Glacier & Waterton Lakes Walking & Hiking Tour
- 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 - some of the finest views in North America!
- Spot bighorn sheep, mule deer and maybe even a grizzly
- Panoramic vistas from the Many Glacier Hotel
Turquoise Lakes & Glacial Peaks in Montana & Alberta
Pressure is the last thing you'll feel here. Where intense glacial pressure carved out this region's beauty. Catch sight of a bighorn sheep perched on a bluff's edge. Get in a morning walk through a forest of red cedar and fir. Enjoy 50 miles of superlative scenery on Going-to-the-Sun Road. 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.
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.
Read the Straight Talk
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
Our accommodations are rustic national park lodges that reflect the natural surroundings of Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks. While these historic hotels offer simpler accommodations than the typical Backroads property, they provide unparalleled access to the best hiking in the region. Please note that guest rooms are not equipped with televisions, hair dryers or air-conditioning.Generally speaking, service in the national parks can seem laid-back when compared with the high standards of service found on other Backroads trips.
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
Our accommodations are rustic national park lodges that reflect the natural surroundings of Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks. While these historic hotels offer simpler accommodations than the typical Backroads property, they provide unparalleled access to the best hiking in the region. Please note that guest rooms are not equipped with televisions, hair dryers or air-conditioning.Generally speaking, service in the national parks can seem laid-back when compared with the high standards of service found on other Backroads trips.
Itinerary
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, considered one of the best hikes in Alberta The trail leads through numerous botanical life zones and past the austere Forum Peak to the west and Mount Custer to the south Take a break, enjoy the tranquility at Summit Lake and perhaps witness some wildlife 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 Kootenay 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.
Casual Inns
Lake McDonald Lodge
Glacier National Park (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 (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 (2 nights) This historic green-gabled hotel offers vistas of the mountains reflected in glacier-fed lakes.
Glacier Park Lodge
Glacier National Park (1 night) Located on the park's eastern edge in Blackfeet country; immense timbers hold aloft its expansive lobby ceiling. (pool, spa, golf)
Guest 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 and restaurants and knowledge/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 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!- 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.- San Jose, CA
Trip Dates & Prices
Please click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.
2015 CLASSIC DATES
June 2015
- 6/21 - 6/26 ( $2898 per person, double occ., +$630 for single occ.
- 6/28 - 7/3 ( $2798 per person, double occ., +$630 for single occ.
July 2015
- 7/5 - 7/10 ( $2898 per person, double occ., +$630 for single occ.
- 7/12 - 7/17 ( $2898 per person, double occ., +$630 for single occ.
- 7/19 - 7/24 ( $3098 per person, double occ., +$630 for single occ.
- 7/21 - 7/26 ( $2798 per person, double occ., +$630 for single occ.
- 7/28 - 8/2 ( $3098 per person, double occ., +$630 for single occ.
August 2015
- 8/2 - 8/7 ( $3098 per person, double occ., +$630 for single occ.
- 8/16 - 8/21 ( $3098 per person, double occ., +$630 for single occ.
- 8/23 - 8/28 ( $3098 per person, double occ., +$630 for single occ.
- 8/30 - 9/4 ( $2998 per person, double occ., +$630 for single occ.
September 2015
- 9/1 - 9/6 ( $2798 per person, double occ., +$630 for single occ.
- 9/6 - 9/11 ( $2898 per person, double occ., +$630 for single occ.
- 9/13 - 9/18 ( $2998 per person, double occ., +$630 for single occ.
Don't see your ideal travel date? Call us at 800-462-2848 for Private Trip date availability.
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 | 6 | 500 | ||||||||
| 2 | 7 | 400 | 9 | 1000 | ||||||
| 3 | 5* | 1000 | 8* | 1200 | 12 | 2100 | ||||
| Optional Kayaking on Cameron Lake | ||||||||||
| 4 | Optional Hiking, Horseback Riding, Fishing, Kayaking or Boat Cruise | |||||||||
| 5 | 5 | 700 | 9 | 1200 | ||||||
| 6 | 5 | 100 | 7 | 400 | ||||||
The terrain on this trip includes glacial lake-view trails and alpine stone paths.
* Includes a shuttle
Private Trips Options & Pricing
Gather your favorite people to share a Backroads adventure on a ready-to-book Private Trip - featuring all the legendary Backroads hallmarks from expert leaders to unforgettable activities.
You can pick from a large selection of dates for your group of 8 or more. Call us for date availability.
If your party has fewer than 8 guests, or if your preferred date is not available, we'll create a departure just for you.
Pricing for Private Trips (prices may vary based on departure date)
2015
| 2 - 3 guests from $4,998 pp dbl. occ. | 8 - 9 guests from $3,598 pp dbl. occ. |
| 4 - 5 guests from $4,198 pp dbl. occ. | 10 - 11 guests from $3,098 pp dbl. occ. |
| 6 - 7 guests from $3,798 pp dbl. occ. | 12 or more guests from $2,798 pp dbl. occ. |
All Private Singles-Solos trips require a minimum of 16 guests.
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For 35 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.
