With over 700 miles of hiking trails, Glacier National Park is home to some of the most incredible hiking paths in the US and has deservedly earned the reputation of a hiker’s paradise.
To experience the magnificent glaciers, alpine scenery, and indigenous wildlife, you need to ditch the familiar Going-to-the-sun Road and experience it by walking on your feet.
Glacier National Park offers much for both beginners as well as seasoned hikers – you can start with easy day hikes before you graduate to more challenging ones. Witness the wild up close as you walk in the woods, taking in lush verdant landscapes, stunning alpine meadows, and picturesque backcountry roads.
If you’re sold on the idea of hiking and are planning to go on a trail soon, pick out any of the trails from easy to difficult at the Glacier National Park mentioned below in our list of the best hikes in Glacier National Park:
The 12 Best Hikes In Glacier National Park
For this, and all of the trails featured in this article, it is worth noting that Glacier National Park charges a fee to enter. Winter rates are lower and come into effect between November and April. If you are thinking of becoming a regular you can also pick up a park-specific annual pass HERE.
1. Highline Trail
No list of hikes in Glacier National Park would be complete without mentioning the classic Highline trail.
Deservedly one of the most popular trails in North America, the path starts at the Logan Pass Visitor Center and is located across Going-to-the-sun road, where the trail famously hugs the mountain until you reach the Garden Wall.
As you begin the hike up the mountain, the folks driving on Going-to-the-sun road get a bird’s eye view of hikers balancing carefully on a small ledge as the trail is about 4-5 feet wide. The elevation gain is minimal, offering amazing views without too much stress on your body as you eat up the miles.
Take in the spectacular beauty of the glacier, summer slopes covered with wildflowers, high alpine views, stunning snow-capped Heaven’s Peak, and the distant yet natural Bird Woman Falls from one of the hanging valleys.
You can continue hiking up the massive mountain to Granite Park Chalet and then descend to the Loop where you can pick up a free shuttle bus back to where you started. Beware of mountain goats, marmots, and grizzlies on this trail. This moderate trail is well-equipped with restrooms, drinking water, and a ranger station.
2. Pitamakan-Dawson Loop
This lengthy hike is done as a loop and can be covered over two to three days with overnight sleepovers at No Name Lake and Oldman Lake backcountry campgrounds.
You can choose any of two ways to complete the loop. Progressing clockwise, you can start the hike at the Two Medicine campground, cross the bridge at Oldman Lake Trail and head right towards Pitamakan pass and continue to Dawson Pass. This route will bless you with gorgeous gigantic peaks and endless gorges in every direction.
If you choose to hike in the anti-clockwise direction, the same ascent is more drawn out. Not to mention, you’ll be entering quickly into prime grizzly bear territory. Keep an eye out and make plenty of noise – this gives bears a heads-up and makes them less likely to react negatively towards humans in their territory. Five miles onto the hike, watch for bighorn sheep on your right as you descend through Dawson Pass into Bighorn Basin.
Despite its considerable length, this moderately difficult hike can be done in a day if you’re physically fit and have been training for it. This trail also has restrooms, drinking water, and a ranger station – in case you’re worried about finding help and safety.