Highline Trail / Ptarmigan Tunnel loop (sometimes called the North Circle) is easily the best multi-day hike in Glacier National Park. The circuit reaches many highlights:
- Highline Trail
- Ptarmigan Tunnel (120ft long)
- Swiftcurrent Mountain Lookout (elevation gain of 1km, 3500ft)
- Iceberg Lake (wow!)
- Stoney Indian Lake
- Granite Park Chalet
- Ahern Pass / option to scramble Ahern peak
- Sue Lake Overlook
- Kootenai Lake
Glacier, the Crown of the Continent, was voted Best Overall National Park by Backpacker Magazine readers in 2000.
Most of the million acres are reserved as wilderness. It is a designated World Heritage Site.
Our Recommended Routes have you crossing the border by boat from pretty Waterton National Park, Canada.
The cool way to get to Glacier is by train. Connect to the hiker's shuttle between trailheads.
The brilliant wildflowers of the alpine meadows (late June to early August) draw many hikers — but for us the greatest attraction of Glacier is wildlife. This is the most critical animal biosphere in the continental USA.
Animals you will likely see during one hike in the backcountry are elk, black & grizzly bears, mule deer, moose, mountain goats & bighorn sheep.
We dubbed this trek Bears & Berries, for obvious reasons.
How to get started planning a hike in Glacier? First check the FAQS (Frequently Asked Questions).
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