Best Hikes in Glacier National Park

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Best Hikes in Glacier National Park: A Trail for Every Explorer

Visiting Glacier National Park was an absolute dream. Besides its jaw-dropping beauty, it’s also an amazing destination for hikers, with more than 700 miles of trails winding through rugged peaks, pristine lakes, and alpine meadows. And there’s truly something for everybody. Whether you’re looking for an easy stroll or a challenging backcountry adventure, there’s a trail for you. Here’s a guide to some of the best hikes in the park, categorized by location to help you plan your adventure.

Before you head out on any of the Glacier National Park trails, I highly recommend downloading the AllTrails+ app. This will allow you to download the trail maps and track yourself, even if you don’t have service.

West Side of the Park

The west side of Glacier National Park, accessed through West Glacier, is home to lush forests, stunning waterfalls, and incredible views of Lake McDonald. I definitely recommend visiting both sides of the park. We did a couple of days on each side when we did our big trip from Glacier National Park to Yellowstone.

Avalanche Lake

Distance: 4.6 miles round trip
Difficulty: Moderate
One of the most popular hikes in the park, Avalanche Lake Trail starts on the Trail of the Cedars and follows Avalanche Creek through a beautiful gorge before opening up to breathtaking views of Avalanche Lake, surrounded by towering peaks. This hike is definitely one of the best things to do in Glacier National Park. Check out my detailed blog post about the Avalanche Lake hike.

Highline Trail

Distance: 11.8 miles point-to-point
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
For those looking for iconic Glacier views, the Highline Trail is a must. Starting at Logan Pass, this hike offers stunning views of the Garden Wall, encounters with wildlife, and a thrilling ledge section. Many hikers take the trail to Granite Park Chalet and then descend via the Loop Trail.

Hidden Lake Overlook

Distance: 2.8 miles round trip
Difficulty: Moderate
This short but rewarding hike begins at Logan Pass and takes hikers through alpine meadows filled with wildflowers before reaching a stunning overlook of Hidden Lake. Mountain goats are often spotted along the way, making this a favorite among wildlife enthusiasts.

East Side of the Park

The east side, accessible through St. Mary and Many Glacier, offers more open landscapes, dramatic mountain scenery, and excellent wildlife viewing. If you stay at the Many Glacier Hotel (which I highly recommend), you’ll be steps away from the most popular hiking trails. Check out other top places to stay in Glacier National Park.

Grinnell Glacier

Distance: 10.6 miles round trip
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
This hike in the Many Glacier area is one of the best ways to see a glacier up close. The trail climbs past stunning turquoise lakes and alpine meadows before reaching Grinnell Glacier. That’s where you can witness the remaining ice formations and spectacular panoramic views.

Read my full overview of the Grinnell Glacier hike here.

Iceberg Lake

Distance: 9.6 miles round trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Also located in the Many Glacier region, Iceberg Lake is famous for its striking blue waters and floating icebergs, even in summer. The hike is a steady but manageable climb through meadows filled with wildflowers. There are frequent sightings of grizzly bears on this trail (so bring bear spray!).

Ptarmigan Tunnel

Distance: 10.6 miles round trip
Difficulty: Strenuous
One of Glacier’s most unique hikes, the Ptarmigan Tunnel trail starts in the Many Glacier area and climbs steadily through dense forests and open meadows before reaching a historic tunnel carved through the mountains. On the other side, hikers are rewarded with an incredible view of the remote Belly River Valley.

Siyeh Pass

Distance: 10.3 miles point-to-point
Difficulty: Strenuous
This breathtaking hike begins near Siyeh Bend and climbs through stunning alpine scenery before reaching Siyeh Pass. You’ll enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. The trail then descends into Sunrift Gorge, making for an epic one-way adventure.

Best Hikes in Glacier National Park: Two Medicine & St. Mary Areas

This lesser-visited area of the park features fewer crowds but no shortage of beauty.

Scenic Point

Distance: 7.6 miles round trip
Difficulty: Strenuous
For breathtaking panoramic views, the Scenic Point Trail is a fantastic option. This steep hike quickly gains elevation, rewarding hikers with sweeping views of Two Medicine Lake and the surrounding peaks.

Twin Falls

Distance: 3.5 miles round trip
Difficulty: Easy
A great family-friendly hike, Twin Falls follows the South Shore Trail along Two Medicine Lake to a picturesque twin waterfall. You can also shorten the hike by taking a boat shuttle across the lake.

St. Mary Falls Trail

Distance: 1.7 miles round trip
Difficulty: Easy
This short but rewarding hike takes you to the stunning St. Mary Falls, where you’ll find cascading turquoise waters surrounded by rugged mountain scenery. It’s a great hike for families and those looking for a quick adventure with incredible photo opportunities. You can venture a bit further to Virginia Falls (pictured at top of this page), making it about a 3.1-mile hike out and back.

Tips for Hiking in Glacier National Park

• Bring Bear Spray: Grizzlies and black bears are common in the park.
• Start Early: Popular trails get crowded, and early mornings offer the best wildlife sightings.
• Check Trail Conditions: Snow can linger well into summer at higher elevations.
• Dress in Layers: Weather changes quickly in the mountains.
• Have Good Hiking Gear: Check out my favorite hiking gear along with these kid hiking gear essentials.

Glacier National Park offers some of the most breathtaking hikes in the country, no matter your experience level. Whether you’re standing at the edge of an iceberg-filled lake or trekking high above the valley floor, each hike promises unforgettable views and a connection to nature that will stay with you long after you leave.

What’s your favorite hike in Glacier? Let me know in the comments!

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