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North Cascade Loop: Route Guide

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Diablo Lake — The Cascade Loop
Photo: Bob Collowan · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Seattle to the mountains and back: cross Stevens Pass to Leavenworth, continue through the Methow Valley and Winthrop, then follow SR 20 past Washington Pass, Diablo Lake and the Skagit gorge before closing the loop on Puget Sound. The road itself is the thread; short roadside walks and viewpoints keep the parks leg useful without turning it into an expedition.

North Cascade Loop is a 710 km loop (self-drive). It works best as 4–6 days; the plan below is the 5-day version for July, built from 591 verified places, with real road-routed transit times, opening hours and daylight checked.

4–6
days
710km
distance
4
Stops
591
curated stops

Plan your own version → 4-day plan · 5-day plan · 6-day plan · best time to go

The route

Seattle→ 190 kmLeavenworth→ 185 kmWinthrop & Methow Valley→ 100 kmNorth Cascades Highway

What you'll see

Space Needle
Take in panoramic views of the city, ocean, and snow-capped mountains at sunset.
Seattle
Nutcracker Museum
Explore thousands of unique nutcracker designs.
Leavenworth
Pearrygin Lake State Park
Enjoy lakeside activities and hiking trails around scenic Pearrygin Lake.
Winthrop & Methow Valley
Sky View Observatory
Gaze at the city from the tallest public observation deck in the Pacific Northwest.
Seattle
Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery
Watch salmon spawn and learn about their life cycle.
Leavenworth
Mazama
Test your skills on some of Washington's best sport climbing routes.
Winthrop & Methow Valley
Museum of Pop Culture
Discover exhibits on film, television, music, and more in a striking Gehry building.
Seattle
Icicle Creek Center for the Arts
Enjoy live music with mountain backdrops.
Leavenworth

Choose your length

4-day plan13 stops · 14.6 h transit3.2 stops/day · 3.6 h transit/daySee the full plan →5-day plan16 stops · 15.1 h transit3.2 stops/day · 3 h transit/daySee the full plan →6-day plan20 stops · 15.5 h transit3.3 stops/day · 2.6 h transit/daySee the full plan →

When to go

Best months: June, July, August, September

The full loop is generated only after you confirm that SR 20 is open through Washington and Rainy passes. Opening dates vary, and a June calendar label is not proof that the road or a trail is usable.

See the month-by-month breakdown →

Similar journeys

Plan your own version →