Glacier National Park is home to more than 700 miles of hiking trails, making it the ultimate hiker’s paradise. In fact, in this national park, you’ll find some of the most iconic hiking trails in Montana. Bucket-list-worthy hikes such as Grinnell Glacier Trail and the St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail are absolute musts when visiting this area of the state but there’s another iconic hike in Glacier National Park that I believe everyone should hike at least once in their lifetime — the Avalanche Lake Trail.
Going-to-the-Sun Road is one of the most popular attractions in Glacier National Park — and for good reason. This is considered one of the best scenic drives in America as it takes you through a gorgeous mountain pass where the scenery will leave you speechless. This road is also where you’ll find several trailheads including the route to Avalanche Lake.
The hike to Avalanche Lake is just under six miles, but you actually begin your journey on a wheelchair-accessible nature trail called the Trail of the Cedars. You’ll follow this route for approximately 0.5 miles. Just don’t let this small portion of the trail fool you. The hike will become much more challenging as you continue on.
In total, you will climb 750 feet in elevation. There are some steep and rocky portions of the trail, so you’ll want to watch your step. Fortunately, the trail is well-maintained and heavily trafficked, so it’s easy to follow and hard to get lost.
The Avalanche Lake Trail is a hike where the journey is just as beautiful as the final destination. You will walk through incredible forests and clearings where you’ll see mountains looming in the distance. While you will likely encounter other hikers on your journey, take a few moments to stop and admire the views around you. See if you can hear the wildlife, leaves rustling, and even streams flowing nearby. This is nature at its best.
Once you reach Avalanche Lake, you’ll understand why it’s so popular. This mountain lake isn’t large but it boasts clear water, waterfalls, and a gorgeous shoreline. It is the type of place where photos simply don’t do it justice — you need to see this body of water in person.
Keep in mind that the Going-to-the-Sun Road does feature seasonal closures. You will also need to pay a fee to enter the park for access to this trail. While summer is definitely a popular time to hike the Avalanche Lake Trail, I particularly love the fall when the gold, red, and orange leaves make an appearance and surround the lake. It’s absolutely stunning.
While there are dozens of hiking trails in Glacier National Park that we love, the Avalanche Lake Trail is easily one of our favorites, and it might just become one of your favorites as well. It's simply awe-inspiring every step of the way.
What are some of your favorite trails in Glacier National Park? Check out this list of bucket-list-worthy hikes in Glacier NP and see if your favorite made the list. And if you are looking for even more hikes in Montana to explore, we’ve compiled a list featuring more than a dozen of our favorites. You may want to add a few to your Montana hiking bucket list.
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