Following the route taken by the Continental Divide running through Glacier National Park and the rest of the Rocky Mountains, the Highline Trail is a breathtaking hike with stunning views around every bend in the trail. We have embarked on many hiking excursions in the course of the last couple of years when we’ve spent our summers and falls living in our van exploring across the western United States (not in a fancy camper van, but in a temperamental Honda Odyssey named “Homer”), and the Highline Trail in Glacier National Park is on our list of the finest hikes in the country.
Over the 11 mile route, you’ll get to soak in sweeping panoramas of the rocky, snow-capped peaks that have made Glacier famous, lush green hillsides and blooming wildflowers in summer, and a unique backcountry Chalet. The best part? This hike is long, but it’s truly not that difficult. The reward to effort ratio is extremely high here.
In this guide, we’re going to provide you with the details and logistics you need to know so you’re prepared for the hike and exactly what to expect along the trail. We’ll start with some logistics – such as getting to the trailhead (which is actually rather complicated here) – and end with a play-by-play of the trail, broken up into easy-to-digest sections.
By the end, you’ll be ready to hit the trail and spend most of a day in awe of the beauty of the Rocky Mountains and the fact that you’ve had the good fortune to find yourself hiking the Highline.
Hey travel enthusiast! Planning a trip to Glacier National Park? Be sure to check out our other Glacier travel guides to assist you with planning an incredible trip.
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Table of Contents
Trail Details
This trail guide is written for hikers undertaking the thru-hike starting from Logan Pass, hiking out to the Granite Park Chalet, and then descending to the Loop.
You can also complete this route as a return trip from the Logan Pass Visitor Center, which we will examine in a later section. It’s a slightly longer hike with additional elevation gain, but it’s an acceptable option if you only have one vehicle, don’t want to (or cannot) utilize the shuttle, and feel uncomfortable seeking assistance from others.
Distance: 11.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,450 feet
Trail Type: Point-to-point
Trailhead Location: Logan Pass Visitor Center
Highlights: Remarkable perspectives of Going-to-the-Sun Road and the surrounding highlands, the Garden Wall region, and a backcountry lodge.
Starting Altitude: 6,650 feet
Highest Altitude Reached: 7,300 feet
When to Hike the Highline Trail
Like most hiking paths in Glacier National Park, particularly those at higher elevations, this route is entirely inaccessible for approximately nine months of the year. From autumn to spring (exact timing relies on the year), Going-to-the-Sun Road is closed to vehicle traffic.
Even if you could reach Logan Pass during those times, the trail would likely be buried under snow and ice, making the already narrow early section that much more perilous.
The optimal timing to take on this path extends from roughly July to early September, when snow coverage will have disappeared and conditions should be pleasantly warm. Additionally, the extended daylight hours will allow generous time to cover the anticipated 11-15 mile distance.
Getting to the Trailhead
Regardless of the path chosen, this hike is best started from the Logan Pass Visitor Center situated on the Continental Divide. There are essentially two options to arrive there: self-driving or using the park shuttle from either the Apgar Visitor Center or the St. Mary Visitor Center.
Driving to Logan Pass
If visitors decide to self-drive, they should remember that it’s a 3,500 foot ascent (slightly less if coming from the east) up to Logan Pass, which sits at 6,600 feet above sea level. They’ll be traveling along Going-to-the-Sun Road, which is regarded as one of the most scenic drives in the United States, but it’s not a particularly simple drive. It’s slow-going, crowded, steep, and narrow.
We drove up once, then later chose to use the shuttle since our van – a 2006 Honda Odyssey called “Homer” – wasn`t too pleased about the climb. It will take just over an hour to motor from either Visitor Center up to the pass, longer if you`re lodging outside the park.
The other thing worth keeping in view is that, at least in 2021 when a permit was necessary to enter between 6:00 am and 5:00 pm, the sizable parking area at Logan Pass was completely full by approximately 6:30 am on summer days (weekends were slightly worse, but only marginally). This implies you’re going to need to rise exceptionally early to secure a spot in the parking area. There weren’t too many alternatives nearby if you missed out on getting a spot. By about 9:00 am, they entirely closed the parking area to new vehicles, and you wouldn’t be able to even pull in to see if you could obtain a spot from someone departing.
If you choose to drive yourself, aim to arrive as early as possible to secure a parking spot.
It is important to remember transportation logistics if driving yourself on this hike route. This guide outlines a one-way hike from Logan Pass to the Loop trailhead. Therefore, you will need vehicles at both endpoints, or use the shuttle at the Loop to return to the Logan Pass starting point (in 2021, shuttle reservations were required in advance as explained on the linked page).
You can also hike out to the Granite Park Chalet, then back the same way you came, ending at Logan Pass. It’s a significantly longer and more difficult hike detailed near the bottom of this guide.
Taking the Shuttle
Experiencing this trail by vehicle is quite possibly the most convenient approach. You can bypass concerns about parking or early morning rising, and relax while enjoying scenic views as you drive up Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Just to reiterate, we do believe you ought to definitely drive up and over Logan Pass at some stage during your excursion to Glacier National Park, but it shouldn’t be the day you tackle the Highline because completing the hike will consume most of your day, and you’ll feel drained by the finish. Reserve the scenic drive for an additional day, when you’ll have more time and energy to fully appreciate some of the stops along the route.
You can pick up the park shuttle at either Apgar Visitor Center or St. Mary Visitor Center – it really depends on where you’re staying. There’s a shuttle line that runs from either Visitor Center, up to Logan Pass, and back.
. You will need to choose a one-hour period to start at the Visitor Center, and when you arrive during that timeframe you will receive a wristband that is valid for the remainder of the day. You do need to show up during your specific timeframe, otherwise you won’t get on. For example, if you reserve a ticket for 10:00 am-11:00 am, you can show up anytime between 10:00 and 11:00 to board the shuttle. If you arrive at 11:30, you’ll miss out.
Three quarters of tickets were made available on the first day of June, with the remaining allotment released on a rolling basis two days in advance at 8:00 in the morning according to Mountain Time. Therefore, if one wished to obtain a shuttle ticket for the twenty-second of July, they must access Recreation.gov precisely at 8:00 am on the twentieth of July to attempt procuring one. They sell out within minutes since relatively few are left available in the two day window (our observations noted mainly eight to twelve tickets per timeslot). Additional important details regarding the shuttle system, which are subject to ongoing changes, can be found in the provided link.
Regrettably, we did not properly plan in advance to secure shuttle tickets. However, we have some positive news if you find yourself in a similar situation. Visitors are able to ride standby, meaning one can board the shuttle from one of the Visitor Centers if extra seats remain available after all with advance reservations have boarded. When speaking with a ranger the day before taking the shuttle, they mentioned that arriving around 6:30 am to ride standby provides a likely chance to get on a shuttle departing before 8:00 am.
Here is how the process works: travelers arrive, line up, and when wristbands for shuttle access are issued, those with reservations board first before any remaining seats are filled using a standby system.
We arrived at the park at 6:20 am to get in line, and were the second group waiting. It was a Tuesday, and the employees there did mention it tends to be busier on weekends. Perhaps show up a little sooner if it`s a Saturday or Sunday.
Hiking the Highline: A Complete Trail Guide
Now that we’ve taken care of all the logistical matters, let`s dive into the trail itself. This route is among the finest hikes in Glacier National Park, if not the entire country. You`ll be traversing the Continental Divide, with the Garden Wall towering overhead on your right, and the valley and jagged peaks on your left.
To make consuming this information easier, we will separate this hike into five elements. They are:
- The Narrow Section
- Traversing the Mountainside
- The Passage
- Traversing the Other Mountainside
- The Descent
In the sections below, you’ll find a description of each portion of the trail, along with the distance covered and elevation gained in each section to help you understand what the hike resembles when you’re actually out there.
The Narrow Part
Distance Traversed: 0.5 miles
Elevation Acquired: 100 feet
This hike starts out with a short descent from Logan Pass. The initial 0.3 miles or so is a steep, narrow ridge that sits a hundred feet above Going-to-the-Sun Road. It’s a short section, but it’s worth including as a distinct part of the hike because it’s fairly unique.
While hiking, take a moment to glance over your left shoulder, where you`ll see splendid views of the road below and mountainous scenery distantly. The landscapes on your left are rather spectacular throughout the journey to Granite Park Chalet, but this particular scene was one of my favorites because of how the road beautifully guides your eyes upwards to the rocky peak.
If heights make you apprehensive, you should know that I feel the same way. We decided to skip hiking the chained section of Angels Landing in Zion National Park for exactly that reason. And I’m here to tell you that this hike is really not that bad. The trail is around six feet wide, give or take, and there’s a rubber “chain” (read: garden hose) along the inside wall to hold onto. It’s also mostly level, which helps. Hug the inside if heights make you nervous and push through the first quarter mile or so, which is where the trail gets a bit less precarious.
Traversing the Mountainside
Distance Covered: 2 miles
Elevation Gain: 200 feet
After hiking approximately 0.5 miles, the trail transitions into a scenic mountainside climb. On your right is the Garden Wall formation, and on your left is a steep drop off to the road and valley below, with craggy peaks and cascading waterfalls to admire as you hike.
The Pass
Distance Traversed: 2.5 miles
Elevation Acquired: 600 feet
This portion of the hike is the only challenging section. Even then, it is truly not very difficult. Moreover, the views in this area include some of the best along the entire trail. This part of the hike climbs to the highest point on the path, then descends back to the starting location, where another extended mostly flat stretch of the trail will begin.
As you travel along the trail, you’ll be able to see the path ascending the mountainside directly across the valley from your current location. From this vantage point, the trail climbs upwards, switches back once, and arrives at the top of the pass.
Which aligned precisely with our assumptions, yet was also completely inaccurate.
The trail continues ascending past the top of the switchbacks, but we would strongly advise stopping to face the direction you came to admire the scenery, grab a snack, and drink some water before continuing. Simply astounding – I can`t come up with a word that truly does the view justice.
After refueling, continue climbing for approximately half a mile more to reach the summit. From there, descend back to the same elevation as since departing Logan Pass with the exception of the recent ascent.
Traversing the Other Mountainside
Distance Traversed: 2.3 miles
Elevation Acquired: 150 feet
As mentioned, this section of the trail is a long, relatively flat stretch (there is some elevation changes, but not too significant) that continues to hug the hillside. After around a mile, the Granite Park Chalet will start to come into view in the distance, and you`ll spend the next mile and a half watching it get progressively larger as you draw closer.
The most notable aspect of this trail is the junction providing access to scenic views of the Grinnell Glacier Overlook at 1.5 miles (6.6 miles from Logan Pass). As mentioned earlier, it climbs nearly 1,000 feet over 0.6 miles to reach the top of the Garden Wall, where spectacular views await of Grinnell Glacier and the landscape on the opposite side of the Continental Divide. This section involves a steep gain in elevation over a short distance. Additional hiking remains even after summiting this challenging ascent.
0.8 miles past that junction lies the Granite Park Chalet, a backcountry lodge where overnight accommodation is available (if reserved six months in advance, to the exact date). Amenities include restrooms, ample seating, and a small shop selling limited food/drink supplies for those wanting provisions.
It’s definitely worth stopping for lunch or a snack, using the restroom (one of the hardest parts about this trail is finding a place to relieve yourself along the way!), and exploring the chalet itself to check it out.
The Descent
Distance Traveled: 4 miles
Elevation Change: – 2,300 feet (truly, elevation reduction)
This section of the hike can be quite grueling. As you sit recovering at the chalet, you may find yourself reflecting (or stating aloud to your hiking partner) that the difficulty has now passed and the remainder should prove simpler – a piece of cake!”
What you`ll forget is hiking downhill the full way can be tiring too. At the end, we wondered if ascending back to Logan Pass may have been less taxing, though it adds elevation gain (climbing that summit again) and nearly doubles the distance.
From the chalet, the trail transitioned into a steep downhill journey. One of the more intriguing aspects of this section was the plant life. A significant fire had impacted this part of the park previously, resulting in two consequences. Firstly, many fallen, burnt trees were scattered across the landscape. There was a specific area at around 8.7 miles where on one side of the hill, half of the trees had been scorched, while the other half survived with a distinct dividing line. Secondly, an abundance of greenery had flourished since the fires, including wildflowers, berry bushes, and ferns. At times, it felt somewhat like bushwhacking.
As the trail winds downhill, it hugs the hillside while descending. At one point, the road below comes into view (which is the Loop trail destination) before continuing in the opposite direction for some distance. Phones may be checked to ensure no turn was missed. Eventually, the route curves back west near the home stretch. Crossing a bridge over a creek means the end is within a short distance.
You’ll emerge out onto the Loop, which is a busy section of Going-to-the-Sun Road. There is no sidewalk, and the shuttle stop is a bit farther down the road (downhill, thankfully) from where the trail ends. Give yourself recognition – YOU ACCOMPLISHED IT!- and board the shuttle to head back to the Visitor Center.
Alternate / Additional Routes
As I noted earlier, there is an alternative route for this trail, and there are also a couple extra portions you could tack on if you have unlimited stamina and are up for some climbing.
In this section, we’ll cover the out-and-back hike from Logan Pass (spoiler: we basically already covered it), and the side trip to the Grinnell Glacier Overlook.
Technically, you could do this as either a return hike from the Loop (it’s straight uphill and straight back down, missing the best views between the Chalet and Logan Pass) or as a point-to-point hike from the Loop to Logan Pass (involving more climbing – we’d recommend doing it the other way), but our suggestion would be either the route outlined above or as a return hike from Logan Pass.
Hiking Out and Back from Logan Pass
If you only have one vehicle, can’t take the shuttle, and still want to experience the Highline, you can do it as an out-and-back from Logan Pass.
Be sure to go all the way to the top for gorgeous views of the ocean and nearby Pacific Palisades.
This hike has essentially been covered already. The sole difference is that rather than descending to the Loop from the Chalet, the return would be hiking back along the original route.
The Grinnell Glacier Overlook
The McCauley Hot Springs is a fantastic free springs option in the Santa Fe National Forest. Technically considered a “warm springs” thermal, these springs aren’t as hot as other neighboring pools and are best experienced during the summer months.
The views from the top are fairly spectacular though, just know that you’ll need to work for them.
The trail is clearly marked, branching to the right of the primary trail at the 6.6 mile point (0.8 miles before reaching the Chalet). It ascends steadily and steeply, becoming somewhat challenging in spots. Eventually, it levels somewhat, running parallel to the top of the Garden Wall before another steep climb to the viewpoint.
From the summit, views of Grinnell Glacier are visible. If continuing on to Many Glacier without hiking the Grinnell Glacier Trail, which offers slightly improved vistas, this serves as a decent way to glimpse one of the park`s iconic features
Hey travel enthusiast! Planning a trip to Glacier National Park? Be sure to check out our other Glacier travel guides to assist you with planning an incredible trip.
