Montana: Glacier National Park

Avalanche Lake; 5-6 miles, easy to moderate

Your leaders will meet you at our meeting point hotel in Whitefish—Best Western Rocky Mountain Lodge—at 8:00 a.m. in the lobby. They’ll be wearing Country Walkers shirts. Please be dressed for walking—comfortable, weather-appropriate attire, sturdy footwear, and a daypack (to carry essentials such as rain gear and a water bottle) are required.

From the meeting point in Whitefish, you’ll drive approximately one hour to the western side of Glacier National Park. Here, in the lush, ancient cedar rainforest, you’ll stretch your legs on an easy walk to the glacial meltwaters of Avalanche Lake. The path first leads past Avalanche Gorge, where rushing waters have carved smooth chutes and bowls into the stone. From there, you continue climbing a moss-lined trail among towering western red cedars and hemlocks to the tranquil shores of Avalanche Lake, nestled in a cirque surrounded by Glacier’s dramatic, layered peaks.

Following a lakeside picnic lunch, you’ll travel a short distance to your home for the night—Lake McDonald Lodge, a historic gem on the southeastern shore of Lake McDonald. Built in 1913 in the Swiss chalet style, this National Historic Landmark features a grand three-story lobby with exposed timber beams, a massive stone fireplace, and rustic furnishings that evoke the spirit of early park exploration.

Set amid towering cedars and offering breathtaking lake and mountain views, Lake McDonald Lodge provides a serene setting for relaxation and reflection. Guests can enjoy strolls along the lakeshore or unwind in the lodge’s inviting common areas. This evening, savor a welcome dinner in the lodge’s dining room, where you can toast the start of your Glacier National Park adventure.

Country Walkers provides city information with helpful recommendations on what to see and do in Whitefish if you arrive early or depart after the tour.

Included Meals: Lunch, Dinner

7 miles, moderate

This morning, early risers may have the opportunity to spot wildlife such as deer and elk in the forested foothills around Lake McDonald. After breakfast in the dining room—decorated with rough-hewn beams and hunting trophies—you’ll depart the western side of the park aboard a classic Red Bus via the legendary Going-to-the-Sun Road. This marvel of engineering dramatically climbs the Continental Divide at Logan Pass (elevation 6,646 feet), offering breathtaking views of the park’s soaring peaks, cliffs, and lakes.

Today’s walk follows the famed “Garden Wall” section of the Highline Trail, offering excellent opportunities to observe wildlife on the open mountain slopes beneath the rugged spine of the Continental Divide. The trail traverses a broad ledge and winds through stands of fir and spruce sculpted by wind and time into fantastical forms. Years of fierce winter winds and airborne ice have stripped many trees of their windward branches, leaving them with a distinctive, flagpole-like appearance. Surrounded by dramatic glacial landscapes, you’ll overlook a valley ringed by mountains and a hanging basin from which a waterfall tumbles hundreds of feet to the valley floor. You may even share the trail with mountain goats or bighorn sheep, well-adapted to the rocky ledges. After reaching the scenic promontory known as Haystack Butte, you return along the same trail.

By late afternoon, you arrive at your home for the next two nights: Many Glacier Hotel. Built in 1915 by the Great Northern Railroad, this historic lodge sits on the shores of Swiftcurrent Lake and offers some of the park’s best wildlife viewing. Its alpine setting means your next two days of walks begin right from the lodge’s front door. Built in a traditional Swiss chalet style, the hotel features a recently restored exterior and retains its grand, rustic charm. This evening, enjoy dinner in the lodge’s Ptarmigan Dining Room, known for its blend of Continental and American cuisine.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

7-13 miles, moderate, 1,200-ft. elevation gain

After a breakfast buffet, you set out for the striking aquamarine tarn known as Iceberg Lake. The trail ascends gradually, with an elevation gain of approximately 1,200 feet. Along the way, you traverse flower-strewn slopes, where creamy white beargrass blooms in early summer and vibrant magenta fireweed spikes appear later in the season. Throughout the hike, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of Swiftcurrent Glacier, Grinnell Point, and the imposing Mt. Wilbur—known to the Blackfeet as “Heavy Shield Mountain.”

Ptarmigan Falls offers a refreshing rest stop on warm summer days. For a shorter walk, you may choose to turn back here and spend a leisurely afternoon at the lodge. For those continuing onward, the trail leads to a dramatic glacial cirque, where the frigid turquoise waters and drifting ice flows of Iceberg Lake await (elevation 6,094 feet).

After returning to the lodge, enjoy a relaxed evening and choose your dining spot—either the hotel’s main dining room or the more casual Swiss Lounge, which features a full bar menu.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

5 miles, moderate, 600-ft. elevation gain OR Grinnell Glacier; 11 miles, moderate to challenging, 1,400-ft. elevation gain

The Grinnell Valley area holds two of today’s possible destinations—Grinnell Lake Overlook or Grinnell Glacier. Both options begin with a short yet scenic boat ride across Swiftcurrent and Josephine Lakes. The trail starts with a climb through a forest of subalpine firs, then traverses ledges of red and green argillite. Soon, it opens to sweeping views of the surrounding peaks, with Mts. Gould and Grinnell towering above. Grinnell Falls, with its distinctive milky glacial meltwater, cascades into the lake below. Wildlife sightings are common here, as the area is home to bighorn sheep, mountain goats, moose, and bear. The turnaround point at Grinnell Lake Overlook offers a picturesque setting and a relaxed pace for the return hike along the wildflower-lined shores of two alpine lakes (elevation gain of 600 feet).

For those continuing to Grinnell Glacier, the trail becomes more challenging—but also more rewarding—as it leads to one of the largest remaining glaciers in the park (elevation gain of 1,400 feet).

At day’s end, a scenic drive of just over an hour brings you to Glacier Park Lodge, your accommodations for the next two nights. Built in 1913 by the Great Northern Railway, this grand lodge is affectionately known as the “Big Tree Hotel,” thanks to the massive Douglas fir timbers that dominate its iconic lobby. Surrounded by beautifully landscaped grounds and offering stunning mountain views, Glacier Park Lodge provides a timeless retreat in the heart of East Glacier. This evening, enjoy dinner in the lodge’s inviting dining room.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

8 miles, moderate to challenging, 2,200-ft. elevation gain OR Upper Two Medicine Lake; 7.5 miles, easy

This morning, a short drive brings you to Two Medicine Valley and the trailhead for a walk that reaches the highest elevation of the week, uniquely located in the park’s vast eastern prairies. From the east bank of Appistoki Creek, the trail climbs quickly, passing Appistoki Falls before ascending steeply via switchbacks up the arid mountainside above the creek. All of today’s elevation gain—approximately 2,200 feet—occurs within the first three miles, culminating at Scenic Point (elevation 7,522 feet), where sweeping views await. To the west, you’ll take in magnificent peaks, mountain passes, and deep blue lakes along the Continental Divide. To the east, the great plains stretch for hundreds of miles. After a picnic lunch, you return along the same trail, with panoramic views of Glacier National Park unfolding before you.

For those seeking a more leisurely option, a walk is offered to Upper Two Medicine Lake. Beginning at the foot of Two Medicine Lake, beneath the towering presence of Rising Wolf Mountain, the trail gently winds through forest, where avalanche chutes reveal glimpses of the stunning valley. Pause at the impressive Twin Falls for a snack—you may even spot an ouzel (or American dipper) nesting beneath the cascading water. Continuing on, the trail leads to Upper Two Medicine Lake (elevation gain of 300 feet), where you’ll unpack your picnic lunch before returning to the lake and boarding a boat for the scenic ride back.

This evening, gather for a festive farewell dinner at a local restaurant known for its casual menu and lively atmosphere.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

1 mile, easy

Conclude your Glacier National Park hiking tour with a scenic walk along the Forest and Fire Nature Trail loop near the Camas Creek entrance. Formerly known as the Huckleberry Mountain Nature Trail, this route winds through areas that were severely burned in 1967 and again in 2001. The visible regrowth here is a powerful testament to nature’s resilience. Young pine saplings, budding aspens, and fragrant wildflowers now line the trail, showcasing the forest’s ongoing renewal.

As you ascend to several vantage points, sweeping views of the Flathead River and stands of charred trees unfold before you. After completing the loop, you’ll shuttle to Apgar Village on the shores of Lake McDonald for a relaxing picnic lunch before continuing to Whitefish for airport or downtown departures.

Important: Country Walker transportation times and departure points are finalized in advance and cannot be modified for individual guests.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch