The great thing about going on a road trip or taking a scenic drive is that it represents the oldest (and perhaps best) adage of travel: It’s the journey, not the destination, that really matters. The point is to decidedly not have a point, to avoid treating adventure like a task to be fulfilled or a meeting to be attended. Thankfully, the United States is home to several world-class byway drives — from Maryland’s “All-American” Scenic Byway to cruises showcasing Wisconsin’s underrated Great Lakes beauty and West Coast routes that take you through California’s winding roads and breathtaking canyons.
Add Washington’s Mountain Loop Scenic Byway to that list. We’re talking 55 miles of road that takes you about as far out into Pacific Northwest nature as you can get without hopping on an all-terrain vehicle. Roughly an hour-and-a-half journey one way, the loop is actually a U-shaped drive serving up views of the Cascades that are so majestic they’ll make you scramble to take dozens of photos before realizing that kind of beauty simply can’t be captured with a lens. Lush forests are a given in this part of the country, but you’ll also see glacial rivers, towering peaks, and abandoned 1890s mining towns.
One end of the loop starts at Granite Falls (the other end being located at Darrington to the north), which is a breezy hour’s drive from Seattle. That means the byway makes a fantastic day trip from the bustling city. And if you’re looking for more to do than just cruise, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better jumping-off point for some truly world-class hiking, camping, wildlife viewing, and photography. Either way, the byway represents a chance to take in Washington’s grandeur without having to plan an all-out expedition into the deep Pacific Northwest woods.
The Mountain Loop Scenic Byway’s natural wonders and hiking highlights
The Mountain Loop Scenic Byway is a portal to some of Washington’s most breathtaking backcountry, and you don’t have to be a seasoned mountaineer to enjoy it. Big Four Mountain is one of the first major sights on the byway, and its 4,000-foot-high north face and famous ice caves have long made it a draw for hikers in the region. Park at the Big Four Ice Caves trailhead for a laid-back stroll on a boardwalk to reach the caves (which formed over the years from an avalanche debris cone) all while taking in some spectacular mountain views on the way.
If you’re craving a deeper immersion into the landscape, consider heading to the Heather Lake Trail on Mount Pilchuck, right off the byway near the town of Verlot. At 4.3 miles round trip, it’s more suited to experienced hikers than the Big Four Ice Caves trail, but the views, streams, and cliff-rimmed alpine lake are more than worth the effort to arrive. Be aware that the trail will be closed from May 1 to July 18, 2025, for scheduled maintenance.
For some, the Mountain Loop Scenic Byway is the thin end of the wedge for access to some seriously rewarding — and challenging — hiking. The bravest of hearts can opt for hiking up the entirety of Mount Dickerman, located just across from the Big Four Ice Caves hiking route along the byway. This is a full-day trek that takes you up to some awe-inspiring views of the Glacier Peak Wilderness, and on a clear day, you’ll be able to see at least half a dozen peaks in the distance: Whitehorse, Three Fingers, Baker, White Chuck, Pugh, Sloan, Shuksan, and Glacier Peak are all on display from the top of Mount Dickerman.
Ghost towns and scenic stops on the Mountain Loop Highway
