18 Best Hikes in Glacier National Park

Best hikes in Glacier National Park – Are you an outdoor enthusiast and love adventures and being one with nature? Then a visit to Glacier National Park to experience some of the best hikes in Glacier National Park is a must while planning a holiday or a weekend getaway.

Glacier National Park

Are you a nature lover and love to have some excitement and adventure in life while taking a break amid the allure of nature?

Located in Montana on the border of the United States and Canada, the Glacier National Park stretches over 1 million acres of land and is a sight to behold with spectacular lakes, melting glaciers, alpine meadows, and carved valleys.

Making a trip to this Park is the closest you can get to nature and experience its charm at close quarters.

The weather conditions at Glacier National Park are not always predictable, and the best way to enjoy some of the best hikes in Glacier National Park is by camping there.

Explore, hike, bike, camp, picnic, go fishing, boating, horseback riding, mountain biking, and soak in the marvellous creations of the Universe by just being there.

Best Hikes in Glacier National Park

Hiking trails anywhere will give you an adrenaline rush, and the hikes in Glacier National Park are some of the best hikes you can do if you are looking to have fun, adventure, and nature.

Hear the call of your spirit and plan a visit to Glacier National Park to get breathtaking views of the alpine meadows, glaciers, wildlife, waterfalls, lakes, and mountains.

There are a lot of adventurous and exhilarating hikes that can be done in the many Glacier Valley of the Glacier National Park, and they all give you panoramic views of the Glacier National Park.

There are also horseback rides that go past the Many Glacier Hotel and Swiftcurrent Falls, where you pass in and out of meadows and forests.

1. Avalanche Lake Hiking Trail

Roundtrip Length – 4 miles

Elevation Gain – 500 feet

Difficulty Level – Easy

The Avalanche Lake Hiking Trail is one of the best hikes in Glacier National Park and is a perfect hike for all those who love to explore nature.

Avalanche Lake takes its name from the numerous avalanches that slide down from the surrounding mountains, and if you are lucky, you might be able to see and hear the snow slide while on your Avalanche Lake Trail.

The pristine beauty of the Avalanche Gorge and Avalanche Lake will leave you amazed. The breathtaking beauty of the 9-acre Avalanche Lake makes it one of the best hikes in Glacier National Park.

Many cascading waterfalls fall into the lake, and bighorn sheep, bears, and mountain goats graze on the hillside, adding to the delight of the Avalanche Lake Trail. Opting for a boardwalk through the dense forest will make this trail more adventurous and exhilarating.

2. Apikuni Falls

Roundtrip Length – 2 miles

Elevation Gain – 700 feet

Difficulty Level – Easy to Moderate

This short hiking trail to the Apikuni Falls near the Many Glacier Hotel is one of the most beautiful hikes in Glacier National Park.

It takes through Apikuni Mountain and Atlyn Peak. The last 100 yards of the hike are a bit difficult compared to the start. The hike is challenging, and you can hear the thunderous roar of the two-tiered waterfall before you reach it. The trailhead of this short and steep hike is the Apikuni Parking Area.

3. Belly River Trail

Roundtrip Length – 6.1 miles

Elevation Gain – 492 feet

Difficulty Level – Moderate

The Belly River Trail overlooking the Belly River Valley gives options to do different types of activities. The trailhead begins at the Chief Mountain customs overlooking the Belly River Valley.

Though the river is small for boating, the location is scenic and a nice place to sit down for a picnic. The meadows and waterfalls in this region are good for hikers and backpackers to enjoy the charm of Glacier National Park.

4. Cracker Lake Hiking Trail

Roundtrip Length – 12.6 miles

Elevation Gain – 1400 feet

Difficulty Level – Strenuous

Cracker Lake is located in Glacier National Park in the US State of Montana, and the peaks rising around the Park give it splendid views.

Most of this hiking trail takes you through the forest, and the views you get once you reach Cracker Lake are amazing and wonderfully scenic.

The peaks around the lake, Mount Siyeh, the largest rock walls in North America, and the allure of the deposits of ‘glacier flour‘ in the water are quite a beguiling sight.

The Cracker Lake Trail is known for bears, and you must be careful while taking this trail. There are a lot of grizzly bears in this area, and carry bear spray to be safe from bears in case you run into one during the Cracker Lake Trail.

If you are looking for a hiking trail and want to be in tandem with nature, this is one of the best hikes in Glacier National Park if you are in Montana or around that region.

5. Continental Divide Trail

Roundtrip Length – 39.3 miles

Elevation Gain – 4,126 feet

Difficulty Level – Strenuous

The Continental Divide Trail starts at the Goat Haunt and snakes its way down to the Southern side of the Park at Maria Pass.

This long trail runs from the Canadian border to the Mexican border and, along with the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail, is known to be the Triple Crest of hiking.

The Continental Trail is an incredible experience; certain parts of the trail are open to horseback riding and mountain biking.

The Continental Divide separates North America’s Atlantic and Pacific watersheds, giving good insights into the rich history commencing from the indigenous tribes, sheepherding, and mining in the Rocky Mountains, to the Westward expansion.

This is one of the best hikes in Glacier National Park, and there are multiple ways to enjoy this picturesque trail.

6. Fishercap Lake Trail

Roundtrip – 6 miles

Elevation Gain – 15 Feet

Difficulty Level – Easy

Experience the magic of Glacier National Park by taking one of the hiking trails in Fishercap Lake. This Trail is one of the best hikes in Glacier National Park to do if you are in that area and want to have some adventure.

The trail is at the Swiftcurrent area, and through a small lake with shallow waters, the jagged mountains are reflected in the lake waters making it a splendid sight.

You can access Fishercap Lake through many other trails in the Park, and being close to Lake Josephine and Swiftcurrent Lake, the terrain is flat. The trail allows you to go to Red Rock Falls, and you can combine these two hiking trails. This 12-acre lake is open year-round, depending on the weather conditions.

7. Grinnell Glacier Overlook Trail

Roundtrip Length – 10.6 miles

Elevation Gain – 1,600 feet

Difficulty Level – Strenuous

One of the best hikes in Glacier National Park the Grinnell Glacier Lake Trail. This trail is quite a popular one among hikers. The fabulous views of the Grinnell Glacier and the Grinnell Lake formed after the melt of the glaciers makes the Grinnell Glacier Trail an interesting hike.

The trail also takes you to Lake Josephine, one of the lakes in Glacier National Park, and this trail also has a lot of bears, so it is better to carry bear spray. You also get to see bighorn sheep and mountain goats on this trail.

The Grinnell Glacier Trailhead is half a mile past the turn-off for the Many Glacier Hotel. The trail begins along the shoreline of Swiftcurrent Lake in the beginning for around half a mile. You also see the two smaller glaciers, Salamander and Gem, above the Grinnell Glacier.

This is one of the best hikes in Glacier National Park, and you also get to see real climate change by seeing the huge chunks of ice floating in the lake, which have been broken off the glacier. Never try to walk on the glacier because it is extremely dangerous and risky.

The waterfalls, wildflowers, alpine meadows, and glaciers make this trail a wonderful one to do if you are at Glacier National Park.

Many of the hikers take boat rides across these two lakes, Lake Josephine and Swiftcurrent Lake, and then continue the trail to the Grinnell Glacier Overlook. Keep an eye out for Bighorn Sheep, bears, and Mountain Goats; travelling in groups is better.

8. Granite Park Chalet (via the Loop) trail

Roundtrip Length – 8.4 miles

Elevation Gain – 2,450 feet

Difficulty Level – Strenuous

Located in the heart of Glacier National Park, the Granite Park Chalet was built in 1914 by the Northern Railway. The trail starts at the Loop, and the trail is known as either the Granite Park Chalet Trail or the Loop Trail.

The devastation caused by the 2003 Trapper Creek Fire is evident, and you can see the remains of thousands of trees as you go on this hike.

You can see the regrowth of the trees and plants now, and you get good views of Swiftcurrent Mountain and the Garden Wall. The Chalet has 12 rooms, a common kitchen, and no electricity.

9. Highline Trail

Roundtrip Length – 7.2 miles

Elevation Gain – 624 feet

Difficulty Level – Moderate

The Highline Trail starts from the Highline Trailhead, located across Going-To-The-Sun Road from the Logan Parking lot. This lovely trail is one of the best hikes in Glacier National Park and gives you sweeping views of alpine meadows and traverses through the Western side of the Continental Divide.

The trail climbs from Logan Pass to Haystack Pass, and the hike becomes more strenuous when you climb down to Granite Park Chalet.

The Highline Trail is one of the most popular hikes in Glacier National Park, so be prepared to run into a lot of other hikers during your hike.

10. Hidden Lake Overlook Trail

Roundtrip Length – 6 miles

Elevation Gain – 540 feet

Difficulty Level – Easy

The Hidden Lake Overlook Trail starts from the Logan Pass Visitor Center, and since it is an easy trail, the summer months can be pretty busy. Being an easy trail, the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail attracts a lot of hikers, and it is one of the best hikes in Glacier National Park.

This trail allows you to see wildflowers, wildlife, and mountain peaks.

The sweeping views of the aquamarine lake, Bearhat Mountain, Gunsight Mountain, and Sperry Glacier add to the scenic views you can get on the Hidden Lake Trail.

Hidden Lake is also a fishing hotspot for Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout, and the Hidden Lake Trail is good for those who love fishing.

11. Iceberg Lake Trail

Roundtrip Length – 9.7 miles

Elevation Gain – 1,275 feet

Difficulty Level – Moderate

Do you love adventure and are looking to do one of the best hikes in Glacier National Park? Then the Iceberg Lake Trail is a good choice for hikers of all levels.

The gradual incline, the expansive views of the mountains, and the waterfalls make it one of the best hikes in Glacier National Park for outdoor enthusiasts.

The trail commences at the Ptarmigan Trail and ends at Iceberg Lake, and your trail status is halfway once you reach Ptarmigan Creek. The trail climbs to Ptarmigan Lake and the historic Ptarmigan Tunnel before the Iceberg Peak starts dominating the horizon.

Since most of the Iceberg Lake Trail is in the shadows of Mt Wilbur, very little sunlight filters in, and the water is always cold. You get to stand on the iceberg, and you can opt for the Ranger Guided Hikes to get one of the best services while on the hiking trails.

There are a few steep places, and the trail climbs through the prime grizzly bear habitat. Hence you must follow the bear safety rules and carry bear spray. This is one of the scenic hiking trails, and the mountain peaks, wildlife, and chunks of floating ice in the Iceberg Lake are a sight to behold.

12. Lake McDonald Creek Trail

Roundtrip Length – 14 miles

Difficulty Level – Easy

Lake McDonald’s is one of the must-see places if you are visiting Glacier National Park.

The Montana sky, the snowcapped peaks, and the azure blue glacial waters will leave you as if you are looking at a picture postcard. The lake is home to Kokanee Salmon, a variety of trout fish, Mountain Whitefish, and wide other varieties.

Lake McDonald’s North shore has a lot of wildlife; you can spot the grizzly bear, black bear, moose, and elk.

The Lake McDonald Creek Trail is one of the best hikes in Glacier National Park and gives glimpses of the alpine splendour of the region.

You can stay at the Lake McDonald Lodge, which is on the lake’s northern shore, and enjoy other attractions like McDonald Creek, Avalanche Lake, and Sacred Dancing Cascade. There are camping options, and they include tent campgrounds and RVs at Avalanche Creek and Apgar.

13. Ptarmigan Tunnel Trail

Roundtrip Length – 10.6 miles

Elevation Gain – 2300 feet

Difficulty Level – Strenuous

The Ptarmigan Tunnel Trail hike can be combined with the Iceberg Lake Trail and is one of the most difficult hikes in Glacier National Park. The hike ends with you walking through the Ptarmigan Tunnel, formed after blasting out the rocks in the 1930s.

You get magnificent views of the Glacier National Park from the far end of the Ptarmigan Tunnel, and since it is a strenuous hike, the hiking trail here is less crowded compared to Cracker Lake Trail and Iceberg Lake Trail.

14. Pitamakan/Dawson Loop Hiking Trail

Roundtrip Length – 18.8 miles

Elevation Gain – 2,935 feet

Difficulty Level – Strenuous

This day hike starts at the North Shore Trailhead located near Two Medicine Lake.

Once you reach the Pitamakan Pass, a narrow ridge gives you extensive views of the Glacier National Park. Continue hiking to Dawson Pass, and once you reach Two Medicine Lake, you can take the shuttle back to Two Medicine Campground.

This is one of the long hikes in Glacier National Park, and the region around Two Medicine Lake is stunning, making this one of the best hikes in Glacier National Park.

Take your time to enjoy the pristine and untouched splendour of the place and bask in the beauty of the surroundings. This area’s wind is intense, so you should be prepared for that.

15. Red Rock Falls Trail

Roundtrip – 4.2 miles

Elevation Gain – 285 Feet

Difficulty Level – Easy

The hike starts at the Swiftcurrent Lake Trailhead, and you can go to the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn to begin your hike. The trail takes you to Red Rock Falls, Redrock Lake, Swiftcurrent Mountain, Lake Grinnell, Fishercap Lake, and the Continental Divide.

This trail is a good way to enjoy the lakes and valleys at Glacier National Park, and since most of this trail is under the canopy of aspen trees, fall is a beautiful time to hike. There is a lot of wildlife in the region, so you must be careful on this trail.

16. Sunrift Gorge Trail

Roundtrip Length – 1.1 km

Elevation Gain – 33 m

Difficulty Level – Easy

This short hike is stunning, and since the elevation is not much, it is a kid-friendly hike too. The Sunrift Gorge is carved through the bedrock because of the water melting down from the Sexton Glacier.

The trail leads to a number of waterfalls, the Barring Falls, which is 0.2 miles, the Virginia Falls distance is 2.6 miles, and the St. Mary Falls distance is 1.9 miles.

17. St Mary and Virginia Falls Trail

2.4 miles to St Mary Falls and 3.8 miles to Virginia Falls

Elevation Gain – 260 feet loss to St. Mary and 285 foot gain to Virginia Falls

Difficulty Level – Easy

The trail starts at St Mary Falls Trailhead, and it takes you through a forest and St Mary Falls with the choice of going to Virginia Falls. St Mary falls is a fabulous two-tiered waterfall, and it is enchanting to see the mist rising from the waterfall as it tumbles down.

The trail goes beyond the bridge and will take you to Virginia Creek. The Virginia Falls is upstream, and if you spend time on the bare rock there, you can see expansive forest views toward St. Mary Lake.

18. Two Medicine Grizzly Lake Hiking Trails

Roundtrip Length – 12 miles

Elevation Gain – 625 feet

Difficulty Level – Easy

Suppose you love adventure and nature and are in the vicinity of Glacier National Park, Montana. In that case, Two Medicine Grizzly Lake Hiking Trails is one of the best hikes in Glacier National Park you can do.

The hiking trails here are good blends of nature, adventure, beauty, and some dangers while will keep your adrenalin flowing. Medicine Lake is a haunt of the region’s grizzly bears, so you must hike in groups and carry bear spray as a protection measure.

The wild berry fields, forest, open meadows, wildflowers, countless waterfalls, magnificent mountain masses, and serene Two Medicine Lake are worth enjoying on this exciting trail at Glacier National Park.

Logan Pass Visitor Center

The Logan Pass is the epicentre of Glacier National Park, and the Logan Pass Visitor Center should be visited if you are hiking through the Logan Pass. The Logan Pass Visitor Center is rich in natural beauty, and there are a lot of rangers-organized activities like the Logan Pass Star Party and other exciting activities.

There are a lot of popular trails in this area because of the beautiful scenery. The Logan Pass Visitor Center is the starting point for the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail and Highline Trail. The vantage point of the Logan Pass Visitor Center is good for having expansive views of the roaming wildlife and natural beauty of the area.

Key Takeaways

So, this article was completely based on the best hikes in Glacier Park.

Do visit Glacier National Park and experience the hikes, you will surely enjoy the picturesque beauties, which add many layers of magnificence to the Glacier National Park hikes in this region.

They open your eyes to how aesthetically marvellous the Universe is!

The trails to Avalanche Lake, Hidden Lake, Two Medicine Lake, Upper Grinnell Lake, or the other alpine lakes, and the Glacier National Park will blow your mind away with its stunning natural beauty.

This is the National Park to visit if you are looking for glacier lakes, forests, wildlife, and waterfalls.

In case you liked this article, here is something more.

FAQs

1. What we cannot miss at Glacier National Park?

Ans. Following are the places that you cannot miss at Glacier National Park:

• Saint Mary Lake
• Logan Pass Visitor Center
• Huckleberry Lookout
• Glacier Park Lodge
• A Trip to Waterton

2. Which is the most challenging hike at Glacier National Park?

Ans. Siyeh Pass is the most challenging hike at Glacier National Park. 

3. Which months are the busiest at Glacier National Park?

Ans. From May to September approximately 3 three million people visit Glacier National Park and thus these months are the busiest in the whole year. 

Last Updated on March 16, 2023 by Susanta Biswas