For those who love to relax and enjoy stunning views on a long drive, the Cascade Loop is for you. Nine distinct regions form one ultimate road trip around Washington, passing through islands, farmlands, mountains, and valleys. You can choose to do the entire loop over the course of about a week, or simply drive one portion of the scenic byway.
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The Seattle NorthCountry section passes through cities of Mukilteo, Everett, Snohomish, and Monroe—a 30-minute drive (45 kilometers) north of Seattle. Go from city centers to quiet coastal communities nestled around rural river valleys. Birdwatching is particularly popular here, especially at Jetty Island and Spencer Island, where gulls, swallows, bald eagles, and owls are known to delight patient visitors.
From here, choose your own adventure: Travel west to quaint island communities of Whidbey and Camano Islands or drive east further into the Cascade Mountains on the Stevens Pass Greenway.
If you take the island route, you’ll pass over one of the most popular attractions in the state, Deception Pass. The surrounding state park is the most visited in Washington for its stunning views of the rugged cliffs and kilometers of shoreline. On the bridge itself, parking areas allow you to stop and snap photos high above the churning water below. The island towns are relaxed and home to an American military base, so you can immerse yourself in both history and beautiful scenery.
Activities along the Stevens Pass route center around rugged mountain towns and quiet logging communities. Osprey Park in Sultan has mor than three kilometers of trails, with wheelchair- and stroller-friendly options, too. During fall, salmon spawning season, you’ll likely see salmon swimming upriver. And year-round, spot osprey, ducks, beavers, and black-tailed deer in their natural environment. Other towns on this scenic byway offer opportunities for waterfall hikes (Wallace Falls State Park in Gold Bar) or a ride on a miniature train (Great Northern & Cascade Railway in Skykomish).
If you choose to extend your road trip and complete the full Cascade Loop, you can anticipate stops in such diverse towns and landscapes as a Bavarian village (Leavenworth), the Apple Capital of the World (Wenatchee), a glacier-carved lake with wineries and ample recreation (Lake Chelan), rugged Old West towns (Winthrop), stunning mountain views and hiking trailheads (North Cascades), and an agricultural wonderland that bursts with tulips every spring (Skagit Valley Tulip Festival). Whichever direction you choose for your Cascade Loop road trip, you’re sure to make lasting memories.
Travel Info: The entire Cascade Loop covers 708 kilometers across western and central Washington. It can take approximately five days to complete but may take longer if you opt for side trips or multi-night stays. Check road conditions with the Washington State Department of Transportation before you travel as construction and winter weather may close some mountain passes and highways.