Located in Montana, Glacier National Park provides lots of excellent hiking experiences. The park has plenty of outstanding natural marvels of fresh blue lakes, enforcing hills and also breathtaking glaciers.
With greater than 700 miles of both brief walks and also prolonged backpacking routes, it’s very easy to discover one you’ll like. Here are my choices for the 16 ideal Glacier National Park walks. This article was initially created by Julie from Outdoorzer that shared her shared her must-see routes when you go to Glacier National Park and also The Planet D group has actually included even more selection to aid you intend your journey.
Hiking Glacier National Park
Before you begin your walk, prepare for a risk-free walking experience. Stop at the park’s site visitors facility to obtain all the info you require, referrals from the overviews, and also any type of unique cautions. Visit the National Park site for closures and also even more info.
When treking Glacier National Park: Be knowledgeable about bears and also cougars (hill lions) and also utilize correct security preventative measures. Hiking in teams or sets reduces the danger, make sounds, and also don’t leave any type of food bent on bring in pets.
Plus, don’t neglect to allow somebody understand where you are going. Be certain to have sufficient water, food, and also materials ought to anything occur. We constantly lug a fundamental emergency treatment package when treking. But most notably, bring a feeling of journey and also have a good time when you attempt among these outstanding walks.
1. Ptarmigan Tunnel
The Ptarmigan Tunnel is a complete day Glacier National Park trek. This is an amazing path, since when you appear at the opposite side of the passage, you seem like you’ve strolled right into an additional globe.
When going through this 240-foot passage, you trek with huge fields loaded with wild animals along with a thick woodland. Keep in mind that this passage was constructed for steeds throughout the 1930s and also it’s full of numerous inclines and also side ridges.
After you pass Ptarmigan Falls, the path obtains a whole lot steeper, so be planned for some hard walking throughout this area. It after that proceeds for regarding 1.6 miles to Ptarmigan Lake, where you can loosen up and also appreciate a few of one of the most stunning surroundings in the location. Be planned for a lengthy day.
Location: Ptarmigan Tunnel Total Distance: 10.7 miles big salami Elevation Gain: 2300 feet
2. Swiftcurrent Pass
This is a tough Glacier National Park trek however it’s worth it for the excellent surroundings. This trek go by 3 lakes and also an amazing falls. Throughout your walk, you might snoop on a few of the rarest and also most vivid birds throughout the 6 lakes.
You will certainly likewise see the lovely Granite Park. In truth, throughout this walk, you can obtain a few of one of the most unbelievable photos of heaven lake and also the bordering hills. If you like, quit at Fishercap Lake, where you could see moose in the early mornings or early at night.
Length: Location: Many Glacier Round Trip 14.2 miles Elevation Gain: 2400 Feet
3. Iceberg Lake
This is just one of one of the most preferred treking experiences in Montana’s Glacier National Park. It likewise offers you the possibility to see icebergs drifting in a towering lake. When you trek right here you travel through lots of open locations in the process that provide you impressive views of the tranquil hills around you.
This trek takes around 4-hours to finish and also starts on the very same path as the Ptarmigan path. It after that drifts off to the left at the joint. Be knowledgeable about grizzly bear upon this walk.
Location: Iceberg Ptarmigan Trailhead Length: Round Trip: 9.7 miles Average Gain: 1275 Feet
4. Cracker Lake
Cracker Lake is thought about to be among one of the most stunning lakes on the planet. The outstanding shade of the lake is a crystal clear aqua blue and also makes all the surroundings around you much more fantastic.
Location: Trailhead begins at Many Glacier Hotel Length: Round Trip: 12.6 miles Elevation Gain: 1400 Feet
Looking for a much more comprehensive overview to Glacier National Park Hikes? Pick up a duplicate of Glacier National Park Must Do Hikes for Everyone for just $10.99 on Amazon
5. Pitamakan Pass Trail
This tranquil path looks at the ridge of Rising Wolf Mountain, passes a falls from Sky Lake, and also winds up at Oldman Lake. From there the path switchbacks approximately Pitamakan Pass. Keep in mind though that because of the snow, this won’t likely be satisfactory up until late July and even August.
Here you can go up the high hillsides, after that hang back down, almost 3,000 feet. You likewise need to trek an extremely slim path so be prepared. Expect a lengthy and also complete day
Location: North Shore Trailhead Length: Round Trip: 15.4 miles Elevation Gain: 2500 feet
6. Grinnell Glacier Trail
This trek takes you to among one of the most renowned glaciers in the park. You pass numerous lakes, outstanding fields, and also sensational high cliffs in the process. The initial fifty percent of the walk is simpler than the 2nd fifty percent. It after that ends up being harder as it climbs considerably with numerous inclines.
But it deserves it as you can see some outstanding views over Grinnell Falls, Angel Wing, and also Grinnell Lake. The treking course is well preserved and also you might experience wild animals discoveries in the process. No animals enabled
Location: Grinnell Glacier Trailhead Length: Out and also Back: 7.6-miles Elevation Gain: 1840 Feet
7. Siyeh Pass
This path walk starts in a woodland and also takes you to numerous heights. Hike the rough inclines and afterwards drop with even more fields to the Sunrift Gorge. Follow the path with the trees for regarding 2.5 miles and afterwards direct to Preston Park.
Be certain to take a little time to appreciate the stunning surroundings around you prior to you come down over 3,000 feet for the following 5.4 miles where you will certainly wind up at the Sunrift Gorge.
Length: Round Trip: 8.9 miles Elevation Gain: 2090 Feet
8. Two Medicine Area
Located on the north component of the city of East Glacier, this unbelievable location provides even more jaw going down surroundings and also some excellent walking. The routes are much more tranquil than the ones at the beginning factor (situated near the Many Glacier resort). It’s an excellent are to trek in Glacier National Park if you are a novice.
You can likewise take a wood watercraft scenic tour in this field and also you can discover some great outdoor camping. At approximately 1.5 miles you arise from the woodland to be welcomed by lavish fields and also various other greenery. During your walk, you will certainly travel through a huge open field and also open surface with vivid wild blossoms. If you desire, you can invest the evening outdoor camping right here.
Location: Two Medicine Entrance Two Medicine day walks consist of, Appistoki Falls, Aster Falls, Aster Park Overlook
9. Dawson Pass
Hiking the 15-mile Dawson Pass takes you approximately outstanding sights of Oldman Lake. This path goes across the Dawson and also Pitamakan passes taking you with tranquil scenes and also falls in the process. If you wish to cut a long time off your walk you can take the shuttle bus watercraft throughout Two Medicine Lake.
Location: North Shore Trailhead Length: 6.5 miles Elevation Gain: 2450 feet
10. Hidden Lake Trail
While the Hidden Lake Trail is a rather brief path, the elevation makes it rather tough. The path is totally open, anticipate great deals of sunlight and also wind as you go through towering fields. Depending on the period, you could also need to function throughout snowfields.
Keep an eye out for marmots, and also big-horn lamb. Mountain goats prevail on this path and also detecting one makes it rather the journey. Grizzly bears have actually been seen in the location too. At the forget, you’re awarded with breathtaking sights of the neighboring hills, lake, and also wildflowers, nevertheless, it can be really active at the forget. A genuinely spectacular experience that makes your Hidden Lake trek well worth it. If you can, lug bear spray and also a treking post.
Location: Logan Pass Visitor Center Elevation gain: 1325 feet (403 feet) Total big salami miles: 5.4 miles (8.9 kilometres)
11. Avalanche Lake
This walk begins at the Trail of Cedars trailhead. While it is an uphill climb you will certainly be awarded with among one of the most spectacular sights. The surface on this path is not tough making avalanche lake among one of the most preferred walks for every ages.
There are great deals of trees along the path that maintain it trendy with some greater than 500 years of ages. You’ll pass a bridge that goes across Avalanche Gorge and also be dealt with to sights of Bearfoot Mountain protruding from behind Avalanche Lake.
Take a long time to establish an outing and also absorb the picturesque of the lake and also the falls as you appreciate the different landscape of the avalanche creek and also woodland. While the water at the lake is primarily cold and also not perfect for swimming, you dip your toes in to loosen up and also cool.
Location: Glacier Road north of Lake McDonald Elevation gain: 757 feet Avalanche Lake Distance: 5.9 miles
12. Trail of the Cedars
Trail of the Cedars has no hillsides or actions to climb up and also is just one of 2 wheelchair-accessible routes at Glacier National Park. It’s a very easy path with stunning sights of plunging falls and also snow-covered heights. Walk amongst darkness of huge cedar, black cottonwood, hemlock, and also yew trees. The courses are vast and also can fit many individuals simultaneously. Getting an auto parking place can be tough as this treking path is preferred amongst site visitors.
Location: Lake McDonald Elevation gain: 60 feet Total big salami miles: 1.0
13. Highline Trail
Highline Trail is possibly among the incredible walks at Glacier National Park. However, it is except the pale of heart. If you’re terrified o elevations you might wish to hand down this path as on the initial quarter mile you stumble upon a high walk. There is a hand wire to aid you on this stretch, nevertheless, it can be rather stressful specifically when it obtains gusty.
Don’t allow this dissuade you as this path awards you with incredible sights of Glacier National Park, the forested valley, falls cascades, towering fields, and also wildflowers. You could also detect some wild pets.
You don’t require to do the whole one method journey, many individuals reverse midway at Haystack Butte or Granite Park Chalet.
Location: Logan Pass Visitor Center Elevation gain: 1950 feet Total One-Way Trip Miles: 11.8
14. Grinnell Glacier Overlook
If you’re seeking a difficulty, attempt the Grinnell Glacier Overlook, which is possibly among one of the most difficult treking routes at Glacier National Park. Starting the walk at the Logan Pass Visitor Center where the Highline Trail begins. Located southeast of the Granite Park Chalet it takes you to the Continental Divide.
Set out early prior to the sunlight obtains as well warm as the initial 3 miles are open without color. Sunscreen and also hats are an essential on this stretch. Bring great deals of water and also a set of excellent walking footwear as the path can spend some time- regarding 7 hrs or even more depending upon your rate. A hiking post will certainly make your walk simpler.
The path is preferred with experienced walkers and also can be rather active, there are likewise get rid of slim sides and also high drop-offs that be rather stressful. You could detect some hill goats and also also grizzly bears down in the towering fields in the Chalet location.
Location: Highline Trail Elevation gain: 2830 feet Total journey miles: 15.5
15. Upper McDonald Creek Trail
The Upper McDonald creek path is amongst the simpler walks at Glacier National Park. It’s a very easy path in the timbers that can be finished in under 2 hrs. Perfect if you’re seeking a relaxed reflective walk.
The surface is primarily level and also really smooth making it preferred amongst bird viewers and also for horseback riding. The walk starts with panoramas of falls, creeks, and also the woodland. There is great deals of color offered which maintains the path really trendy. If you’re fortunate, you could detect a moose or deer on the path.
Location: Lake McDonald Elevation gain: 210 feet Total out and also back miles: 5.3 Miles
16. Swiftcurrent Lake Nature Trail
The walk starts at the lots of glacier resort watercraft dock or at the Grinnell Glacier trailhead simply near the outing location. The walk is rather very easy and also can be finished in a hr as a huge section of the path is led. It’s a wonderful path for the entire family members to appreciate a wonderful and also enjoyable walk with stunning sights around for images. Take a minute to appreciate stunning sights of the lake and also the bordering hill heights. Carry with you birth spray as there is a great deal of bear task in the location.
Location: Many Glacier Elevation gain: 25 feet Total big salami miles: 2.7
Likes in Glacier National Park Map
Tips for Hiking Glacier National Park
When treking in the backcountry, it is best to trek in teams. There is a great deal of wild animals in Glacier National Park consisting of Grizzly bears. When treking with a team, make sounds, maintain chatting and also allow the wild animals understand you exist to make sure that you don’t shock them.
Get a Steripen or LifeStraw to load your canteen with cleansed water. Make certain you have a container owner on your knapsack and also maintain it complete. I such as to lug 2 containers of water that I can fill up by utilizing my Steripen.
Pack layers. You will certainly be experiencing altitude gains and also the weather condition can alter from warm to cool down, so put on light-weight breathable clothes that can be quickly layered with a rainfall coat and also a mid-layer of merino woollen.
Make certain your treking boots are well barged in and also utilize them prior to you go treking right into Glacier National Park.
Always allow somebody understand where you are preceding treking and also talk to the site and also ranger terminal to see what the problems are.
And there you have it, my favored 16 Glacier National Park walks. Remember, you don’t need to complete any one of these walks as there is constantly a chance to reverse.
Give on your own sufficient time when treking to make it back prior to the sunlight drops and also don’t trek past your limitations. Glacier National Park has walks for everybody, so be clever and also trek within your capacities. Start tiny and also have a good time!
Did you understand Glacier National Park in the United States is linked to Canada’s Waterton Lakes National Park? The 2 parks are referred to as the International Peace Park, they are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and also a Biosphere Reserved rolled done in one. It’s the just one of its kind on the planet.
This article was initially created by Julie Mclain of Outdoorszer. It has actually been upgraded by The Planet D Team.
Thinking of doing some Glacier National Park walks? Pick up the total overview to treking Glacier and also Waterton Lakes National Parks on Amazon.
