North West Passage – A Washington Adventure
NorthWest Passage Adventure Route Overview
BestRest Products’ NorthWest Passage (NWP) Adventure Route is an intermediate-level off-road dual-sport motorcycle route that offers a thrilling journey from the Puget Sound area in Washington, eastward through Stevens Pass, and then northward to the eastern side of the Pasayten Wilderness. From there, the route continues along the Canadian border, entering Idaho near Priest Lake, and further eastward into northwestern Montana, ultimately connecting with the northern terminus of the Continental Divide Route.
The NWP spans approximately 607 miles from BestRest World Headquarters near Seattle to the eastern side of Priest Lake, Idaho. If you extend the ride to the Montana CDR north terminus, add another 211 miles. With 70-80% of the route consisting of gravel or dirt, this adventure provides an ideal blend of challenging terrain and stunning scenery. The route can be ridden on large displacement dual-purpose motorcycles like the BMW R1200GS or smaller trail bikes like the KTM 450, making it accessible to intermediate riders who are comfortable with off-road conditions, such as gravel, dirt, ruts, rocks, and steep inclines.
You can embark on this journey as soon as the snow clears from the high mountain passes—typically after the 4th of July, although this can vary year to year. Riding conditions are best from July to October, depending on when the snow begins to return to the high country. While the NWP offers some challenges, it is not intended to push the upper limits of your riding abilities. However, a minor tumble is not uncommon during the week-long trip.
The NWP is distinct from the north-to-south Washington Back Country Discovery Route (WABDR), though the two share a few miles around Lake Chelan. Unlike the heavily traveled WABDR, the NWP remains largely undiscovered, offering a more solitary and serene riding experience. In the four years that BestRest has run the NWP, other motorcyclists or jeeps have rarely been encountered.
The NWP Adventure Route was compiled by Mr. BestRest from various rides over two decades and was officially designated as the NorthWest Passage Adventure Route in 2012. BestRest Products has sponsored NWP Expeditions annually since 2012 and plans to continue in 2018. However, you don’t have to wait for an official event—you can ride the trail on your own with the information provided here.
BestRest offers downloadable GPS files and daily itineraries for free. These resources, including screenshots of tracks and maps, are available to help you plan your adventure. We recommend saving the PDF itineraries on your computer and printing them double-sided for easy reference. You can transfer the GPS tracks to your device as “TRACKS” (not routes) using programs like BaseCamp or MapSource.
To download the complete itinerary, GPS maps, and essential equipment lists, simply click on the links provided below. These resources are hosted on our Dropbox page—just click the download button in the upper right-hand corner to save the files. For an overview of the trail system, watch the YouTube videos linked below, including a short trailer and a full-length presentation that describes the route in detail.
For an overview of the trail system, you can watch the following YouTube videos:
Click Here to watch a SHORT TRAILER of the ride (Viewing time: about 13 minutes).
Please note that some riders have reported issues with downloading GPX tracks from Dropbox, as some operating systems may convert the .gpx format to .txt format. If you encounter this issue, contact us via email, and we will send the file directly.
Finally, GPS files may differ from the actual route due to changes made after the files were created. We recommend cross-referencing with current maps and verifying route conditions before embarking on your journey.
For additional information, tips, and stories from the NWP Adventure Route, visit our blog. Explore related posts about the trail system and other similar adventures to dive deeper into the journey.
Essential Gear Recommendations for Your NWP Adventure
Embarking on the NorthWest Passage (NWP) Adventure Route requires not only skill and preparation but also the right gear to ensure a safe and enjoyable journey. Here are some essential products we recommend bringing along to help you conquer the challenging terrain and varying conditions you’ll encounter on the trail:
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