The 8 Best Hikes in Glacier National Park
From cliffside trails and turquoise alpine lakes to family-friendly waterfall walks, these unforgettable hikes showcase some of the best scenery in Glacier National Park.
Find Your Perfect Glacier Adventure
Glacier National Park is home to more than 700 miles of hiking trails winding through alpine meadows, old-growth forests, mountain valleys, waterfalls, and glacier-carved landscapes.
Whether you are searching for a bucket-list challenge, a family-friendly afternoon hike, or a quick walk with an incredible view, there is a trail for every kind of traveler. These are eight of the best hikes to add to your Glacier Country itinerary.
Glacier National Park’s Must-Do Hikes
Choose from iconic alpine adventures, peaceful forest walks, glacier views, waterfalls, and some of the park’s most beautiful mountain lakes.
Highline Trail
The Highline Trail is one of the most iconic and unforgettable hikes in Glacier National Park. Beginning at Logan Pass, the trail follows the Continental Divide along the Garden Wall and provides sweeping views of rugged peaks, deep valleys, and alpine meadows.
One of its most memorable sections comes near the beginning, where the trail hugs the mountainside along a narrow ledge equipped with a hand cable. As the trail continues, the terrain opens into beautiful alpine scenery where mountain goats, bighorn sheep, marmots, and other wildlife are frequently spotted.
Many hikers travel from Logan Pass to The Loop for an approximately 11.8-mile point-to-point hike. Experienced hikers can also add the steep side trail to Grinnell Glacier Overlook for an incredible view into the Many Glacier area.
Grinnell Glacier Trail
The Grinnell Glacier Trail is one of the park’s signature hikes and an incredible choice for visitors wanting to experience Glacier’s famous glacial landscape up close.
Located in the Many Glacier area, the trail passes alpine lakes, waterfalls, wildflower meadows, and dramatic mountain scenery before climbing toward Grinnell Glacier and Upper Grinnell Lake. Views of Lake Josephine and Grinnell Lake become increasingly impressive as the trail gains elevation.
The final stretch leads into a dramatic basin surrounded by towering rock walls, waterfalls, turquoise water, and views of Grinnell Glacier itself.
Iceberg Lake
The Iceberg Lake Trail is one of the most beautiful alpine lake hikes in Glacier National Park. The approximately 9.5-mile round-trip trail climbs gradually through forests and open meadows, with impressive mountain views throughout much of the hike.
The trail ends at a brilliant turquoise lake tucked beneath cliffs that rise more than 3,000 feet around the water, creating a dramatic natural amphitheater.
Snow and ice often remain well into summer, and chunks of ice can frequently be seen floating across the lake even on warm days.
Hidden Lake Overlook
Hidden Lake Overlook is ideal for visitors who want spectacular alpine scenery without committing to a full-day hike.
Beginning behind the Logan Pass Visitor Center, the trail follows a combination of boardwalks and maintained paths through open alpine meadows. Mountain goats, bighorn sheep, marmots, and other wildlife are frequently seen along the route.
The overlook provides a panoramic view of Hidden Lake beneath Bearhat Mountain and surrounded by rugged peaks. The short distance and enormous scenic payoff make it one of the park’s best scenery-to-effort hikes.
Avalanche Lake
Avalanche Lake is a fantastic choice for families, first-time visitors, and travelers looking for a classic Glacier experience without taking on a strenuous all-day trek.
The hike begins near the Trail of the Cedars and travels through an old-growth forest filled with towering western red cedars, moss-covered trees, and the rushing waters of Avalanche Creek.
The trail eventually opens onto the shore of Avalanche Lake, where steep mountain walls surround the water and waterfalls cascade hundreds of feet down the cliffs.
St. Mary and Virginia Falls
St. Mary and Virginia Falls offer one of the best shorter waterfall adventures in Glacier National Park.
St. Mary Falls is the first major highlight, where brilliant turquoise water rushes through a narrow rocky gorge before plunging over the falls. The trail then follows Virginia Creek past smaller cascades and scenic viewpoints.
Virginia Falls provides the dramatic finale, tumbling down the mountainside in multiple tiers and creating a cool, misty viewing area near its base.
Ptarmigan Tunnel
Ptarmigan Tunnel is one of Glacier National Park’s most unique hiking adventures and an excellent choice for experienced hikers.
The trail climbs through forests, open meadows, and alpine terrain before reaching Ptarmigan Lake and the final ascent to the historic tunnel. Constructed in the 1930s, the tunnel cuts directly through the mountain.
After walking through the Continental Divide, hikers emerge to a dramatic change in scenery and sweeping views across the remote Belly River Valley.
Trail of the Cedars
The Trail of the Cedars is one of the easiest and most accessible ways to experience Glacier National Park’s natural beauty.
Located near the Avalanche Lake trailhead, the approximately one-mile loop travels through an old-growth forest filled with enormous western red cedars, lush ferns, moss, and dense greenery.
A highlight of the route is Avalanche Gorge, where bright blue-green water rushes through a narrow, sculpted canyon. The trail also pairs perfectly with the longer hike to Avalanche Lake.
Which Glacier Hike Is Right for You?
With so many incredible options, the best trail depends on the type of experience you want to have.
- Choose Highline Trail for iconic mountain views and a challenging full-day adventure.
- Choose Grinnell Glacier if seeing Glacier’s glacial landscape is your top priority.
- Choose Iceberg Lake for turquoise water and dramatic mountain cliffs.
- Choose Hidden Lake Overlook when you want impressive scenery in less time.
- Choose Avalanche Lake for a classic family-friendly Glacier experience.
- Choose St. Mary and Virginia Falls for a shorter waterfall-filled adventure.
- Choose Ptarmigan Tunnel for a challenging and unique backcountry experience.
- Choose Trail of the Cedars for an easy and accessible forest walk.
Tips for Hiking in Glacier National Park
Start early to avoid the busiest trail times and improve your chances of finding parking near popular trailheads.
Carry bear spray in an accessible location, understand how to use it, and stay aware of wildlife throughout your hike.
Bring plenty of water, snacks, sun protection, and layers. Weather conditions can change quickly in the mountains.
Check current trail conditions and closures before leaving, as snow may remain on higher-elevation trails into the summer.
Give wildlife plenty of space and never approach or feed animals, even when they appear calm.
Stay on designated trails and follow Leave No Trace principles to help protect Glacier’s fragile landscapes.
Stay Close to Glacier’s Best Adventures
After a day on the trails, return to a comfortable SkyRun vacation rental where you can relax, recharge, and plan your next Glacier Country adventure. Explore professionally managed homes near Whitefish, Columbia Falls, and Glacier National Park.
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