10 Best Hikes in North Cascades National Park

Pardon us if we sound excited about this United States adventure, but you will truly love the North Cascades National Park. 

The nickname American Alps paints a picture of what awaits you—rugged peaks, glaciers, and waterfalls in Washington! 

It's one for the lone adventure when you want to unwind—with around 40,000 visitors annually, there's a good chance you're in for a quiet and serene hike. 

This park is open year-round but is hard to access in winter when some roads are closed.

We recommend heading here in Summer and Spring. It's easily accessible along Highway 20, no entry fees, and over 400 miles of trails you can trek. 

We love hiking at Skyhook, so let's share the best hikes in North Cascades below!

Not everyone's ready to scale mountain peaks on their first outing. 

That's why we'll start with gentle trails that offer stunning views and a taste of North Cascades magic without the quad-burning climbs. 

Perfect for families, beginners, or those just looking to stretch their legs, these hikes prove that 'easy' doesn't mean boring in this scenic wonderland:

Length: 5.8 km (3.6 miles) round trip

Elevation Gain: 194 m (635 feet)

Difficulty: Easy

Craving stunning views without the thigh-burning climbs? Thunder Knob Trail delivers in spades. This gentle tour takes you through the lush forest before unveiling breathtaking panoramas of Diablo Lake. 

Framed by snow-capped peaks, vibrant turquoise waters create a postcard-perfect setting at every turn. Don't forget your camera – you'll be reaching for it constantly! 

It's the perfect spot to plan your next, more challenging conquest while basking in the beauty of the Cascades.

Length: 0.8 km (0.5 miles) round trip

Elevation Gain: 110 m (360 feet)

Difficulty: Easy

Short, sweet, and bursting with scenery, Ladder Creek Falls packs a punch for minimal effort. More of a stroll than a hike, this Newhalem gem offers a delightful taste of North Cascades magic.

Starting near the Gorge Powerhouse, you'll loop through Ladder Creek Gardens before reaching the cascading falls. 

Pro tip: Return after dark for a dazzling light show illuminating the falls from dusk till midnight. It's a perfect leg-stretcher after a long drive or for squeezing in some nature when time is tight.

Length: 1.6 km (1 mile) round trip

Elevation Gain: Minimal

Difficulty: Easy

The Trail of the Cedars winds through towering old-growth cedars and firs, some over 500 years old.

Newhalem Creek's rushing waters provide a soothing soundtrack as you admire the lush undergrowth and dappled sunlight filtering through the canopy.

Interpretive signs along the route offer insights into the ecosystem and local history, making this an educational and scenic stroll.

The flat, wheelchair-accessible path makes this an excellent option for all ages and abilities - a perfect introduction to the North Cascades' diverse landscapes.

Ready for a bit more of a challenge? Expect longer trails, more varied terrain, and even more spectacular views as you venture deeper into the North Cascades' rugged beauty:

Length: 7.1 km (4.4 miles) round trip

Elevation Gain: 320 m (1,050 feet)

Difficulty: Moderate

Are you seeking the Goldilocks of hikes? Blue Lake Trail hits the sweet spot—challenging enough to get your heart pumping but not so tough that you'll be crawling back to the car.

A gentle forest climb gives way to the showstopper: Blue Lake itself. It sits inside a cirque of craggy peaks, its azure waters mirroring the rugged landscape, creating a scene so perfect it seems painted.

Keep your eyes peeled for mountain goats on the surrounding slopes!

Length: 11.6 km (7.2 miles) round trip

Elevation Gain: 610 m (2,000 feet)

Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging

Maple Pass Loop showcases the park's diverse beauty in one spectacular circuit. 

You'll climb through shaded forests, burst into wildflower-filled fields, and emerge into high country where ragged peaks dominate the horizon. 

Choose your challenge: clockwise for a steeper ascent and gentler descent or anti-clockwise to ease into the climb and test your knees on the way down.

For an extra treat, time your visit for late September or early October when the golden larches set the landscape ablaze, rivalling any autumn display in New England.

Length: 11.2 km (7 miles) round trip

Elevation Gain: 520 m (1,700 feet)

Difficulty: Moderate

Cascade Pass Trail offers a compilation of the best North Cascades scenery. It begins with a series of switchbacks through old-growth forests before opening up to subalpine fields full of wildflowers in summer.

At the pass, panoramic views unfold, showcasing glacier-clad peaks and deep valleys. If lucky, you might even meet a few marmots and mountain goats!

This trail gives you a taste of the high country without the intense elevation gain of some harder hikes and serves as a jumping-off point for more challenging adventures, like the Sahale Arm Trail.

Here are some challenging trails in the North Cascades National Park:

Length: 12.9 km (8 miles) round trip

Elevation Gain: 1,000 m (3,300 feet)

Difficulty: Challenging

Fancy earning your views? Hidden Lake Lookout demands sweat equity but pays dividends in jaw-dropping vistas.

You'll climb through dense forest, dance through wildflower meadows (in season), and scramble over rocky terrain before reaching the historic fire lookout perched above Hidden Lake. 

The 360-degree panorama from the top? Pure hiking nirvana.

For the ultimate experience, try snagging an overnight stay on the lookout (first come, first served). Watching the sunset and sunrise from this perch is nothing short of magical.

Length: 19.3 km (12 miles) round trip

Elevation Gain: 1,220 m (4,000 feet)

Difficulty: Very Challenging

Sahale Arm Trail is the crown jewel of North Cascades day hikes, offering alpine views that'll make your jaw drop.

Starting from Cascade Pass, you'll ascend... and ascend... and ascend some more. Push through subalpine fields, cross rocky slopes, and navigate snowy patches (late in the season). 

Your reward? Beautiful glaciers, towering peaks, and shimmering alpine lakes stretch to the horizon.

If you can get a permit, spending a night at Sahale Glacier Camp is as close to sleeping on top of the world as you can get in the Lower 48.

Length: 16.7 km (10.4 miles) round trip

Elevation Gain: 1,486 m (4,870 feet)

Difficulty: Very Challenging

Sourdough Mountain Trail is not for the faint of heart. This gruelling climb rewards daring hikers with some of the most spectacular views in the North Cascades.

The trail ascends steeply through the forest before breaking into open slopes. In summer, wildflowers carpet the mountainside, offering a colourful distraction from the relentless climb. 

A historic fire lookout awaits at the summit, with jaw-dropping views of Diablo Lake and the surrounding peaks.

This is one of the most challenging day hikes in the park, but the payoff is immense. The diverse ecosystems you pass through and the sheer grandeur of the views make every step worth it.

Length: 16.1 km (10 miles) round trip

Elevation Gain: 1,128 m (3,700 feet)

Difficulty: Challenging

For a less-travelled but equally stunning adventure, set your sights on Thornton Lakes and Trappers Peak. This trail offers a bit of everything: old-growth forests, alpine lakes, and panoramic mountain views.

The path starts gently but soon steepens, climbing through the forest before opening up to reveal the sparkling Thornton Lakes.

For those with energy to spare, the scramble up to Trappers Peak offers even more impressive views of the surrounding wilderness.

Ready to go hiking in the North Cascades now? Good for you! You can try these 10 hikes that range from easy to challenging. 

As usual, you want to prepare for the hikes—boots, gear, and some physical preparation—so you can enjoy the scenery with some energy left!

After the North Cascades trips, maybe you want to try more hikes? Here are the top mountains to climb in the US for you!