Hiking the Highline Trail: Glacier National Park's Scenic Route

Discover the stunning landscapes of Glacier National Park on the Highline Trail, where alpine meadows and panoramic views await at every turn.

Last updated: Apr 2024

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Free trail access; park entrance fee $25
More than 500 Miles from you
National Star: Exceptional experiences within the country that are must-dos for adventurers
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Description

Experience breathtaking alpine meadows and expansive vistas on the Highline Trail in Glacier National Park, perfect for adventurers seeking moderate hikes. Discover the stunning landscapes of Glacier National Park on the Highline Trail, where alpine meadows and panoramic views await at every turn. Embark on a journey through the western side of the Continental Divide on the Highline Trail in Glacier National Park. This trail, known for its gentle terrain and the final ascent to Haystack Pass, offers hikers a unique opportunity to traverse glacially carved landscapes, complete with high alpine exposure. Starting from Logan Pass, the trail spans 7.2 miles round trip to Haystack Pass, with options to extend your hike for a more challenging adventure. As you set out, prepare for a section equipped with a hand cable for safety, perfect for those comfortable with heights. Along the way, the trail reveals the natural history of the area, from pika habitats in scree fields to ancient stromatolite formations in limestone and dolomite rocks. The climax of the hike, Haystack Pass, presents unparalleled views and a chance to spot alpine wildlife. Whether you choose to return from Haystack Pass or venture further to the Granite Park Chalet, this hike promises unforgettable high alpine vistas and a deep connection with nature.

Perfect for

For solo

For two

For groups

Outdoorsy

Challenging

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Itinerary

Start at the Highline Trailhead across from the Logan Pass parking lot.
Prepare for a cliffy stretch with a hand cable shortly after beginning.
Enjoy the diverse landscape, including alpine meadows and scree fields.
Take a break at the large boulders before Haystack Pass to admire the stromatolites.
Reach Haystack Pass for a lunch break and enjoy the views.
Decide whether to return to Logan Pass or continue to the Granite Park Chalet.

Location

Highline Trail, West Glacier, MT 59936

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Packing List

Sun, wind, and rain protection
At least two liters of water per person
Snacks or lunch for breaks
Comfortable hiking shoes
Camera for capturing the scenery

4.9 ● Google reviews

This is a stunning scenic walk. We arrived at the Logan Pass parking lot early in the morning. The entrance to the trail is across from the parking lot. Wear durable boots and bring enough of water. Parking spaces are limited. Free shuttles are available along Going-to-the-Sun Road on a first-come, first-served basis.

Absolutely stunning hike! We got to the Logan Pass parking lot around 6 am and there were plenty of spots left. We were a bit worried about the heights of this trail but they were very manageable. There are stunning views throughout the whole hike. We saw a group of big horned sheep on our journey. We ended up taking The Loop down. The shuttle service was a bit wonky and might take you a while to get back.

I absolutely loved this trail. It follows the going to the sun road for a while and has incredible views. Get there early if your trying to get a parking spot and see the wildlife. I ran into some deer early in the AM they were walking the trail and were literally 20 feet from me when I came around a corner close to the chain area. The mom walked right passed me and the fawns when around a bit. There is an optional spur trail, not long before the chalet that leads to an overlook of grindal glacier, it’s only a mile up but it is very difficult easily the most challenging part of this trail by far, like a 900+ ft gain, but it’s pretty awesome if you make it to the top. At the chalet there is like 1 or 2 toilets, and you can either keep going or turn back. If you keep going it’s almost all downhill after that and you can hike down about 4 miles to “the spot” and take a free shuttle (check the schedule 1st) back to Logan pass. That’s what I ended up doing. The best views are between the chalet and Logan pass, but the hike down isn’t bad. The trail is fairly long but also fairly easy to hike with the exception of the glacier overlook. Note you will want to hike from Logan pass to the Spot NOT the other way around. While it is possible to start at the Spot I would not recommend it, unless your one of those people who are trying to challenge yourself, and you know who you are so in that case you do you. But it’s a 3000 ft gain from the spot to the chalet, a steep 4 mile climb and another 1000+ ft gain to Logan pass from there, not to mention the glacier overlook. So just be aware it’s much more challenging to hike it that way. I did see a couple small groups powering through it though. Any way you decide to hike this trail it’s sure to be spectacular, best trail in the park imo.

It's a beautiful trail, although it is pretty long (over 25km), make sure you start early and have enough water with you for the day. Make sure to go to the glacier overlook, it is definitely the highlight of the trail.

Great trail. The parking lot at Logan pass gets packed fast so arrive early. This is a long trail and you can put anywhere from a mile to 50 miles. Whatever you prefer. Great views and lots of wild life

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