5 Amazing Trails and Spots Worth Revisiting in Glacier

What. A. Dream. Glacier National Park’s natural beauty was everything Brian and I imagined it would be and more. In three days, we hiked 35.9 miles and climbed over 6,000 feet. We explored just the tiniest fraction of this gorgeous slice of glacial paradise, and from the second we set foot on our first trail, we already knew this wouldn’t be our last visit.

Despite previous planning hiccups, we ultimately experienced a peaceful drifting among the alpines, along glacial waters, and through towering mountain peaks. It was an intoxicating visit filled with both challenges and remarkable freedom, as we took on intense trails and relished the crisp mountain air. Although Brian and I only explored a small portion of the park, we quickly fell in love with the amazing trails and views we encountered, leaving us excited to return for more.

A Soulful Retreat in Glacier National Park

We chose a VRBO on the quiet and remote eastern outskirts of the park, intentionally seeking an uncrowded space to retreat to after exploring the wilderness. Suitably named the ‘Hiker’s Retreat,’ this sweet little A-frame was the perfect place to rest our tired feet each night. It radiated the inviting comfort of a home away from home, featuring the owner’s personal touches and genuine thoughtfulness that catered to nature-minded travelers. In addition to the overall cozy atmosphere, we appreciated access to kitchen facilities, trail guidebooks, bear spray, and even trekking poles!

Needless to say, our accommodations were absolutely a big part of our soulful retreat in Glacier National Park. Of course, the main highlight was undeniably the park itself. Its breathtaking landscapes were the ultimate backdrop, motivating us to explore beyond the surface and discover incredible trails and panoramic vistas.

1. The Highline Trail (Out & Back)

I really tried to reserve Many Glacier Day Hiker Shuttle Tickets for our first day in the park, but no dice! Ideally, we would have kicked off our trip in the Many Glacier region, which would have set us up perfectly for the Grinnell Glacier Trail, an 11-mile hike that would have eased us into the hiking groove. Given that the longest day hike Brian and I completed before this trip was 10.5 miles, it seemed like a manageable way to acclimate to our hiking rhythm.

Instead, we dove straight into a hefty 15-mile hike on the Highline Trail, pushing our limits right from the start! We arrived at the Logan Pass parking lot at 6:15AM, just before it filled up. We made our way across the street and set off as the sun began to rise.

Surrounded by rocky terrain and sloped alpine meadows, the excitement for the challenge ahead vibrated through us like electricity. It wasn’t until we rounded the curve that we were confronted with sweeping views of mountain peaks and the valley below, overlooking the iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road.

The path hugged the rocky cliffside, with sheer drops plunging down to the road below. Though Brian’s mild fear of heights tugged at him slightly, he kept his eyes forward on the horizon as we continued forward. After all, it felt fairly manageable after conquering the nearly vertical ascent on the Precipice Trail in Acadia National Park!

Mid-Hike Confidence

After hiking roughly 7 miles, we reached the Granite Park Trail junction, leading us to our midway point and lunch spot at the Granite Park Chalet. This little break allowed us to slow down and re-energize for the trek back. Honestly, we both found the hike quite easy-going up to this point. In fact, Brian insisted we challenge ourselves even further and tack on the strenuously steep 1.6-mile out-and-back Grinnell Glacier Overlook Trail that branches off of the Highline.

We set off on the return stretch of the Highline Trail, retracing our steps away from the Granite Park Chalet, when we encountered a mama grizzly and her two cubs! Along with a few other hikers, Brian and I kept a safe distance away until the bears cleared the trail. We soon reached the daunting offshoot of the Grinnell Glacier Overlook Trail and began our ascent. Two hours and a whole lot of miserable effort later, we were back on the Highline Trail. In full transparency, this detour wasn’t worth the additional effort for us. Sure, the view was beautiful, but we felt it didn’t justify the extra time and energy it demanded.

We intended to see Grinnell Glacier the next day, so we had no real reason to climb the overlook besides seeking an extra challenge. Poor Brian was nearly done for the day! However, we still had 6 miles to go until we reached the trailhead. So, we pushed on, taking our time and enjoying the sun-soaked views of surrounding peaks and deep emerald forests.

In the end, we hiked a total of 16.5 miles. The total elevation gain we tackled amounted to 3,415 feet, of which 938 feet was due to our ambitious extra hike on the Grinnell Glacier Overlook Trail. We would absolutely hike the Highline Trail again, but count us out of the Grinnell Glacier Overlook next time! We’ll stick to the beauty and relative ease of the Highline.

2. Lake McDonald

Achy and fatigued after the Highline, Brian and I postponed our other hikes for the day. Instead, we switched on GuideAlong’s GNP audio tour and cruised the Going-to-the-Sun Road. We stopped at key points along the way, ultimately pulling off at Lake McDonald. On the west side of Glacier National Park lies Lake McDonald, the largest glacial lake in the park. It is ten miles long and almost 500 feet deep.

There are several pull-offs along the lake, and we just so happened to get lucky and find one that offered a serene view without the distraction of crowds. Unfortunately, we didn’t have our swimsuits with us. If we had, we would have very likely taken a dip. The water was warmer than we had expected for a glacial lake, though it still felt cool enough to soothe our weary feet. Dotted with colorful stones, the lake’s crystal-clear water shimmered beneath the sunlight, calling for us to stay awhile.

It’s an amazing picnic spot, though we had already hydrated and snacked our way to satiation. We only stayed a little while, appreciating the rocky shoreline and tranquil waters. Next time, we’ll be better prepared. Along with our swimsuits, we’ll pack a solid picnic and set aside some time to enjoy a proper lakeside retreat.

3. Grinnell Glacier Trail (Out & Back)

I’m so incredibly thrilled that Brian and I were able to get into Many Glacier this trip! Gah, I would have been pretty disappointed if we had missed out on this incredible part of the park. The Grinnell Glacier Trail was hands-down our favorite hike of the entire trip.

The Day Hiker Shuttle’s drop-off point added an extra mile to our hike before we could get to the Grinnell Glacier Trailhead, making it a 12-mile hike overall. I could say that this was an inconvenience, but that wouldn’t be true at all! The walk to the trailhead alone offered magnificent views and fresh alpine scents. The path took us around Swiftcurrent Lake, where reflections of the surrounding peaks shimmered on the water’s surface. Once we reached the trailhead, we found ourselves surrounded by rich greenery that led us to the stunningly deep turquoise waters of Lake Josephine.

An Extraordinary Backdrop

The elevation gain is moderate at first until it ramps up around the 2.5-mile mark. Although we were definitely feeling the effects of the previous day’s trek, the striking scenery was a powerful motivator! The vibrant turquoise of Grinnell Lake was mesmerizing, inviting us to pause countless times to simply savor the awe-inspiring views of the mountains and waterfalls. We were even lucky enough to spot a mountain goat and a bighorn sheep. Yes, we were absolutely tired, but this scenery was unlike anything we’d ever encountered before, especially on this kind of trail!

Although the trail featured daunting sections with steep drop-offs and narrow paths, it only added to the adventure. However, it was a bit unnerving when we faced two-way traffic crossing over a waterfall and scrambling over cliffside boulders! Luckily, we navigated tricky spots safely enough, emerging virtually unscathed! The last half mile challenged us with its steep incline over boulders and loose gravel, but the views of Grinnell Glacier and Upper Grinnell Lake made it all worthwhile.

After a nice, looong lunch break, we made our way back down toward the trailhead. Again, the sights were truly extraordinary. Unfortunately, we couldn’t take as much time soaking them in, as we were running into more and more two-way traffic as the day progressed. The hot sun, crowded trail, and our achy feet had us ready to be done sooner than later! Even though our return trip wasn’t as easy-going and pleasant as our initial ascent, Brian and I wouldn’t hesitate to do this trail again. It still tops our list of experiences due to the overall scenery, level of difficulty, and wildlife.

4. Grinnell Glacier

Wow. Sitting in front of Grinnell Glacier on the edge of Upper Grinnell Glacier Lake was one of the most memorable moments of our trip. We reached the glacier at the top of the steep ascent of the final section of the Grinnell Glacier Trail. The icy expanse is beautiful, though it has clearly diminished over the years. The views seemed surreal, with the glacier and continental divide looming above the milky blue waters of the lake. The chill in the air felt absolutely invigorating after our brief and intense climb up the last half mile.

It was time for lunch!

Brian and I took a seat on one of several rock formations along the lake, enjoying the contrasting colors and textures of our surroundings. We both dipped our fingers into the water, which was indeed ice cold!! The breeze coming off the lake felt sharp and brisk, causing me to shiver in between bites.

It began to feel a little too chilly for me, so we relocated to the other side of the glacier basin, where we overlooked the valley. As we carried on with our lunch, we couldn’t help but appreciate the panoramic views of the valley and the brilliant colors of the lakes that stretched out before us. This remains one of our top spots of our entire trip!

5. Hidden Lake Overlook

Last but not least, we’d absolutely return to Hidden Lake Overlook, preferably during sunset! The overlook can be reached via a 2.7-mile out-and-back hike from the Logan Pass parking lot. It’s a relatively easy-to-moderate hike, with an elevation gain of 551 feet.

Offering spectacular views of towering mountains and open meadows, the trail begins with a steady climb on a paved surface that quickly turns into a raised boardwalk. Just past halfway to the overlook, the trail gives way to a dirt and gravel path with some steeper uphill sections. It really wasn’t all that strenuous! Before long, we arrived at Hidden Lake Overlook, just a mile and a half along the trail.

Though it was quite crowded, the sheer beauty made it easy to overlook the extra company. Brian and I waited out the crowds and discovered a cozy, secluded nook at the edge of the overlook that gave us an uninterrupted view of the lake. Set against the backdrop of steep mountain slopes and a rich spectrum of greens, the deep blue waters of Hidden Lake created a stunning contrast. The view reminded me of a postcard.

I can see us returning to this spot for a small dinner or dessert as the sun slowly begins to set. It would be the perfect way to wrap up a day of adventure.

Until Next Time

Glacier National Park gave us an indescribable preview of its dynamic landscapes and majestic wilderness. It was a beautiful introduction to a corner of the world that we cannot wait to dive deeper into. Brian and I know without a doubt that we’ll be back. Not only do we intend to revisit favorites, but we plan to extend our trip to include Canada’s Waterton Lakes National Park, located just north of Glacier National Park!

We plan to visit Glacier for a longer adventure so that we can explore more of the park. We have our eyes set on some tougher hikes, like the 18.8-mile Pitamakan-Dawson Loop! Reflecting on our 3-day trip, we feel so proud of what we accomplished and grateful we didn’t wait another year to experience it; sometimes, waiting can turn into a lifetime of “someday.” This was a reminder to prioritize what we truly want while we still can. Life is what we make of it, after all.

So, until next time, GNP! Thanks for the amazing memories. We’ll see you again down the road!