From the lush Pacific to mountain desert: discover adventure, culture and wildlife in Northwest USA.
With awe-inspiring mountains, towering forests, gushing rivers and steep canyons, Northwest America provides the perfect back drop for an unforgettable road trip. The route from Seattle to Salt Lake City, covering 1,500 miles across five states, gets high traction, taking in four of the 63 stunning USA national parks: Mount Ranier, Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Teton. But while many tourists ‘blast’ down the highways, keen to tick off their ‘bucket list’ national parks, there’s much more to discover on this northwest adventure.
Germany transplanted
After exploring Seattle and discovering glaciers and volcanoes at Mount Rainer National Park (Mount Rainer’s last eruption was just 120 years ago), it’s time to hit the highway. Head 120 miles east to Leavenworth, a bustling Bavarian hamlet. As you pass the ‘Wilkommen’ sign at the town’s entrance, you’ll find yourself immersed in a faux European culture. In the 1960s, the town leaders decided to give the then sagging logging town a facelift, taking advantage of its picturesque setting in the Cascade Mountains to transform it into a tourist attraction. Today, the alpine-style chalets boasting folk art murals and overflowing window boxes, German beer gardens and restaurants selling bratwurst, sauerkraut and pretzels are a major draw. Surrounded by vineyards, you’ll also find an array of tasting rooms with Lederhosen-clad servers, offering cheese and wine pairings (try Patterson Cellars on Front Street). In winter, Leavenworth is transformed into a Christmas wonderland, but you can stock up for the festive season in summer at Kris Kring Christmas shop.
Lace-up and hike
Wenatchee (population 35,500), half an hour further east, famed for its orchards and hydroelectric dams, is an ideal overnight spot. In the morning, blow away the cobwebs with an invigorating hike up Saddle Rock. The double rock spire was formed from a volcanic magma intrusion over 30 million years ago, but ancient legend tells a tale of a coyote turning two bickering bears to stone. The trailhead to the popular local landmark lies three miles south of town. From the car park follow the gravel track and prepare to work up a sweat hiking 1.3 miles, gaining 950 feet of elevation to reach the top and conveniently placed benches offering expansive views of the city to the east. Carry on to the geographical saddle between two giant rock formations to gaze down on the Columbia River snaking through the valley. Fuel up for the ride by trying a fun, inexpensive Mongolian dining experience at Wok About Grill. Patrons pile fresh ingredients into bowls before they’re weighed and cooked on a massive central grill.
Tunnels and trestles
In its heyday, the Milwaukee Road was revered as one of the most scenic sections of the railroad in the US. Today, it’s the Route of the Hiawatha, a 15-mile downhill bike trail through a series of nine tunnels and over seven trestles (wooden bridges). Located 70 miles west of Coeur d’Alene in the beautiful Bitterroot Valley, most riders can leisurely cruise the distance in 2.5 to 3.5 hours. Adapted yellow school buses shuttle cyclists uphill from the finish in around 30 minutes, making it accessible for all abilities. Between the trestles and the tunnels, take a break from cruising to read information boards dotted along the trail (there are 47 in total). Colourful tales of fights, murders, and ‘women of the underworld’ reveal the brutality of life for early 20th-century railway workers in the nearby backcountry town of Taft. Apparently, murder wasn’t uncommon and every spring half a dozen bodies melted out of the snow behind the bars and brothels. To ride the route, head to the Lookout Pass Ski Area off Exit 0 on the I-90. Here you can purchase tickets, hire bikes, helmets, and lights, and pick up a packed lunch.
Beautiful bison
For wildlife spotting, take a 15-minute detour off the I-93 between Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks to drop into the Bison Range owned and managed by CSKT (Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes) – home to around 350 bison. The docile- looking mammals roam freely as you drive the self-guided Red Sleep Mountain Drive, a 19-mile, one-way loop, but don’t let looks be deceiving. Weighing up to 2,000 pounds, bison may be huge, but they can run up to 35 mph, leap fences and hurl large objects in the air. Elk, black bears, pronghorn, coyotes, and chipmunks also dwell in the 19,000-acre range, so keep eagled-eyed. The two-hour drive takes you over dirt tracks, gaining 2,000 feet in elevation. At the High Point, you can exit your vehicle to take a short hike (one of four short hikes on the range) to a viewpoint for incredible vistas across the grasslands. If you’re tight on time, two shorter loops provide a truncated experience. A car day pass cost $20 and an informative visitor’s centre explains the history behind the range on the Flathead Reservation.
Fearless firefighters
At the west end of Missoula Montana Airport, you’ll find the Aerial Fire Depot, base for 80 smokejumpers. Specially trained to tackle forest fires, these firefighters are parachuted into remote burning forests, wielding their trusty Pulaski (special axe) to create a fire break. At the free entry visitor centre, several short videos and exhibits give a history lesson in tackling blazes. But it’s the guided tour of the facility and the chance to chat with the highly skilled firefighters on duty that reveal fascinating insights into life as a smokejumper. Watch the on-duty firefighters repairing packs, working out in the gym (it’s a requirement to exercise 1-1.5 hours daily), checking and packing parachutes, or playing pickleball on the tarmac in leather boots, aircraft on stand-by, in a scene reminiscent of Top Gun.
‘Top of the World’
Deep in cowboy country, the Wyoming town of Jackson is the perfect base for tourists visiting Grand Teton National Park. But to escape the crowded streets for some off-park adventure, head to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort on the outskirts of town. A popular, high-octane ski resort (famed for its expert ski run, Crobet’s Couloir), it’s equally exciting in summer. To increase the pulse, try paragliding, via ferrata (protected climbing on an iron route), rock climbing or mountain biking. Drop it down a notch and pick up a hiking map to explore the mountain on foot and if you get to the top, you can ride the gondola or tram to the bottom for free. For a less strenuous visit to the summit of Rendezvous Mountain (10,450 feet), take the Aerial Tram and in just 12 minutes you’ll be on ‘top of the world’. If you’ve a head for heights, stroll out on the Grand Teton Skywalk for panoramic views, then grab a famous waffle from Corbet’s Cabin. Tram sightseeing tickets cost $50 per person.
Adrenaline rush
For some ‘good ole’ western entertainment, a visit to the Eastern Idaho State Fair in Blackfoot is a must. With more cattle than people and the biggest barley-producing state in the US, Idaho is home to over 24,000 farms and ranches. Spend an afternoon wandering around the fairground munching on a corn dog or two, soaking up the atmosphere of the agricultural celebration. A packed daily programme includes horse pulling, barrel racing, comedy shows and live music, but for some wild theatre, plan your visit to coincide with the Bull Riding Championships (30 August 2025). Feel the hairs rise on the back of your neck as fearless cowboys attempt to cling onto bucking bulls for eight long seconds before being flung to the ground perilously close to the steers stomping hooves (fair runs from August 29 – September 6, 2025).
