Discovering the Best Hiking Trails in Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park is so full of jaw dropping views that no amount of time spent here feels enough – which is why we are already planning our THIRD trip to this place soon! So now that you have decided to visit one of our favorite National Parks, find all the information you need to hike some of the best trails in the park. We aim to provide all the details needed for you to plan your time in the park most efficiently.

For more information about the best time to visit and a detailed region-wise itinerary, check out our post on Best things to do in Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park Map

Grinnell Glacier Trail

• Distance : ~11 miles Out & Back
• Time : ~7-8 hours
• Elevation gain : 2200 ft
• Rating : Strenuous
• Trailhead Region : Many Glacier
• Kid Friendly : Yes, if your kid is an experienced hiker

The trailhead starts outside of Many Glacier Lodge but you can choose to save 3.4 miles of roundtrip hike by reserving a boat service to ferry you across swiftcurrent and Josephine lakes. Click here to find out more about reservations, boat timings, cost etc. The elevation gain will still remain the same.

If there is only one hike that you can do at Glacier National Park, then this is it. You are not just treated with views of a Glacier up and close but the opportunity to dip your feet in a glacier fed lake with floating icebergs. Throughout the hike you get to enjoy views of rugged mountains surrounding lush valleys with turquoise alpine lakes.

Pro Tip: This trail remains closed until the first week of July and sometimes opens as late as mid to late July if the snow hasn’t melted. Make sure to check trail conditions on the NPS website before planning your hike.

Iceberg Lake Trail

• Distance : ~9.5 miles Out & Back
• Time : ~4-5 hours
• Elevation gain : 1450 ft
• Rating : Moderate
• Trailhead Region : Many Glacier
• Kid Friendly : Yes, if your kid is an experienced hiker

This trail offers panoramic views of alpine meadows filled with colorful wildflowers, creeks and Ptarmigan waterfall. and ends at a surreal blue lake. Sitting at the shore of this lake, enjoy views of a cirque surrounded by mountains just across the lake.

Hidden Lake Trail

• Distance : ~5.5 miles Out & Back
• Time : ~3-4 hours
• Elevation gain : 1374 ft
• Rating : Moderate
• Trailhead Region : Logan Pass Visitor Center
• Kid Friendly : Yes, if your kid is an experienced hiker

This trail is one of the more popular ones in the park. Start early to avoid large crowds. Wildlife viewing on this trail is very likely, especially mountain goats and grizzly bears – so much so that the trail sometimes closes down due to bear activity on the trail! The last stretch of the hike down to the lake is steep and the most challenging part of the hike but completely worth the effort nonetheless. Overall the trail is very scenic right from the beginning and ends at the beautiful hidden lake surrounded with mountains.

What should I not miss at Glacier National Park: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO GLACIER NATIONAL PARK

Cracker Lake Trail

• Distance : ~12 miles Out & Back
• Time : ~5-6 hours
• Elevation gain : 1650 ft
• Rating : Moderate
• Trailhead Region : Many Glacier
• Kid Friendly : Yes, if your kid is an experienced hiker

This one is an underrated beauty! Unlike other hikes in this area, the trail does not start off with great views. The first few miles is through a forest with a thicket of bushes and trees with not so much for views. This section trail is also a horse trail. Make sure to carry bug spray as it get muddy with mosquitoes and bugs.

The trail eventually emerges out of the forest to 360-degree views of the canyon surrounded by mountains. Starting about 5.8 miles into the hike, the ice cold turquoise blue color of the lake starts becoming apparent. We were surprised to find this beauty of a place significantly less busy compared to other hikes.

Pro Tip: There are three campsites along the shores of this lake for those interested in backpacking. Click here to find out about campsite reservation process.

Avalanche Lake Trail

• Distance : ~6 miles Out & Back
• Time : ~3 hours
• Elevation gain : 760 ft
• Rating : Moderate
• Trailhead Region : Lake McDonald
• Kid Friendly : Yes

This is an easy hike with rewarding views compared to the lake hikes in the Many Glacier region. The lake is huge and surrounded with steep cliffs. On a clear day you will be treated with views of multiple waterfalls plunging into the lake. Continue the hike as far along the shore as you wish.

Saint Mary and Virginia Falls Trail

• Distance : ~3 miles Out & Back
• Time : ~2 hours
• Elevation gain : 452 ft
• Rating : Easy
• Trailhead Region : Along the Going-to-the-Sun Road towards Saint Mary
• Kid Friendly : Yes

This is an easy but rewarding hike offering views of four waterfalls with two of them being unnamed. The first one is a three-tiered waterfall which is the St. Mary falls and the last one is a tall multi-tiered waterfall – the Virginia falls.

Highline Trail Glacier National Park

• Distance : ~15 miles Out & Back
• Time : ~7 hours
• Elevation gain : 2600 ft
• Rating : Strenuous
• Trailhead Region : Logan Pass Visitor Center
• Kid Friendly : No

This is perhaps the most popular hike in the park but in our opinion the views on this trail are average compared to other hikes, unless you decide to take the detour to Grinnell Glacier Overlook, which is an additional 1 mile with 1000ft elevation gain. While the views from Grinnell Glacier Overlook are incredible, the effort in hiking the Highline trail to get there makes it less interesting. There are three ways to hike the Highline trail:

• As a roundtrip – Starting from Logan Pass Visitor Center to Granite Park Chalet and back.
• Hike one way from Logan Pass Visitor center to Granite Park Chalet which is approximately 7.5 miles. Then take the shuttle back to Logan Pass Visitor Center. Keep in mind that the shuttles need to be pre-booked here.
• Start from Logan Pass Visitor Center and go as far as you like and turn around at any point (Most popular option)

Swiftcurrent Nature Trail

• Distance : 2.7 miles Loop
• Time : ~1 hour
• Elevation gain : Mostly flat
• Rating : Easy
• Trailhead Region : Many Glacier
• Kid Friendly : Yes

This is a walk around the beautiful Swiftcurrent lake with reflections of the surrounding mountains in it. Take this walk early in the morning when low hanging clouds cover the mountain peaks giving a moody vibe to the scene.

Trail of the Cedars

• Distance : 1 mile loop
• Time : ~1 hour
• Elevation gain : Mostly flat
• Rating : Easy
• Trailhead Region : Lake McDonald
• Kid Friendly : Yes

This trail passes through a forest of Cedar Trees and can be combined with hiking the Avalanche lake Trail as the trailhead to both these hikes is the same.

Dawson and Pitamakan Pass

• Distance : 19-mile loop
• Time : ~9 hours
• Elevation gain : 3779ft
• Rating : Strenuous
• Trailhead Region : Campground near Two Medicine Lake
• Kid Friendly : Yes

We haven’t had a chance to visit this region of the park yet. But this trail is at the top our must-hike list the next time we find ourselves in Glacier National Park.