpine lake. The sapphire lake lies sheltered beneath the 3,000-foot crags of Mount Index.
Despite the large number of people hiking to Lake Serene every day, the glistening body of water still lives up to its name.
Other worthwhile hikes in the area include the Heybrook Lookout, the Monte Cristo Trail, and Bridal Veil Falls Trail.
STEVENS PASS GREENWAY
As Highway 2 digs deeper into the heart of Washington, its roadside mountains become steeper and more impressive. The road winds around craggy peaks, past emerald forests, and alongside rushing rivers.
Stevens Pass Ski Area lies east of Skykomish, between Index and Leavenworth. It is one of the top ski resorts in Washington and a popular winter weekend destination.
Stevens Pass gives skiers and snowboarders access to 1,800 vertical feet across 1,125 acres of terrain. It boasts ten chairlifts and is home to 37 major runs. It is one of the featured resorts on the Epic Pass and among the top skiing destinations in the Pacific Northwest.
I’ve always found Stevens Pass to be a good alternative to the jam-packed slopes at Snoqualmie.
LEAVENWORTH
Leavenworth is a little slice of southern Germany that lies in the heart of the Pacific Northwest. Located half an hour east of Stevens Pass, the logging-town-turned-Bavarian village is a delightful mountain getaway.
Leavenworth may be 5,000 miles away from Munich, but the town’s Bavarian aesthetic is certainly convincing. Throughout downtown, shops sell German trinkets, lagers flow freely, and mustard-dipped pretzels are standard fare.
Leavenworth’s transformation began in the mid 1900s. When the nearby railroad re-routed its tracks and moved elsewhere, the thriving mountain community faced a steep economic decline.
After decades of job loss and hardship, Leavenworth’s citizens decided to give their town a Bavarian-style makeover. The town reinvented itself and embraced every German cliche imaginable. It became a place where tourists could come to expect beerhalls and bratwursts and some of the best Christmas markets in America.
Visiting Leavenworth in winter is particularly memorable. Every year between Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day, the town twinkles under the glow of lights and transforms into a winter wonderland.
THE WENATCHEE VALLEY
Wenatchee’s identity revolves almost entirely around apple-growing. Known lovingly as the Apple Capital of the World, the livable community of 30,000 is almost entirely surrounded by orchards.
Wenatchee’s position is eye-catching, even if its strip mall suburbs aren’t. The town itself isn’t exactly teeming with things to do, but there are plenty of outdoor adventures nearby. If it were to add a few more breweries and an REI, Wenatchee might even become Washington’s answer to Bend.
Though Wenatchee itself isn’t a highlight of the Cascade Loop, its surrounding orchards are worth a detour. With extra time in the area, consider visiting the Peshastin Pinnacles, stopping by a cider house, or exploring the scenic bikeway that links Wenatchee with Leavenworth.
LAKE CHELAN
Lake Chelan lies at the easternmost end of the Cascade Loop. The sapphire body of water snakes through the hills of Central Washington. It is a scenic wonder and a magnet for anyone with a penchant for wine and water sports.
At its southern tip, Lake Chelan boasts cloudless skies, a bustling resort town, and vineyard-clad hillsides. On summer weekends, it feels as though the entire state of Washington descends on its sun-kissed beaches.
Washington’s largest lake features more than 30 wineries along its shores. Wine grapes thrive along the banks of Lake Chelan, thanks to the area’s rich soil and sunny climate.
Lake Chelan is an ideal place to stay along the Cascade Loop. It is home to a plethora of fantastic food and lodging options.
And if you budget an extra day for your Cascade Loop itinerary, it offers the opportunity to take a day trip to Stehekin—one of my favorite places in the state of Washington.
STEHEKIN (DAY TRIP)
While most travelers stick to Chelan’s sun-drenched southern shores, I’m personally drawn to the lake’s northern reaches. For travelers looking to get off the beaten path, exploring the lake’s mountain-ringed north shore is a definite must-do.
Stehekin, a village of 75 residents, lies nestled amongst towering mountains at the northern end of the lake. It is only accessible by boat or float plane.
The tiny town of Stehekin is one of the Pacific Northwest’s top undiscovered gems. It boasts a delicious pastry shop, a one-room schoolhouse, a 312 ft waterfall, and stunning views over Washington’s most spectacular lake.
Ferries between Chelan and Stehekin run daily during summer months and take four hours each way.
THE METHOW VALLEY
The rugged Methow Valley is one of Washington’s premier up-and-coming adventure destinations.
Admittedly, many of the area’s attractions remain on my future to-do list.
For now, my Methow Valley experience is limited to Winthrop—the area’s charming window to the wild west.
Winthrop is one of the cutest small towns in Washington, thanks to an aesthetic transformation in the 1970s.
In a bid to boost tourism, the community took a page out of Leavenworth’s playbook. Western-themed storefronts and restaurants adorn its main street, as though part of a movie set. I half expected to see the Lone Ranger saunter down Main Street during my visit.
Winthrop’s wild west theme may not be authentic, but it sure is compelling.
NORTH CASCADES NATIONAL PARK: JEWEL OF THE CASCADE LOOP
Highway 20 is an undeniable highlight of the Cascade Loop. The scenic route slices through the heart of North Cascades National Park. It showcases some of the most incredible vistas in Washington and acts as the springboard for ventures into the surrounding wilderness.
North Cascades National Park is rugged and wild. Its 1,000 square mile expanse contains mountains, lakes, glaciers and abundant wildlife.
While North Cascades is not the type of place that can be adequately appreciated from behind a dashboard, driving through the park makes for an excellent road trip. From the highway, you can enjoy the blue-green waters of Diablo Lake, and admire the towering peaks of the park’s eastern section.
There is no fee associated with driving through the national park. However, many adjacent lands require a Northwest Forest or America the Beautiful pass for trailhead access.
SKAGIT VALLEY
Famous for its springtime tulip fields, the Skagit Valley is a fertile patch of barn-speckled farmland. Washington’s Skagit County stretches from the Salish Sea to the towering North Cascades. It encompasses quaint waterside towns, winding scenic roads, farm-speckled fields, and tucked-away mountain communities.
Every spring, the area’s fields erupt in a symphony of purple, pink, and yellow.
The Skagit is also a fantastic place for bird-viewing.
In winter, eagles dot the treetops and swoop into the valley in search of food.
WHIDBEY ISLAND
Whidbey Island is an idyllic emerald escape. The spindly isle features evergreen forests, cozy waterside towns, and rocky beaches. It is the type of place where artists set up shop and where the bustle of city life feels worlds away.
Measuring 57 miles long and 10 miles wide, Whidbey is the largest island in Western Washington’s Puget Sound. Its wealth of tourist attractions and proximity to Seattle make it a popular day trip destination.
From the state parks of Ebey’s Landing and Deception Pass, to the coastal communities of Langley and Coupeville, the island is a destination that is as scenic as it is serene.
WHEN TO TRAVEL THE CASCADE LOOP
The complete Cascade Loop is only accessible between June and October.
In summer and early fall, clear skies and optimal road conditions combine to create an unforgettable road trip.
Summer and fall are the best times of year to enjoy the North Cascades, Lake Chelan, and Whidbey Island.
Yet while much of the Cascade Loop remains off-limits during winter and spring, certain destinations along its course are at their best during the off-season.
Highway 2 contains a plethora of winter-suitable activities. It boasts ski resorts, sno-parks, and cozy cabin getaways. Between December and February, Leavenworth becomes one of the top places to visit in Washington. Its Christmas lights and wintry charm are nothing if not enchanting.
Winter is also the best time to view nesting eagles along the Skagit River.
Come spring, much of the Cascade Loop remains closed.
But intermittent sunny days make for memorable escapes to Whidbey Island and the Skagit Valley.
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The Cascade Loop is one of Washington’s top road trip destinations. Though it doesn’t include Mount Rainier, the Olympic Peninsula, or Mount Saint Helens, the scenic drive nonetheless brings visitors to some of the state’s most jaw-dropping destinations.
As Washington’s ultimate road trip, the Cascade Loop features mountain and ocean and everything in between. From iconic glaciated peaks to glistening lakes, to pancake-flat flower gardens, the 440 mile loop is a testament to the region’s diversity and scenic appeal.
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