Glacier & Waterton Lakes Walking & Hiking
- 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
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 the Carthew-Alderson Trail through numerous botanical zones Feel like being active or are you 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. There was organization of EVERY detail - great accommodations, restaurants, knowledge and the overall energetic spirit of our leaders! 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!- Huntersville, NC
The beauty of Glacier National Park both in Montana and Canada were incredible! The lodges were full of history and set in beautiful surroundings ... they were beautiful as well. The food was wonderful at each one. The whole trip was truly awesome! I will never forget the hikes that I didn't think I could do. But I did it! I am going to continue exercising and walking to stay in shape so I'll be able to do even more next trip!- Rockwall, TX
The organization, knowledgeable leaders, and seamless transfers from one area to the next made this trip amazing. Mother Nature was a tremendous help with fantastic weather and spectacular geography! A well planned trip!- Hillsborough, NJ
Casual Inns
Lake McDonald Lodge
Glacier National Park, Montana (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
Glacier National Park, Montana (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 National Park, Alberta (2 nights) This historic green-gabled hotel offers vistas of the mountains reflected in glacier-fed lakes.
Glacier Park Lodge
Glacier National Park, Montana (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.
| Daily Route Options | ||||||||||
| Day | EASYGOING | ACTIVE | AVID | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 | ||||||
| miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | |
| 1 | 5.0 | 500 | ||||||||
| 2 | 7.2 | 400 | 9.3 | 1000 | ||||||
| 3 | 5.0* | 1000 | 7.5* | 1200 | 11.8 | 2100 | ||||
| Optional kayaking on Cameron Lake | ||||||||||
| 4 | Optional hiking, horseback riding, fishing, kayaking or boat cruise | |||||||||
| 5 | 5.0 | 700 | 9.0 | 1200 | ||||||
| 6 | 5.0 | 100 | 7.2 | 400 | ||||||
The terrain on this trip includes glacial lake-view trails and alpine stone paths.
* Includes a shuttle
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For 34 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.
