16 Greatest Hikes in Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park in Montana is one of the most stunning natural beauties in the world. With dozens of lakes, mountains, glaciers, and valleys, there is so much to see and explore at Glacier National Park. And there is no better way to explore this beauty than by hiking through it.
Glacier National Park is divided into three main areas: Many Glaciers, Two Medicine, and the Going to the Sun Road. Here are the best hikes in each of these areas for your next trip to the “Crown of the Continent”.
Many Glacier
1. Grinnell Glacier Trail
Distance: 10.6 miles or 7.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 2000 feet
Difficulty: Moderate or Hard
Trailhead: Continental Divide Trail, Many Lakes Picnic Area
Grinnell Glacier Trail is one of the most popular hikes in the Many Glacier area, but it’s not as crowded as other trails. This trail starts by winding around the turquoise-blue Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine. Then it heads through wild-flower filled green meadows, around majestic mountains, to a view of the grand Grinnell Glacier.
For those wanting a shorter hike, take a boat across the lakes and pick up on the trail from there. This shaves off about 3 miles total.
The trail is popular for horseback riding to Grinnell Lake, but dogs are not allowed. Guided horseback rides can be arranged by Swam Mountain Outfitters.
Best to leave the young ones in daycare or with relatives as the trail is quite challenging.
2. Ptarmigan Tunnel
Distance: 10.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 2300 feet
Difficulty: Hard
Trailhead: Iceberg-Ptarmigan Trailhead
Ptarmigan Tunnel is the only tunnel in Glacier National Park, making it a unique place to hike to. The trail loosely follows around Ptarmigan Lake, one of the park’s famous sapphire-blue lakes. As you continue walking, Mount Grinnell and Swiftcurrent Mountain will be visible across the valley.
As you continue your final ascent to the tunnel, you may spot a few mountain goats or bighorn sheep. Once at the tunnel, walk through it to see the view of Belly River Valley with Lake Elizabeth and Old Sun Glacier.
Although the tunnel was built for riders and their horses to pass through in the 1920s and 1930s, it is not recommended. Dogs are also not allowed on the trail. Leave kids at home.
3. Iceberg Lake Trail
Distance: 9.7 Miles
Elevation Gain: 1,275 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Trailhead: Iceberg-Ptarmigan Trailhead
Starting at the same trailhead as Ptarmigan Tunnel is the hike to Iceberg Lake. This hike is a bit easier than Ptarmigan Tunnel for the average hiker. The trail moves at a gradual incline through open terrain. This provides spectacular views of meadows, mountains, and wildlife like deer or the occasional grizzly bear.
Iceberg Lake spends all year underneath the shadow of Mount Wilbur. This means that the lake has chunks of ice in it all year round, hence the name ‘iceberg’. As Iceberg Lake is a prime grizzly bear location, the trail is sometimes closed if a bear is seen so make sure to check that before hiking.
Active teenagers might be able to complete this trail, but leave the younger children at home. Dogs are not allowed.
4. Apikuni Falls
Distance: 2 miles
Elevation Gain: 700 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Trailhead: Apikuni Falls Trailhead
Apikuni (Apekunny) Falls is one of the shortest hikes in the Many Glacier area. However, this hike has a 700-foot elevation gain in a very short amount of time, so it’s not an extremely easy hike. The trail can also be quite rocky, so caution is advised while walking.
The beginning of summer is the best time to take this hike as that’s when the 300-foot tall Apikuni Falls is at its strongest. The hike is still beautiful at other times of the year, with colorful wildflowers and stunning views.
Dogs are not allowed on the trail, neither are horses. Although it’s a short hike, the elevation makes it tough for younger kids, so best leave them at home.
5. Cracker Lake
Distance: 12 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,650 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Trailhead: Many Glacier Lodge parking lot
Cracker Lake is arguably the prettiest alpine lake in the Many Glacier area of the park. Despite the long length of this hike, it’s not an extremely difficult hike. It is also possible to get a permit to hike overnight to the lake.
There are many sights to see along the lake.