The hike everyone MUST do in Glacier National Park
Distance + Elevation
12 miles out and back.
1600 ft Elevation
Difficulty
Moderate – anyone who can walk and go up steps can comfortably do this hike with adequate time and preparation.
Location
Many Glacier, Grinnell Glacier Trailhead directly behind the Many Glacier Hotel.
Gear Recommended
Bear spray
Poncho
Sweatshirt
Snacks/Lunch
Water
Time
5 hours and 4 minutes.
We are fast – and I would have liked to spend more time at the Glacier.
Set aside 7 hours for this hike.
Additional Info
You can take a boat for an extra fee to save about 3.5 miles and 1.5 hours of time.
No permit required except park pass.
Parking is limited at Many Glacier – arrive early.
Tiffany’s Take
It’s popular for a reason! This gorgeous hike ranks among my top 5 hikes of all time right now!
We almost chose not to do it…we tend to like to avoid “popular” hikes that are “easier”…because they are SO FULL of people. This hike did have a lot of people, but honestly it was so gorgeous it didn’t even matter.
While this is not MY favorite hike in Glacier (It’s Dawson-Pitamken) – I’ll rank it as the #1 hike in Glacier because it is SO accessible to people of all hiking experiences. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not “EASY” and it’s not a boardwalk stroll. But the payoff of doing this hike, even if you don’t consider yourself to be a hiker, will be a memory that will last a lifetime. Literally tearing up over here thinking about how gorgeous she is.
As an experienced hiker with decent cardio – I found this to be a a very moderate hike. In my experience, it was easier than Iceberg Lake…but that could be because the views are so FREAKING FANTASTIC. The ENTIRE hike you are rewarded with insane views for, honestly, what feels like fairly low effort. The hike will take a while, but is very doable.
If you can walk comfortably – you should absolutely consider doing this hike! I saw people of all ages and abilities on this hike. Some took more rest breaks then others…which you absolutely can and should do. I firmly believe that ANYONE able-bodied should 100% commit to this hike – it’s that good! Just plan ahead, get an easy start, take your time, and bring a lot of water and a lot of snacks.
This hike is a very gradual, but steady incline. The length of this hike actually makes the elevation gain feel very easy. Looking around, you will be surrounded by the incredible views of Lake Josephine, Grinnell Lake, and, if you’re lucky like us, you might even see a MOOSE!
A lot of this trail is fairly flat and very easy to navigate. There are a couple of sketchy sections with a waterfall crossing on the rocks. Mind the water on the trail. Just glow slow, wait for other people and take your time, you will be fine!
You don’t have to go all the way, go as far as you are comfortable, but I HIGHLY recommend going all the way up to the glacier and exploring a little bit. It’s a great place to stop for lunch!
The weather changes VERY fast around here. When we started out our hike it was steadily raining, then it rained on an off. When we got to the glacier it was just cloudy and got a bit cold (hiking up we broke a sweat). I recommend bringing an extra shirt (in case you break a cold sweat or don’t have a moisture wicking shirt) a sweatshirt, and an emergency poncho (because it seems to rain here on an off about 10 times a day).
Stage 1: Trailhead – Swiftcurrent Lake/Lake Josephine Access
Mostly flat and very easy. A bit more shaded and walking through the forest. With reservations and a fee, you can take a boat across Lake Josephine and save yourself around 1.5 hours of walking time. This is the easier part of the trail, but if you are short on time or don’t mind paying the boat fee, it could help conserve energy and time for this hike.
Stage 2: Lake Josephine – Grinnell Lake Overlook
The trail starts to go up, but it is very moderate. Looking down, you will see some of the incredible rock colors that are typical of Glacier. You will also start to see the first AMAZING views of the crystal clear turquoise water. Even just going up to see Grinnell Lake and turning around would be completely worth it!
Stage 3: Overlook – Waterfall Climbing Section
Here it gets a bit steeper and is more exposed. There’s a waterfall section that could be a bit sketchy with the water on rocks, but just pay attention, be patient, and wait your turn and you will be fine. You will really start to feel the hike here.
Stage 4: Grinnell Glacier Viewpoint
It’s short and steep, that glacier didn’t look so far away, but it seems to keep climbing here. But suddenly, you will be able to see the glacier, and the blue water!
Stage 5: Glacier Basin
This is a great place to explore and really see the melting ice, the water, and the glacier. It’s an amazing spot for lunch and to walk around and explore.
Going down! What goes up, must come down. Going down is easier cardio-wise, but be sure that your knees are ready for it. A lot of people underestimate going down, so be mindful of your energy on the way up. Remember, you can always turn back at anytime on this hike.
Yes, bear spray is recommended EVERYWHERE in Glacier. The amount of people who walk this trail make it feel a bit safer if something were to go wrong. However, it’s good to take your time and be patient, because more people can also mean more navigation of the trail. There are a couple of more exposed rock sections on the trail, but if you go slow, take your time, and are patient, they are totally doable.
Yes – but give yourself a LOT of time and don’t be afraid to take rest breaks.
My honest take – I thought Iceberg Lake was a bit harder. The views on the Grinnell Glacier hike were much more interesting which could have made it “feel” easier.
