Hiking

Glacier is a park that is best seen on foot. Its 1,600 square miles have 151 trails, totaling 753 miles (1,212km). You can hike 106 miles (171km) along the Continental Divide alone.

Trail maps are available at outdoor stores in Whitefish and Kalispell, as well as at the major visitor centers and ranger stations in the park. Before striking off into the wilderness, however, check with the nearest ranger station to determine the accessibility of your destination, trail conditions, and recent bear sightings. Also note that the trail maps don't show elevation changes or many terrain features beyond lakes and the tallest peaks. If you plan to do any extensive hiking, it is best to purchase a U.S. Geological Survey topographic map.

The Park Service asks you to stay on trails to keep from eroding the fragile components of the park. Also, snowbanks shouldn't be traversed, especially the steeper ones. You should have proper footwear and rain gear, enough food, and, most important, enough water, before approaching any trail head. A can of pepper spray can also come in handy when you're in grizzly habitat. If you're planning to hike in Canada, be sure the bear spray is USEPA approved.

If you plan an extended hike, let someone know your route and when you expect to get back. Take a flashlight, in case you take longer than you think. Carry a map, rain gear, and extra clothing. Drink lots of water.

Among the park's shorter and easier trails is the Trail of the Cedars Nature Trail (0.25 miles [.5km] round-trip; access across from the Avalanche Campground Ranger Station), an easy, level trail that's wheelchair-accessible. It has interpretive signs along the way. The Hidden Lake Nature Trail (3 miles [5km] round-trip; access from the Logan Pass Visitor Center) is an easy-to-moderate interpretative trail (with signs along the way) that climbs 460 feet to an overlook of scenic Hidden Lake. It's a popular trail, but if you hike all the way to the overlook, you'll be able to avoid some of the crowds, and you might even see a mountain goat.

The Loop (7 miles [11km] round-trip; access is along Going-to-the-Sun Rd., about halfway between Avalanche Campground and Logan Pass Visitor Center) offers a moderate hike that climbs to Granite Park Chalet and back. Many people use it as a continuation of the Highline Trail, but this is the section to do if you're not quite so adventurous (the Highline Trail is almost 12 miles [19km] long). If you want to spend the night in the chalet, contact Glacier Wilderness Guides for reservations (tel. 800/521-7238).

The Sun Point Nature Trail (1 2/5 miles [2km] round-trip; access is 9 miles [15km] west of St. Mary at the Sun Point parking area) is an easy walk on gentle slopes that presents commanding views of Baring Falls. Among our favorite hikes (because of its beautiful scenery) is the Iceberg Lake Trail (9 1/2 miles [15km] round-trip; access at a trail head in a cabin area east of the Swiftcurrent Coffee Shop and Campstore). This is a moderate hike that traverses flower-filled meadows to a jewel of a high lake backed against a mountain wall. Even in summer, there may be snow on the ground and ice floating in the lake. Look for mountain goats or bighorn sheep on the cliffs above. And, as in many of the park's backcountry areas, keep an eye out for the grizzlies.

Swiftcurrent Lake Nature Trail (2 2/5 miles [4km] round-trip; access at a picnic area half a mile [1km] west of the hotel turnoff) is a fun and easy hike along the lakeshore, through the woods, and near a marsh, so you may see deer and birds--keep an eye out for blue grouse. If you have time, continue on the trail as it circles Lake Josephine, another easy hike, adding 2 4/5 miles (4.5km) to the trip. Dramatic Mount Gould towers above the far end of Lake Josephine, and midsummer wildflowers can be spectacular. A longer, 10 2/5-mile (17km) round-trip trail to Grinnell Glacier, the park's largest, is also accessed from this area.

The very easy Running Eagle Falls Trail (0.6 mile [1km] round-trip; access is 1 mile [2km] west of the Two Medicine entrance) winds through a heavily forested area to a large, noisy waterfall. The popular Twin Falls Trail (7 3/5 miles [12km] round-trip; access from Two Medicine Campground) is an easy hike to scenic Twin Falls. Hikers can walk the entire distance to Twin Falls on a clearly identified trail, or boat across Two Medicine Lake to the foot of the trail head, and hike the last mile. The St. Mary Falls Trail (1 3/5 miles [3km] round-trip; access from Jackson Glacier Overlook) is a fairly easy walk that takes you to rushing falls of the St. Mary River. The roar of the cascade is prodigious and satisfying.