Glacier Montana Walking

Glacier Walking & Hiking

Overview
Lodging
Reviews
Route Rating
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Trip Highlights
  • Two national parks, two countries, one phenomenal trip
  • Fantastic hiking in a spellbinding tableau of glacier-carved valleys, broad lakes and majestic peaks
  • The stunning Going-to-the-Sun Road
  • Spot bighorn sheep, mule deer and maybe even a grizzly
  • Panoramic views from the Many Glacier Hotel
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Glacier & Waterton Lakes National Parks

It's amazing to consider. Intense pressure from glaciers carved out the beauty in this region - but "pressure" is the last thing you'll feel. Catch sight of a bighorn sheep perched on the edge of a bluff. Get in a morning walk through a forest full of red cedar and fir. Journey on Going-to-the-Sun Road and soak up some of the finest views in northwest Montana. That road is 50 miles of superlative scenery. There are 62 species of mammals here, from diminutive pygmy shrews to majestic mountain goats, grizzly bears and elk, more than 260 species of birds, 780 miles of trails and 10,000 years of natural history. You've got six days and one incredible story to tell.  

Day 1 Fantastic hiking in a spellbinding tableau of glacier-carved valleys, broad lakes and majestic peaks Follow the Trail of the Cedars through a dense forest to turquoise Avalanche Lake Part of the Polar Bear Club? Go for a swim if you dare!

Day 2 Stunning Going-to-the-Sun Road, "the most beautiful 50 miles in the world" Marvelous geologic features, including Haystack Butte, embellish the landscape as you hike on the Highline Trail Take in gorgeous panoramic views from Logan Pass, the Continental Divide and the grand Many Glacier Hotel.

Days 3-4 Two national parks, two countries  In Canada's Waterton Lakes National Park, follow Carthew-Alderson Trail through numerous botanical zones Feel like being active or ready to relax? It's up to you! Options include a boat excursion to the northern gateway of Glacier National Park, walking to Kootenai Lake, shopping in Waterton Townsite, or traditional afternoon tea at the Prince of Wales Hotel.

Days 5-6 Spot bighorn sheep, mule deer and maybe even a grizzly  Icebergs? In lakes? In the summertime? Hike to a lake cold enough to harbor icebergs well into the warmer months After a scenic boat cruise across Two Medicine Lake, trace the narrow trail to Twin Falls.

Guests Reviews About This Trip

This was a dream trip and exceeded all that we hoped for! Glacier was "heaven on earth" and combined with the kindred spirits of our fellow "Backroaders," we became one big family. Thank you for the best trip we have ever taken with your professional staff, organization of EVERY detail, great accommodations & restaurants and knowledge/energetic spirit of our leaders Linden and Jessica! Backroads is truly #1 in our opinion and we look forward to planning our next trip with you....Describing our overall experience would be....the journey of a lifetime with gratitude to Backroads for the best trip of our lives!! Thank you!
Mary Hamilton - Huntersville, NC
The superb leaders along with perfect weather and gorgeous scenery made this Backroads trip one of the best!!! All four Backroads trips I have taken have been excellent....this was my first one hiking and it was great. I'm happy to say that I loved everything from start to finish!
Sherry Henderson - Red Bank, NJ
We think this was one of the best vacations we've ever had. We have never been on a group trip before and were a little apprehensive. This trip put all our fears to rest. We are already thinking about a Backroads trip for next year.
Steven Casad - San Jose, CA

Casual Inns

Lake McDonald Lodge
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 Hotel

Glacier National Park (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
Prince of Wales Hotel

Waterton Lakes, Canada (2 nights) This historic green-gabled hotel offers vistas of the mountains reflected in glacier-fed lakes.

Glacier Park Lodge
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. (pool, spa, golf)


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This Trip Is Rated Level 1-4

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 Road Bike Average Mountain Bike Average* Walk & Hike Average
Level 1 2-3 hours 10-20 miles 10-15 miles 2-5 miles
Level 2 2-4 hours 21-30 miles 16-20 miles 5-7 miles
Level 3 3-5 hours 31-40 miles 21-25 miles 7-9 miles
Level 4 4-6 hours 41-55 miles 26-30 miles 9-11 miles
Level 5 5-7+ hours 56-75+ miles 31+ miles 11-13+ miles

*Mountain bikes are used in locations where the best riding is on a combination of dirt and paved roads. View trip locations

Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain

Day 1
  • Level 1 1 Route Option Available
  • 5 miles
  • 500 feet elevation gain
Day 2
  • Levels 3 to 4 2 Route Options Available
  • 7.2, 9.3 miles
  • 400 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 3
  • Levels 1 to 5  3 Route Options Available
  • 5, 7.5, 11.8 miles
  • 1000 - 2100 feet elevation gain
Day 4
  • Optional Activities
Day 5
  • Levels 1 to 3 2 Route Options Available
  • 5, 9 miles 
  • 700 - 1200 feet elevation gain
Day 6
  • Levels 1 to 3 2 Route Options Available
  • 5, 7.2 miles
  • 100 - 400 feet elevation gain
Terrain Description
Glacial lake-view trails, alpine stone paths.

For 33 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the Montana tour experts. See our award-winning USA walking tours and hiking tours, USA biking tours and USA multisport tours.

Walking & Hiking

Casual Inns

6 days, 5 nights
arrow view dates

Trip Price*
  • $2,698 to $2,898 pp dbl. occ.
  • (+$700 for sgl. occ.)
Meet/Depart

Whitefish, Montana


* Prices may change. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.

Trip Notes

All meals included except 1 dinner

Recommended Reads

Essential trip reading

Cancellation Policy

View cancellation policy

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The strong local expertise that Backroads’ leaders bring combined with a deep and genuine understanding of the North American service ethic is crucial to your enjoyment…

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The strong local expertise that Backroads’ leaders bring combined with a deep and genuine understanding of the North American service ethic is crucial to your enjoyment… and connection on trip. We pair experienced Backroads leaders with local guides as needed on international trips. They are the best combination in the business; they know how to both cater to you and how to crack open the local culture in a way that’s meaningful. It’s neither one nor the other—it’s the magic of both.

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"What an awesome trip! Taking in the culture, people, and scenery by bike is such a wonderful way to experience Thailand. The various activities planned throughout the trip, combined with great leaders and support staff made the trip very enjoyable and enriching. Thanks Backroads for some great memories and a great travel experience!"

Justine Oppenheim
Cambridge, MA

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