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.
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 riding 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 ascent to 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.
Trip Highlights
- Bike the famed Going-to-the-Sun Road: superlative riding 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
Casual Inns
Lake McDonald Lodge (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 (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 (2 nights): This historic green-gabled hotel offers vistas of the mountains reflected in glacier-fed lakes.
Glacier Park Lodge (1 night): Located on the park's eastern edge in Blackfeet country; immense timbers hold aloft its expansive lobby ceiling. (pool, spa, golf)
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 | 13* | 800 | 32 | 1300 | ||||||
| 2 | 40* | 3600 | 60 | 3900 | ||||||
| 3 | 33* | 1500 | 51 | 3000 | 63 | 5000 | ||||
| 4 | 20 | 1200 | 21 | 700 | ||||||
| Optional hiking, horseback riding, fishing, kayaking or boat cruise | ||||||||||
| 5 | 31* | 2700 | 66* | 3300 | ||||||
| 77 | 4000 | |||||||||
| 92 | 4400 | |||||||||
| 6 | Rafting on the Flathead River (3 hours) | |||||||||
* Includes a shuttle
2013 Dates & Pricing*
CLASSIC TRIPS
- 7/6-11 Price: $2798 pp dbl. occ., (+ $550 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/20-25 Price: $2998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $550 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/27-8/1 Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $550 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/3-8 Price: $2998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $550 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/17-22 Price: $2698 pp dbl. occ., (+ $550 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/24-29 Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $550 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/31-9/5 Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $550 for sgl. occ.)
SINGLES-SOLOS TRIPS
- 6/22-27 Price: $2798 pp dbl. occ., (+ $550 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/10-15 Price: $2798 pp dbl. occ., (+ $550 for sgl. occ.)
*Prices may change. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.
Guest Trip Reviews
This trip blew my expectations out of the water!- Oakland, CA
Great trip that incorporated challenging cycling in a stunning setting...the group leaders ensured a perfect trip.- Pensacola, FL
Our backroads vacation was an amazing experience. My husband and I are newlyweds and we enjoyed it more than our honeymoon. We will certainly do Backroads again in the future.- Arlington, VA
Already recommended trip to others. Glacier is excellent - riding is a bit more aggressive than I had expected. On-road support made the trip.- Glen Ellen, CA
Another great Backroads trip! Great riding, great scenery, great leaders and support. Everything I've come to expect from Backroads.- Bellaire, TX
Best Backroads trip yet. The route was gorgeous, the cycling challenging and the staff top-notch.- Brooklyn, NY