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Things to do near The Cascade Chalet
The Cascade Chalet sits just south of downtown Leavenworth, Washington, at the mouth of Icicle Canyon. From the door you can walk to the Leavenworth Fish Hatchery trails, the Icicle Creek boat launch and the Icicle Ridge trailhead. Downtown's Bavarian village is a 7-minute drive, the Enchantments trailheads are up Icicle Road, and Stevens Pass is about 40 minutes away.
Walk from the door
Leavenworth Fish Hatchery
Across the street. Riverside paths for walking in summer, and snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in winter.
Icicle Creek boat launch
Walking distance. The put-in for tubing and paddling Icicle Creek on a hot afternoon.
Icicle Ridge trailhead
Walking distance. The trail climbs out of the valley onto the ridge above town.
In town, 7 minutes away
Front Street
The center of Leavenworth's Bavarian village: shops, restaurants and beer halls, and the gazebo at the heart of the town's festivals.
Waterfront Park and Blackbird Island
A riverside park at the end of Main Street with an easy trail of about 2 miles and 100 feet of gain out to Blackbird Island on the Wenatchee River.
Hikes up Icicle Road
Colchuck Lake
The classic Enchantments day hike: 8 miles round trip with 2,280 feet of gain to a turquoise lake below Dragontail and Colchuck peaks. From Highway 2, drive about 8.5 miles up Icicle Road, then about 4 miles of forest road to the Stuart Lake trailhead. High clearance helps; the road closes in winter. Parking needs a Northwest Forest Pass, and overnight stays from May 15 to October 31 need an Enchantments permit.
Icicle Gorge loop
A gentle 4.2-mile loop with about 150 feet of gain along both banks of Icicle Creek, about 15.5 miles up Icicle Road from Highway 2. The last 3 miles are gravel.
Eightmile Lake
A shorter alpine-lake hike from the same forest road as Colchuck, about 8.5 miles up Icicle Road.
Winter
Stevens Pass
About 40 minutes west on Highway 2, for downhill skiing and the Stevens Pass Nordic Center.
Mission Ridge
About 32 miles away, above Wenatchee.
Leavenworth Ski Hill
Less than a mile from downtown, with a small ski hill and the Leavenworth Winter Sports Club's groomed Nordic and snowshoe trails.
Festivals
Oktoberfest
Three weekends in October. In 2026 it ran October 2–3, 9–10 and 16–17.
Village of Lights: Christmastown
The town's Christmas lighting season. In 2026 it runs November 27 to December 24, followed by Winter Karneval on January weekends.
Maifest
Spring's Bavarian festival, in May. In 2026 it ran May 8–10.
Quick answers
What is there to do near The Cascade Chalet?
You can walk to the Leavenworth Fish Hatchery trails, the Icicle Creek boat launch and the Icicle Ridge trailhead. Downtown Leavenworth is a 7-minute drive, Colchuck Lake and the Enchantments trailheads are up Icicle Road, and Stevens Pass is about 40 minutes away for skiing.
How do I get to Colchuck Lake from Leavenworth?
Drive about 8.5 miles up Icicle Road from Highway 2, turn onto Eightmile Road, and follow the forest road about 4 miles to the Stuart Lake trailhead. The hike is 8 miles round trip with 2,280 feet of gain. A Northwest Forest Pass is needed to park, and overnight stays from May 15 to October 31 need an Enchantments permit.
When is the Christmas lighting in Leavenworth?
Village of Lights: Christmastown runs from November 27 to December 24 in 2026, with the town lit every evening.
Where can I ski near Leavenworth?
Stevens Pass is about 40 minutes west, Mission Ridge is about 32 miles away above Wenatchee, and Leavenworth Ski Hill is less than a mile from downtown, with groomed Nordic trails.
Trail figures from the Washington Trails Association and the Forest Service; festival dates from the Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce. Updated November 2026.
