Unearth The Voyage
Glacier National Park is one of the most beautiful national parks in all of the United States. It is also one of the best National Parks for hiking with over 147 trails to explore!
In this guide, we’re going to show you the 12 best hikes in Glacier National Park split into sections of the park so you can easily plan your trip.
It’s easy to see why hiking Glacier National Park is a bucket list activity. Grand sweeping mountain views, incredible wildflower fields, and wildlife around every corner, Glacier National Park is one of the most beautiful places in the world.
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Lake Mcdonald Area
1. Avalanche Lake
Distance: 5.8 miles round trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Length of Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
Avalanche Lake is one of the most popular trails in all of Glacier National Park. Of course, it’s for a good reason though- this trail is stunning.
Avalanche Lake starts at the Trail of Cedars trailhead near Lake McDonald. This trail is pretty different from other trails in Glacier and that’s one of the reasons why we loved it so much.
The Glacier National Park Trail of Cedars is a handicapped-accessible boardwalk that meanders through an old-growth cedar & hemlock forest. This trail will make you feel like you’re in a completely different world!
A lot of the trails in Glacier have admittedly gorgeous 360 mountain peak views, but the Trail of Cedars on the way to Avalanche Lake is just as gorgeous but in a different way.
Even though the views aren’t epic during the entirety of this trail, we think that’s why we liked it so much. At the end as soon as you emerge from the forest, you’re met with the gorgeous Avalanche Lake.
A breathtaking alpine lake that is surrounded by incredible mountain peaks and waterfalls falling from the top of the mountain into the lake!
2. Johns Lake Loop
Distance: 1.8 miles round trip
Difficulty: Easy
Length of Time: 53 minutes
Johns Lake Loop trail begins at the Johns Lake trailhead on the Going-to-the-Sun road about 1.3 miles from the Lake McDonald Lodge.
This trail is a favorite among people visiting Glacier because the trail not only takes you to Johns Lake but also a hike by a beautiful cascading river and a waterfall.
This is a great hike for people looking for an easy stroll or a family with young children. The trail takes you through a gorgeous old-growth forest of red cedars and hemlocks until you arrive at the foot of Johns Lake.
The edges of the lake are quite boggy and are usually a great place to spot a moose.
You will then hike over a footbridge that will give you a wonderful scene below of the Sacred Dancing Cascades. After checking out the river scenery, you will then pass by the magnificent McDonald Falls, the last part of Mcdonald Creek before it empties into McDonald Lake.
Going To The Sun Road Area
3. Hidden Lake
Distance: 2.9 miles round trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Length of Time: 3 hours
The Hidden Lake trail is another incredibly popular trail in Glacier National Park, and one of my favorite places in Montana! The Glacier National Park Hidden Lake trail is breathtaking, so it’s no wonder why people love it so much.
The Hidden Lake trail starts behind the Logan Pass Glacier National Park Visitor Center. The Logan Pass Visitor Center is a very popular place as it’s the only parking lot at the top of the Going-to-the-Sun road and there are other popular trails nearby.
Due to the popularity of this area, If you want to hike one of the trails that starts from Logan Pass, we highly suggest riding the shuttle if possible.
If riding the shuttle isn’t possible, you will have to arrive very early in the morning to get a parking spot or be prepared to drive around waiting for a spot to open up.
The crowds are worth it for this hike though. Once you ascend up from the visitor center you will have gorgeous 360 views of the tallest peaks in Glacier. If you go in the summer months you will also be surrounded by beautiful mountain wildflowers during the whole hike.
The views along the way to Hidden Lake are pretty epic, but the overlook of Hidden Lake is the real gem. You can keep hiking to the banks of Hidden Lake if you’d like to add 2.5 miles to your hike.
Pro Tip: Bring some affordable binoculars with you on this hike as it’s really common to see Bighorn Sheep or Mountain Goats on the mountainside along this trail!
4. The Highline Trail
Distance: 14.9 miles (Logan Pass Trailhead to the Loop Trailhead)
Difficulty: Hard
Length of Time: 7 hours 45 minutes
If you’re not an avid hiker and hiking 15 miles isn’t on your list of things to do while visiting Glacier National Park, don’t worry! You can still experience some of the best parts of the Highline Trail in Glacier National Park without hiking all 15 miles.
Starting at Logan Pass, the Highline Trail winds its way above the Going-to-the-Sun road, giving you epic 360 views from every direction you look.
The first couple miles of the trail is not for the faint of heart though as the trail is carved into the mountainside leaving you with a couple of feet wide of walking path and a rope rail to hang onto.
This might sound scary, but the trail is pretty wide in most areas, and I am terrified of heights and made it pretty easy, so don’t let this part deter you!
If you are down for hiking all 15 miles, it is 100% worth it and many people rate this trail as one of the best trails in the entire world. It’s also worth it to add on the 0.5-mile trek up to the Grinnell Glacier overlook.
Pro Tip: Consider hiking this trail starting at the Loop Trailhead and ending at Logan Pass instead of the other way around. The descent to the Loop Trailhead is 2,200 feet and can be incredibly rough on your knees and back. Instead, people recommend ascending the 2,200 feet instead as the rest of the trail doesn’t have a ton of elevation gain.
5. Siyeh Pass
Distance: 9.7 miles roundtrip
Difficulty: Hard
Length of Time: 5 hours 54 minutes
If you’re looking for one of the best Glacier National Park day hikes that are popular but not too popular, check out Siyeh Pass.
Siyeh Pass is located 2.2 miles east of Logan’s Pass on the Going-to-the-Sun Road and starts at the Siyeh Pass Trailhead. This trail is great because it will take you through all kinds of diverse Glacier scenery such as spruce-fir forests, alpine meadows, and snowfields.
Besides the gorgeous meadows and forests, the views from this hike are incredible and show off a side of Glacier that not everyone sees.
The elevation gain of this hike is no joke, at 3,800 feet you might be feeling it by the end of your trek. Although, once you’ve conquered it know that you just hiked one of the highest-maintained trails in Glacier National Park!
It is also possible to hike this trail from point to point rather than there and back. To do this, ride the shuttle to either Sunrift Gorge Trailhead or Siyeh Pass Trailhead and hike from one point to the other. Know that if you choose to do you will add 0.6 miles onto your trip and some more elevation gain.
6. St. Mary & Virginia Falls
Distance: 3.6 miles roundtrip
Difficulty: Easy
Length of Time: 1 hour 28 minutes
St. Mary Falls is another one of the best Glacier National Park hikes to do on your trip. This hike is one of the easier hikes, but great for anyone as it showcases some of the best waterfalls in Glacier and has some gorgeous views of St. Mary Lake.
The hike to St. Mary Falls will take you through some forest that was burned in the 2015 fire. Because of this, there is less tree coverage so make sure you bring sunscreen for this hike!
You will then arrive at the beautiful St. Mary Falls. The falls drop 35 feet and have 3 separate tiers with a gorgeous aqua-green-colored pool below.
If you decide to continue to Virginia Falls you will not be disappointed. The rest of the hike to Virginia falls passes by two other smaller, unnamed waterfalls until you reach spectacular Virginia falls!
Parking Tip: This is another super popular trail and the trailhead parking lot fills up very quickly. Arrive early or take the shuttle from Sun Point or Rising Sun shuttle stops to the St. Mary shuttle stop.
Two Medicine Area
7. Upper Two Medicine
Distance: 4.8 miles (if you take the boat shuttle across Two Medicine Lake)
11.2 miles if you hike from North Shore Trailhead
Difficulty: Moderate
Length of Time: 5 hours 10 minutes
If you’re looking for hiking in Glacier National Park near the Two Medicine area, the trail to Upper Two Medicine Lake is one of the best trails in the area.
This trail is unique because you can take a boat shuttle across Two Medicine Lake to cut off 6.4 miles of your hike.
If you plan to hike the entire trail without taking the boat shuttle, the trail starts at North Shore Trailhead at Two Medicine Campground or the South Shore Trailhead at Two Medicine Lake.
Just after the shuttle stop on the other side of Two Medicine Lake is a great marshy area that would be a great spot for spotting some moose. There are also lots of huckleberry bushes along the trail so make sure you also bring your bear spray!
The trail also takes you through a gorgeous meadow with mountain wildflowers before you reach Upper Two Medicine Lake. The views from the lake are spectacular as it sits surrounded by 4 jagged mountain peaks.
There isn’t a ton of elevation gain to this hike so it is one of the easier hikes in Glacier but also has spectacular views at the end!
8. Pitamakan Pass
Distance: 15.2 miles
Difficulty: Hard
Length of Time: 7 hours 18 minutes
Pitamakan Pass is another one of the best hiking trails in Glacier National Park that doesn’t come easy but is worth it if you conquer it.
Pitamakan Pass was named after Pitamakan (Running Eagle) a female leader and warrior of the Blackfeet Nation. Pitamakan had a vision quest near this area and also led many war parties on successful missions.
Many people combine Dawson Pass with this hike which creates a 17.6 mile loop. This can be done in one day but is also a great option for a Glacier National Park backpacking trip.
This trail is known for the gorgeous views from the meadows you’ll cross through, huckleberries galore, and epic mountain scenery once you get to the top of the pass.
FYI: This trail has parts that pass through narrow sections known to have high winds. Bringing along trekking poles for these sections is highly recommended!
9. Running Eagle Falls
Distance: 0.6 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Length of Time: 20 minutes
Running Eagle Falls is another one of the best easy hikes in Glacier National park. The trail is one of two wheelchair-accessible trails in Glacier and is a great hike for families with young children.
This waterfall is also called “Trick Falls” because Running Eagle Falls are two separate waterfalls, although, you can usually only see the second waterfall in the spring when the snowmelt is rushing over the top ledge of the lower waterfall.
The waterfall has a gorgeous backdrop of Rising Wolf Mountain, a 9,513-foot mountain towering in the background.
The hike to Running Eagle Falls is for sure one of the best short hikes in Glacier National Park!
Many Glacier Area
10. Grinnell Glacier Trail
Distance: 11.2 miles
Difficulty: Hard
Length of Time: 5 hours 30 minutes
Hiking to Grinnell Glacier is one of the best day hikes in Glacier National Park. If you start your trek without taking any shuttles across the lakes, you will start at the Grinnell Glacier Trailhead.
When the boat shuttles are running, it is possible to shuttle across Swiftcurrent Lake & Lake Josephine. This will cut your hiking mileage down to 7.6 miles round trip instead of 11.2.
Pretty soon into hiking after the Josephine Lake shuttle stop you can enjoy views of Grinnell Lake, a gorgeous bright turquoise blue colored lake. You can also spot Grinnell Falls along this trail that falls into the lake from hundreds of feet above.
If you’re a wildflower lover, this trail also takes you through alpine meadows covered in hundreds of wildflowers. After climbing some switchbacks you can see Grinnell Glacier 1.8 miles from the Josephine Lake Shuttle stop.
Soon after you are rewarded with some sweeping views of the lakes below, and of course what you came for, Grinnell Glacier. The view out over Grinnell Glacier might just be the best in Glacier National Park!
Be Careful: If you decide to walk out onto the glacier, make sure you are extra careful if there is fresh snow as it covers deep crevasses and people have died attempting to walk on the glacier.
11. Iceberg Lake
Distance: 9.3 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Length of Time: 4 hours 45 minutes
Of the Many Glacier hikes, Iceberg Lake Trail is another one of the best trails in Glacier National Park.
The trailhead for Iceberg Lake can be found behind the cabins at Swiftcurrent Motor Inn. If you park at the Inn you are most likely to find a parking spot rather than at the trailhead itself.
Iceberg Lake trail is part of the Ptarmigan Trail, and you will hike along it for the first little while. You can enjoy grand sweeping mountain views along this trail, gorgeous alpine meadows with wildflowers, and lots of wildlife.
You will also hike through a dense pine tree forest as well as see a large waterfall along this trail. Of course, the star is Iceberg Lake itself, and you will see just why it’s one of the best hikes Glacier National Park has to offer.
FYI: Along the Ptarmigan Trail area is a very popular area to see grizzly bears. ALWAYS carry bear spray, make lots of noise and hike in groups.
12. Redrock Falls Via Swiftcurrent Pass
Distance: 3.6 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Length of Time: 1 hour 36 minutes
Redrock Falls is one of the best easy hikes Glacier National Park has to offer and is a must-do when visiting. The hike begins at the Swiftcurrent Pass Trailhead at the far end of the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn parking lot.
Make sure that you take the little side path to Fishcurrent Lake off of the trail. It’s less than 100 yards down to the shore and the views from the lake out outstanding.
This trail is also a great place to see aspens during the fall if the leaves are changing! The trail winds through a forest for most of the way but at times there are openings that show off incredible views of the mountains.
The trail also passes by Redrock Lake, another lake with some gorgeous mountain views. After hiking along the lake you will reach the cascading Redrock Falls, one of the more impressive waterfalls in Glacier!
Getting Around Glacier National Park via the Shuttle System
Glacier National Park has a very convenient, well-put-together shuttle system with 17 different stops along the Going to the Sun Road.
Because this national park is so popular and the Going to the Sun Road is built on the side of mountains, the parking lots for trailheads are fairly small and fill up pretty quickly.
The shuttle system in Glacier makes it super easy to park and ride to the destination you want to visit. It is also possible to be dropped off in one location, do an awesome day hike, and then be picked up at a different location!
To avoid driving to the trailhead you want to hike at and then not being able to find any parking, we highly suggest taking advantage of the shuttle system!
If you are entering the park from the west entrance, park at the Apgar Visitor Center and ride the shuttle to different stops along the Going to the Sun Road. Vise-versa- if entering the park from the east at St. Mary’s, park at the St. Mary’s Visitor Center and ride to wherever you plan to go.
What to Bring Hiking in Glacier National Park
Making sure you’re adequately prepared when hiking is super important. This is especially important when you’re hiking longer distances or in bear country.
Here are some must-haves + some helpful gear when hiking in Glacier National Park- don’t leave home without them!
- Bear Spray – you have the possibility of seeing a bear on every trail in Glacier and it’s 100% necessary to be prepared and safe by bringing along bear spray. We recommend buying it before your trip as it can be pricey near the park! (FYI: You cannot bring bear spray on a plane)
- Water Hydration Pack – You will need water for any length of hike. Having a water bladder is so much easier than carrying a water bottle!
- Clothing Layers – It’s smart to always dress in layers while hiking but even more so in Glacier where the temperatures can drop and the weather can change at a moment’s notice.
- Camp Trowel – If you have to unexpectedly go while hiking, make sure you practice leave-no-trace ethics and have a shovel on hand for digging a hole.
- Sunscreen – The sun can be much stronger when hiking in the mountains, make sure you protect your skin and wear sunscreen.
- Camera Backpack Holder – Not necessary but oh so helpful. This camera holder straps onto your backpack making it much easier to carry and more comfortable.
We hope this article about the best hikes in Glacier National Park helps you plan your trip. We would love to connect with you! You can learn more about us here or read more of our recent blog posts here. Also, follow us on Instagram (@UnearthTheVoyage) and Facebook to see what we are up to next!
