The Top Five Hiking Trails In North Cascades National Park, According To Reviewers

Just two hours from Seattle, North Cascades National Park offers rugged adventure, abundant wildlife, and views that will make you think you're in Switzerland. Despite its grandeur, it remains one of the least-visited national parks in the U.S. — a rare escape for hikers seeking quiet trails and untouched alpine beauty. Word, however, is starting to spread. Social media feeds have increasingly filled with snapshots of the park's turquoise lakes, wildflower valleys, and snowcapped ridgelines that look straight out of the Alps, and hikers are sharing their experiences on review sites like AllTrails and Tripadvisor.

Whether you're after a short mountain stroll, a peaceful afternoon beside a glacial lake, or a full-day trek to one of Washington's highest peaks, this park deserves a top spot on your west coast bucket list. Heather-Maple Pass Loop, Hidden Lake Lookout, Cascade Pass & Sahale Arm, Blue Lake Trail, and Thornton Lakes & Trappers Peak are some must-do hikes for avid outdoor adventurers. All five of the highly-rated trails on this list begin from Highway 20, the scenic heart of the park, and some require a Northwest Forest Pass, available online for $5 per car or $30 for an annual pass.

The Heather–Maple Pass Loop is one of those hikes that seems to pack an entire national park's worth of scenery into a single day. Starting from the Rainy Pass trailhead, the 7.2-mile trail includes about 2,020 feet of elevation gain, reaching its highest point at 6,650 feet. Along the way, hikers encounter a remarkable mix of terrain: a vivid turquoise glacial lake, open ridgelines with sweeping mountain views, and — if you're lucky — wildlife quietly grazing or darting through the trees.  

Because it's a loop, you can hike it in either direction. Most reviewers on AllTrails recommend tackling it clockwise to save your knees from the steep descent you'd face counter-clockwise. That does mean a tough climb at the start, but the payoff is an easier, more scenic finish. Roughly a mile before the loop closes, a short spur trail leads to Lake Ann — it's a 0.6-mile round-trip detour, but just might stun you with the best views of the day. From Lake Ann, you can look back across the valley at the ridges you've just climbed. It's best to start the Heather-Maple Pass Loop early, as the trailhead parking lot fills up fast, especially on sunny weekends.

Tucked deep in the North Cascades, the Hidden Lake Trail lives up to its name — and then some. Hikers begin on a lush, shaded forest path and end atop a rocky lookout surrounded by boulders, staring out across a skyline of jagged, snow-dusted peaks. The trail covers about 8 miles round trip, climbing 3,300 feet in elevation to reach a summit height of 6,900 feet. As its name suggests, the reward is the turquoise glimmer of Hidden Lake, cradled between dramatic mountain ridges and glacier-carved valleys. 

The lookout at the summit, perched dramatically above the lake, was originally built in 1932 as a fire observation tower. Today, it's been lovingly preserved for adventurous hikers — and even doubles as a rustic overnight shelter. Camping inside is free but spaces fill up fast, and the surrounding area requires a backcountry permit, which you can reserve online or pick up beforehand at the Marblemount Ranger Station ($16 per person). While the trail boasts a 4.7 rating on AllTrails from nearly 2,500 reviews, it's not without its challenges. One reviewer on the Washington Trails Association site admitted, "This trail nearly killed me," pointing to tricky route-finding and a steep scramble to reach the lookout. The effort, though, pays off when you reach one of the park's most iconic viewpoints. 

The Sahale Arm Trail in North Cascades National Park is another one of those hikes that seems to have everything: frequent wildlife encounters, glacier views, and alpine meadows bursting with wildflowers. Gregarious marmots often appear along the trail, chirping from the fields as you climb higher, while black bears are occasionally spotted roaming near both Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm. The path eventually opens up to the Sahale Glacier looming dramatically ahead, and glacial waterfalls tumble down toward the sapphire-blue Doubtful Lake below. For those with a backcountry permit, the reward can extend overnight — camping at Sahale Glacier Camp means waking up to the sun rising over the highest peaks in the North Cascades.

At 12 miles round trip, with roughly 4,000 feet of elevation gain and a summit at 7,570 feet, this trail is not for the faint of heart. Still, hikers regularly rank it among Washington's best, with glowing reviews praising its autumn foliage, panoramic ridgelines, and exciting wildlife sightings. As one reviewer on AllTrails put it, "It's tied with the Enchantments for best hike in the state." And after just one look from Sahale Arm, it's easy to understand why.

Blue Lake has also been making waves on social media, with photos of the pristine lake on seemingly every adventurer's page. At just 4.4 miles round trip with about 1,000 feet of elevation gain, this hike is manageable for families, beginners, and anyone craving a shorter yet rewarding alpine escape. Despite its accessibility, the trail delivers no shortage of "wow" moments — jagged silhouettes of Cutthroat Peak and Whistler Mountain rise dramatically in the distance, framing meadows and granite cliffs that lead to the lake itself. On a calm day, the turquoise surface mirrors the peaks so vividly it's hard to tell where reflection ends and reality begins. Feeling brave? The lake's icy waters are perfect for a post-climb polar plunge that's sure to wake up your senses.

Washington Trail Association reviewers give Blue Lake Trail high marks for its scenery and ease but warn that its popularity comes with a price — weekends can get crowded, with parking filling up early, so aim to go midweek for the quieter, true North Cascades experience. For those wanting to linger in the area, one reviewer recommended the nearby North Cascades Mountain Hostel, praised for its cozy mountain atmosphere and budget-friendly comfort.

For hikers seeking a challenge, the Thornton Lakes and Trappers Peak Trail delivers in full. This 9.7-mile round trip trek climbs 3,789 feet, demanding stamina, sure footing, and a bit of grit. The first stretch weaves through dense forest before opening up to sweeping alpine views, with the first of the three Thornton Lakes appearing about 4 miles in — after you've already tackled nearly three-quarters of the total ascent. There's a steep 600-foot descent just before reaching the lake, where many hikers choose to stop for a cold dip before heading down the mountain, ending their ascent beside the water's mirrored surface. AllTrails warns that the path to the first lake can be slippery and isn't very clearly marked, so it's best to download the map beforehand and tread carefully.

Those craving more adventure can continue climbing toward the upper lakes and Trappers Peak, where the trail shifts into a steep scramble, gaining roughly 1,000 feet in under a mile. Solid hiking boots and careful steps are essential here, but the payoff is unbeatable: panoramic views of the jagged Picket Range, often compared to the Dolomites for their dramatic, toothy skyline. A Washington Trails Association reviewer warned of the nerve-racking scramble to Trappers Peak, noting, "Some of the ledges felt a bit precarious ... Incredible views in the final hike across the ridge to the top." For confident hikers, this rugged route offers one of the most rewarding perspectives in the North Cascades.

After seeing the online buzz about North Cascades National Park, we scrolled reviews on AllTrails, Tripadvisor, and the Washington Trails Association site to find the hiking trails users can't stop talking about. Our goal was to include a mix of routes — some short and easy, others more challenging — so every hiker can plan a picturesque weekend getaway in the North Cascades with this list.