22 Loop Trails to Try Next Time You Need A Good Backpacking Trip
Washington has so much to offer to backpackers. Whether you're traversing lush river valleys or alpine ridges with vistas for miles in every direction, spending a night or four in the backcountry lets you experience unique joys, from stargazing to sunrise and solitude.
And the best type of backpacking trips are loops. You get to cover all new ground, see new sights every day and hike more sustainably.
To get you started, we'll kick things off with these 22 routes around the state. Of course, if you're anything like the staff of WTA, the research is half the fun. Make up your own loop by experimenting with lacing together trails in various networks around Washington. And always write a trip report when you're back to let us know what you found out there.
South Cascades
Southwest Loowit Loop
Location: Mount St. Helens Area
Length: 12.7 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 2,400 feet
Wide open views adorn the Southwest Loowit Loop. Photo by mrharmon.
Venture through dusty lahars, cool forest, and the high country on the shoulder of Mount St. Helens on this 12-mile loop. Do it in a day, or plan to camp along the way — this hike is both beautiful and a bit of a challenge. You’ll need a little scrambling experience to be comfortable hiking the whole thing; one lahar has a rope set up to help you through it.
> Plan your hike on the Southwest Loowit Loop using WTA's Hiking Guide
Walupt Lake Loop
Location: Goat Rocks
Length: 15.3 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 1,650 feet
Views on the way to the top of the loop are worth the climb. Photo by Anna Roth.
This trail offers a more than 15-mile outing in the country east and south of Walupt Lake. In early summer, the bushes are bursting with new growth. If you visit in late summer, the greenery has faded back, the berries are out, and you can enjoy nice views from the 5100-foot high point.
> Plan your hike on the Walupt Lake Loop using WTA's Hiking Guide
Bird Mountain Loop
Location: Mount Adams Area
Length: 10.25 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 1,875 feet
For big views it's hard to beat the Bird Mountain Loop. Photo by wishfulwanderer.
No less than five picturesque lakes, wide panoramas of South Cascades peaks and oodles of seasonal wildflowers and berries make this an ideal long day hike or weekend backpack.
> Plan your hike on the Bird Mountain Loop using WTA's Hiking Guide
Tumac Plateau Loop
Location: White Pass/Cowlitz Valley
Length: 20.2 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 2,500 feet
Note: This trail may have been impacted by 2021 wildfires. Check conditions before you go.
This lengthy loop hike affords the chance to admire pristine lakes along the way. Photo by Susan Saul.
An elk bugle is an eerie sound whether you are tucked in your tent or hiking down a wilderness trail. In late September, Roosevelt elk are bugling both day and night on the Tumac Plateau whose forests and meadows are perfect elk habitat. Bonus challenge for this one — be the first to hike it and write a trip report!
> Plan your hike on Tumac Plateau using WTA's Hiking Guide
Mount Rainier Area
Tumac Mountain Loop
Location: Chinook Pass/Highway 410
Length: 13.5 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 2,400 feet
Note: This trail may have been impacted by 2021 wildfires. Check conditions before you go.
Stopping to take in the sights might become a full time job on this hike. Photo by Gary Modine.
No, it's not the same one as the one right above this. The joy of this loop is derived not so much from summitting an old fire lookout (which you will), than it is for the opportunity to take an ambling walk through undulating hills and numerous lakes and tarns.
> Plan your hike on the Tumac Mountain Loop using WTA's Hiking Guide
Eastside Loop
Location: Sunrise/White River
Length: 36.0 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 7,430 feet
The rugged alpine scenery is one of the highlights on this trek. Photo by Pen C.
Peaceful meadows, serene lakes and views of the rugged Cowlitz Chimneys are treats for the eyes on this multiday trek. Want a bigger adventure? Hook into the full Northern Loop!
> Plan your hike on the Eastside Trail using WTA's Hiking Guide
Mother Mountain Loop
Location: Carbon River/Mowich
Length: 36.0 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 7,430 feet
Catch a wide array of sights on this loop, from rugged peaks to wildflower meadows. Photo by bentley-edelman.
The Mother Mountain Loop out of the Mowich Lake area is a popular route in the northwest corner of Mount Rainier National Park — try this one as a day hike, an overnight (be sure to get permits first) or as a trail run!
> Plan your hike at Mother Mountain using WTA's Hiking Guide
Frying Pan Loop
Location: White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley
Length: 14.9 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 3,815 feet
Note: This trail may have been impacted by 2021 wildfires. Check conditions before you go.
The views are, arguably, nicer than looking at a frying pan on this loop hike. Photo by slowandsteady.
Access the lake country north of Highway 12 from the Soda Springs campground on this 15-mile loop hike. You'll climb up and over Fryingpan Mountain, past lakes, and through meadows for a long dayhike or a one-night backpacking trip.
> Plan your hike on the Fryingpan Loop using WTA's Hiking Guide
Central Cascades
Meander Meadow - Dishpan Gap - Cady Ridge Loop
Location: Stevens Pass - East
Length: 16 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 5,600 feet
Trail Closed: Wildfire
Glacier Peak as seen from the Meander Meadow - Cady Ridge - Dishpan Gap loop trail. Camp in the foreground. Photo by Willem Barentz
This is a great weekend backpacking trip for wildflower lovers. Miles of wildflowers along Meander Meadow and Cady Ridge will delight the hiker who passes through during July and August. Fantastic views of the Cascades, Glacier Peak and hanging valleys add to the allure, and it's all packaged up in a 16-mile loop.
> Plan your hike to Meander Meadow - Dishpan Gap - Cady Ridge using WTA's Hiking Guide
Rock Creek - Red Pass Loop
Location: Snoqualmie Pass
Length: 17.0 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 5,600 feet
The alpine setting makes for an excellent backdrop on this long-distance trek. Photo by MegLvs2Hike.
This is a long distance hike that includes unmaintained trails. To hike this route, you should be an experienced route finder willing to hike trails less traveled, and prepared for a lonely hike. But put in the work and you'll be rewarded with lovely views and solitude.
> Plan your hike to Red Rock Pass using WTA's Hiking Guide
Esmeralda Peak Loop
Location: Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
Length: 12.1 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 2,940 feet
Hawkins Mountain from the backside of Esmerelda. Photo by Anna Roth.
Take a rugged trek through creek canyons, down a four-wheeling road, over a remote pass, and back down a multi-use trail to complete a challenging loop hike. You may have equestrians, mountain bikers, and ORV users for company, but any type of user can appreciate the views you’ll get along the way.
> Plan your hike on the Esmeralda Peak Loop using WTA's Hiking Guide
Wallace Falls State Park - Lake Loop
Location: Stevens Pass - West
Length: 9.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 1,954 feet
Perhaps unsurprisingly based on the name, Wallace Lake is the main attraction on this loop. Photo by drenegar.
This fine loop trail gives you scenery, mileage, and some elevation gain, with the bonus of being hikeable year-round. Start by wandering along the Wallace River as it tumbles down from the famous falls. Get your pictures of the falls, then continue your hike by including the large forested Wallace Lake. Return through a green shag carpet of moss, sword ferns and hemlock, following the North Fork Wallace River as it rushes to meet the main Wallace River and your return trail.
> Plan your hike at Wallace Falls State Park using WTA's Hiking Guide
North Cascades
Copper Ridge Loop
Location: Mount Baker Area
Length: 34 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 8,600 feet
While it's a lengthy loop to traverse, the views are worth the effort. Photo by SweatTrain.
Experience the variety offered by the North Cascades: high mountain ridges with spectacular views, a remote river valley, and even a self-propelled cable car river crossing. Popular side trips include Hannegan Peak and Whatcom Pass.
> Plan your hike on Copper Ridge using WTA's Hiking Guide
Cathedral Pass Loop
Location: Pasayten
Length: 44.7 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 4,000 feet
Cathedral Pass is easily one of the most scenic loops in Eastern Washington. Photo by Rachel Wendling.
This 44-mile loop through Cathedral Pass offers some of the best scenery that the Pasayten’s breathtaking Boundary Trail has to offer. You’ll start and end at the Thirtymile trailhead on the Chewuch River out of Winthrop
> Plan your hike at Cathedral Pass using WTA's Hiking Guide
Windy Peak Loop
Location: Pasayten
Length: 14.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 3,830 feet
View of Horseshoe Basin from Windy Peak summit. Photo by MoonFighter
This loop takes you into the high country of the Pasayten wilderness to Sunny Pass, the to another pass through Horseshoe Mountain and Pick Peak, and over Windy Peak. It's a good overnighter or a long day hike.
> Plan your hike on Windy Peak using WTA's Hiking Guide
Sawtooth Lake Loop
Location: Methow/Sawtooth
Length: 24.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 4,200 feet
Larches are one of the main draws of this loop, but it's an excellent summer pick too. Photo by Seattle-Amy.
This is a classic backpack ideal in larch season. The loop can be done at a comfortable pace in three days, or you can allow more time to explore this part of the Sawtooth Wilderness with side trips from your camps.
> Plan your hike at Sawtooth Lake using WTA's Hiking Guide
Olympic Peninsula
Grand Valley Loop
Location: Northern Coast
Length: 7.9 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 2,080 feet
Lakes, mountains, valleys. This loop has it all for amazing views. Photo by Seattle-Amy.
String together the Grand Valley and Badger Valley trails to make a stunning (and strenuous) hike of it. Halfway through, you can stop off at Grand, Gladys or Moose Lakes for a cooling dip. If you're backpacking, be sure to secure a permit early for these campsites — they're in a quota area and fill up fast.
> Plan your hike in the Grand Valley using WTA's Hiking Guide
Mink Lake to Little Divide
Location: Northern Coast
Length: 7.9 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 2,080 feet
The Olympics offer a wide variety of views and scenery to enjoy. Photo by Mosquito Food.
Meadows abound with wildflowers and hikers. The lake is popular with families on day hikes and campers on their way to Seven Lakes Basin. For a shortened return trip with fresh scenery follow the trail down from Deer Lake to Lovers Lane (don't miss Sol Duc Falls) which terminates at the resort and Mink lake trailhead (approximately 6 miles from Deer Lake).
> Plan your hike at Mink Lake and Little Divide using WTA's Hiking Guide
Mount Townsend and Silver Lake
Location: Hood Canal
Length: 9.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 3,392 feet
This traverse takes you through some of the biggest views in the Olympics. Photo by Alistair.
Here's a fun one. Connect two routes to access Mount Townsend and make it a loop hike. Start off heading up the punishingly-steep Dirty Face Ridge (I promise, going up this is better than down it). You'll top out on Mount Townsend, where you can catch your breath, take some pics, and head down the main Townsend trail. Look for the Silver Lakes way trail turnoff to your right as you descend. It will put you on the back side of Townsend, and eventually back on the road a little bit west of where you likely parked.
> Plan your hike up Mount Townsend to Silver Lake using WTA's Hiking Guide
Grand Valley - Cameron Creek
Location: Northern Coast
Length: 30.8 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 10,945 feet
Grand Valley makes for an amazing summer destination. Photo by Ann N.
Hike up and down (and up again and down again, and then up one more time) around this loop in the northern part of Olympic National Park. You'll get stunning mountain views, pass tranquil lakes, and laze around in gorgeous alpine meadows, and you'll need that break, because the elevation gain on this one is no joke.
> Plan your hike to Grand Valley and Cameron Creek using WTA's Hiking Guide
Eastern Washington
Jungle Hill Loop
Location: Okanogan Highlands/Kettle River Range
Length: 15.4 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 3,348 feet
While you wont' find any jungles, you will find mountain views and wildflowers. Photo by jribs.
This is the perfect short backpack or long day hike! From the Jungle Hill campground, the trail drops approximately 0.25 mile to Sherman Creek. Note the return trail on the left, then cross Sherman Creek to the Jungle Hill Trail and begin the approximately four-mile climb to the meadows near Jungle Hill.
> Plan your hike on the Jungle Hill Loop using WTA's Hiking Guide
Mount Bonaparte Loop
Location: Okanogan Highlands/Kettle River Range
Length: 16.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 3000 feet
Note: This trail may have been impacted by 2021 wildfires. Check conditions before you go.
This hike offers the chance to visit a fire lookout with big views. Photo by Scott Prince.
Mount Bonaparte, the tallest mountain in the Okanogan Highlands, dominates its corner of the world. This is a fine loop hike that will take you all the way around the mountain, with a short dash to the summit lookout included.
> Plan your hike to Mount Bonaparte using WTA's Hiking Guide