North Cascades Mountain Range of Washington State

Bike the American Alps of the US Northwest

Welcome to the remote North Cascades of Washington State and your biking adventure. Get ready for diverse and spectacular scenery and terrain.

And when we say diverse, we mean it!

From a rainforest ecosystem to dry forest pines, from alpine heights, to sagebrush desert, from cascading waterfalls to pure mountain lakes, you bike, you hike, you ride roads and trails.

You cannot pack much more into a cycling holiday unless you count your wonderful overnight accommodations, including the Freestone Inn which received a “Top 25 Lodges in America” award from Travel and Leisure magazine and attracts guests from all over the world.

We would say this is a dream come true, but honestly, you can't dream this stuff, you have to live it!

As Jack Kerouac, an American novelist and poet, who lived and worked in the Cascades, wrote in his novel Desolation Angels: "...live, travel, adventure, bless, and don't be sorry."

View more photos

Highlights

• Seattle
• North Cascades National Park
• Desolation Peak Overlook
• Cascade Loop Scenic Byway
• Blue Lake
• Lake Wenatchee
• Poulouse to Cascades Trail
• Gourmet picnics prepared on site
• Old west town of Winthrop
• Bavarian-themed village of Leavenworth

Daily program

Day 1: Seattle - shuttle to North Cascades National Park - Mazama (27 miles)
You will meet your group and guides in Seattle on Sunday morning. There are three pick-up locations, Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA) at 7 am, Radisson Gateway SeaTac Hotel (near the airport) at 7 am, and Thompson Seattle at 7:30 am.

The group is then transferred to the North Cascades National Park, the "Gateway to the American Alps." Hopping on the bikes, you ride the banks of Diablo Lake with rugged mountains on all sides. At Desolation Peak, scan the surrounding mountains as American author Jack Kerouac once did. The route continues to Ross Lake where you can utilize the support vehicle to ride up to the top of Washington Pass to enjoy a gourmet lunch with views of the high Alpine peaks. You finish your day coasting down the eastern slopes of the Cascades to the lovely Freestone Inn for a 3-night stay. Elevation gain/loss: +1,000 ft / - 4,000 ft

Overnight in Mazama. (Meals L, D)

Day 2: Mazama - Methow Valley - Mazama (46 miles)
With a population of just 158, Mazama can barely even be called a town! What it lacks in size, it makes up for in big adventures. You cycle from this tiny settlement through the beautiful Methow Valley, a gorgeous part of the Cascade Loop Scenic Byway and one of Washington’s most popular recreation destinations. Wildlife abounds: golden eagles, white-tailed deer and elk, and the occasional moose. Lunch is served in Pearrygin Lake State Park, and then it is onward to the historic “Old West” town of Winthrop. It is small, charming, and a step back in time to the wild West. Have a beer at the Old School House Brewery or a well-deserved ice cream before returning to the Freestone Inn. Elevation gain/loss: +2,023 ft / -2,024 ft

Overnight in Mazama. (Meals B, L, D)

Day 3: Mountain biking and Blue Lake Hike (12 miles by bike | 4.5 miles hike)
Mountain bikes and some hiking shoes are the equipment needed today. You head first to a local hot spot, the Mazama Store on some easy off-road trails to enjoy lunch. Then it is off to hike to magnificent Blue Lake. The short trail winds way above Washington Pass, starting in the forest and gradually ascending to clearings with mountain flowers and views of Liberty Bell, Whistler, and Cutthroat Peaks. Alpine Blue Lake is your reward!

Overnight in Mazama. (Meals B, L, D)

Day 4: Mazama - shuttle to the confluence of the Wenatchee and Colombia Rivers - Leavenworth (26 miles)
Today's destination is the Bavarian-themed village of Leavenworth where you accommodate in the Bavarian Lodge. Once a gold rush and timber industry town, Leavenworth was fast becoming extinct in modern times. That is until the town's leaders decided to take advantage of the Alpine environment and gave their town a remake. Once you arrive, you will understand why this region is known as the American Alps. The streets are lined with half-timbered buildings, and the backdrop of this Bavarian scene is the incredible slopes of the Cascade Range.

You first shuttle to the confluence of the Wenatchee River and mighty Columbia. Your ride leads past the picturesque Peshastin Pinnacles, a 34-acre desert park. The rising sandstone slabs and spires give the area its name and are a favorite with rock climbers...and nesting raptors. Rocks and trails provide views of surrounding orchards, the Enchantment Mountain Range, and the Wenatchee River valley.

Your accommodation this evening is the Bavarian Lodge, and there is plenty of time for you to enjoy the afternoon exploring the town. Elevation gain/loss: +1,919 ft / -1,374 ft

Overnight in Leavenworth. (Meals B, L)

Day 5: Leavenworth - Lake Wenatchee - Leavenworth (58 miles)
You cruise on quiet side roads through vineyards and orchards before stopping at Lake Wenatchee State Park. In the afternoon, pedal along whitewater rivers and the shores of the lake as you explore remote forest roads heading into the heart of the Cascade mountains. If you want less riding, the park offers the perfect place to swim or relax before you head back to Leavenworth. Elevation gain/loss: + 2,494 ft / - 2,488 ft

Overnight in Leavenworth. (Meals B, L, D)

Day 6: Leavenworth - Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail - Snoqualmie Falls (36 miles)
The Palouse to Cascade Trail is the second longest rail trail in the country and has the longest trail tunnel in the world, the 2.3-mile Snoqualmie Tunnel bored under Snoqualmie Pass. Cycle down through evergreen forests to Rattlesnake Lake for lunch and continue pedaling downhill to gorgeous Snoqualmie Falls, more than twice as high as Niagara Falls. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the falls are a site of natural, historical, and cultural convergence. Sadly, your cycling has ended. Enjoy the accomplishment with new friends. You will be transferred to your hotel in Seattle or near the airport. Drop-offs are between 4 and 6 pm. If you are flying out this evening, please keep these times in mind when making your flight arrangements. Elevation gain/loss: +425 ft / - 2,957 ft

(Meals B, L)

Surface and terrain

You will ride on paved backroads and highways such as a beautiful part of the Cascade Loop Scenic Byway. On Day 3, provided with mountain bikes, you follow an easy off-road trail for 12 miles. Your tour includes a short hike to give you some time off the bike! You also follow a very popular rails-to-trail itinerary.

Hotels

Freestone Inn, Mazama, WA, USA
Bavarian Lodge Leavenworth, WA, USA

Your itinerary does not include accommodation in Seattle, Washington, before or after your tour.

Arrival pickups are at the airport and two hotels, The Radisson Gateway SeaTac Hotel and Thompson Seattle (ask us about a 20% rate on this hotel).

You can make your arrangements at either of these hotels (we can provide a 20% discount code for the Thompson Seattle) or we can suggest a few other hotels.

Booking.com is also an excellent resource for researching and booking extra nights.

How to get there

Tour start

Nearest airport: Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

There are three pick-up options on day 1: SEA at 7 am, Radisson Gateway SeaTac Hotel at 7 am, and Thompson Seattle at 7:30 am. Since the first tour transfer is relatively early in the morning, you may want to arrive a day or more before to explore all that Seattle has to offer.

Upon arriving at SeaTac Airport, you can take the Light Rail into the city or utilize a shuttle service into town. Depending on which hotel you book, inquire about included airport transfers.

Tour end

You will be transferred to your hotel in Seattle or near the airport. Drop-offs are between 4 and 6 pm on day 6.

Dates

Prices

Included services

• 5 x nights accommodation
• Breakfast each morning, 6 x lunches and 5 x dinners
• Water, fruit juices, soft drinks, energy bars, fruit, and snacks available during the cycling day
• Transfer from/to Seattle at tour start and tour end
• Giant road bike or Giant flat bar road bike
• Mountain bike for Day 3
• Guided cycling
• Full van support

Bike rentals

Road Bike (included): Giant Defy Advanced 3 (other Giant options available based on bike size needed).
Hybrid/Flat Bar Road Bike (included): Giant Fastroad SL 1 (other Giant options available based on bike size needed).
Electric  Bike (supplement applies): Giant Fastroad or Giant Roam (other Giant options available based on bike size needed).

All bikes come equipped with:

• Variety of frame bags for small extra items
• GPS-based Wahoo computers for routing
• Spare tube/ pump/tire levers
• Two water bottles per guest
• Regular flat pedals, toe clips, or straps (you may prefer to bring your own saddle and/or clipless pedals to be installed)

Tour Company