Wanderbrush

When you hear about Glacier National Park, two things immediately jump to the forefront of your mind (or the top of your TikTok search): Going‑to‑the‑Sun Road and the Highline Trail.

Hiking the Highline Trail sits high on the bucket list of many hikers and National Park regulars. It’s iconic for a reason. The trail delivers sweeping views of glacier‑carved valleys, dramatic exposure along the famed “Garden Wall,” and—if luck is on your side—plenty of wildlife sightings.

The most popular way to experience the Highline is the one‑way route from Logan Pass Visitor Center to The Loop trailhead. This version clocks in at just over twelve miles with about 1,500 feet of elevation gain. The alternative is an out‑and‑back to Granite Park Chalet, returning to Logan Pass for a total of fifteen miles and roughly 2,600 feet of gain.

We chose the classic one‑way option from Logan Pass to The Loop. Once you finish, you can hop on the park shuttle for an easy ride back to Logan Pass—no need to retrace your steps.

Starting at Logan Pass does require one thing: an early wake‑up call. In peak summer, the parking lot fills as early as 5:30 a.m. To beat the rush, we left our hotel, Many Glacier Hotel, at 4 a.m. and rolled into Logan Pass around 5:15 a.m., snagging a spot without any trouble. We ate a quick breakfast in the car for a little pre‑trail fuel before setting off on one of Glacier’s most unforgettable hikes.

The famous cable section appears fairly early in the hike, which is a blessing if you’re nervous about exposure—you face the most intimidating stretch right away and can settle into the rest of the trail with ease. Within minutes, the landscape opens up and you’re treated to sweeping views of the valley far below.

We hiked on a cloudy morning, which gave everything a soft, muted glow. The light slowly shifted as the night faded, revealing the contours of the mountains in this quiet, almost cinematic way. It was a calm start to a trail that only gets more spectacular with every step.

Once you move past the more exposed section, the trail settles into a gentler rhythm as it winds through pockets of pine and fir. You continue trekking along the mountainside, the forest opening and closing around you like a curtain.

Every so often, you turn back and catch a glimpse of the narrow trail carved into the cliffside behind you. Seeing that exposed stretch from a distance feels almost surreal—like you’ve already crossed something far more daring than you realized in the moment.

The exposed nature of the Highline Trail is something to seriously factor into your planning. When we hiked it, the sky stayed overcast with a few light bursts of rain—manageable, and honestly a bit refreshing. But if you’re choosing your day, aim for clear skies and pack accordingly.

Once you’re out there, you’ll quickly realize just how little shade the trail offers. For most of the route, you’re fully exposed to the elements, whether that’s blazing sun, wind, or sudden weather shifts. Preparing for that makes all the difference in how enjoyable the day feels.

Our group trekked on and took in the magnificent views around us including spotting the Going-To-The-Sun Road beneath us. We even got lucky enough to spot a marmot, a pack of mountain goats high above us on a ridge, and a sprinkling of other wildlife.

About half a mile before reaching Granite Park Chalet, you’ll come to the junction for the Grinnell Glacier Overlook. Tackling this spur adds roughly 0.8 miles and nearly 1,000 feet of steep elevation gain. Since we had already hiked the Grinnell Glacier Trail earlier in our trip, we decided to save our legs and skip the detour this time around.

After plenty of photo stops and a few quiet moments just taking in the scenery, we finally arrived at the historic Granite Park Chalet.

Built by the Great Northern Railway in the early 1900s, the stone structure feels like a time capsule tucked into the mountains. Today, it serves both backcountry campers and day hikers who make the trek along the Highline, offering a rustic but memorable pause in the middle of Glacier’s rugged landscape.

Our group took a well‑deserved break here, digging into the Huckleberry Bear Claws we’d picked up the day before at Kyiyo Mercantile along with our packed lunches. By the time we reached the chalet, it was around 10:30 a.m., and the early lunch felt like the perfect pause in an already jam‑packed morning.

After perching on the stone steps, snapping even more photos, and wandering around the chalet grounds, we began the final four‑mile descent to The Loop trailhead.

In terms of elevation gain, the one‑way route is moderately challenging, with most of the climbing happening early on. But the last four miles are, arguably, the toughest part of the entire hike. It’s a steady, knee‑testing descent over rocky terrain—a stretch that demands focus even as your legs start to feel the miles.

This stretch of the hike may not have the same sweeping, dramatic views as the beginning, but the walk through the trees brings its own kind of beauty. The trail winds through a quiet, woodsy landscape—towering trunks, filtered light, and that earthy mountain scent—reminding you that even the “less grand” moments on the Highline are still pretty stunning in their own right.

After four miles of slowly destroying our knees, we finally reached The Loop trailhead. A small shuttle stop marks the end of the trail, and we waited about 30 minutes before one of the park shuttles rolled in to take us back to the true highlight of the day—our rental car.

During peak season, the shuttle line here can be notoriously long and painfully slow‑moving, but thanks to the overcast weather, trail traffic was lighter and the wait felt surprisingly manageable. We arrived back to our car at 1:30pm thoroughly tired and fulfilled from the day’s adventures.

Overall, the Highline Trail absolutely lived up to the hype. It was moderately challenging, but the payoff was enormous—some of the most breathtaking views that truly showcase the full grandeur of Glacier National Park. I highly recommend adding it to any Glacier itinerary that includes hiking.

As always, go prepared, know your limits, and stay safe out there. This trail is unforgettable, but it’s even better when you can enjoy it comfortably and confidently.