A Complete Guide To Hiking The Highline Trail In Glacier National Park

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The Highline trail is located in Glacier National Park and is located in western Montana.

Its breathtaking views occur throughout the entire length of the hike.

And despite its long stretch, the elevation gain isn’t too bad!

There are some things to consider first, however. 

This trail is seasonal and is closed by park officials until it is safe to hike after all, or most, of the snow, is melted.

There are cliffs facing the road, so ensuring the safety of hikers is the top priority.

Thus, the trail is only available from around July-September.

The dates of when the trail opens and closes for the hiking season are listed here.

Be sure to check the website and plan accordingly!

Listed below is a complete guide to hiking the highline trail in Glacier National Park. 

Trail Routes

There are a few ways to hike the Highline Trail.

The named trail itself is listed on AllTrails as being 14.9 miles from Logan Pass to the Granite Park Chalet and back.

However, if you want only to go one way, which is the most popular, it’s 12 miles long.

It can also be extended to 14 miles if you complete the short (but STEEP!) Garden Wall Trail along the way.

Take note, even though you hike the entire Highline Trail by only going one way, this is labeled on Alltrails as The Loop and Garden Wall for reference.

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/montana/the-loop-and-garden-wall

I will go into great detail explaining this in the next section. 

You can also start at The Loop and hike up to Logan Pass Visitor Center.

However, doing this route is also very steep, and you will have an incline most of the entire way. 

Parking

Getting to the trailhead early is the #1 priority you should have for arriving to this hike.

This hike is best done, in my opinion, beginning from the Logan Pass visitor center at the top of Going to the Sun Road. 

This is the backward route doing The Loop and Garden Wall trail.

There are a few ways to get there.

The first is my personal choice.

At the hairpin turn, called The Loop, on Going to The Sun Road, there’s a shuttle stop and a VERY small parking lot.

Luckily, it is also directly at the exit point of the hike, so your vehicle will be there when you finish!

To get a spot, you have to get there before 7-7:30 am. 

The shuttle system makes its first stop here shortly after 7 am.

From here, you can hop on, and it will take you to the Logan Pass visitor center. 

By doing this method, you don’t have to worry about when you finish hiking.

This means you can take all the pictures, videos, etc., you want!

If you don’t get a spot here, you can drive to the Logan Pass visitor center and park there all day.

Please remember that if you park here, the last shuttle picks up at the trail’s end at The Loop at 7 pm to take you back to your car. 

If you miss this shuttle, you will probably have to hitch a ride back up to the top or hike all the way back.

If you are fortunate enough to be traveling or make friends with someone who also has a vehicle pass, one can park at The Loop, where the Highline Trail begins/ends, and the other can park at the top at Logan Pass Visitor Center.

This way, you don’t have to worry about the shuttle.

Vehicle Passes

**If you have a personal vehicle, you MUST have a going to the sun road vehicle pass to drive into the park.

**It has already been announced for 2023 that vehicle passes will still be required!

**These passes are good for three days.

**You can buy them for a cheap price (in 2022, it was $2), but be sure to check the dates when they go on sale. 

**If you miss the deadline for early season buying, you can purchase them 24 hours before you enter the park for the next day.

Click here for all the information on vehicle passes and to buy them. https://www.recreation.gov/timed-entry/10087086

The Loop area is the hairpin turn on the top left of screen and is part of the pale yellow outline.

The Hike 

In this complete guide to hiking The Highline Trail in Glacier National Park, the details listed below start from the Logan Pass Visitor Center and hiking down to The Loop.

Once you arrive at the trailhead directly across the street from Logan Pass, you will be greeted by mesmerizing views. 

Seriously, they will blow your mind, and will ask yourself if you’re really in the U.S. 

The hike starts off with a narrow path and an open view to the left.

During some parts close to the beginning, there will be a few chains for you to grab onto.

You will continue to have superb scenery throughout the entire Highline Trail.

A few flat miles in, you will encounter a snow field (probably, depending on how late in the season you get there), and micro spikes might come in handy, although you can get by without them.  

Just before the top of the snow field, you will start to have a steady incline and be exposed to the sun.

Be sure to bring extra water and sunscreen!

At around 7 miles, you will have the option of taking a sharp right and heading up the Garden Wall Trail.

This little section is only 0.8 miles long.

Also, it is around 1,000 ft. of elevation gain during that short distance. 

However, don’t let that deter you from hiking it!

The views from the top overlook to Grinnell Glacier are extraordinary. 

You get a full panoramic of the trail and east and west glacier. 

Nearing The End

Once you make it back down, the chalet is a short distance away, and you will pass over two streams where you can fill up with cold water.

Just be sure to use a filtration device.

I’m not sure of details, but you can reserve the chalet and spend the night.

The chalet offers bathrooms, but unless you have a reservation, you are not permitted to buy anything from the shop. 

At least, that’s what we were told when we asked.

I have heard of some people who were allowed to buy food, so it depends on the ranger that’s working. 

After the chalet, you will take the Granite Park Trail down the rest of the way.

This is about 3-4 miles, back to The Loop parking lot and shuttle station. 

It doesn’t matter what trail route you take, you will not be disappointed. 

Even if you only complete half of The Highline Trail and route back to Logan Pass Visitor Center, the views are stunning and indescribable. 

This hike is one of my top favorite hikes I’ve ever done, and I hope this complete guide to hiking the Highline trail in Glacier National Park provides you will all the information you need!