If you’re craving mountain views, waterfalls, cute towns, and a whole lot of fresh air all in one trip, then you’re in the right spot.
You’ll start in the city, wind your way through forest roads, splash around in lakes, and end up somewhere that feels like a real-life fairytale.
Pack snacks, put your favorite playlist on, and get ready to fall in love with Washington—one epic stop at a time.
1. Seattle
Seattle sits in the northwest corner of Washington State, surrounded by water, mountains, and forest.
It’s famous for the Space Needle, grunge music (hello, Nirvana!), and being the original home of Starbucks.
You’ll find Pike Place Market bursting with fresh seafood, flying fish, and street performers.
Fun fact: Seattle gets a lot of rain, but locals barely use umbrellas—it’s kind of a thing here.
2. Snoqualmie Falls
Just about 45 minutes east of Seattle, you’ll hit Snoqualmie Falls—a 268-foot waterfall that’s definitely worth stopping for.
This place is a total jaw-dropper, especially if you catch it after a rainy day when the water is seriously roaring.
There’s an easy walking path to the main viewpoint, plus a lower trail if you’re up for a little adventure (and don’t mind getting misted).
You might even recognize it from the opening credits of the TV show Twin Peaks—yep, it’s that waterfall!
3. Cle Elum
After soaking up the mist of Snoqualmie Falls, keep cruising east and you’ll roll into Cle Elum, a charming little mountain town with major outdoorsy energy.
This place is all about hiking, fishing, and lazy lake days, with spots like Lake Cle Elum and the Coal Mines Trail waiting to be explored.
Downtown has old-school charm with places like the Cle Elum Bakery that’s been serving up giant cookies since 1906 (Glondo’s Sausage Co. is also a local fave).
It’s the kind of town where you’ll see more flannel shirts than traffic lights and honestly, that’s part of the charm.
4. Leavenworth
From Cle Elum, hop back on the road and get ready for Leavenworth.
A Bavarian-style village tucked into the mountains like it was plucked straight out of Germany.
The buildings look like gingerbread houses, pretzels are everywhere, and there’s polka music playing on the streets during festivals.
You can float the Wenatchee River in summer, sip hot cocoa at a holiday market in winter, or just wander around eating bratwurst and taking selfies with Alpine backdrops.
It’s weird, wonderful, and wildly fun—and no one leaves without at least thinking about buying a dirndl.
5. Lake Wenatchee State Park
Leaving behind the cobblestone streets of Leavenworth, Lake Wenatchee State Park is your next stop.
Here you’ll get a crystal-clear glacier-fed lake and mountain views that look straight out of a postcard.
The lake is perfect for paddleboarding, swimming, or just floating like a human marshmallow in a tube all day.
There are campgrounds right near the shore, plus easy hiking trails through tall pine trees that smell like a Christmas candle.
And when the sun sets over the lake, it’s the kind of quiet, golden-hour magic that makes you forget your phone exists.
6. Skykomish
Looping back west toward Seattle, you’ll pass through Skykomish, a tiny mountain town known for its railroad history that people often overlook.
It’s a big deal for people who are into trains, with old rail cars, fun miniature train rides, and the Great Northern Railway Depot (built in 1894!) that now acts as a museum.
You’re also super close to epic hikes like the ones at Deception Falls and Alpine Lakes Wilderness, where the scenery goes from lush forest to alpine drama real quick.
Grab a burger at LouSki’s Deli, wave at the trains, and soak up that peaceful, tucked-away-in-the-mountains vibe before the city buzz kicks back in.
7. Wallace Falls State Park
Before you wrap up the loop, make one last stop at Wallace Falls State Park, a place where you can experience some of the best waterfall views in the state.
Be prepared that it’ll make your legs burn and your camera roll overflow.
The main trail takes you through mossy forest, across wooden bridges, and up to three distinct waterfalls—Lower, Middle, and Upper Wallace Falls.
The tallest is Middle Falls, crashing down 265 feet, and this is where you get the real ‘money-shot’ pic.
It’s one of those hikes that feels like a workout and a reward, especially when you hit the Upper Falls viewpoint and realize that the 1300-foot climb was totally worth it.
Plus, the air here smells like pine and fresh rain, and honestly, you’ll wish you could bottle it.
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