Backroads Glacier & Waterton Lakes Walking & Hiking Tour
Backroads Glacier & Waterton Lakes Walking & Hiking Tour
Glacier & Waterton Lakes Walking & Hiking Tour
Hiking - Backroads Glacier & Waterton Lakes Walking & Hiking Tour
Backroads Glacier & Waterton Lakes Walking & Hiking Tour
Walking & Hiking
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Glacier & Waterton Lakes Walking & Hiking Tour

National Park Adventures in the US & Canadian Rockies

Couples, Friends & Solos

6 days 5 nights

Activity Level: 2-4

Casual Hotels

From: $3,999 - $4,299 pp dbl occ

($800 for sgl occ)

Fifty miles of superlative scenery on Going-to-the-Sun Road. Sixty-two species of mammals, from pygmy shrews to majestic mountain goats and grizzly bears. More than 260 species of birds, 780 miles of trails and 10,000 years of natural history. And some spectacular national park lodges including the historic Prince of Wales Hotel in Waterton Lakes, Canada! You've got six days on our Glacier National Park hiking tour. It all adds up to one incredible story to tell.

Glacier & Waterton Lakes Walking & Hiking Tour map
Glacier & Waterton Lakes Walking & Hiking Tour map

Montana & Alberta

Start/End Whitefish

Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.

Highlights

  • Venture through stunning national parks and two countries on one phenomenally exciting trip—don't forget your passport! 
  • Embark on unforgettable hikes through verdant scenery flanked by towering mountain peaks and snowfields 
  • Travel the Going-to-the-Sun Road as it winds up and over the Continental Divide, showcasing incredible scenery and engineering 
  • Encounter wildlife at every turn, including bighorn sheep, mule deer and possibly a grizzly or black bear

Itinerary

Accommodations may vary based on departure date.
6 Days Casual Hotels
Accommodations may vary based on departure.
Day 1
Description

Things might look a little different here... this is Big Sky Country! | Hike the Trail of the Cedars through a dense forest to turquoise Avalanche Lake | Back at the lodge, take a dip in Glacier National Park's Lake McDonald... if you dare! | Take in the immensity of the Montana night sky from our rustic Swiss-style retreat.

Accommodations
Exterior view of Lake McDonald Lodge
Lake McDonald Lodge
Glacier National Park
| Casual Hotel

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with a large stone fireplace in the lobby and a terrace overlooking the lake.

Days 2-3
Description

Behold 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 and the Continental Divide on our way to Canada | Stay at the grand Prince of Wales Hotel in Waterton Lakes National Park, with its soaring roofs, gables, balconies and a timber-framed interior... it's no surprise that it's the most photographed hotel in North America | ​Options abound, including exploring trails on foot, kayaking, shopping in Waterton Townsite or enjoying a cozy afternoon tea at our hotel.

Accommodations
Exterior view of the Prince of Wales Hotel
Prince of Wales Hotel
Waterton Lakes National Park
| Casual Hotel

This historic green-gabled hotel offers vistas of the mountains reflected in glacier-fed lakes.

Days 4-6
Description

Follow the Carthew-Alderson Trail, considered one of the best hikes in Alberta | Amble through numerous botanical life zones and past Forum Peak to the west and Mount Custer to the south Return to Glacier National Park for a hike in the striking Many Glacier Valley | Walk to a lake cold enough to harbor icebergs well into the warmer months | Spot bighorn sheep, mule deer and maybe even a grizzly bear | The quiet of morning is the perfect time to stroll around Swiftcurrent Lake before traveling along the eastern edge of the park to Whitefish, where our Glacier National Park hiking trip ends.

Accommodations
Exterior view of Many Glacier Hotel
Many Glacier Hotel
Glacier National Park
| Casual Hotel

An early-1900s Swiss chalet-style hotel set on the shore of Swiftcurrent Lake amid the peaks of Many Glacier Valley.

Looks like you’re traveling with a smaller group

Our Private Trips are best for groups of 6 or more. We suggest joining a scheduled trip.

Please Select a Group Size

Group size is required to show per-person pricing. Your group size can be approximate and can change.

Activity Level: 2-4

Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. Several routes and a range of levels are offered each day so you can choose how much or how little activity you want to do. Learn more about how we determine activity levels.

Route notes

The terrain on this trip includes well-maintained but often rugged mountain trails, with some steep climbs and descents. Authorized Permittee of the National Park Service.

Daily Route Options

Day 1
Walking & Hiking
Level 3 | 6 miles | 700 ft. gain
Day 2
Walking & Hiking
Level 3 | 7 miles | 1100 ft. gain
Level 4 | 9 miles | 1800 ft. gain
Day 3
Walking & Hiking
Level 2 | 5 miles | 900 ft. gain
Level 3 | 8 miles | 1300 ft. gain
Level 4 | 13 miles | 2300 ft. gain
Day 4
Other
Optional Activities in Waterton Lakes National Park (including Walking & Hiking options of 3-11 miles)
Day 5
Walking & Hiking
Level 2 | 5 miles | 800 ft. gain
Level 4 | 10 miles | 1500 ft. gain
Day 6
Walking & Hiking
Level 1 | 3 miles | 200 ft. gain

What's Included

  • All breakfasts, 6 lunches, 4 dinners
  • Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
  • Snacks and beverages between meals
  • Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
  • Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
  • Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
  • Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
  • All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
  • Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
  • On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
  • Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
  • Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
  • Park and other entry fees
  • Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
  • Select coach transfers
  • Baggage transfers and porterage

Straight talk

We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.

Accommodations & Service Standards

While the accommodations on this trip reflect the natural surroundings of the national parks and provide unparalleled access to the best activities in the area, they are much simpler than is typical of Backroads lodging. Many buildings date back to the turn of the century and have only been minimally renovated, in accordance with park regulations. These historic hotels have basic guest rooms that are not equipped with televisions or air-conditioning. Overall, the service standards can seem slow and casual when compared with the hospitality found on other Backroads trips. Please note that internet and cell phone service are extremely limited throughout the parks.​

Meals in National Parks

The National Park lodges we use on this trip are chosen for their character and ideal location—they are not known for their food. Meals at park lodges and the surrounding local restaurants can be simple and menu options tend to lack variety. Please be aware that options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and low-carb meals will be especially limited and substitutions are rarely available.

Weather & Itineraries in Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks

Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks are special places where four seasons can occur in one day. For that reason, our itinerary may change based upon road and trail status due to weather (including snow) or animal activity. The opening of Going-to-the-Sun Road and Carthew Alderson Trail in Waterton Lakes National Park are determined by snow levels and weather. Going-to-the-Sun Road often opens by the third week of June, but some years it does not open until early July. The Highline Trail, which is accessed via Going-to-the-Sun Road, sometimes opens later than the road. Status of Going-to-the-Sun Road and the Highline Trail can be checked on Glacier National Park’s website: https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/trailstatusreports.htm.

Ask a trip expert

Have a question and need expert advice? Our team of Trip Consultants is here to help! You can also visit our Help Center.

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