14 Easy Mountain Loop Highway Hikes

The Mountain Loop Highway is one of western Washington’sbeloved local routes—an ~80-mile scenic loop just north of Seattle that offers lush forests, alpine views, and easy hikes the whole family can enjoy.

Stretching from Granite Falls to Darrington, with a natural extension along SR530 to Arlington, this route winds past rivers, towering trees, and quiet trailheads perfect for day trips with kids or relaxed weekend adventures.

After more than half a dozen visits here, we’ve hiked the easy trails, found riverside picnic spots, and scoped out the best viewpoints—making this one of our go-to getaways when we want nature without the stress. Whether you’re a Seattle local or visiting the area, this guide will help you plan a memorable outing with minimal planning.

Inside, you’ll find 14 easy and scenic Mountain Loop Highway hikes, sorted by location to simplify your trip. We’ve also included restaurant ideas, picnic stops, and a map to help you build a fun, low-key day outdoors—no matter the season.

Map of Mountain Loop Highway Hikes and Activities

Granite Falls to Barlow Pass

This stretch of Mountian Loop Highway between Granite Falls and Barlow Pass is fully paved so you will have no problems driving. Some of the forest roads to the trailheads may not be as smooth. Best time to visit is from spring to fall.

1. Lime Kiln Trail (Washington)

Lime Kiln is a 7 mile RT hike near Granite Falls. The length may feel daunting but the path has minimal elevation gain (~600ft) which makes it a great family friendly trail. And you don’t have to hike the entire length, just turn around when the kids start resisting.

You will enjoy walking through a lush mossy forest, encounter signs of abandoned railroad and logging operations, and see an abandoned lime kiln. Towards the end of the trail, you can get to the banks of south fork Stillaguamish river.

I wouldn’t necessarily go here for river time as there are many easier riverside trails near Seattle. But this would be a great pick for a nature walk through a mossy forest on a drizzly day. There is no parking pass required and there are no restrooms at the trailhead.

2. Granite Falls Fish Ladder Hike

The hike to Granite Falls and the fish ladder is under a mile . This is a short and easy trail to a scenic waterfall.

Serious hikers would argue if this can be counted as a ‘hike’. But these kind of short trails are perfect for families with toddlers. It was a great outing for our 2.5 year old to start getting comfortable in the outdoors and for us parents to be stress-free.

Granite Falls are a small but mighty waterfall on South Fork Stillaguamish river. However, after heavy rains or in spring after snow melt, the falls and the river in this part can be thunderous. It is also a good leg-stretcher stop if you are visiting the scenic Mountain Loop Highway. No parking pass required, no restrooms at the trailhead.

3. Old Robe Trail

Old Robe is a 3mile RT and ~300ft elevation gain hike and considered to be a very kid friendly trail. The beginning of the trail is steep as you traverse through switchbacks to the river. But after that, the trail is flat along the Stillaguamish river.

Due to landslides, the trail is closed about a mile in. Previously, the trail extended further through some tunnels which were fun to explore.

This ia good pick for a family friendly activity in the outdoors without too strenous activity or going too far from the city. No parking pass required.

4. Heather Lake Trail

Heather lake is a ~4.5 mile (RT), ~1200 ft elevation gain hike, located near Verlot on Mountian Loop Highway. It is a beautiful alpine lake framed by Mount Pilchuck. The trail goes through a lush forest and many switchbacks but relatively lesser effort than the nearby Lake 22 trail.

We did this hike before we had a kid and remember feeling very joyful and at peace after the hike. If I had to do this with my kid, I would do it once my kid turns 5 and is ready for this length and elevation gain. I would definitely do it in the summer so that in addition to the beautiful views, kids can wade or take a dip in the lake which is always fun!

5. Lake 22 Trail

Lake 22 is a ~6 mile (RT), ~1400 ft elevation gain hike,to another beautiful alpine lake on Mountain Loop Highway. You will go through lush forests, pass streams, witness small waterfalls and enjoy mountain views as you traverse through many switchbacks. There is one rocky patch one mile into the hike, but otherwise it is a manageable. The end reward is the gorgeous Lake 22 framed by Mount Pilchuck in the backdrop. 

We did this hike before we had a kid and felt like it gave us a long and an enjoyable workout. With kids, I would try once my kid is 5 years or above. Although the streams and waterfalls may keep the kids entertained, they would need a few more bribes to power through.

There are vault toilets at the trailhead and you will need a Discover pass for parking. Parking lot has ample space but gets full quickly during summer and weekends.

6. Mount Pilchuck Hike

This is a non kid-friendly one of the list, but you cannot talk about Mountain Loop Highway and skip Mount Pilchuck hike.

It is 5.5 miles, ~2000 ft elevation gain. The climb is steep with a lot of switchbacks, lots of rocks along the way and a scramble at the end to get to the lookout tower at the top. But the views from the top are simply gorgeous. On a good day, you will be blessed with views of Mt.Rainier, Mt.Baker and the Olympics range.

Spending the night at the lookout tower is on a first-come-first serve basis. Bring lots of food, water and wear good hiking shoes for this memorable hike. It is on my list once my kid is older.

7. Boardman Lake

Boardman Lake is a 2 miles RT and ~1000 ft elevation gain hike on Mountain Loop Highway. A decent hike to do with kids. Once at the lake there’s a small beach where kids can enjoy wading or swimming. On the way, you can stop by at Lake Evans for a while.

A downside being that the road to the trailhead can be rough. However, if you’re looking for a less crowded alternative on Mountain Loop Highway, then this would be a good pick.

8. Lake Kelcema

The trail to Lake Kelcema is ~1 mile on a mostly flat path which is amazingly kid-friendly. Lake Kelcema is small yet beautiful lake nestled in the mountains. It would be the perfect summer outing with little ones who are just venturing out in the PNW outdoors.

The drawback however is that the road to get to the trailhead is rough and bumpy. It is located close to Silverton. You will turn on NF-4052 near Coal Creek and Deer Creek campground to get to the trailhead.

We were recommended this trail by the Paca Pride ranch owner/employee on the Mountain Loop Highway as a trail we could tackle with our then 2-year old. We ended up going to Granite Falls instead but have this on our list to visit someday.

9. Big Four Ice Caves

This is a must-do hike on Mountain Loop Highway. Big Four refers to the four mountain peaks that are visible from the trailhead. Ice caves refers to the ice cave that is formed when you reach the end of the trail at the base of the mountain. Hence the name Big Four Ice Caves.

The trail is easy, yet gave a nice challenge in terms of length to our 5 year old. The scenery all around is very beautiful. If you are adventurous and want to go off-trail, then you can explore some waterfalls towards the end of the trail.

When we did this hike in spring ,the snow capped Big Four mountains were awe-inspiring. On another trip in October, the fall colors were simply stunning.

I would highly recommend having a picnic at the trailhead after the hike, to soak in this stunning natural scenery a bit more and for a bit longer. This is our family favorite.

Barlow Pass to Darrington

The drive from Barlow Pass to Darrington is ~23 miles, of which ~13 miles are unpaved and a bit remote. When we drove here one summer, we saw many families camping and hanging out by the river. This section would not be navigable in winter.

10. North Fork Sauk Falls

If you want to continue exploring the Sauk river, then North Fork Falls is an option to consider in this section of Mountain Loop Highway. The roads are bumpy and the North Fork Sauk Falls trailhead has roadside parking for no more than 2-3 cars.

The trail is short at 0.4 miles RT and considered easy but requires some attention. The falls are said to be breathtaking. We were planning to visit these after walking the Old Sauk river trail but then decided not to as it was getting late in the day.

11. Beaver Lake Trail

The trail to Beaver lake is a 4.2 miles RT, 100 ft elevation gain trail which makes it very kid-friendly. The proximity of Sauk river, views of surrounding mountains and an easy hike to the lake makes this a nice hike.

Sometimes, the less crowded alternatives to smaller lakes is all you need to clear up your mind and have some peaceful time in nature.

12. Old Sauk River Trail

Old Sauk River Trail is a flat and easy 3 mile (6 miles RT) hike near Darrington WA. This low elevation trail hugs the Sauk river through most of its length, goes through a mossy second growth forest and provides a gentle stroll for families with little kids any time of the year.

We did this hike with our 3 year old on a drizzly spring day which helped break our interia effortlessly. This is a trail for every season.

Darrington To Arlington

This is a ~30 mile stretch on SR530 between Darrington and Arlington, which I consider a natural extension to Mountain Loop Highway. Fully paved and 100% scenic.

13. North Mountain Fire Lookout

This is a 2.5 miles RT, 600ft elevation gain hike to a fire lookout with spectacular views of  surrounding and distant mountains. This hike is slightly off route from the Mountain Loop Highway drive. To get here, you will take SR530 north of Darrington towards Rockport. But close enought to merit a mention on this list.

If you are planning a weekend getaway around Darrington, then this would be a good hike to add to your itinerary. From Darrington, 530 continues north to Highway 20 which is your doorway to North Cascades National Park.

14. Boulder River Trail

This is a popular hike for families located midway between Arlington and Darrington on the SR530 stretch. The road to the trailhead is bumpy.

Although the trail is over 8 miles, the Boulder River waterfalls at 1.5 miles make the initial stretch kid-friendly and rewarding. The waterfall over the mossy rocks makes for a pretty sight. The flowing river and the boulders and rocks strewn along gives kids and families plenty of room to wade safely.

Activities on Mountain Loop Highway

After tackling a hike, you can consider adding some of these additional activities to your itinerary while visiting Mountain Loop Highway.

15. Hemple Creek Picnic area

Hemple Creek Picnic Area is a beautiful river side day use area on Mountain Loop Highway opposite Lake 22 trailhead. It has 15-20 picnic tables with access to the Stillaguamish river.

We love going here towards the end of summer when the water flow is slow and gentle and we park ourselves amidst the boulders and the small little cascades flowing over. Especially great to relax after tackling a Mountain Loop Highway hike.

16. White Chuck Overlook

This is a picnic area 10 miles south of Darrington and 4 miles south of Old Sauk River ADA Loop trailhead. It has a picnic table, a restroom and provides nice views of White Chuck mountains.

It makes for a nice quick stop along the way. Or even the nearby White Chuck Boat launch is a similar spot with great views.

17. Old school Park

If you are hiking near Darrington (e.g. Old Sauk River or Boulder river trail), then consider stopping by at Old School Park. The views of majestic Whitehorse mountains towering behind the park are glorious. 

For kids, park time after a hike is like a cherry on top. The playground, bike track, skate park, basketball court will keep kids busy.

The gazebo, picnic tables, restrooms at the park and its proximity to restaurants make it a convenient location for an outdoor picnic on a good weather day.

18. Outback Kangaroo Farm

This is a small farm near Arlington,WA. You can view and interact with a variety of animals such as kangaroos, wallabies, goats, sheep, pigs, peacocks, tortoise, alpacas, etc.

Kids will love stopping by here and you can easily plan to spend 1-1.5 hour. They offer a 40-min tour for ~$25. You can check the tour timings on their website.

19. Scenic Drive

The entire drive on Mountain Loop Highway through SR530 is very scenic and relaxing (except for the ~13 mile gravel path which is scenic but a little bumpy)

We have pulled over on the sides of the road when we saw an easy access point to the river. Of if there was a nice spot to admire the mountains. The forest, the farmlands and the small town feeling will transport you to another world for a day.

Another scenic pullout on SR530, a few mins from Darrington town center provides amazing views of the surrounding mountains – Whitehorse, Jumbo, Pugh & White Chuck Mountains.

20. River Rafting

Whitewater rafting experience on the Sauk river is amazing fun during spring and early summer. We used to do this more often before having kids 🙂

Tips for visiting Mountain Loop Highway

Seattle to Mountain Loop Highway Drive

The drive from Seattle to Granite Falls or Arlington (two end points of Mountain Loop Highway) is about 1 to 1.5 hours.

If we are exloring things to do near Darrington, then we start our drive from Arlington. Else our starting point is usually Granite Falls.

Mountain Loop Highway Trip Planning

We have made several day trips from Seattle to Mountain Loop Highway. Usually, we just pick a hike as our anchor point and then explore whatever is around that location. Here are some options to consider based on our own personal experience.

• Daytrip with toddler – When we had younger kids, us parents got very tired. Our preference was to avoid long hikes or hard to reach places. Instead, we loved simple nature outings with easy access to food. Granite Falls fish ladder, Hemple Creek picnic area were perfect for such times. Or a scenic drive on SR530 with stops at Old School Park near Darrington Park and Outback Kangaroo near Arlington would be another good idea.

• Must-do hikes with kids – Big Four Ice Caves, Heather Lake and Lake 22 are the most popular trails in the area that are worth doing with kids.

• Rainy day hikes – Lime Klin, Old Robe, Old sauk river trail are great options on rainy days due to the forest cover on the trails.

• Fall color hikes – Early to mid-October is when the fall colors are popping on Mountain Loop Highway. Big Four Ice Caves and Old Sauk River Trail are wonderful in this season.

Restaurants

Most food options can be found around the three anchor towns on this scenic byway

• Granite Falls – There’s Alfy’s Pizza and then some more options for Mexican, Thai or American food. There’s also a McD nearby.

• Darrington – There are quite a few options in Darrington. Rivertime Brewing and Red Top Tavern for adult beverages and spectacular views, Burger Barn for burgers and milkshakes, Moe’s for coffee and snack and Dos Agaves for Mexican fare – all within 1 mile radius.

• Arlington – There are many diners, bars and grills serving American food as well as restaurants with other cuisines such as Thai, Mexican, etc. Hubb’s Pizza and Pasta would be great for kids.

Stay

• Campgrounds – There are many campgrounds in this area. Verlot, Turlo and Masonic Park are some popular campgrounds.
• Other stays – Paca Pride guest ranch is a nice glamping option. You will find many rentals near Darrington and Arlington too.

Final Thoughts

Mountain Loop Highway is very close to our heart. I still remember my first trip here and the joy of discovering this gorgeous senic byway.

If you like exploring scenic byways with familiy firendly activities on a day trip from Seattle, then you will like –

• Chukanut drive, a scenic byway near Bellingham with access to hikes, beaches and stupendous bay views.

• Highway 20 aka the gorgeous North Cascades National Park highway for blue lakes, beautiful hikes, rugged mountains and gorgeous scenery.

• Middle Fork Snoqualmie drive for family friendly hikes by the river. This is within 30-45mins drive from Seattle on the I-90 corridoor.

• Highway 2 aka Stevens Pass Highway has many easy hikes, waterfalls and scenic vistas. This is within 1 hour drive from Seattle.