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Trails

Trails and Self-Guided Interpretive Walks: Handicapped Accessible

Going-to-the-Sun Road:
Apgar Bicycle/Hike Trail, located between Apgar and Headquarters (1.63 mile asphalt surface)
Lake McDonald Trail, located by the Lake McDonald Lodge boat dock (360 foot concrete surface)
Trail of the Cedars Nature Trail at Avalanche Campground (0.7 mile wood/asphalt surface)
Oberlin Bend Trail (400 foot metal-grated surface) One overlook is not accessible.
Two Medicine:
Running Eagle Falls Nature Trail (1800 foot stabilized soil surface) Printed brochure available at trailhead.
U.S Highway 2:
Goat Lick Overlook (400 foot asphalt surface)

Trails of Glacier & Waterton Lakes

These are just a few of the many trails found in Glacier and Waterton. Check at a park visitor center for more information. (Distances and times are round-trip unless otherwise indicated.)

Trail of the Cedars (easy)
Trailhead at Avalanche Campground; a half-mile loop; level, wheelchair-accessible trail. A pleasant stroll through the old-growth cedar-hemlock forest along Avalanche Creek.

Swiftcurrent Lake Trail (easy)
Trailhead at Many Glacier Picnic Area or the south end of Many Glacier Hotel; 2.6 miles; level trail; Two to three hours. This loop trail travels around the lake offering great views of Grinnell and Salamander glaciers, Mount Gould and Grinnell Point.

Red Eagle Lake Trail (easy)
Trailhead at St. Mary 1913 Ranger Station; 15 miles; 300-foot elevation gain; all-day to overnight trip. Experience an authentic, old buffalo hunter's route that will lead you behind the St. Mary Lake mountains to a network of passes through the peaks. You can camp at the lake (by permit only) before trying one of the higher routes if you want a multi-day adventure.

Highline Trail (moderate)
Logan Pass to Goat Haunt; 7.6 miles to Granite Park with a 500-foot climb; 24.4 miles from Granite Park to Goat Haunt includes overnight trip options. The Highline Trail parallels the Garden Wall (along the Continental Divide). Hard-core hikers can travel the 39.5-mile route north from Logan Pass to Waterton Townsite in Waterton Lakes National Park. (Concession boat available at Goat Haunt.)

Cracker Lake Trail (moderate)
Trailhead at Many Glacier Hotel; 12.2 miles; 1,400-foot elevation gain. The trail begins by winding through open grasslands and then enters the Canyon Creek Canyon, where the cliffs of Mount Siyeh rise 4,100 feet straight up. (This is also a horse concession trail.)

Sperry Chalet Trail (strenuous)
Trailhead at Lake McDonald Lodge; 6.2 miles to the chalet (one way); 3,400-foot elevation gain; all-day to overnight round trip. A fascinating walk through several of Glacier's climate zones, it culminates with a sweeping view from high in a glacial cirque. Hard-core hikers can continue up to the glacier itself. Lodging at Sperry Chalet and camping are available by reservation.

Lakeshore Trail (moderate)
Trailhead at Waterton Townsite; seven-and-a-half miles to Goat Haunt at the southern end of Waterton Lake (one way); gentle slopes; all-day round trip. Many folks like to walk this trail in one direction and ride the Waterton tour launches the other way. Launches run five times a day from mid-May to mid-September. There are excellent views of Waterton Lake. Hikers intending to ride the tour boat part-way should buy their tickets in advance and notify the boat company.

Bertha Lake Trail (easy to strenuous)
Trailhead is located at the south end of Waterton Townsite; eight miles; 2,000-foot elevation gain; Two to six hours. This trail leaves the Waterton Lake shore and enters a Douglas fir forest. The first hour of walking will take you to a magnificent overlook view of Upper Waterton Lake, then on to Lower Bertha Falls. From the falls, a steeper climb takes you past Upper Bertha Falls to Bertha Lake. Most hikers go as far as Lower Bertha Falls, which is a great spot for a picnic.

Carthew/Alderson Trail (strenuous)
Trailhead at Cameron Lake; 12 miles to Waterton Park (one way); initial uphill climb with 2,255-foot elevation gain followed by a 3,360-foot descent; all-day round trip. Panoramic views of many mountain lakes, including Carthew and Cameron lakes, and surrounding peaks make this trail outstanding. A shuttle service from Waterton Park to Cameron Lake leaves Tamarack Mall at 9 a.m. during the summer season. It costs a minimum of $24 CAN, or $6 CAN each for four or more riders.