12 Top Hikes in North Cascades National Park, WA

Written by Brad Lane
Updated Apr 13, 2023

Author Brad Lane lives in the Pacific Northwest. His most memorable time in the North Cascades dates to his thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail.

North Cascades National Park is one of the most rugged national parks in Washington State. It's not just the dramatic ridgelines punctuated by glaciers that make it hard to inhabit, but more than 90 percent of its 500,000 acres are designated as the Stephen Mather Wilderness and remain completely wild, with little development.

In combination with the Ross Lake and Lake Chelan National Recreation Areas, the North Cascades National Park Complex has some of the best hiking trails in Washington State, and the big views linger for a lifetime.

Explore this ruggedly beautiful wilderness area with our list of the top hiking trails in North Cascades National Park.

On This Page:

Cascade Pass Trail
Maple Pass Loop
Trail of the Cedars Nature Walk
Rainy Lake
Fourth of July Pass
Diablo Lake
Copper Ridge
Desolation Peak
Rainbow Loop
Hidden Lake
Thornton Lake
Cutthroat Pass
Map of Hikes in North Cascades National Park, WA

Cascade Pass Trail

The Cascade Pass Trail is one of the most popular hiking trails in North Cascades National Park. While the relatively low grade attracts plenty of interest, as well as the scenic Cascade River Road that leads to the trailhead, it's the stunning views waiting at the pass that give this trail its notoriety. Nearly 30 switchbacks are within the first three miles of the trail, which provide some relief for legs tired from the steep Cascade Mountain terrain.

Indigenous populations and early fur traders traversed Cascade Pass well before the North Cascades became a designated national park. Back then, the 3.7-mile well-trodden trail with engineered switchbacks wasn't as modern, but the views at the top remain the same.

The view atop Cascade Pass includes dramatic panoramas of the Johannesburg ridgeline, including Mixup Peak and Magic Mountain, with the impressive Cache Col Glacier sandwiched between.

Hikers can divert at Cascade Pass For a more adventurous day out or overnight experience. The trail continues onto the Sahale Arm trail for approximately two more miles to the Sahale Glacier. Hikers can also continue the Cascade Pass Trail to hike into Horseshoe Basin or to the mountain community of Stehekin more than 20 miles away.

Maple Pass Loop

The seven-mile Maple Pass Loop is easily accessed from the Rainy Pass Picnic Area off the North Cascades Highway (Hwy 20). This iconic North Cascades hike is a well-maintained trail and treats hikers to old-growth forests, open ridgelines, and dramatic views of the rugged peaks that define North Cascades National Park.

Heading clockwise, the trail gains over 2,000 feet of elevation, making it a hearty hike to do in a day. The trail includes a steep climb whichever way you go. The trailhead and much of the hike lie outside of national park boundaries, and the trail only crosses into the national park after ascending Maple Pass.

At the trail's high point, near the peak of Frisco Mountain, hikers see mountains for miles. While the seven miles of this trail treat hikers to postcard-worthy views the entire way, if you have the extra hour, the Maple Pass Loop also lends access to nearby Lake Ann.

Trail of the Cedars Nature Walk

While North Cascades National Park is primarily a designated wilderness area, there are still small signs of our current civilization in the backwoods. One example of that is in the company town of Newhalem, exclusively populated by workers for Seattle City Light and the accompanying Skagit River Hydroelectric Project.

The Trail of the Cedars Nature Walk is a good place to begin exploring the many trails branching from this small community. It features a gravel pathway that blends into the surrounding Skagit River Valley. The trail immerses hikers in the enormous environment and ends at the still-operating, historic Gorge Powerhouse, all in less than a mile.

Although visitors can't establish permanent residency in Newhalem, they can spend the night in the Newhalem Campground to aid in exploring the area. The entire Newhalem trail system caters to every level of hiker, with moderate trails and stunning scenery. It's a popular place for family visits within the park.

Rainy Lake

This universally accessible one-mile trail to Rainy Lake is a popular route for all ability levels. The entire trail is compressed gravel and wheelchair accessible and follows through a lush forest before arriving at the lake. This ease and accessibility make Rainy Lake one of the most popular family hikes at the park.

The Rainy Lake Trailhead is easily reached from the North Cascades Highway (Highway 20). It's on the east side of the highway, closer to the mountain towns of Mazama and Winthrop. The parking lot is near milepost 158 and is a popular trailhead for other hiking trails, including Rainy Pass and the Pacific Crest Trail.

Fourth of July Pass

There are two ways to explore the subtle wonder of Fourth of July Pass, located within the Ross Lake National Recreation Area. Whether you approach the pass by following either Panther Creek or Thunder Creek, both routes traverse along the churning waters that define this mountainous landscape. And both hiking trails start from the North Cascades Highway (Highway 20).

Arranging a shuttle along the North Cascades Highway allows hikers to combine Panther Creek Trail and Thunder Creek Trail for a great 12-mile hike. Both approaches gain similar elevation to reach the pass (approximately 2,300 feet), but the trail following Panther Creek is shorter. Both hikes should be considered challenging.

Overnight camping is available with a permit. One of the most sought-after spots is Fourth of July Camp, a mile west of the pass, which offers campers big views of Colonia Peak, Snowfield Peak, and Neve Glacier. The developed Colonial Creek Campground, one of the best campgrounds in North Cascades National Park, is at the trailhead for Thunder Creek Trail to Fourth of July Pass.

Diablo Lake

The Ross Lake National Recreation Area separates the North and South sections of North Cascades National Park. This special unit features not only the 23-mile-long Ross Lake but also the equally emerald waters of the enchanting Diablo Lake. These two lakes are easily accessible from Highway 20 and often represent the postcard beauty of most visits to the North Cascades National Park Complex.

The Diablo Lake Trail is the best way to see the splendor of Diablo Lake, and it treats hikers to views of the otherworldly landscapes that are unique to the North Cascades. The seven miles it takes to trek out and back on the Diablo Lake trail starts at the North Cascades Institute parking lot and heads into the wilderness from there.

The total trail traverses 1,400 feet of elevation gain and exposes the different peaks that define this region. Also in sight along the Diablo Lake trail are old-growth forests, waterfalls, and the enchanting waters of Diablo Lake. Thanks to lower elevations, the trail is a popular early-season hike with limited snow blocking the way.

Copper Ridge

The Copper Ridge trail is a strenuous adventure into the heart of the North Cascade Mountains, just north of Mount Shuksan. This hike features a ridgeline atmosphere, miles of subalpine meadows, and many ways to explore this rugged mountain trail.

The Copper Ridge Trail, in combination with the connecting Chilliwack River Trail, provides more than 30 miles of out-and-back trail, displaying everything the North Cascades has to offer. This length tends to appeal to overnight backpackers, who must obtain a backcountry permit before spending the night on the trail.

All the adventure of this area is accessed outside the park at the Hannegan Pass trailhead. The trail is a very popular backpacking destination in the park, and permits can be competitive during the late summer season. Permits can be obtained in person at park offices no more than 24 hours in advance. An advance reservation process opens in March of the same year.

Desolation Peak

Desolation Peak lives up to its name within the Ross Lake National Recreation Area, providing dramatic views that have inspired day hikers and renowned authors alike.

The Desolation Peak trail itself is less than five miles long, but the extra steps it takes to get to the trailhead is what makes this trek an often solitary experience. The Desolation Peak trailhead is accessed either by a chartered boat ride across Ross Lake or by hiking 16 miles on the recommended East Bank Trail, which parallels the steep cliffsides of this enormous reservoir.

After trekking the East Bank Trail, or getting a boat ride to the Desolation Trailhead, the true hike up begins. The Desolation Peak Trail climbs more than 4,000 feet in 4.8 miles. This brings hikers into stunning displays of subalpine meadows, as well as dramatic vistas and a retired fire lookout to soak it all in.

Jack Kerouac spent the summer of 1956 at this lookout, and it is referenced in many of his popular books. Today, you can see the same views of Hozomeen Mountain, Skagit Peak, Ross Lake, and Jack Mountain that inspired the voice of a generation.

Rainbow Loop

Lake Chelan National Recreation Area comprises the southernmost tip of the North Cascades National Park Complex and serves as many hikers' jumping-off point for big and small adventures in the region.

No roads access this recreation area or the small unincorporated community of Stehekin that operates within the space (including the Stehekin Pastry Company). So, explorers either catch a ferry across Lake Chelan or charter a seaplane, making for a scenic adventure just to start hiking.

Once you land in Stehekin, several trails branch out from the charming community. A good introduction to the area is found on the 4.4-mile Rainbow Loop trail. It consists of two different trailheads, both located on the Stehekin Valley Road two miles apart, making it easy to connect the loop by either walking on the road or catching the shuttle bus back to where you started.

Along the trail itself, hikers are exposed to stunning views of the Stehekin River Valley and the head of Lake Chelan. The trail also offers access to multi-day hikes along the Rainbow Creek or Boulder Creek trail.

Visiting Stehekin almost always requires an overnight trip to make it worth your time. Several great campgrounds are located close to Stehekin.

Hidden Lake

The Hidden Lake Trail in North Cascades National Park isn't necessarily a beginner-friendly trek. But gain the legs and experience to make this rugged, nine-mile round trip, and you'll be rewarded for your efforts.

The Hidden Lake Trail is accessible via the North Cascades Highway (Hwy 20), plus a few additional miles on Forest Service Roads. The first mile of the Hidden Lake trail navigates through a dense forest before emerging into meadowlands and avalanche chutes. The trail ascends steadily through rocky traverses as the views from behind grow bigger with each step.

The trail finally rests upon outstanding views of the surrounding North Cascade Mountain crest, including Mount Forbidden, Boston Peak, and Sahale Mountain, as well as the aptly named Hidden Lake tucked into the horizon.

To really capture this entire scene of North Cascade splendor, the retired Hidden Lake Fire Lookout stands at the top of this hike. Overnight visitors are welcome to stay in the fire lookout on a first-come, first-served basis. It's nearly 3,000 feet of elevation gain to reach the lookout. Interested day hikers are in for a hearty nine-mile trip to the lookout and back.

Thornton Lake

Thornton Lake is a popular backpacking destination and makes for an ambitious day hike. Users must travel on Thornton Lakes Road to reach the trailhead, accessible from Highway 20. After this five-mile drive on a rough, steep forest road, it's a 5.6-mile hike to reach lower Thornton Lake. Hikers follow a brushy old road grade for the first half of the trail with minimal elevation gain.

A real climb begins about halfway up, traversing forested slopes and eventually popping out for a great view of the North Cascades. Alongside Teebone Ridge and the Skagit Valley, hikers encounter big views of Trapper Peak, including an optional side trail to the top. It's a steep half-mile down to the lakes, where a popular backcountry camping spot awaits those with a permit.

Cutthroat Pass

The hike to Cutthroat Pass starts at the popular Rainy Pass Picnic Site and Trailhead on Highway 20, approximately a 45-minute drive from Winthrop.

The route follows the Pacific Crest Trail northbound through incredible mountain territory. This route isn't for the timid, however, as the 10-mile round-trip gains 2,000 feet of elevation on its way up the pass.

It's an ambitious day hike, but well worth the views. It doesn't take long on the trail to expose the big-mountain surroundings, and the five-mile turnaround point is a venerable landscape akin to high-alpine art. Prepare for a hearty hike and some creek-crossing, and Cutthroat Pass offers a bucket-list experience.

The hike to Cutthroat Lake is less challenging but arguably just as scenic. The trailhead for this approximately four-mile round-trip hike is farther east on Highway 20, at the end of a small pull-off from the highway. Hikers only ascend 400 feet to reach this alpine lake.