Montana's Glacier Walking & Hiking Tour
National Park Adventures in the US & Canadian Rockies
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. You've got six days. It all adds up to one incredible story to tell.
THIS ITINERARY: 6 days, 5 nights
ACCOMMODATIONS: Casual Hotels
Montana & Alberta
Start/End Whitefish
Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
- 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
6 Days Casual Hotels
Things might look a little different here... this is Big Sky Country! | Follow the Trail of the Cedars through a dense forest to turquoise Avalanche Lake | Back at the lodge, take a dip in Lake McDonald... if you dare! | Take in the immensity of the Montana night sky from our rustic Swiss-style retreat.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with a large stone fireplace in the lobby and a terrace overlooking the lake.
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, 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.
This historic green-gabled hotel offers vistas of the mountains reflected in glacier-fed lakes.
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 Montana to explore the striking Many Glacier Valley | Hike 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 circumnavigate Swiftcurrent Lake on foot before traveling along the eastern edge of Glacier National Park to Whitefish, where our trip ends.
An early-1900s Swiss chalet-style hotel set on the shore of Swiftcurrent Lake amid the peaks of Many Glacier Valley.
Dates & Prices
The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. View cancellation policy
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy.
Activity Level: 2-4
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. LEARN MORE.
Note: The terrain on this trip includes well-maintained but often rugged mountain trails, with some steep climbs and descents.
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.
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 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; breakfasts and dinners throughout the week may lack variety and tend toward simple ingredients. 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.
Glacier National Park is a special place where four seasons can occur in three months. For that reason, our itinerary may change based upon road and trail status due to weather (including snow) or bear activity. Going-to-the-Sun Road often opens the third week of June and the Highline Trail opens around the first week of July.
I spent last summer working at the front desk of the Many Glacier Hotel and not a day went by when I didn't feel grateful for the awesomeness of l...
