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Route Rating Level 1 to Level 4

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RESERVE THIS TRIP!

Casual Inns
  • $2,698 pp dbl. occ.
  • (+$820 for sgl. occ.)

Reserve early for the best available price. More Info

TRIP NOTES

All meals included except 1 dinner.

Cancellation Policy

View cancellation policy

Meet / Depart

Whitefish, Montana

Special Interest

Boat, Canoe, Culture & History, Geological Wonders, Golf, Horseback Ride, Natural Beauty &/or Wildlife

Recommended Reads

Essential trip reading

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Contact Us

Call: 800-462-2848
or 510-527-1555
Fax: 510-527-1444
E-mail us

801 Cedar St.
Berkeley, CA 94710

Business Hours:
7 days a week
from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Pacific Time

Or contact your travel agent

Glacier Montana Walking

Glacier Hiking

Glacier & Waterton Lakes National Parks

Glacier National Park offers chiseled valleys blanketed with wildflowers and bottomless lakes that mirror soaring peaks. Rolling grasslands stretch to the horizon and a wealth of wildlife calls these mountains home. Just across the border is Canada’s Waterton Lakes National Park, where a majestic landscape is yours to experience. The area’s glaciated past comes to life as you hike by graceful waterfalls and over rugged mountain passes. Join Backroads to explore the scenic trails, revel in endless vistas and sink into the comforts of rustic mountain lodges.

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Day 1 Lake McDonald

Meet in Whitefish At the Trail of the Cedars, hike through a dense forest of ancient red cedars to turquoise Avalanche Lake Test the waters of this glacial lake and later relax on the terrace of our lodge.

Day 2 Many Glacier Valley

Journey over Going-to-the-Sun Road, called “the most beautiful 50 miles in the world,” to Logan Pass and the Continental Divide for beautiful views Stride along the Highline Trail marveling at such geologic features as the Bishop’s Cap and Haystack Butte.

Days 3-4 Waterton Lakes

Shuttle north across the Canadian border to Waterton Lakes National Park Hike the Carthew-Aldersen Trail, which leads through numerous botanical zones Options abound: Enjoy a boat cruise to the northern gateway of Glacier National Park or a walk to Rainbow Falls or Kootenai Lake for possible moose sightings.

Days 5-6 East Glacier

Hike to Iceberg Lake, where freezing waters harbor icebergs well into summer Search the steep mountainsides for bighorn sheep and mountain goats After boating across Two Medicine Lake, follow a narrow trail to Twin Falls and along the northern shore of the lake.

Guest Trip Reviews

Our leaders were amazing!!! If we even (under our breath) mentioned to anyone that it might be nice to have this or that waiting for us at the end of a hike, it was there the next day. Talk about listening to your people!!! Our leaders were not only fabulous and professional and very knowledgeable, they made the trip flow extremely smoothly. They made this trip one of the best ones we've had. I cannot praise them enough!!! Thanks!
Sylvia Yasgur - Mamaroneck, NY

More Reviews of this Trip

All Guest Reviews

For 30 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the Montana tour experts. For walking tours and hiking tours in USA, trust our in-depth connections. To see all our USA walking tours and hiking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning USA biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning USA multisport tours click here.

Glacier Hiking

SUPERB SETTINGS: Casual Inns

Lake McDonald Lodge

Lake McDonald (1 night): On the National Register of Historic Places, this hotel features a panoramic view of the lake.

Many Glacier Hotel

Many Glacier Valley (1 night): Built by the Great Northern Railway; a Swiss-style chalet on the shore of Swiftcurrent Lake.

Prince of Wales Hotel

Waterton Lakes (2 nights): A historic, green-gabled beauty in Waterton Lakes National Park.

Glacier Park Lodge

East Glacier (1 night): Nestled at the foot of Squaw Peak Mountain with Douglas fir pillars gracing the lobby.

Glacier Hiking Glacier Hiking

Lake McDonald Lodge

Glacier Hiking

Route Rating

Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain

Day 1
  • Level 1 1 Route Option Available
  • 5 miles
  • 500 feet elevation gain
Day 2
  • Levels 2 to 4 2 Route Options Available
  • 6.8, 9.3 miles
  • 250 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 3
  • Levels 2 to 5  3 Route Options Available
  • 5, 7.5, 11.8 miles
  • 950 - 1500 feet elevation gain
Day 4
  • Optional Activities
Day 5
  • Levels 2 to 4 2 Route Options Available
  • 5, 9 miles 
  • 700 - 1200 feet elevation gain
Day 6
  • Levels 2 to 3 2 Route Options Available
  • 5, 7.2 miles
  • 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Glacier Hiking Glacier Hiking

Trips 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 Average Distance
    Biking Walking
& Hiking
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