These 5 hikes in Glacier National Park Will Take Your Breath Away

Some would say the best way to really see Glacier National Park in Montana is on a hike.  There are over 740 miles of trails so I thought we'd just focus on these 5 hikes that are very popular.  I used Hiking Glacier to get you the best information available for planning your trip.

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As with all things you do in Glacier Park, this is bear country, so always be bear aware and carry bear spray.

Grinnell Glacier Hike

• Trail features:  Views, meadows and Glaciers
• Location:  Many Glacier Hotel
• Length:  7.6 miles round trip
• Difficulty:  Strenuous

This hike starts at the Many Glacier Hotel.  You can cut out a portion of the hiking by taking a boat tour across Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine.  This is bear country.  For your safety, have bear spray with you.  For details on this hike, click here.

Ptarmigan Tunnel Hike

• Trail features:  Views, Alpine Lake, history
• Location:  Iceberg Lake Trailhead
• Length:  10.7 miles round trip
• Difficulty:  Strenuous

This hike starts behind the cabins of Swiftcurrent Motor Inn.  The Ptarmigan Tunnel Hike is very popular with Grizzly bears in Glacier National Park, so don't get on the trail without bear spray.  For details on this hike, click here.

Iceberg Lake

• Trail Features:  Views, Alpine Lake, Wildflowers
• Location:  Iceberg Lake Trailhead
• Length:  9.7 miles round trip
• Difficulty:  Strenuous

This hike starts behind the cabins of Swiftcurrent Motor Inn.  The Iceberg Lake hike is also a very popular area for the Grizzly bears in Glacier National Park, so make sure you have bear spray with you.  For details on this hike, click here.

Cracker Lake

• Trail Features:  Views, Alpine Lake
• Location:  Cracker Lake Trailhead
• Length:  12.6 miles round trip
• Difficulty:  Strenuous

This hike starts in the parking lot of the Many Glacier Hotel.  Keep in mind, this is also a very popular trail for horseback trail rides in the park.  This trail also has plenty of bear sightings, so make sure you have your bear spray with you.  For details on this hike, click here.

Highline Loop

• Trail Features:  Views, Alpine meadows, wildflowers
• Location:  Logan Pass
• Length:  11.8 miles
• Difficulty:  Strenuous

This hike starts at Logan Pass and isn't really a "loop" in that you'll end up where you started.  There is a loop in the hike.  This is one of the most popular trails in the park and is deep in bear country so make noise and carry bear spray with you.  For details on this hike, click here.