Top 10 Hikes in Glacier National Park, Montana
Each year nearly three million people visit Glacier National Park in Montana to enjoy some of its 740 miles of hiking trails. Most visitors keep within the trails of , but some venture further into the wild, traipsing through alpine meadows, dense woodland, and backcountry roads. Glacier offers a range of trails suitable for all ages and experience levels, starting with easy day hikes and stretching to more strenuous multi-day excursions that challenge experienced hikers.
One of the park’s biggest draws is wildlife viewing. Glacier has one of the highest grizzly bear populations in the country. Moreover, it is a prime location for spotting lynx, mountain lions, goats, wolves, moose, bighorn sheep, and more than 260 bird species. The park’s scenery rivals that of nearby Yellowstone, featuring pristine glacier-fed lakes, steep mountain peaks, and meadows that burst with colorful wildflowers in summer. If you’re planning to visit but don’t know where to start, here’s a guide to the top 10 hikes in Glacier National Park.
1. Highline Trail
Great classic hike
Difficulty: moderate | Distance: 11.6 miles | Duration: 7½ hours one way
A Glacier classic, the Highline Trail contours across the face of the famous Garden Wall to Granite Park Chalet, one of two historic lodges only accessible by trail. The summer slopes are covered with alpine plants and wildflowers while the views are nothing short of stupendous. With only 800ft elevation gain over 7.6 miles, the treats come with minimal sweat. The trail presents stunning early views of Going-to-the-Sun Road, snowcapped Heaven’s Peak, and the white foaming waters of 500ft Bird Woman Falls.
From Granite Park, you have four options: you can retrace your steps back to Logan Pass; continue along the Continental Divide to Goat Haunt (22 miles); head for Swiftcurrent Pass and the Many Glacier Valley (7 miles); or descend to the Loop (4 miles), where you can pick up a shuttle bus to all points on Going-to-the-Sun Road. To get there, take the Going-to-the-Sun Road shuttle or a car. Start at Logan Pass Visitor Center and finish at The Loop. This trail has restrooms, drinking water, and a ranger station.
2. Dawson-Pitamakam Loop
Great for camping and spotting grizzly bears
Difficulty: difficult | Distance: 18.8 miles | Duration: 8 hours round-trip or extended into a multi-day trip
This lengthy hike can be completed in one day if you’re fit and up for the challenge. Alternatively, it can be tackled over two or three days with overnight stays at the No Name Lake and Oldman Lake backcountry campgrounds (permit required). Blessed with two spectacular mountain passes and teeming with a myriad of plant and animal life, this is often touted by park rangers as one of Glacier’s hiking highlights.
As the hike is a loop, you have a choice of two routes. Progressing clockwise and tackling Dawson Pass first packs the 3000ft elevation gain into one sharp segment. Conversely, head counterclockwise, and the same ascent is more drawn out. Walking clockwise, you’ll enter prime grizzly bear country (rangers have actually used it as a study area), so be on guard and make plenty of noise. To access the loop, take the East Side shuttle or car. This trail has restrooms, drinking water, and a ranger station.
3. Sun Point to Virginia Falls
Great for families and picnics
Difficulty: easy | Distance: 7 miles | Duration: 4 hours round-trip
Handily served by the free park shuttle, trailheads along the eastern side of Going-to-the-Sun Road provide plenty of short interlinking hikes, many of which can be combined for a pleasing morning or afternoon ramble.
If you take the busy St Mary Falls Trail, you’ll climb gentle switchbacks through the trees to the valley’s most picturesque falls, set amid colorful foliage on the St Mary River. The hike to Virginia Falls is approximately 7 miles round-trip and takes about four hours. To reach the trail, use the Going-to-the-Sun Road shuttle or drive a car. This trail features restrooms and picnic sites.
4. Avalanche Lake Trail
Great hike for all ages
Difficulty: easy-to-moderate | Distance: 4 miles | Duration: 2½ hours round-trip
This low-commitment introduction to Glacier hiking pays big dividends in the form of a pristine alpine lake, waterfalls, and cascades. The 2.3-mile hike is relatively gentle and easily accessed by the shuttle. Consequently, it’s often packed in peak season with everyone from families in flip-flops to seniors navigating the trail.
The 4.6-mile round-trip trail begins on Going-to-the-Sun Road and follows the paved Trail of the Cedars to a signposted three-way junction where you’ll head right. At Avalanche Lake, unwind on the lakeshore (there’s a pit toilet nearby) with binoculars to observe birds and other wildlife before heading back down. While this walk is lenient, you should be prepared with bottled water, layered clothing, and bear spray. To access the trail, take the Going-to-the-Sun Road shuttle or drive a car. This trail features restrooms, drinking water, and picnic sites.
5. Iceberg Lake Trail
Great for families and swimming
Difficulty: easy-to-moderate | Distance: 9 miles | Duration: 4½ hours round-trip
One of the most popular hikes in Glacier, this 9-mile out-and-back takes you to a stunning glacial cirque surrounded by 914m vertical walls. The sight of icebergs floating in the lake’s still waters in summer is breathtaking. It’s common to see brave explorers take a plunge into the chilly waters. Bears are often sighted along this trail; therefore, check at the ranger station before starting your trek and take all standard precautions.
Starting steeply, the trail packs most of its elevation gain into the first few miles. The ascent above Many Glacier Valley is relatively gentle, and the approach is mostly at or above the tree line, providing stunning views and passing meadows filled with wildflowers. To access it, take the East Side shuttle or drive a car. This trail has restrooms, drinking water, and picnic sites.
6. Grinnell Glacier Trail
Great for views and lake cruises
Difficulty: difficult | Distance: 10.6 miles | Duration: 5-7 hours
This relatively strenuous trail leads you to the emerald waters of Grinnell Lake, passing Swiftcurrent and Josephine lakes along the way. Begin your journey at Many Glacier Hotel, where you have the option to take a ferry service across the lakes, shortening your hike by about 7 miles. Alternatively, start from the Grinnell Glacier Trailhead.
The first two miles are pleasant and level, but the trail becomes more challenging beyond the lakes. As you climb, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of Grinnell Lake and Angel Wing, before venturing further up to Upper Grinnell Lake, Salamander Glacier, and Grinnell Glacier. To access the trail, take the Going-to-the-Sun Road shuttle. This trail has restrooms, drinking water, and picnic sites.
7. Piegan Pass
Great for wildlife, glacier views, and wildflowers
Difficulty: moderate-difficult | Distance: 12.8 miles | Duration: 6 hours
A popular hike among Glacier enthusiasts, this trail starts on Going-to-the-Sun Road at a convenient shuttle stop on Siyeh Bend just east of Logan Pass and delivers you to Glacier’s mystic heart, Many Glacier, with transport connections back to St Mary or even Whitefish. It also bisects colorful Preston Park, one of the region’s prettiest and most vibrant alpine meadows.
At the 4½-mile mark, you’ll reach Piegan Pass—a saddle between Piegan Mountain and Mt Pollock. Some individuals turn around and retrace their steps here; however, those in the know descend on the pass’s north side to Cataract Creek in the Many Glacier Valley. To get there, take the Going-to-the-Sun Road shuttle or drive a car. This trail features backcountry campsites.
8. Swiftcurrent Pass Trail
Great for wildlife
Difficulty: moderate-to-difficult | Length: 7.2 miles | Duration: 6 hours one way
This popular trail can be linked with the Loop or Highline Trails to create an arduous one-day hike or a slightly less strenuous two-day trek. After meandering through the Many Glacier Valley, this 7.2-mile trail climbs to the Continental Divide, featuring waterfall vistas, Redrock Lake, and Bullhead Lake. The switchbacks are numerous, and the path—precariously cut into the mountainside—can be steep.
At the Divide, those still with energy can pursue the real glory, ascending another 1.2 miles to Swiftcurrent Lookout, which offers one of the park’s most impressive panoramic views. After returning to the pass, head the final mile down to Granite Park Chalet for a well-deserved break (remember to plan ahead if you wish to stay overnight) or join up with other trails. To access it, take the East Side shuttle or drive a car. This trail has restrooms, drinking water, and a ranger station.
9. Hidden Lake Overlook Trail
Great for families
Difficulty: easy-to-moderate | Distance: 3 miles | Duration: 2 hours round-trip
For many Glacier visitors, this relatively straightforward hike is the one occasion they step out of their cars, inhaling the sweet-scented alpine air for which the area is famous. Starting at the busy Logan Pass Visitor Center, the hike ascends gradually along a raised boardwalk (with steps) through expansive alpine meadows replete with monkey-flower and pink laurel. Rain or shine, this trail is a hit with everyone from adventurous toddlers to active seniors.
Just before you reach the overlook, you cross the Continental Divide—probably without realizing it—before catching your first stunning glimpse of deep-blue Hidden Lake. Many hearty souls continue on to Hidden Lake. To access the trail, use the Going-to-the-Sun Road shuttle or drive a car. This trail features restrooms, drinking water, and a ranger station.
10. Gunsight Pass Trail
Great for wildlife, fall colors, and camping
Difficulty: moderate-to-difficult | Distance: 20 miles | Time: 2 days
This two-day 20-mile trek (doable in either direction) into Glacier’s backcountry offers awe-inspiring views, including glaciers clinging high on ridges and spectacular alpine lakes teeming with wildlife. It also provides the opportunity to stay in the park’s historic Sperry Chalet. While some ambitious hikers complete the trail in one day, you may find two days more appropriate due to the abundance of snowfields, glaciers, and lakes to marvel at.
Highlights of day one include crossing the suspension bridge over St Mary River and the breathtaking vistas from Gunsight Pass and Lincoln Pass. Meanwhile, day two leads through a mossy forest of cedar, hemlock, grand fir, larch, and yew that gives way to Going-to-the-Sun Road. To reach the trailhead, take the Logan Pass shuttle or a car. This trail offers backcountry campsites.
Permits: You do not need a permit to day-hike the park’s trails; however, overnight backpackers require one (valid from May to October only). Half of the permits are available on a first-come, first-served basis from the Apgar Backcountry Permit Center, St Mary Visitor Center, and the park’s ranger stations. The other half can be reserved in advance online.
