Glacier Biking
Glacier & Waterton Lakes National Parks
You know they call it Big Sky. But somehow you're still amazed by how "big" it is. You question why you don't live closer to the mountains. You enjoy hours of scenic roads and the sound of your wheels spinning. You finally understand what the Continental Divide is all about. You race someone to the next crystal blue lake. You ride and talk. You ride and don't talk. You're awestruck by a waterfall's force. You swear you'll never book an all-inclusive beach resort vacation again. You're in two of North America's greatest national parks. And you'll never be the same.
- Bike the famed Going-to-the-Sun Road: superlative cycling and unbelievable views!
- Astonishing alpine scenery that just won't quit
- Pedal Waterton's rolling ranchland and extraordinary glacier-carved valleys
- Chances to spot mountain goats, pikas, white-crowned sparrows and more
- Raft down the Middle Fork of the Flathead River
The Day-to-Day Itinerary
Day 1 Astonishing alpine scenery that just won't quit 
Pedal a scenic route along the shore of Lake McDonald, formed by retreating glaciers ten thousand years ago Cool off with a dip in the chilly lake - if you're feeling brave!
Day 2 Bike the famed Going-to-the-Sun Road: superlative cycling and unbelievable views No camera can capture the magnificence of this mountain landscape, replete with sparkling waterfalls, expansive virgin forests, sculpted valleys and towering peaks glazed with ice - but it's worth a try! Descend from Logan Pass to Upper St. Mary Lake and Many Glacier Valley.
Day 3 Pedal north into Canada, through rolling ranchland and extraordinary glacier-carved valleys Enjoy a thrilling descent into Waterton Lakes National Park, a UNESCO biosphere reserve with dramatic mountains and a chain of dazzling lakes.
Days 4-5 Chances to spot mountain goats, pikas, white-crowned sparrows and more What are you up for today? Hiking, biking, horseback riding and boating are some of the options Spin the roller-coaster route along the eastern perimeter of Glacier against a spectacular backdrop of meadows, forests and mountains.
Day 6 Raft down the Middle Fork of the Flathead River with expert guides who provide a unique perspective on the flora and fauna along the way.
- Premiere Inns: These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic regional flair.
- Casual Inns: These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the area with such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and proximity to our activities.
- Deluxe Family Camping: We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every camp chore and perform culinary magic.
Other Trips You Might Like:
Alaska Biking Crater Lake Biking Hungary/Slovakia/Poland BikingOther National Park Trips
Look at what other guests are saying about this trip!
Another wonderful Backroads experience. Your service is first-rate and the trips well thought out and planned. The scenery was the star on this trip and the biking extraordinary. The challenge is determining when and where to go next with you!- Cambridge, MA More about this Trip All Guest Reviews
For 32 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the tour experts. To see all our biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning walking and hiking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning multisport tours click here.
Glacier Biking
Casual Inns
Lake McDonald Lodge
Lake McDonald (1 night) Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with a large stone fireplace in the lobby and a terrace overlooking the lake.
Many Glacier Hotel
Many Glacier Valley (1 night) An early-1900s Swiss chalet-style hotel set on the shore of Swiftcurrent Lake amid the peaks of the Many Glacier Valley.
Prince of Wales Hotel
Waterton Lakes (2 nights) This historic green-gabled hotel offers vistas of the mountains reflected in glacier-fed lakes.
Glacier Park Lodge
East Glacier (1 night) Located on the park's eastern edge in Blackfeet country; immense timbers hold aloft its expansive lobby ceiling.
Glacier Biking
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Biking Average | Walking Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 2-5 miles |
| 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Levels 1 to 3
2 Route Options Available
- 13, 32 miles
- 750 - 1300 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 3 to 5 2 Route Options Available
- 40, 60 miles
- 3300 - 3800 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 3 to 5 4 Route Options Available
- 33, 51, 63 miles
- 1500 - 5000 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Optional Activities at Waterton Lakes National Park
Day 5
- Levels 3 to 5 4 Route Options Available
- 31, 66, 77, 92 miles
- 2700 - 4350 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- White-Water Rafting 3 hours