The Top 10 Best Hikes in Glacier National Park

If you’re heading to Glacier National Park in Montana, you might be overwhelmed by the many trails available for hikers of all levels. There are over 700 miles of them, so how do you know which are the absolute best hikes in Glacier National Park?

Covering specs like difficulty, distance, and elevation gain, this list will give you an idea of which trail is right for you. Plus, you’ll find out what the highlights are of each one.

Lake McDonald Trails

This is Glacier National Park‘s most famous lake, so it’s no surprise that any hike leading to it will be epic. Lake McDonald is massive — almost 10 miles long — so there are quite a few options for hiking to it or along it.

Keep in mind that you don’t have to hike to the lake, as there is a road that leads up to it. However, why take away all the fun of arriving at Lake McDonald by simply driving there? If you’re up for an adventure, these are a few great hikes to and along Lake McDonald:

1. Apgar Lookout Trail: 3.6 miles out and back

From the Apgar Lookout, you’ll get an incredible view of Lake McDonald and the surrounding mountains. As the lookout faces east, this would be a great early-morning hike to catch the sunrise over the mountains, with the light reflecting off the lake.

This 3.6-mile out-and-back hike begins in the southwest vicinity of the lake. To get to the trailhead from the West Entrance of Glacier National Park, you’ll drive a half mile north and turn left. Drive 1.5 miles past the Quarter Circle Bridge, where you can begin your hike. There’s an elevation gain of 1,850 feet, which is a doozy for beginner hikers but no big deal for those with more experience.

Since the Apgar Lookout Trail is one of the first to thaw after winter, it’s great for early spring, as there likely won’t be many other visitors in the park and you can enjoy the views in solitude.

2. Trail of the Cedars: 0.9-mile loop

This is perfect for a quick hike to get acquainted with the area near Lake McDonald, as it’s one of the easiest trails, only a 0.9-mile-long loop. The trailhead is at the Avalanche picnic area. It only takes about 20 minutes to do the whole trail, but considering it’s a popular birding area, you might want to take your time and see what kinds of birds and other wildlife you can spot.

Trail of the Cedars is ideal for beginner hikers, families, and people with strollers, as it’s one of the easiest in…