Highline Trail Reviews

If you’re looking for panoramic views then this is the hike for you. Within the first mile you are hit with panoramic views that follow you through the whole hike. I started at 6am, to beat the crowd, and I would recommend an early start. Also, the view of the sun coming over the mountains as you are a few miles into the hike is unbeatable. Having the tail to yourself is an experience on its own. Also be prepared to see wildlife. While I didn’t see any bears, there were plenty of big horn sheep and mountain goats along the tail, as well as dozens of woodchucks. About 6 miles into the hike you’ll run into the Grinnell Glaiced overlook (0.6 miles one way), I would highly recommend taking the time to do this. It is very strenuous but the views are worth it, see the last picture below.

The views on this hike are amazing. But the trail is narrow with huge drop offs. We saw people with children on this trail but I would t recommend that.

You really need good shoes on this one. There's a pretty good stretch up front, couple hundred yards, that's just along the ridge and the shale is slippery. There is a garden hose against the cliffside to hold onto for part of that and the views are spectacular!

I have some advice for a newbie taking this trail as I was a newbie myself. Keep in mind I come from very flat land without any hills.

First of all, you don’t have to hike the entire 11.8 miles from Logan Pass to the Loop. There is plenty to see in the first 4-5 miles. After Granite Park Chalet (mile 7) the scenery wasn’t nearly as pretty.

Secondly, get hiking poles. It will save on your knees especially for the downhill portions. After the chalet it’s about 4 miles of steady decline. We didn’t have them but bought them the next day. I wouldn’t do a hike without them again.

This hike took us 8 hours. This is much longer than an experienced hiker would take, but if you’re new you can expect it to take anywhere from 6-8 hours. If you’re using the shuttle you need to be aware of the time. When we got to the Loop we took the shuttle back to our car at Logan Pass.

I’m very afraid of heights and this hike took me out of my comfort zone. I’m glad I did it, but I was exhausted!

This hike has just about everything you want from a great hike except a nice mountain lake. But don’t let that stop you. The views are awesome and the hike is tough enough that you’re glad to have completed it. I encountered a black bear while on the the “loop” portion of the hike. And there were fresh signs of a grizzly along the trail too.
My advice is to start this hike early in the morning from the Logan Pass parking lot. Get there by sun up on busy days. And finish the trail on the loop and catch a shuttle back to Logan pass. Took me 4.5 hours. Also take a drink and snack to enjoy at the granite chalet.
It’s about 11.5 miles with some tough inclines but it’s worth it!

We just completed this hike yesterday. My husband is 60 I'm 56. We started Logans Pass at 8am. We hiked to Garden Wall to see Grinnell Glacier. That was a tough hike up only .06 miles but felt like 100. Once to the top it was definitely worth the huffing and puffing. Coming back down was tough as well but not on the lungs but on the legs. Then hiked another mile to Granite Chalet. Nice rest stop. Next four miles down to the loop was the most challenging. The downhill was tough it was very much in the open so the sun was pounding no real views except dead woods. My advise start even earlier take lots of water! It was a long day but so worth it.

This is a must do hike in Glacier. As everyone one mentions the views are stunning and the hike is not that hard. I would also recommend hiking in and back on the same trail as the 4 miles down to parking lot after the chalet are kind of boring and hot. Better to do 4-5 in and then turn around so you can enjoy the views the entire way. Take food and plenty of water as it can warm as the afternoon heats up. Start as early as possible so you can get a parking spot at Logan Pass. The lot fills up by around 9:30am. Shuttles are fine but time consuming. Always better to get up early and drive to your first hiking spot.

My son and I only hiked the portion of the trail to the end of the sheer cliff. We just ran out of time. We did see a mountain goat next to the trail posing ever so nicely for us. Even walked through a patch of snow. Would love to do the entire trail next time.

What a beautiful hike, one of the best I've ever done and seen! We parked early in the morning at the Logans pass and then met with a ranger who we walked with (for free) in a group. We walked maybe 5 min and right after that - BAM - what a view, and then it just continues like that. It gets better and better. Since Logans pass is high, you don't have to hike a big incline to see all these views (you park the car och take the shuttle to Logans pass). You don't even have to do the whole hike if the total distance scares you. You can just turn back whenever, and also avoid incline that comes later. So it also fits many ages. Be careful and use common sense, it is not a dangerous hike if you stay on the trail. I enjoyed every minute of this trail, absolutely loved it.

This hike is a must-do at glacier. You start at Logan Pass and head north along the continental divide. You can go a mile or all the way to the chalet, its up to you. Regardless, the views are stunning the whole way.

I hiked the Highline Trail from Logan’s Pass to Granite Park Chalet. I used the Loop Trail to hike out to the Going-to-the-Sun Road for about 12 miles of total hiking. The Highline Trail runs along the Garden Wall with stunning views at every turn. Wildflowers were blooming everywhere along the trail and hillsides. The trail is pretty exposed along most of it’s length so bug spray and sunscreen are musts. I also had to cross two snow fields even in July. The trail is strenuous in some spots but not for long distances. There was tons of wildlife along the trail including mountain goats, marmots, and pikas. The one downside was the Loop Trail was extremely strenuous to descend compared to the Highline Trail itself. That is something to take into account when hiking from Logan Pass to the Loop as I did.

We parked at Logan Pass and hiked to Granite Park Chalet and the Loop, catching a shuttle back to our car. The sights along the whole trail are spectacular. Haystack Butte is a great place to have lunch, enjoy the scenery and rest up for the remaining hike to Granite Park Chalet. There are a few areas where those with a fear of heights might be nervous, but generally there are handrails and just being careful will get you past safely. The views along the trail are definitely worth it to try and overcome any such fears!

My husband, my 8 yr old daughter and I hiked this trail (and the Grinnel glacier overlook).
We recommend starting on the Logan pass side. We got to Logan pass by 7:30am. Must get there early to get a parking spot.
This trail is about 12 miles long. The views, wildlife and wild flowers we simply incredible. It was the BEST hike ever. We were out on the trail for 8 hours. My 8 yr old daughter is a tough little girl and I can’t say she didn’t want to be done earlier many times, but she completed it!! 💪🏻 The level of difficulty on this trail was not an issue, it is just long (almost 12 miles). It is a moderate level trail. I am pretty sure we had a super special day because not only did we get to enjoy the views and beautiful smells but we had up close experiences with mountain goats, big horn sheep, marmots and more.
We decided to take the mile hike up to grinnel glacier as well. This one was rated hard and it was! It was less of a wide trail and a little more climbing and it was straight UP hill. Most people were stopping consistently to rest. It was probably a little dangerous for our 8 yr old at points. I was nervous. This part took a toll on us even though it was short. The views at the top were stunning and we had a mountain goat and chipmunks so close we could touch them.
Overall, I would HIGHLY recommend the Highline trail. I would not take young kids (less than 8/9). There are narrow cliff like parts to the trail. This was the most memorable part of our time in Glacier!

Set off early to grab a parking place at Logan Pass which can get very busy. Walk was outstanding, even at the start along the Garden Wall which turned out to be not as bad as we imagined as wife does not like heights and was a bit worried before we set off but she managed this OK. Walk would be fabulous regardless of whether you do the full loop or simply walk as far as you want and return. Route up to Grinnell Glacier overlook was a slog but worth the view before the glacier melts and is gone forever!

Exellent day hike with continuous views. The early vertiginous segment that is narrow and simply a shelf over the valley below is potentially unsettling. Passed mother and college age daugher with the mom crumpled to ground and sobbing about the height. The cables had been removed for the season by the Park service, but were not needed. Ended up turning around earlier than planned due to grizzly using the footpath several miles into the hike. Great photos. Very exposed and depending upon wind direction, chilly during the last week of September. Much of the trail that I used was too steep one either side to actually leave the foot path.

While we did not compete the entire trail, we did hike for several miles. The beginning is a narrow, sometimes deep drop off on the Going to the Sun Road below. However, the views are magnificent. This isn't for you if you are afraid of heights.

Our family of 4 did the trail starting at Logans Pass and ending at The Loop. It was a tough 12 miles hike but well worth the views! Unbelievable! While we started the trail at 8:00am in the morning and ending at 2:00pm in the afternoon, we did not escape the soaring heat - it was 91 degrees when we got off the trail. This is not for the faint of heart! But I would never give up this experience for anything!

We wanted to go on this trail for the views but ended up sitting in the car all morning waiting for the fog to lift. With low clouds and fog you will get no view whatsoever. When it cleared we hiked the first mile or so which has the best views and they’re spectacular! The hike is not strenuous but if you’re nervous about heights you will not be happy here. The trial is so narrow in places you’ll have to go single file while holding onto a cable bolted to the side of the cliff. You’ll look out over the road below across the mountains to the horizon. Highly recommended!

What a place to get an introduction to Glacier National Park. The walking is mostly flat with a small altitude gain. The paths are well made and even but the views are incredible.

Beware of the Altitude at 6500 - 7500 feet high you may feel the affects of the thin air.

We began our hike at about 8:30am and walked just over five miles from the Logan Pass trailhead. We then turned around and returned to the original location. The hike lived up to our expectation on many levels. The wild flowers, the expansive views, and the breathtaking waterfalls made for an unforgettable day.

The Highline trail surely ranks as one of the most gorgeous day hikes in North America. This amazing trail that winds along the Garden Wall and above the Going to the Sun road packs stupendous vistas along its 11.6 mile path. You are treated to high alpine snow patches, views of craggy mountains near and far, cascading waterfalls and shots down to the snaking road and river far below. During our hike we were also treated to lovely wildflowers and visits from big horn sheep, mountain marmots and alpine squirrels.

The 11.6 mile distance might seen daunting at first to many folks, but if you are relatively fit and do some planning, the Highline trail is more accessible and doable than many trails of similar or shorter distance. Here are several tips to help you out:

-The trail is best taken starting from Logan's Pass and heading out to the Granite Chalet (7.6 miles) where it connects with the Loop Trail and descends 4 miles to the Sun Loop parking where you can get the shuttle back up to Logan's.

-By starting at Logan's the trail actually descends and flattens out for a few miles and then climbs some switchbacks before descending a little and then becoming flat for awhile and then re-ascending gently to the Chalet. After the Chalet you descend something like 2300ft in 4 miles. * Doing this trail in the reverse direction would be miserable*

-Don't let the cliffside, hand-rail holding portion at the beginning dissuade you. The is the only part of the trail like this and it is wide and stable and you cross it in 5 mins. We crossed that section under significant wind, but made it across and then forgot about it.

-Bring lots of water and snacks, but the cool Granite Chalet at mile 7.6 is gorgeous place to rest and have lunch. They sell food and drinks and have composting toilets. It is a curious place to find up in the mountains. They also take credit cards.

-We hiked the Highline with our daughters ages 8 and 11 and they made the trek without issue. The final few miles of the descent after Granite Chalet was a little tedious for them. We started the hike around 11:00am and finished around 5pm with a good half-hour stop at the Chalet.

If you are planning on visiting Glacier, you should do this hike. You don't need to be a hiking fanatic or mountaineer to do it, just make sure you are in shape enough to walk 12 miles and you can do it! The reward is unparalleled!

This hike is great for so many reasons - first, the views. Unbelievable views the entire way. Second, it starts at Logan Pass so there is not much vert. For being in the high country, it is a remarkably flat hike. And third - the wildlife. I've done this hike a number of times and have never been disappointed. Pair it with a through hike to Many Glacier.

We parked our car at the Loop and shuttled up to Logan Pass. Took about 10 hours, including the extra offshoot to the Grinnel/Salamander Glacier lookout spot. This offshoot is 1.2 miles and 1,000-2,000 feet up, but worth it! Plan for a long day and make sure you leave early enough to catch return shuttles if needed. Would rate this one of the top hikes in the park!

We hiked the Highline Trail from Logan Pass to Granite Chalet and then down to "The Loop" on Going to the Sun Road. We found this to be a really fun hike because of the tremendous views that you have just about the whole way. This hike was 11.6 miles. We also took the side trail to the Grinnell Glacier overlook which added an additional 1.2 miles (.6 miles one way) on to the total. Climbing to the Grinnell Glacier overlook was very strenuous. You ascended about 1,000 feet in just .6 miles. It was very rocky and coming down took some care. Nevertheless, the view from the GG overlook was fantastic and well worth the extra effort. From The Loop, we took the Park shuttle back to Logan Pass where we parked our car. Of note, the shuttle service only runs during certain times of the year, so check on this before deciding to leave your vehicle in one of the parking lots. Taking a break at the Granite Park Chalet was fun. A neat place to see.

You have to get there by 7:30am or at least by 7:45am in order to get a parking space in Logon Pass visitor center. We arrived there at 7:10am and the parking lot was about 1/3 full. By the time we started our hike around 7:45am, the lot was nearly full. I saw people parking in other road side viewing parking space and walked along the Sun road to the Logon Pass which is not safe to me. Parking is a big issue there. The trail is easy all the way to Grand Park. If you have time and energy, save them to climb up to the Glacier Overlook point to see Grinnell Glacier and 4 lakes. That was steep climb, we didn't do it, but saw the pictures from the hikers coming down from that point. The next 4 miles downhill after Grand Park is ok too, the trail condition is good. Overall, this hiking has great views and three mountain goats led the way on the trail for a while. We didn't see bears though. The trail is very busy, you won't be alone.

Rangers told us it was not safe and not open for hikers yet. We stayed in Columbia falls and hotel staff as well as townspeople didn’t know if it was open or not. When we arrived at Logan’s pass early that morning (before 8), there was plenty of parking and several hikers ready for high line. It looks like a great hike. Maybe communicating with local hotels and community when it is actually open would help.

I had to do the first 1 mile after seeing the pics. I took my 9 year old. I have a minor fear of heights. I found if you held on to the hose and just looked at the trail, it was fine. There's a few parts where people come in the opposite direction and someone has to walk around the other person. It was a little scary but not too bad. I'll have to come back and complete this hike.

Parking is at Logan Pass and it's horrible, so beware!

Even if you just have a few extra hours, walk a ways up this beautiful trail. It is so worth it. But do not go with out your camera!

highline is one of the longer hikes i did, it took me about 6 hours including the overlook; but do not hurry, rather spend time to look around you for wildlife. the overlook was the highlight for me, rather steep and a little treacherous, but the summit is absolutely beautiful

This was definitely on our list to hike during our recent vacation to Glacier National Park. The morning we chose to hike, we drove to Logan Pass arriving at 7:30 am and had no trouble with parking. It was extremely foggy at this time, so we chose to eat our breakfast in the car and wait it out to see if the fog would clear. Around 8am we decided to get going, so putting on our day packs; we hit the trail. It was 43 degrees when we left the car, so we were dressed in layers. It continued to be quite foggy for the first hour or so. When we arrived at the "ledge" section of the hike not far from the trailhead, we were not able to see the Going to the Sun Road far below us, but we knew it was there. It felt like such an adventure hiking this part of the trail
in the mist and the fog! The sun began to burn through the fog and the mountains seemed to rise above the clouds-AMAZING! We made our way to Haystack Pass and enjoyed some time time having a snack and enjoying the view. We then continued on the trail toward Granite Park Chalet. The views continued to open up and as we were hiking we came across a great spot where we chose to stop. I bet we sat there on this big rock next to the trail for over an hour. We just could not tear ourselves away from the view. After taking the last hour to just sit and enjoy our surroundings we decided that we would head back to Logan Pass. The trail had become busy and now the sun was completely out so it was quite warm. Once we reached the "ledge" section on our return to Logan Pass, we were able to see the views that had been hidden by the morning fog. It was quite impressive to see how the trail hugs the mountainside, with the road far below. Back at Logan Pass, the parking lot was completely full and cars were circling to grab a spot when someone decided to leave. The Highline Trail was a beautiful hike, one that we will remember as one of our favorites in the park.

What an amazing hike. We arrived this week at Logan Pass to park at 815a, in summer you want to be earlier. The 8 miles at the top was fairly easy, not much elevation change. The 4 mile descent at the end is hot and challenging

Here are some pics. Saw a bighorn sheep quite closely….

This is an unbelievably breathtaking hike! It is also a long hike with quite a bit of elevation change. There are no "pit stops/ouhouses" along the way so be prepared for that. We also took the turnoff for the grinell glacier viewing. It is treacherous because it is very steep even though it says it is only 0.6 miles. It seems vertical. we got all the way up and the visibility was terrible so if you plan to see grinell glacier, make sure there are not thick clouds brewing over the peak leading to it so you don't waste your energy. It was a fabulous workout for sure though!! We continued on to the chalet which is amazing. We were able to use their outhouses and buy some candy and chips and some bottled water. We rested a bit before finishing our hike down the loop trail. This is 4 miles essentially downhill. Be cautious taking this trail if you have knee problems as it is rather taxing on the knees. We saw a lot of mule deer along the route along with marmots and squirrels.

The views at almost all points are spectacular! Alpine flowers, wildlife, snow, and if the sky is clear you can see forever. Also, in reality it's one of the easier hikes as the only really non-flat portion is the switchback up to Haystack Pass, then after that it's a gradual uphill for a while longer, but nothing overly steep like Dawson Pass, for example. We've done it with young kids, alone and with teens. No one wants to fall and I never felt like anyone was going to on the first section that many talk about. If you really need to, just look at your feet until you get to a wider section. Sure, you might miss a couple views but it's such a small portion of the hike it would be a shame to rule it out for the fear of that section.
We've done the hike twice and come out at the loop and caught the shuttle back to Logan Pass for our car. This worked out well both times. We debated turning around at Granite Chalet, but comparing distances it was just too tempting to go down the loop for 4 miles. Although, beware! If you have bad knees you will be going steeply down for the entire time and it's in the sun, potentially, as a fire burned the trees along here. As it was this last time, that part of our hike was boring, hot and long.
Bring a lunch for sure and possibly some money for Granite Chalet. There are many tables to eat at inside and outisde and some snacks and drinks to buy.
The not so great parts this last time included the sheer number of people on the trail and the parking situation. It almost felt like a conveyor belt on the trail and that was not near as enjoyable. We started at 7:30 and had arrived at the Logan Pass parking lot before 7am due to the parking congestion that occurs here way too early. All of that really took some joy out of it. We went up another day to watch sunrise and did part of the hike that day, too. Much more enjoyable (and chilly) to get on the trail with much fewer people. Yes, do this trail, but beware it's not like it used to be due to the enormous amount of people visiting the park. We keep talking about returning on the shoulder season as many of the hikes we did were like this. There still are some less popular areas that aren't near as crowded, but still more than it used to be.
You can check parking information on the Glacier NPS website. I'd recommend doing this and know it's going to have to be an early morning if you want to park at Logan Pass (or come in the evening when hopefully some people have cleared out).

My Husband and I are big travelers and often plan our trips around hiking. We did multiple hikes on our recent visit to Glacier and the Highline was our favorite. This is a long hike (one direction) that required a little forethought as we were catching the park shuttle bus at the end to take us back to our car. This hike is full of stunning scenery and is worth the effort!

First of all, if you have middle school aged or younger children with you, this is not the trail to hike with them. Wait until they are older. Stunning views, big horn sheep, mountain goats, high precipices. Hold on to the cable on the cliff while you are walking the trail in the short section that is not far from the parking lot at Logan's Pass. The trail is wide enough for people to pass each other as needed, but use care. We only went 1.5 mile out on it and then returned, but it is possible to hike from Logan's Pass using this trail for the entire day and longer to other points of interest in the park. We were winging it without planning much (thus the shorter out-and-back hike) but next time we will plan in order to be able to go a lot farther.

The views on this trail are completely worth braving the somewhat frightening stretches. We saw wildlife (mountain goats, marmots, big horn sheep...) and that was simply a bonus. The views are really amazing and the trail is easy if you're ok with the narrow portions.

Hiked this once and could not do it the next time due to snow in July still blocking it. We started from Logan Pass where we left the car, took hours to reach one of the back country old chalets, ate our lunch and proceeded down to the going to the sun road. Ended up hitching a ride with some people back up to Logan Pass to the car. This is a physical hike and you need to have a backpack with proper clothes as the weather can change on a dime; it's high country weather. The views are fantastic.

Hit this at the perfect time of year. Trail took longer to hike than it should have because there were so many pictures to take. Use the park shuttle system to do the entire length.

Be prepared for amazing views, just inspiring!
Be prepared for a full day - pack lots of water and we packed the best Peanut butter & huckleberry preserves ever! Granola bars, you know the drill! We logged 15.5 miles Yes we did add the .9 mile up ( and it is UP) to view Grinnell Glacier adding almost 2 miles. We are still debating the wisdom of that addition 😎
Finished the hike thrilled we all did this premier hike. Glacier buses were no where to be seen. It took 2 hours to get to our car! And we were not the only ones with bus issues! Loved the park do it if you have the opportunity!

This trail has a little bit of everything. The views are spectacular and the path is not overly crowded. I'm not a big time hiker and I loved this hike. We encountered a half dozen mountain goats at a fe spots along the first couple miles. It was intimidating at first and I wasn't sure how'd they respond. Because the trail is cut into the side of the hill the path is not wide and there's no where else to go--to the right or left. Fortunately each goat was quite content to continue foraging so I got some great photos and moved on. You'll also likely see marmots and pikas, and ground squirrels. Remember, never to feed wildlife PLEASE. Sorry, sir, if you were offended when I mentioned it was not in the best interest of people or animals to feed the wildlife.

My wife and I hiked from Logan Pass to the Haystack Butte on the Highline Trail. We had lunch at the Butte and then returned to Logan Pass. We arrived at the Pass at a little after 9 AM and there was plenty of parking. Even though it was August 19th it was quite chilly on an overcast morning and we wished we would have brought gloves. (We were glad we had a hat or a hood!) As the morning progressed the cloud cover cleared which open up the views and allowed us to shed layers of clothing.
The early part of the hike is a bit narrow and was somewhat more spooky with the low cloud cover. We both found it to be a benefit to have it cloudy early and then clear on the return trip. It made the return hike after lunch seem new even though we had just hiked it earlier since we could see so much more as the weather had cleared.
If we get back to Glacier we plan to hike the trail from Logan to the loop (or possibly the other way).
My wife who is not to great with heights had no problem with the early narrow part of the trail since she could hold onto the hose over the cable in the wall. If you have a fear of heights you definitely should start this trail from Logan Pass since you can turn around and go back to the trail head easily. If you started at the Loop and were heading towards Logan Pass and found the narrow part to much to handle you would have already hiked about 11 miles. If you start at Logan Pass you get to the narrow part in about a quarter of a mile.

This is a one of a kind trail for sure. If you have issues with heights of vertigo, this may not be the trail for you. There are sections with very steep drop offs that could be trecherous if you lose your footing. That being said, it is worth checking out. We were fortunate to make it just before the Park Service closed the trail due to a frequenting grizzly bear. We hiked the trail from Logan Pass into the Granite Park Chalet (about 7 miles). There were wildflowers and wildlife at every turn. At one point we had to step off the trail to let a male big horn sheep pass. There were horay marmots, ground squirrels and lot's of bear sign. It had snowed a bit (just a dusting) the night before so that was an added bonus in terms of the beautiful backdrop. There isn't a ton of elevation gain/loss but the terrain is exposed and rocky. If you've got a day to check it out and do some hiking from time to time, it's a doable hike on a beautiful day.

Even if you can’t do the entire trail just walk what you can to see vistas that are incomparable! The start of the trail looks ominous but it’s a short section that opens to BEAUTIFUL OPEN PANORAMIC VIEWS! Walking sticks help in narrow sections, talk and make noise as you enter in the bears living rooms! Announce you are coming for it’s their home! Would you want to be surprised? They are in an eating frenzy in the berry patches right now for their brutal winters require tremendous prep time to survive.

Despite the fires we were fortunate to hit the trail on a great day allowing awesome views. The trail was not the most difficult but can be challenging in different areas. Wildlife was abundant and because the Going to the Sun Road was closed there was a refreshing silence along the entire trail. Highly recommended.

One of the best hikes in the park, particulary the first part (starting from Logan Pass). The trail is amazing with stunning views over the valley. Walking path goes from the side of the mountain, rock wall on one side and deep fall to the valley on the other side. We couldn't see the bottom in the beginning because of the clouds but that made it only more mysterious.
You should definitely start from Logan pass rather than from the Loop, it is easier and more enjoyable. Saw some funny marmots, ptarmigan, some deers and lots of ground squirrels. Also two mountain goats.
Great hike!

About 8 miles round trip to Haystack Pass. Fairly easy, mostly flat until the pass, and that was probably only 500 feet of gain, cable section at the beginning wasn't too troublesome.
Epic views of the park along the entire route.
Hard to find a better hike considering the views and relatively limited effort.
Parking an issue at Logan Pass so arrive early during peak season.

This one was brutal for a below-sea-level flat land wimp like me but it was worth every step. The variety of scenery and geological formations is mind-blowing. There were goats on the path, bighorn sheep, and the group in front of us even saw a mother grizzly and cub in 100 yards away.

The side trek to the garden wall / Grinnell Glacier overlook is brutal but oh so worth it. It is barely a mile but it goes straight up at a 70 degree angle. The views a the top are so worth it. Absolutely spectacular.

Pack well and have good gear because this will be most of the day and there are only two official bathroom stops in twelve miles. I packed a water pouch day pack, cliff bars, a cowbell, bear spray, a good hat, a neck towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and good shoes.

The only downside is the 4-mile hike from the chalet to the GTTS road loop. It was boring, not much scenery, the trees were mostly burnt. and it is all down-hill that smashes your toes against your shoe. I never thought I could say that about such a beautiful area but it was pretty bland. It is worth it to go to the chalet, so you dont have much of a choice.

Shuttles run every 15 minutes and end at 7pm so get back or else you need to hitchhike.

Best hike of the trip.

We try to do this hike at least once a year! Generally start at Logan Pass and then hike the Highline Trail to Granite Chalet and then down to the Loop; leave your car at Logan Pass and ride the shuttle up or park your car at the Loop and go up on the shuttle and begin your hike from Logan Pass. The other longer alternative is to go over Swift Current Pass down to the Many Glacier area - but this requires dropping a car off or use the Xanterra Shuttle to St. Mary's.

The most frustrating thing about the hike was circling around for parking at Logan Pass. We almost gave up, but finally got lucky and found a spot. The Highline Trail is a great experience even if you do not plan to go the entire length. We started about 2 PM, walked less than a mile, and then turned back. The garden hose handrail was much appreciated at the start of the trail at Logan Pass. We did not have a problem with lots of other hikers as we started out so late. We had hoped to see some animals (sheep, goats, or grizzlies at a distance) but only saw some marmots. The trail was closed for smoke the day after we did the hike.

My 7 year old daughter hiked to the haystack and back. Our favorite hike in the park just a bit better than Grinnell. Start early very crowded by afternoon. Took us between 5-6 hours. Great panoramic views!

Do NOT TAKE CHILDREN, do not take people who are not comfortable with hiking and cliffs. It is a great classic hike. Hike to the bottom and then shuttle back to the top lot. Very nice if you are experienced with the mountains. Watch out for clouds and lightning and rain. DO NOT go if weather threatens.

We hiked on the first nice day after Logan Pass was closed, so hiker volume may have been higher than normal. There's plenty of beauty to go around, though, both up close and distant vistas. (I found myself focusing on one and missing the other at times; I'd hike here again to see all that I missed.) We saw some folks struggling with the narrow trail near the beginning; there are lines to hang on to, but this may not be the route for you if you are afraid of heights. We spotted plenty of bighorn sheep and a distant mountain goat, and we only made it as far as the switchbacks. Wildflowers and interesting plants aplenty, even in September.

Beautiful views all the way through this hike. The valley floor below is amazing to see as are the fields of flowers and all of the wildlife. At times the hike can be a bit boring as you hike through lose rock beds but overall it is a must do. Stop at the Chateau along the way for a rest and quick snack. Be sure to bring plenty of water & food.

Great full-day hike. Start at the south point, at Logan Pass. Beautiful postcard-worthy views immediately. Moderate hike just because of the length. Near the Chalet, take the Glacier Lookout pass if you want more challenge and cool views. It ends at The Loop. Saw bighorn sheep, a billy goat, deer, and a black bear!

Favorite hike of the 60+ miles of hikes we completed on our recent trip. Most people head out and back either before or after hitting the big switchback at Haystack Butte. I believe that the cabling was installed because the trail is so easily accessible from Logan Pass visitor center that people who are not familiar with trail walking find themselves on the trail. We were on narrower trails with more significant consequences on other trails that were further away from a trailhead, that did not have such a handrail. It is a beautiful trail with the views becoming more spectacular at each turn. We did see a momma bear with her cub cross onto the trail. Everyone should always carry bear spray. The trail is well used so not difficult to form loose groups of 5 or more which supposedly discourages bears from getting too close. Hiked to Granite Park Chalet for and overnight. We're able to drop our heavy packs at the Chalet before tackling the Garden Wall/Grinnell Glacier overlook (amazing view of Salamander and Grinnell glaciers) - STEEP climb .9 miles up from intersection with Highline Trail.

We hiked the highline trail as a family in early July, the trail had just opened a couple days before. This is a lovely hike- to do the hike one way, park your car at "the Loop" on the west side of Going to the Sun road and catch the shuttle to Logan Pass. We had to wait a bit but they did send an empty shuttle to take everyone at the parking area to the top. This takes out the time pressure at the end of the day, the trail ends at your car. The trail leaves across the GTS road from the Logan Pass visitor center. Views are amazing the whole way, wildlife viewing is usually excellent. The trail is fairly gentle with a couple steep climbs (getting up behind Haystack is a bit of a huff and puff) and so nice to see the Granite Park Chalet pop up. Those needing extra adventures can turn right a half mile before the Chalet and hike up to the Grinnell Glacier overlook-- this is a very steep, very rugged trail, completely exposed to the sun- one mile to the top! Watch the winds. The Chalet has amazing views, bathrooms, water and some treats for purchase but we filtered fresh water from the stream nearby. Take at least 2 liters per person, hot days will require much more. The last 4 miles is steady downhill, fairly steep in spots, and somewhat exposed as the trees have not grown very tall yet since a fire swept through several years back. You will not have solitude on this trail, it can be very busy and you pretty much march along at the pace of the group in front of you. However it does thin out quite a bit after Haystack Butte (some folks picnic and turn around there, go back to Logan Pass). The views are not to be missed and the trail is highly recommended.

We did the whole route by parking at The Loop and taking the shuttle back to Logan Pass. If you do this, be prepared for at least a 6 hour hike. It will be grand. You will be speechless. It is long (11+ miles) but worth it. Be prepared for the last two miles. The descent is steep and hard on the knees. It is through a burn so no shade whatsoever. If it is hot, you will roast in the afternoon sun. Just remind yourself of how awesome the first 8 or 9 were...

The three teenage boys were not happy when I awakened them at 5 a.m. to get on the trail early. However, they all expressed gratitude when the early rise allowed them a face off with a young adult grizzly, lots of mountain goats and a hoary marmot. If you want to see wildlife, don't sleep in AND CARRY BEAR SPRAY!!

Highline trail is so beautiful but I would advise to be extra cautious of bears. I read everywhere before that if you want to start at the loop to get there before 8. Well we did, we turned a corner, and were 100 ft from a grizzly. It was very scary because no one else had started at the time. It appeared that this end was a lot less popular than Logan. We were fortunate enough to be able to turn around slowly and make it back to start at the other end of the trail where more people would be. Even the day before we heard from a ranger that a mama and her cub took the entire trail down to the loop.

The Highline Trail is one of the most spectacular, unique and adventurous hikes in Glacier National Park as it follows along the Continental Divide and offers dramatic and breathtaking views.

My mother and I hiked a portion of the Highline Trail in early September. It was very cloudy, windy, raining and freezing cold during my visit and the weather was extremely uncomfortable, but we made the best of it and went anyways.

The beginning of the trail passes through alpine meadows with gorgeous lush green vegetation before it starts following along the narrow and rocky ledge of a mountain with steep drop-offs to the Continental Divide below on one side. There are no railings along the side with steep drop-offs to the deep valley below, so walking here can be unnerving and slightly terrifying. However, there is a garden hose affixed to the rock wall that you can hold on to as you walk, if you are feeling scared. This hike is definitely not for the faint of heart! The trail itself is not strenuous and it is mostly flat.

The remainder of the trail follows this narrow ledge along the side of the mountain, passing through rocky sections and areas with lush and dense vegetation and beautiful wildflowers. When I visited on a September morning, I was walking through thick clouds much of the time and was unable to see the supposedly incredible views of the Continental Divide, which was unfortunate. However, the surrounding scenery and landscapes were absolutely phenomenal and awe-inspiring the entire way. You can see the Going to the Sun Road below the trail and the cars look so tiny, adding some perspective to how high up you are!

The hike is a total of 19 km and it leads to the Granite Park Chalet, however I did not hike all the way to the end and turned around somewhere in the middle due to the harsh weather conditions during my visit.

My tip for visiting Logan Pass and hiking this trail, is to definitely wear winter jackets, mittens and a warm hat, especially if you are there at the end of August or beginning of September when the season is transitioning to winter. Logan Pass is the highest elevation that you can drive to in Glacier National Park (6646 feet) and it is much colder up there than at the park entrances.

The stunning views are definitely worth braving this somewhat frightening trail.

Perhaps the most famous trail in Glacier NP is the Highline Trail and rightly so. It is one of the most memorable hikes I've ever done. You get even better views from the beginning of this trail than you can on the Going-to-the-Sun Road.

We hiked the Highline on Tuesday, 9/1. Because of COVID, they were not running any shuttles. Normally people start at Logan Pass and finish at the Loop and take the shuttle back to their car at Logan Pass. Because there were no shuttles, this trail becomes a return hike.

Initially we wanted to do the Grinnell Glacier but in the end chickened out because we wouldn't be able to do the 14.7 mile return trip. Instead, we hiked 2.5 miles, ate lunch and turned back. We started the trip at 8 am and got back to the parking lot a little after noon for a total of 5 miles.

The views are pretty spectacular the entire 2.5 miles going there. And it isn't difficult at all. The rewards definitely outweigh the difficulty.

The hardest part of this hike is getting a parking spot at Logan Pass. Our hotel was in Whitefish which was 1 hour and 40 minutes away just from Logan Pass. Left our hotel at 5:20 am and arrived at Logan Pass at 6 am. There were a long line of cars in front of us and behind us on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. At 7 am, there were spots but by 7:30 am, the entire parking lot was full. So plan to get there EARLY if you want to secure a parking space.

We carried Bear Spray and luckily did not need it. There were plenty of people on this trail.

Also, at the Logan Pass parking lot, it was extremely cold and windy but once you are on the Highline, it is much less windy.

So I’ll admit, we only were on a small portion of the trail since it was still closed up till Haystack, but since we did a portion it counts!!!!
I can yell you from all my research, this is one of the most scenic trails in the world. What makes it really nice too, is that it does not have a lot of intense climbs, so it’s a great day hike. We stayed at Granite Park Chalet and continued on through Swiftcurrent back to Many Glacier. Take your bear spray, we had 2 separate encounters with bears!!!! And there has been a bear frequenting the trail. One bear near the chalet was not afraid!!! Just be mindful and enjoy the spectacular views!!!!

My wife and I (both in our late 50s) hiked 8 miles from Logan Pass Visitor Center to Grinnell Glacier Overlook, 2.25 miles from Overlook to Granite Park Chalet, then 7.9 miles from Chalet back to Logan Pass. Those 18+ miles took us 7 and a quarter hours and we ascended 3700 feet and descended 3700 feet because we ended our hike at the starting point.

The hike, which we've done once before, is amazing. We were lucky to get the last parking spot because we showed up at Logan Pass Visitor Center late (9:00 AM), and that spot was 0.4 mile down the west side of the pass at the first look-off point. We passed dozens of slower hikers along the Highline Trail and while ascending the Garden Wall Trail to Grinnell Glacier Overlook. On our return hike to Logan Pass Visitor Center, we encountered very few people. I guess most people only hike the trail in one direction.

I want to address a couple of points I've read several times on other reviews of this hike. People have commented that the hike doesn't have much elevation gain and is therefore essentially flat. That couldn't be further from the truth. It is true that the Logan Pass Visitor Center and the Granite Park Chalet are coincidentally at about the same elevation. However, because the trails dips and rises many times, the total ascent is 1300 feet and the total descent is 1300 feet; and that doesn't include the steep climp up to Grinnel Glacier Overlook. People have also commented that the trail is narrow with steep, long drop-offs. Yes, there are a number of virtually straight drop-offs and steep scree slopes beside the trail; but there is more than enough width in those sections. Hikers shouldn't have difficulties with the drop-offs if they use common sense.

A few final thoughts --- take lots of water, wear a hat and sunscreen, wear hiking boots or solid running shoes (it's amazing that some people wear sandals on such a long hike) and carry bear spray (bears likely won't be around the trail due to the number of people, but having an accessible can of bear spray is easy).

This trail is well maintained, narrow in some points, but the views are unbelievable. At one point we had to use chains attached to the mountain to continue our trek. Around the corner, we saw some adorable mountain goats way up high. This isn't a hike for the faint at heart but it was super fun.

We hiked 48 miles in Glacier last week, but this is the hike I most wanted to review. It was so busy there (July 21-26) that we knew we'd never find a parking space at Logan Pass where the trail head is for the HIghline Trail. So we did what so many others do, got up very early, and parked at The Loop. We planned to take a shuttle to Logan Pass but they weren't running for another hour, so we did another common Glacier tradition and hitch-hiked. Within minutes someone stopped and we were on our way.
The first 7.6 miles of this trail is jaw-dropping. It's steep and strenuous in sections, but the views are beyond compare. We left early enough in the morning that we had shade for a good hour or more, before the direct sunlight hit us. This trail gives you a high up perspective on the sights along Going To The Sun Road, because you follow the road for quite some time, from high above it. Still, it never felt repetitive because it's just so spectacular from that height. At 7.6 miles you reach the hike-in Chalet, where we sat down to eat our bag lunches, and enjoy a little much-needed shade.
The only downside to the Highline trail....is actually going down. The 4 mile hike from the Chalet back to our car at The Loop seemed like an eternity. It was very hot, and all in direct sunlight with zero shade. The trail is also a horse trail, so horse poop was plentiful in our path. Whenever we stopped for a water break even for a few seconds, were were swarmed by biting flies. After a few hours of that, and pounding knees, aching feet, we were pretty beat. I can't imagine how anyone goes UP that side and down the other. I'd almost be willing to turn around at the chalet and hike back the 7.6 miles to Logan Pass rather than do that last 4 miles again. Still, don't miss that one. Just pack plenty of water.

The Garden Wall on the Highline Trail is a must see. Even if you cannot hike through to The Loop, walk a mile or two on the trail. It is a wonderful experience.

been on this trail a few times a nice level hike for the first 2 mile,,the flowers along the trail are great...the view is 30 miles to the west

We took this hike with our 12 and 13 year olds. It was amazing and we all had a lot of fun. In mid July, we hiked through several snow fields which added to the adventure. I am afraid of heights but the hike on the ledge with the rope in the wall was tolerable (it is no worse than the hike than Bright Angel Trail at Grand Canyon). We packed a lunch and ate at the chalet where we were lucky enough to see the mules restocking the staff at the chalet which was very interesting. I would get to Logan Pass early to ensure parking for the trail head. This took us about 6 1/2 hrs and was worth every minute of it.

I read the reviews and couldn't wait to do this strenuous hike. The hike was a great workout and overlooked beautiful scenery. Haven't been to Yellowstone, Yosemite, etc - I wouldn't rate this in the top 10 hikes, but definitely worth doing. We saw some goats, wildflowers. Unique experience but reviews make it seem like this is out of this world beautiful.

We hiked in Glacier for 7 days enjoying a wide variety day hikes sometimes hiking several shorter trails a day. Although we enjoyed each and every hike, the portion of the Highland Trail that we hiked was by far our favorite. We are drawn to high vistas and this trail provides amazing high views across the mountains and valleys. The trail varied from narrow cliff paths to open meadows. We did not realize how spectacular this hike was going to be when we started it at Logan Pass in the early afternoon and it is a long trail (11 miles +/-). We had time to hike about the first 3 to 4 miles before retracing our steps back to Logan Pass and enjoyed the trip back as much as we enjoyed our outbound track. The day was sunny and quite clear giving us a spectacular display of both deep green evergreens and the beautiful fall colors of the various trees beginning their colorful march to their leafless winter cycle. We will put this entire trail on our must do list when we again visit this most beautiful National Park and set aside a day to explore the entire Logan Pass to the Loop Highland Trail.

The Highline Trail starts at Logan Pass. At the beginning it travels along the face of the the mountain and there is a cable to hold on to but it is not for people that do not like to look down. After that it opens up and the views are great.

Not a long walk. Good views and worth the walk. See waterfalls and lots of goats. A little skinny in some places when lots of people.

This is the best trail that I have ever hiked. I felt that the narrow trail at the beginning is extremely safe and not scary at all.

It is a long and taxing hike if you complete it all the way thru. However you have views the entire time and it was the best way to really appreciate glacier np. The road to the sun is cool, but being able to traverse this trail was so moving.
Put this on your bucket list.

A 45 and 34 year old made the long trip from Logans Pass all the way to the Loop. Thought the scenery was amazing and the path was rocky, snowy, or dirt the whole way. Very high climb right on the edge of the mountain. We made the 11 mile trip in about 7 hours and were exhausted by the time we were done. We are in good shape, and healthy individuals but we struggled towards the end, especially on the descent. Almost the entire 2nd half is down hill and it took a serious toll on our legs and knees. We even mentioned we weren't having fun any more at the end- just too long for a couple who didn't prepare physically at all for a hike. We took tons of pictures at the start but by midway, we just wanted to be done. Then, when we got done we went to catch a shuttle back to Logans Pass to get our car and waited forever for a shuttle. A long line of people had the same idea, and actually started to hitch hike because when a bus finally came, it had one open seat. If you're going to do this trail, park your car at the loop early, shuttle up to Logans Pass and walk back to your waiting car. It will save you lots of sanity. Make sure your legs are in shape for this one- for both climbing up and down.

Best trail in park for average hiker. It starts at Logan Pass and stays pretty level at least to Granite Chalet. A great detour is hiking out onto Haystack Butte; views of Lake McDonald Valley are brilliant. And you can walk as far as you want, including Canada. After 7 miles and the chalet, you can head downhill which takes you to first switchback of Going-to-the-Sun road. Then catch the bus. If you want to drive to the Pass/ trailhead, get there by 08:00a at the latest otherwise parking lot will be full and closed.

My wife and I hiked this trail in Aug. 2017. We got to Logan Pass pretty early but there was still plenty of parking (Note: It was filling up fast, see below for a tip). We hiked the Highline Trail to Granite Park Chalet. This is a pretty popular hike, so don't feel the need to bring every single survival item. There were tons of people the day we did the hike, but it never felt really crowded and we had times when we were alone for a bit on the trail. There isn't much at the chalet, they have a few snacks and such but that was about it when we went. We hiked down the Granite Park Trail, a/k/a the Loop Trail. This is the trail that starts the almost 180 degree turn along Going-to-the-Sun Road. Both trails are really nice and offer great views and such. It is one of the more amazing hikes in the country.

Tip for everyone. It is much easier to park your vehicle at your end destination and use the shuttles to go to whichever trail head you prefer to start at. Just make sure you have everything you need and get on the shuttle. We parked at Logan Pass and when we got to the Loop, there were about fifty people already waiting for shuttles that might have had room for maybe two people. Eventually one shuttle driver said two empty shuttles were on the way. After about 40 mins. everyone finally got on the shuttle, but by then, around another 20-40 people had joined the line. From the west side of the park, you can take an express shuttle early from Apgar transit center. Go to Logan Pass and you can take the westbound shuttle back from the loop (those westbound shuttles weren't nearly as full).

First things first- if you are wanting to access this trail from Logan's Pass and intend to drive, GET THERE EARLY! We got there around 6 45 AM, and the parking lot was probably already half way full. We did the Hidden Lake Trail after waiting for it to warm up a bit (probably my favorite hike I went on in the park).

You are exposed to the elements on this hike, so make sure to bring sun screen if you are susceptible to sun burns. I got all lobstered-out on this hike.

The views are amazing, and the trail was not overly strenuous. If you insist on bringing kids, keep them in clear view at all times. I saw a kid running near the beginning of the trail where the safety chains were, and the dad that was responsible for that kid got chewed out pretty hard by mom.

Anyhow, we some some goats near the start, and they were pretty relaxed- definitely used to humans being in close-ish proximity to them. Please give them their space though, it's a jerk move to try to get in close to get a better picture or whatever.

During the hike, expect views of the massive glacier-carved valley as you are placed what seems like 150 or so feet above going to the sun road itself. Share the trail, and be careful, as there are some spots with drops (although the only sketchy part for me was the beginning). Lots of people we encountered were going all the way up to the lodge(?), but we turned around probably about 2.5 or 3 miles in. Great hike, and the fact that I was able to do two amazing hikes in one day from one parking spot was pretty cool.

12 miles from Logan Pass to Loop. Two toughest aspects: parking at Logan aand then the last 4 miles from the Chalet to Loop. As others noted: No shade til almost the end of that 4 mi stretch - So worth it but bring lots of water and sunscreen!

Hiked this with 2 teenagers! Parked at Logan Pass early (730) to begin our hike. Greeted at the start by a mountain goat! The flowers were stunning! I had to walk slow in parts just to enjoy how beautiful they are! The hike is fairly level but you do cross some running water so be careful not to slip. Wear sunscreen as mid morning you will be in full sun and it can get warm. The scenery is spectacular and worth the trip. We hiked to the Chalet and ate our sandwiches there. I didn't realize you could make reservations to stay there and have put that on my to do list! We hiked down the Loop trail to get home. It was the longest 4 miles of the day. If I had known it was going to be so unpleasant I would have walked back the 8 miles to Logan Pass! Waiting for the shuttle at the end was a bit stressful as it was full and we were tired and a bit on the cranky side ( well the teenagers were)
Do the Highline trail. It really is worth it

Couldn’t have wished for a better bday hike than being in the mountains. I’ve always wanted to visit Glacier National Park and thanks to my awesome hubby I got to spend 5 days there hiking and exploring. The Highline Trail must be the highlight of our trip. Started at Logan Pass parking lot (go there early-before 9am- if you want a spot, it fills really quickly-not that big of a parking lot) and hiked to Granite Park Chalet and took a hike to climb up the steep trail to see Grinnel Glacier. Our hike didn’t stop at the Chalet we hiked down to the Loop and wanted to catch the free shuttle to ride back to Logan Pass. On that day there was an accident on the Going to the sun road and there Were a ton of folks waiting for the bus. None came for more than an hour and people became really frustrated. Anyways, the Highline Trail is a must. Great views, ground squirrels, marmots, bighorn sheep, even had to cross through snow a lot of times. It was an adventurous and rewarding hike.

My wife and I did the Highline to Haystack portion of the trail, and it was absolutely beautiful. The vistas from the trail are breathtaking. The valleys are so deep and the mountains are so high, and you stand on the trail seemingly equidistant between the valley and the peaks. In the summer, the best time to go is in the morning before it gets too hot. The trail head begins at Logan Pass, but it is very difficult if not impossible to get a parking space there. The best advice is to park your car at a lot further away such as Two Dog Flats and ride a shuttle to Logan Pass. Just make sure you leave extra time for the shuttle ride. As for the trail, the first part does skirt along a rock ledge. It sounded a little precarious when I first read about it, but the ledge has some good width to it and the park service has provided a very stout cable embedded in the cliff for you to hold on to if you have some fear of heights. You will likely see wildlife and beautiful wildflowers along the rest of the trail. We turned back just a bit before we reached Haystack, but all in all it was one of the most beautiful hikes I have experienced.

We were hesitant about doing this hike as we heard it was more advanced and how long it would take. The total hike was about 13 miles and took us about 6 hours at a average pace. We are so glad we did this hike. There is not a lot of elevation so it is walking on a lot of flat ground. There are views everywhere on the trail. It was so beautiful and a must do in glacier

We caught a great day to hike. We hiked past the Haystack and back, about 8.5 miles. The views were amazing. The trail well defined, but along the ridge of the mountain. There were several beautiful waterfalls that we crossed. The grade was not as difficult as we expected, with only a couple switchbacks. We heard of bear sightings, but never saw one. We did see several mountains goats enjoying the sunny day. We highly recommend you take advantage of as much of the Highline Trail that you can. We were there 2 days before a huge snow storm came through. The parking can be a challenge so don’t delay getting there. September was a great time to go!

The fields around Logan Pass were filled with glacier lillies! We got great pics of big horn sheep lounging in the lillies. We didn't get very far on the trail because we had our 7 year old grand son, nickname Tornado, with us and felt it was just not a good idea for him to be on the edge of a thousand foot precipice! We had thought that maybe we could hike a ways before we had to turn around but the trail became narrow and on the edge pretty quickly.

This is possibly the BEST Trail at Logan Pass; but not if are afraid of heights !! No rails once you pass the first 5 mins and just a steep drop if you look below. But fantastic scenery if you can make it !

We hiked from Logan Pass to the side-track to Grinnell Glacier Overlook, then to the Chalet, and ending at The Loop parking lot (shuttle bus stop); total 14 miles, definitely strenuous hiking! The best trail out there, but be ready to experience elevation gain. Especially after 7 miles when you do the Grinnell Glacier overlook, it's "only" 0.8 miles uphill, however extremely steep, but the view is extraordinary. Two days later we did the Grinnell Glacier hike from Many Glacier, and it is great to see where you went. This is a one-way hike we did, so we bought tickets to get on the shuttle bus at The Loop. Do not underestimate the length and difficulty of this hike; the last 4 miles we did from the Chalet to The Loop is all downhill, and very challenging for your knees.

Hiked about 3.5 miles in and back. Beautiful views the entire hike. Essentially no elevation change other than a small amount at the beginning of the hike. Busy trail but worth it for the views.

Go for the flowers on Garden Wall (and later). Go for the wildlife (we saw Bighorn from 30 feet). Go for the views that never stop, but keep changing, Go for the challenging 12 mile hike. Just go.

Unfortunately we did this hike a few days after Labor Day so the shuttles was not running. Therefore we could only go to haystack butte and back. When we started our hike the windy was gusting and it was snowing. On our way back the snow was melted and no wind. It was crazy how quickly the weather changes. We couldn't see much at the beginning of the hike because of the visibility but the way back it was amazing. It actually was a pretty easy hike. We did it and Avalanche lake the same day and I wasn't even tired! I would highly recommend this hike even if you can only do the first mile or so. I will warn - if you're afraid of heights it's not the hike for you!

We arrived at the parking lot at 8:15am and the parking lot was full. We drove further down and found parking at an overlook and hiked up to the trailhead (probably 3/4 mile.)

The first part is exactly as described in many of the reviews but was totally safe. I had my 13 year old boys walk in a straight line and hold the rope. We stopped to take in the view and it was breathtaking.

The rest of the trail was fairly easy with a few challenging areas. We opted to climb to the scenic overlook which was about halfway through the hike. This was difficult but worth it. It says it’s .6 mile but it was closer to a mile. Our family is pretty fit and we had to stopped several times to rest. We got to see a Grizzly and her cub as we approach the top of the overlook.

Warning! The last 4 miles is downhill and not as scenic (and a bit painful.) It was recommended to us to start at the loop and do the trail backwards. I’m not sure if it would have be easier but it would have been good to get that part out of the way. It’s about 2,000 gain/loss of elevation in 4 miles.

Take lots of water! We ran out towards the end of the hike. Also, wear lots of layer and a raincoat.

Finally, when we finished, we had to wait about an hour for the shuttle. It was super busy and the shuttles would come every 15 minutes with just a few seats. So be prepared to rest, eat a snack and wait.

This hike has amazing views of the continental divide, and is worth the effort put forth in the climb. There are several steep switchbacks and a few waterfalls to cross; so, this is a hike for those who are fit for an ascent.

This is a moderate to difficult hike with none stop spectacular views. If you only have time for one hike, this is it. Bring a lunch and enjoy a break at dozens of spots along the way. The Chalet is about mid way and has restrooms.

We started hiking Highline Trail at 6pm, it was dark/rainy/wet/misty, no one was on trail but us. We walked 1-1 1/2 mile in - We had a great view with long distance. The fog started rolling in, so we turned back, and started passing people entering. These people could only see 10-15 feet. So we were so glad we started the hike so early

This is an incredible 11.8 mile hiking trail starting at Logan Pass. You will see everything from great vast moutain views, wildflowers, wild life and more. I would highly recommed this trail as a must do on your trip to glacier. There is a short 1.2mile round trip offshot that provides an overlook of Grinnell Glacier. The views from this lookout are incredible. Please be aware that the trail gains over 1,000 feet in altitude in just .6 miles, so the trail is rather steep!

You really do not have to walk for long untill you reach this amazing mountainwall where the trail is basically carved out of the mointain. Simply faschinating. The conditions where harsch. windy and snowing from times to times that limited visibility. astonishing experience even then. The hights and narrow road with a cable to hold on to just in case...it´s a challenge for many.
We could not do the entire hike. We did not have the time. Those of us that loves walking such trails will forever be haunted by this. Not being able to walk the entre way is the gratest disappointment of our 2 weeks stay in Canada & US.

It's a scenic, easy hike on flat terrain but don't sleep in. The Logan Pass parking lot is small and people park their cars before going on hours-long hikes. I arrived at 8 am and the lot was almost full. After returning from a three-hour hike I found cars desperately searching the lot for spaces; the person who took my space had been circling the lot for an hour. I can't say the hike is worth that much frustration, as there are so many other trails in the park.

This is the first half of my favorite hike in the world. From Logan pass, cross the road and head out on the west side of the continental divide. Within 5 minutes of leaving Logan Pass you are on the Garden Wall - a breathtaking trail cut into a cliff face. It is plenty wide. From there continue heading NWish to the Glacier Park Chalet about 7.5 miles from Logan Pass. Take a lunch break here. Continue on up and over Swiftcurrent Pass and down to Bullhead Lake. Stunning views the entire way. Then, exit via Many Glacier about 15 miles from Logan Pass.

get past the fitst 50 yards and its all downhill from there, really, mostly flat or downhill except right before cabin area is a good set of switchbacks. Great views the whole way. WE saw bear and sheep, Pop up out of the switches and explore the cabins and lodge. Head straight downhill to the LOOP pick up the tram and head back to logan

AMAZING hike! My husband and I took our 15 and 12 year old sons on this hike a few days ago. The scenery is beyond description! Beautiful and stunning don't even come close to describing it. I would rate it as easy-moderate. There is a bit of up and down, but nothing really steep until the final climb to the saddle at Haystack Butte. Don't be scared off by the narrow path with the straight down cliff to the road below ;) I was fearful before heading out, but felt safe holding onto the cable. Just don't look down if heights scare you! We turned around at Haystack Butte (6.7 miles round trip). The wildflowers are beautiful. We entered the park at West Glacier at 6:18 and arrived at Logan Pass at 7:15. The lot was about 1/3 full, but was completely full by 8:10. Take sunscreen, water and snacks. Never felt the need for bug spray, but I live in an area where mosquitoes are rampant so if there were any I didn't notice. We carried bear spray, but never saw any. The trail was pretty well traveled so bears likely stay away.
DO THIS HIKE!

We rode the shuttle to Logans Pass, as the parking fills up early. The first part of the hike has a cable available to hold on in parts where the path is narrow. It doesn't seem as necessary as the cable on Angel's Landing at Zions NP does.
The scenery was glorious and amazing. We saw a wild goat, several marmot and many smaller animals. We stopped at Granite Park Chalet, where you can buy bottled water. We snacked on thimbleberries and huckleberries on our hike down to The Loop. Here, you can catch a shuttle back to Logans Pass or down to Apgar--unless you arrive after 7 pm, but hitching a ride is another option.
Next time, I will park at The Loop (small parking lot), take the shuttle up to Logans Pass, then hike back to my car.

This is an amazing hike. Park at the loop, take the shuttle to Logan's pass, do the almost 8 mile hike along sheer drop-offs and through truly amazing wild flowers until you reach the Chalet. Take a break at the Chalet...use the restroom, chat with other people who are stopping there...and build up your energy. Start the nearly 4 mile descent to the loop, but be prepared. The constant downgrade really works on your feet, ankles, and calves. Once you make it to the bottom, having your car ready and waiting...was perfect! Take lots of water...especially when it is hot out. This trail will expose you to lots of different types of nature...and will take a while to complete. It is also very busy since it is one of the most popular trails.

This was our very first hike in GNP - this is the best trail for both the thrill and the incredible views! We all wished we would've saved it for the end - but definitely save it for a clear, sunny day. I took two of my kids and it is one of those experiences we won't ever forget.

We only hiked about 8 miles total of this trail, and it was beautiful. Although this is the kind of trail that you want to keep going and going because you want to know what's just around the bend, even taking a relatively short out-and-back hike is worth the view. It just gets better the further you go. I can't vouch for anything past the 4 mile mark, but give yourself plenty of time as it seems to me that trying to power through just to say you did the whole thing would detract from the enjoyment of the experience. I was very reluctant when we had to turn around due to time constraints, but still it was well worth the time put in. The first part of the trail is fairly bare and rocky, skirting a steep side of Pollock Mountain, just above and parallel to Going-To-The-Sun Road, but gets more lush with vegetation further along. I was surprised that photos depict it to be much more steep than it feels at the time, although some in our group turned back because of the height issue. We hiked on a Thursday the beginning of August and were pleased that there was hardly anyone on the trail, so no issues with having to squeeze by someone on the narrow trail or having to tolerate unnecessary noise. We did see bighorn sheep on the ridgeline at "Haystack Bowl", but not close up. Many wildflowers still in bloom. Very memorable hike.

As others have said, there are different options about where to start. My group parked at Logan Pass and shuttled down to the Loop to start. This is the tougher hike option in that you are doing more climbing but it worked out great for my group of avid hikers. The day started foggy so by the time we got to the higher elevations it had cleared. Also, by parking car at Logans Pass we didn't have to wait or worry about missing a shuttle at the end of day. After getting to Chalet, very little elevation gain heading to Logans Pass. Beautiful mountains!

Our trip leader took us on this trail. It was a treat. Another hiker said it is one of his top 10 hikes.

Unbelievable views on this trail. It has some tough sections, with tall steps. There are also some sections where the trail is narrow with big drop offs. Make sure to bring plenty of water. There are no bathrooms or water sources on the trail. Definitely worth the effort. I opted to go with The Glacier Institute with a guide. Genevieve did a great job of educating us about the area. Parking is really tough at the Loop, and Logan Pass. Using a guide solves these issues. We saw several Rocky Sheep up close.

Maybe because we did Grinnell first - the greatest hike ever - this underwhelmed in so many ways. Yes, you walk a ridge and hang onto a rope - after that it is just not that exciting.

Because the loop was closed due to the fires, we hiked from the chalet on the Swiftcurrent Pass trail. That trail was so much more scenic and interesting than Highline.

What a hike! What a view, if you are scared of heights, this might not be the hike for you but the view is absolutely amazing.

I will say that without doubt, this is a breathtaking hiking. The grandeur of the granite spires adorn the entirety of the trail and allow for nice opportunities for picture taking and contemplation. HOWEVER....... hit the trail EARLY. Any latter than 7:00 am and you will feel like you are at Disneyland in line for Pirates of the Caribbean! Another caveat. Upon reaching the Chalet, you will have to hike downhill for 4 miles. I hope you have clipped your toenails, and if not....put on your Teva sandals. Your toes will thank you.
We started from Logan Pass and hiked to the loop with a detour to the awe-inspiring Grinnell Glacier overlook (FYI.....It is NOT .6 statute miles. And, be ready for a hellavu climb that will bite an hour out of your hike.). It took about 5.5 hours to the Chalet, but we took plenty of pic breaks and a detour to the overlook. Shuttles stop running at 6:30 back to Logan so plan accordingly..

I took the shuttle up to Logan Pass, then walked the Highline Trail. I found the Highline Trail to be an easy trail with spectacular views, however, the best part of the Highline Trail that I found interesting was on the path of the cliffs. I walked this, and then returned as the rest of the trail had full exposure to the sun.

Nice hike but it can be dangerous with snow on and ice on the trail
Extremely slippery with very unforgiving steep drops
Well worth the hike to the Granite Chalet for lunch then up to Grinell Glacier overlook

If you want to geek out about rocks, glaciers, flora and fauna, go on one of the free park service-led hikes through Highline trail! Look online for days and times. Tegan was our leader and she was so knowledgeable and great to talk to.
The hike was challenging at parts, but mostly because it is long. The trail is largely unshaded so it will get hot. The views are panoramic and you can see for miles. If you want to feel accomplished and hike across those crazy mountains you see driving on the Going to the Sun road, this is for you! Just be sure to bring at least 2L of water per person and food. There is some food and water at the chalet but it is limited, pre-packaged, and very expensive. I wish I would have know about the chalet because I totally would have stayed a night up there!
Don't forget to pack in/pack out - there are bears on this trail thanks to the huckleberry! We saw a grizzly mom and cub about 5-6 miles in. She was trying to use the trail so we went up above the trail and she made her way past. A truly incredible sight. Yes, you need to be prepared to see bears and have bear spray handy - but you also need to know that if you make lots of noise (think bells, yelling around blind corners and in thick brush, clapping) they will steer clear. They are magnificent creatures that need to be respected - remember, you're in their territory! Be prepared and you'll be fine. Traveling in larger groups will help you too.

This trail is almost 12 miles of you complete the highland loop. About 7 and a half miles I to the trail is one of the chalets the park has. It is small but will sell water in case you need. I suggest on warm days to bring enough water but not to much because after awhile it get rather heavy, bring a water filter if you need so you can collect water along the trail. You won't regret the view!

We did the 11.6 mile hike on a beautiful clear day in July. We parked at the Loop and took the shuttle to Logan Pass. At 9am a line was already starting for shuttle service, we were glad we did the shuttle wait in the morning, it was great to be able to get in the car at the end of the day. The hike is a fairly gradual incline with many areas that tested my fear of heights on the way to the Chalet. The Loop trail coming down from the Chalet is a serious decline for 4 miles with no shade. We did the hike in 7 hours with lunch, water and photo breaks along the way. The mountain views on this hike are amazing. We saw mountain goats, deer and a grizzly. The bear was on the trail, slowly moved a few feet away as hikers started to gather. As we were very close to the Chalet a ranger did come down the trail to move the bear further up the mountain. There are a lot of hikers on this trail, while many times we were on our own, we never went more than 10 minutes without seeing another group.

This was on my bucket list but I was afraid I would 'chicken out' due to the steep cliff edge (not for those scared of heights!!!). But once there, it really wasn't that bad. There was very few people on the trail - only came across one other person heading the opposite way even though it was mid-day and the parking lot was full.I assume most folks hiked earlier. The trail was a lot wider than it looks in photos but still pretty scary. The views from the ridge edge are incredible. We only went as far as the start to the Garden Wall and then turned around and came back.

We hiked on this trail in mid-August from Logan pass to Many Glacier, almost 20 miles in total, including a side trip to the glacier overlook and one to the Swiftcurrent Lookout. The view was absolutely amazing, especially at the end of the two side trips.

We did these 20 miles hiking in two days and spent one night in the chalet (great experience). We took a hiker's shuttle ($10 per person) from Swifftcurrent motor inn at Many Glacier to St Mary visitor center, and then took the park free shuttle to Logan Pass. By the time we arrived Logan Pass, it was almost 10 am in the morning.The reason that we didn't do this whole trip in one day is because it is really difficult to start early in the morning since you need to take shuttles, so at the end of the trip in Many glacier, you have a car waiting for you.

The view on highline was discounted by the smoke from fires, but it was still amazing. We were very unlucky since the new fire (Thompson-Divide Complex) just started on the day before we hiked on highline. The day the new fire started was the first day for us in Glacier NP and we stayed for a whole week. The first day was clear since the fire just started and smoke hadn't spread yet. However, the rest of the week was really smoky, We found our car was covered by thick ash when we finally hiked down to May Glacier.

We spent a night in the Chalet. Many people reserved the Chalet at the beginning of the year. I didn't make the plan until June. I just checked 3 times a day on the reservation website of the Chalet to see if there was any available rooms. It proved that my strategy worked. People often cancelled their reservations about one month before the trip. You can do this if you plan late.

The second day we hiked down from the Chalet to Many Glacier and took the side trip to the Swiftcurrent lookout (2.4 round trip). The whole trip that was around 10 miles and most of it was down hill. I thought it should be a easy hike. However, do not underestimate it. The down hill is not as easy as up hill. Now I'd rather prefer low-degree uphill trails (e.g. iceberg lake). That day, the weather was extremely hot, it was above 90 degrees when we walked down to many glacier. The view of this section is also spectacular. Highly recommended!! I found a big area filled with bear grass when we hiked down to the fall. Because of the dry weather, the flower season ended early this year. I can image how beautiful it is when it is filled with flowers.

The hike from logan pass to many glacier is amazing, especially if it was without smoke and not this hot. :-) I highly recommend you to do this trail. I know a lot of people did the 11 miles loop hike but many complained about the last 4 miles since the view was not that good. If you have time and had chance to get a night in the chalet, hike down to Many Glacier the next day, it is just amazing experience. If you are in really great shape, you can finish the whole 20 miles in one day. :-)

Hiked this trail in mid-July. There is a ledge with a steep dropoff at the beginning of the hike for about 1/4 of a mile but don’t let this discourage you. There are cables to grab if you need them. We hiked to Haystack butte. We saw a grizzly at the beginning near Logan Pass and big horn sheep and mountain goats along the trail. The vistas are beautiful and it’s not a difficult trail. Parking at the pass can be difficult but it’s worth the effort.

We hiked the full 12 miles from Logan Pass to Loop parking lot in the beginning of August. The first several miles are among the best scenery I've seen on any hike. The last mile to the chalet is OK. The last 4 miles from the chalet to loop are downhill literally and figuratively. There is no shade on the last stretch, the scenery is not as nice as you are going through a burnt out forest and the downhill is not so easy. If I did it again I would turn back to Logan after 6 miles and enjoy great scenery both ways. I definitely recommend doing as much of the first 6 miles as you can.

We are very fit middle-aged people who hike on vacations. Park at Logan Pass (get there early) and trail begins across the street. It’s 8 hours gradual climb along the garden wall and several snow fields. Granite Chalet is the high point and great spot to rest and take in the amazing view. 4 miles down with significant decline to the Loop shuttle stop. Ride back to your car at Logan Pass.

With Grinnell Glacier access restricted (Covid), we accessed via the Highline trail (Logan Pass visitor center), climbed to the Grinnell Overlook (via Garden Wall trail), and returned via the Loop trail (to the Loop parking lot for pickup). Highly recommend this route as Highline going back out is not only longer but harder and the loop is mostly downhill.

The views on Highline after rain yesterday were amazing and perfectly clear. We saw a group of mountain goats, multiple bighorn sheep (on the trail), and a few marmot. The climb to the glacier was tough but definitely worth it. Recommend continuing climb to the saddle (see recording) to see all four lakes at the bottom rather than just looking into the glacier. Exiting via the Loop trail was great as it was mostly downhill. Would definitely do this again and highly recommend if wanting to see the glacier.

This hike has some great views of the mountains and the Going to the Sun Road down below. However, it is mostly exposed so in the summer, it can be very hot. Take sunscreen, hat and plenty of water. We saw big horn sheep, goats, marmots, squirrels and chipmunks.If you are doing the full 12 miles or so, it's a good idea to park at The Loop parking lot and take the shuttle to Logan pass to begin the hike. If you don't want to go that far, park at Logan Pass and then do and out and back for however far you want to hike. Because Logan Pass is so high, it can be very chilly in the morning, so you need layers you can peel off.

The Highline Trail is again another one of those classic day hikes in Glacier NP. From Logan Pass to the Chalet is about 7 miles. Back down to the Going-to-the-Sun Road on what is called the loop trail is another 4 miles or so. I suggest you be on the Logan Pass Highline Trail Head at 8am to make the 11 mile journey down to the highway and the shuttle. Remember! There are free park shuttles! If the 11 mile trek doesn't excite you then I would suggest simply hiking from Logan Pass up to Haystack Butte and back on the same trail. I do not suggest this trail to acrophobic, a real fear of heights. I do not suggest doing this route up through the burn to the Chalet on a warm day then up to Logan. Plenty of biting deer flies!

Turned around b/c nervous for my kids. but amazing! The first day it was closed due to aggressive bear activity. Get to Logan pass parking early!! Fills up

I was a little dubious about this walk, firstly because I imagined it would be crazy busy, and secondly as it follows (above) the road for quite a while. It was busy, but not too crazy, and yes it follows above the road for the first couple of miles, but then it veers off sufficiently that you then don't really notice it, and then it's gone! It's not a tough walk by any stretch, but thoroughly enjoyable. The absolute highlight was the spur off to the Grinnell Lake overlook. That really made the walk for us (a quite steep path up to it, but well worth it). Thoroughly enjoyable.

This trail is a must do when you visit Glacier NP. It is a fairly moderate hike. We did the 11.5 mile hike from Logan to The Loop and took the shuttle bus back to the Logan Visitor Center where our car was parked. The last 4 miles down from the Granite Park Chalet was a killer. Our legs hurt for two days afterwards. It was hot with the sun beating down on us with no shade. The first part up to the Chalet was wonderful. Everywhere I looked was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. There were mountain goats on the trail and numerous other hikers. If you park at Logan you MUST get there early. We arrived at 8 am and the lot was almost full. The shuttle busses come up from Apgar and only have 2 empty seats on them. We were the 12-14th people in line. Luckily, after we missed getting on the first bus, they sent an empty bus that fit 12 people. I thought about parking at the Loop early in the morning, hopping on an early shuttle bus and hiking down to my car.

Much of this trail is along a ridge line allowing wide and distant views. It’s moderately difficult with lots of rocky areas. It’s just off the Logan Pass visitor center parking lot. We saw a few mountain goats right off the trail

What fun (after I got over being scared). The Ranger at the Logan Pass Visitor Center said something like, "And I don't hold onto the cable much any more." Say what? We didn't know much about the Highline Trail other than it's a really neat trail. This cable stuff didn't mean anything to us.

The first part of the trail winds through the bush off the top of Logan Pass. A bit steep. People we met were huffing and puffing. After awhile, the trail leveled off. Then . . . it entered the rocky area. The Trail here was cut out of a sheer granite cliff, going steeply up and steeply down. The trail is adequate for ONE person. They have installed a cable next to the cliff side to hold onto. It was sure nice to have something to hold onto. It was a bit un-nerving to walk on the trail and have it so steep on either side. Especially when meeting hikers going the other way. A major decision point. Who lets go of the cable? There was usually a dance to decide who passes.

Later on, the trail exits the rocky area. It's still steep on both sides, BUT NO CABLE. Fortunately, the steep trail in the open only goes a short way. The trail migrates through the brush and forest at times. Nice trail. Along the way are little rivulets flowing down the hillside. We hiked 1 1/2 to 2 miles and had lunch overlooking the valley. Everywhere were wonder views of the mountains. The valleys showed evidence of glaciation - very rounded. Smoke from the various fires hung in among the ridges.

We had a great time. The cable, the steep hillside, the views, the rivulets. Really glad we came.

When we arrived we parked our car. There were not many places for parking. This is an attractive place.

We went inside and asked which path we could go on to. Thy asked if we had all the material to hike. We didn't have that. They told us that there was a lot of snow and it is dangerous. We decided to explore this place.

We liked the continental divide. We liked that.

We found animals, restrooms and lots of snow.

My favorite was the huge rock at the entrance. Wow!

A must see!

Amazing hike, wish we could’ve done more. The day we rent the Going to The Sun Road shut down from 9am-2 pm due to a car driving off the cliff at the top of the road. We just missed the road being closed by minutes and didn’t make it up to Logan’s Pass until almost 3. We had to get the last shuttle back by 5:30, so only allowed us to go about 2 1/2 miles in before having to turn around. The 2 1/2 miles we went were spectacular. We had 2 big horn sheep gallop right past us on this narrow trail on the edge of a cliff! I am very afraid of heights as is one of my daughters. We were nervous on the way out, the part I thought I would be most nervous was the wall with the rope. But there are parts after that that there is no rope and you walk around a narrow bend that drops off on 3 sides, completely exposed and
That was scarier to us than the wall at the beginning. That being said, it wasn’t crippling fear just some anxiety and we were totally fine and so glad we did it. I debated doing this hike due to my fear of heights and am so very glad I didn’t let my fear stop
me. It is so amazing!

Minimal elevation gain/loss. Pick a time where you are in the shade of the mountain, It can get crowded at times with large groups

I hiked this trail with my husband and two teenage children. We were on one of the ranger led hikes. My children particularly enjoy the group hikes and our ranger was well informed of the flora, fauna and geology of the area. The hike was moderately challenging (we are all in pretty good shape). There were several children who were probably under 12 years who were able to hang in there for the full hike. The views are incredible.

its a easy walk very level,,,,,the flowers will blow you away...the little water falls the little plants in the little creeks....you do not go to logan pass and not take this trail MY ADVICE GET TO THE LOT AT 8 AM BRING A BAGS BREAKFAST AND A BAG LUNCH !) BOTTLES OF WATER take it slow enjoy the walk you may never be back

This is a very popular trail in Glacier NP. It is about three miles round trip and can be a bit strenuous due to some elevation. It is just behind the visitors center. Be aware of bears as there are warning signs everywhere. Views are iconic. Parking is very challenging but we were fortunate to find something pretty easy in a very full lot around 11 am. Just be patient and wait for someone to leave.

Overall 12 Miles (18 KM) taking 5 – 7 hrs depends on breaks and pace.
The prefer Option is to park the car at the small parking lot (the lowest point 48.754614, -113.800133), take the shuttle to the upper point (Logan Pass Visitor Center 48.696022, -113.717726 ), strat hiking there and finish where you park your car.
optionally park at the upper point) where the parking lot is bigger , start hiking and at the end (no later then 5 PM !) Take the shuttle back to where you park your car.
The third option: Hiking the other way around is (to my opinion) will be much tougher.
The first part is easy with nice view to the valley but narrow trail, then the track goes into forest.
The next stage the treak goes into open view.
At this point (48.734082, -113.722595) after about 1 – 1.5 hrs of walking) is a good time for first break before the path start of short climbing.
The last part of 4 miles (6.4 Km) start at the National Historic Landmark: Granite Park Chalet (48.771038, -113.771635) ,consist of hostel, restroom and kind of "convenience store" (snacks, cold drink, no coffee).
Then comes the tough endless (4 miles) of descent part of the the track. you going on small stones sometimes you have to be careful not to step on fresh horse droppings….

Highline Trail from Logan Pass to Haystack Pass and back. Epic views, Plenty of wildlife (marmot, mountain goat, bighorn sheep). One of our favorite hikes.
You can watch our video of this hike on YouTube (Day Hiking Duo).

Amazing adventure, but not too challenging. Above the Road to the Sun with a couple of narrow spots. Did it plus Loop in 5+ hrs. Well worth the effort.

Enjoyed the hike got there bright and early so parking was not an issue. The wall was cool not near as much of a thrill as I had expected. But beautiful hike surrounded by 100s of people

STUNNING VIEWS! loved every minute of this moderate trail. Went from 37 degrees to lunch on Haystack Butte at 66 degrees. Views galore! Its a hard one.

This hike was incredibly beautiful and boasts some of the best views of the park! We started from Logan pass and visited in late August 2012. I will caution that my father and I were not completely prepared for the physical demands of this hike and only made it 4-5 miles in before we had to turn around. I will also supply the caveat that we are clearly amateur hikers and that I believe the starting elevation affected us more than we anticipated, so much of this review is likely not to apply to more seasoned hikers. There were sections of the hike that were a bit scary for my father, who has a fear of heights. This hike features quite a few sections of steep drop-offs, so be aware of that! I'm bummed that we weren't able to finish the hike because what we were able to complete was stunningly beautiful. I remember wishing I had more than two eyes so that I could take in the beauty around me. I think we started at the same time as a lot of more seasoned hikers, and I must say that everyone that we met on the trail was incredibly courteous and encouraging to the father/daughter duo that were clearly in over their heads! Even though we were only able to complete a portion of this trail, I would do it again in a heartbeat! I hope to go back one day and finish the entire thing!

Loved this hike! It takes you across the face of a cliff over the highway and the views were phenomenal

This is a must do hike . We hiked it Labor Day. It was chilly & foggy in the morning which made it feel ominous . We hiked from Logan pass twd. Granite park chalet / this direction is for the most part downhill except for one section with some steep switchbacks but very doable if you are in decent shape .START EARLY- we got up to Logan's at sunrise & were glad we did. This will allow you to miss the crowds since the shuttle starts around 8 am. We had our own snacks & water & stopped at the chalet for a break . They have very BASIC snacks so plan ahead. And an outhouse also. From the chalet it is mostly downhill to the loop where we caught the shuttle back to Logan's pass to get our car. It was 11.6 mi & I think we did it in about 5 1/2 hrs. We saw 2 bear at a distance . Bring bear spray !!! And sing or whistle along the way. We both brought hiking poles & they were very useful esp. downhill. Great scenery , can only imagine how much more we would have seen if it were not a foggy day, but even with the fog it was still phenomenal. Bring headlamps if you go later in the day I can't imagine hiking it in the dark .

we got a little bit of a late start so I was worried we woudln't find parking at the The Loop but we lucked out. 5 minutes after parking we caught the shuttle up to Logan Pass, and started the hike.

The views on this hike are tremendous. Hard to fathom really, the vistas are so large and vivid you will be snapping pictures constantly (which never of course do justice to the real thing). We have hiked over 10 miles on day hikes several times before but for some reason this one seemed longer. It was a bit warm so maybe that took a lot out of us, but we were pretty tired by the time we reached the Chalet.

The last 4 miles--downhill to The Loop--were the most uninteresting part unfortunately so in addition to being fatigued there wasn't as much to gawk at, and the constant downhill slope made it tough on the legs.

Anyhow if you are in decent shape, and want to hike in Glacier, you really have to do this hike!

You need to plan before you go.... The boat ride on Lake McDonald was incredible. I also opted to hike the "Highline Trail" and tour the Going to the Sun Road with a third party vendor, and those slots fill up fast. If you are driving, the "going to the Sun" Road is a must do. There are many stops along the road to enjoy, wildlife, waterfalls, river views, and lakes.
If you are a hiker, there are tons of options from very short hikes with kids, to strenuous hikes for people in good condition. Do a little research on options before you go.

Full trail info from my hiking app:
13 miles, 4 hours 41 minutes, 3,033 calories burned, elevation gain 2,018

As much as I loved the Grinnell Glacier Hike, I *HATED* the High Line. Rangers advised me to start at Logan Pass, go up to the Granite Park Chalet and then descend to the Loop, where I could catch a shuttle back to Logan Pass.

I parked my car at St. Mary and took the shuttle to Logan Pass. Because the last shuttle of the day goes from Logan back to St. Mary at the absurdly early hour of 7 p.m., and I arrived at Logan at noon, I hit the trail like a bat out of hell.

(You will see people hitchhiking in Glacier because they got back to the trailhead after the shuttles stopped running. Whoops.)

The first three miles of this trail are fine. There's kind of a thrill when you approach a trail so narrow and with such a steep drop-off, they've included a rope along the wall you can use. I was a huge fan of the inconsiderate knobs who were being impatient and trying to walk against the flow of most hikers here. Seriously, people could die. Just be patient and wait for an opening.

The next five miles of this trail are awful. There's virtually zero shade and almost no trees (thanks to a fire that wiped out the area in 2003). That means you're getting blasted by the wind and sun and everything looks the same as from the first three miles, but just from a slightly different angle. It's miserable.

Eventually, around the 8.5 mile mark, you make it to Granite Park Chalet. There, you can buy candy, chips and bottled water with or without Gatorade powder. There are old white people staying at the chalet. They will smoke their pipes and look curiously at your ragged body.

From the chalet, you have a mostly downhill hike to the Loop. This, also, is not a particularly great hike. It's dusty as hell, there's no shade and the only vegetation is tiny shrubs that have sprouted since the fire.

Although the signs all say this hike is 11.3 miles, that is very wrong. It's 13. Because I was afraid to miss the shuttle, I tore through this thing at a pace of 21:37/mile. But I hated the final ten of those miles.

It's very possible it's much more beautiful when there's no smoke from the August 2015 fires, but I doubt it's worth the hassle to hike this until the trees along the way grow back.

Unfortunately there was quite a bit of smoke from the fires in Glacier National Park but I had one good day when the winds shifted and was able to hike part of the HIghline Trail. This is a great experience and was able to see a family of big horn sheep on and near the trail.

This was by far the best hike we've ever done! Better than climbing Half Dome in Yosemite! The hike is long & strenuous, and we also detoured and hiked up to Grinnell Glacier, all was outstanding. The views, the views and the views so incredibly beautiful! By the time we caught the shuttle back to our car we had hiked 16.2 miles, it was amazing!

We hiked this on an absolutely beautiful day - great weather and we were excited to finish our week on a high note. We weren't all that impressed considering the great reviews. Since the buses weren't running, we went about 4 miles in and turned around, but I don't think we missed much. In normal circumstances, you can hike to the Loop from Logan, but the reviews on the last 4-5 miles on that didn't sound great either. The views are amazing - absolutely. But the views don't change much throughout the route so it's just a lot of walking with lots of other people. Compared to other options at GNP (we much preferred Avalanche Lake and St. Mary's/Victoria Falls earlier in the week), I'd choose something else, or just go 2 miles in and turnaround to get the most out of your time rather than invest a full day.

My first major hiking - and what an awesome experience. Only went to Haystack Bluff -sun, rain, hail, snow, and wind only added to the experience. Shot at least 75 pictures of such amazing beauty.

It took us about 8 hours to complete the Highline. The drop-offs are really not that bad so don't let that deter you. The walk from Logan Pass to Sperry Chalet is absolutely stunning. The last 4 miles from the Chalet down to the Loop are not as interesting and the sun will beat down on you as most of the trees were destroyed in a fire. This walk is worth the views that you see along the Garden Wall. About 7.5 miles in, there is a spur trail up the garden wall that has a beautiful overlook of the Grinnell Glacier. The hike up is tough (about 1000 feet in elevation in a little less than a miles) but if you are in good shape and have a good set of knees, it is definitely worth it. Make sure to bring LOTS of water and sunscreen for this hike.

My husband & I have hiked the Highline Trl many times. It has stunning views, good chances to see wildlife & beautiful wildflowers. Now that my knees are bad, we hike from Logan Pass to Haystack Butte & then return. This yr, after seeing crowds all day, we were suddenly alone on the infamous ledge on our return trip. I was in front & thought I heard yelling in the distance.Then I saw a GRIZZLY coming TOWARD me on that narrow ledge !! There was nowhere for me to go & definitely not room for the bear to pass me. I turned & headed back toward my husband, who couldn't see where I was & had no idea what was happening. I know you shouldn't run from a grizzly but I was walking incredibly fast. I reached my husband & he saw the bear very close behind me. He yelled & the bear actually stopped & turned but decided to continue on the trail behind us. My husband yelled again. Once again, the bear stopped but then kept walking behind us as we hurried to get to a wider part of the trail. After what seemed like an eternity, the bear found a spot to go down off the ledge into the scree. He walked far enough to get beyond us, then came back up on the ledge & when he could, ran uphill. He was never aggressive & simply wanted to use the trail. We noticed that he was favoring his right front paw. Did anyone reading this happen to be there that day & possibly get pictures ?? It was Sept 11 around 4:30pm. Believe me, we are thanking God that both us & the bear made it out of this situation safely.

I absolutely loved this hike the most! The view was soooo beautiful! It was not a hard trail. It was a little intimating on how it was set up, but all worth it!

Highly recommend this hike...it was one of our favorites while visiting glacier (though a bit below Grinnell and iceberg lake among a few others). But still, incredible views and a sweeping vistas. Good wildlife sightings as well. The first few miles (from Logan Pass to Haystack) we found to be the most beautiful, so in hindsight we might have preferred just doing that to the later sections, but overall a wonderful hike.

Breathtaking, stunning hike! This is a world-class hike! Do not miss it. Usually see mountain goats and other wildlife. It can be windy and cool, so be sure to pack a jacket. Pack a picnic lunch for a lovely, unforgettable day!

If you're looking for a quick hike - out and back, Haystack Butte would be a good turn-back point (marked in the picture). The hike has good views along the continental divide, up until there and beyond as well. The trail has shade, in spots, if you start in the morning.

Worth-mentioning is the Grinnell Glacier Overlook that has a scenic view of the glacier from a different perspective altogether. If you've done or are doing the Grinnell Glacier trail, you'd be amazed to see the overlook from the bottom. The hike is strenuous (over 650ft of elevation in 0.6mi without shade) and totally worth the extra time. Out and back increases the mileage by 1.2mi.

The hike from Granite Park Chalet to The Loop is a 4 mile descent. If you're looking for a stop there, it is a good idea, but, they have a pack-all-your-trash policy.

This is a stunning hike. The trail is moderate to easy, especially if you start at Logan Pass. We hiked in July, and it was green and gorgeous and full of wildflowers and wildlife. It basically contours the Going-to-the-Sun Road, but many sections are far enough away that the road is out of sight. It is a popular hike, and we were almost always within 100-200 feet from other hikers (which was fine for us since we felt safer in numbers if encountering a bear). The views are panoramic and breathtaking. It’s a long hike, so bring plenty of water, or do as we did and drink from the many streams with a Sawyer Squeeze. We packed a lunch and ate at the Grinnell Glacier overlook, which is a quick 0.6 mile spur trail off the main trail. If you have the energy and time, I recommend this 1.2 mile round trip jaunt to the glacier overlook. It’s steep, but worth the effort. It’s mostly downhill, with a few uphill sections. In mid July, we only hiked on snow in one small section as we crossed a saddle on a ridge top. We left at 9am, and got down to the Loop at 4pm. It can be done much faster, but we stopped many times to observe wildflowers, take pictures, enjoy the views, and watch the mountain goats. The last 1-2 miles is through an old burn, and it offers almost no shade.

The advice. We arrived at Logan Pass around 8:30am. The visitor center parking lot was already full. We found some roadside parking about 1/4 mile away and just walked back to the trailhead. Within minutes, our roadside parking area was full. I would say that 8:30 is the LATEST you should arrive to find parking at Logan. It takes about an hour to drive from the west park entrance to Logan.

The shuttles back to Logan from the Loop parking lot are totally unreliable. When we arrived at the Loop at 4pm, there was probably 50 people waiting for a shuttle. The shuttles only come every 15-30 minutes, and most that stopped only had room for 3-7 people due to having made previous stops. We waited for over an hour, and by 5:30pm, I joined others that were hitch hiking for rides. I eventually got in with some others in the back of a pickup truck to go retrieve my car at Logan.

An alternative way to do it would be to park at the Loop in the morning, leaving your car there. The shuttles start at 7am. We hit the loop around 8am and there was plenty of parking. So then take the shuttle to Logan, look around a bit, and then hike down to the Loop, where your car awaits. The vast majority do what we did, leaving our car at the top and shuttling back in the afternoon. Unless Glacier does something about their shuttle service, there is a major clog of people at the Loop in the afternoon.

One of our all-time favorite hikes! Always see wildlife of some sort on this hike. It is a must in Glacier.

Started by taking a shuttle up to Logan Pass and hiked back to the Loop, tough to find parking up there during the day. Amazing views for most of this hike until you start to descend. Around every corner the views change, whether it is looking across the valley or back at Logan's Pass, just outstanding. If I were to do it again, and I would like to, I might hike from Logan's Pass about 3 or so miles and then go back instead of hiking through the burned out trees between the Loop and the chalet.

It was just amazing. In 7 miles we ran into all different types of weather and landscapes. Ample wildlife but I did not see a Grizz. Must do!

My wife and I (48, 47, 18 and 16 yo) and 2 teenage kids Hiked The Highline Trail to Granite Park Chalet to The Loop Trail. It is 11.8 miles starting from Logan Pass. We did not do the Grinnell Overlook bc we hiked Grinnell the week before.

We got to Logan Pass at 5:25a. Parking lot was nearly empty. Started our hike at 535a. Within .4 miles is when you start hiking a ledge. For 7 miles you are on a ledge looking down at the Going to the Sun road. Mountain on your right, drop offs on your left with some reprieve. It’s an easy hike if you’re not afraid of heights. Mostly flat with gradual climbs. At 3.25 miles is your first real climb. That elevation gain (maybe 650ft) will last 1.5 miles then you are gradually climbing or flat until you reach the chalet. It’s 7.8 miles from Logan Pass to the chalet. We rested and ate for about 20’.

We took the loop trail down to the parking lot. It’s 4 miles. 3.5 miles are downhill with minimal flat walking. It was tougher than I expected. Takes less than 2 hours to get down. Total time was 5:23 min of hiking. Total elevation gain for this route was 1306ft. We did not find the hike hard at all. Just long. If your knees, hips or ankles are an issue then stay away from the loop trail. It’ll be brutal on your joints going down for 3.5 miles.

The views are breathtaking. This hike is worth it. Start early. It was 52 degrees when we started and 77 when we finished. We took a bus from The Loop trailhead back to Logan Pass. Heat was never an issue if you start early. By 630a the Logan pass lot is full.

One way it's 7-1/2 miles and takes you through different terrain, always with spectacular views. A must for any hiker.

I hiked the Highline Trail from Logan Pass to the foot of Haystack Butte, a one-way distance of about 3.6 miles. It is hard for me to describe the awe-inspiring scenery of this trail. The vastness of the Glacier wilderness rapidly swallows and overwhelms you as you hug a narrow trail on the side of a mountain ridge. The great valleys stretch on as far as you can see. Waterfalls cascade hundreds of feet from snowy peaks into the forested valleys below. The Going-to-the-Sun Road is close at the beginning of the hike but becomes a tiny sliver of gray blending into the landscape.

Animals large and small were abundant the fall day I hiked. Bighorn Sheep, squirrels, mink (I think), mountain goats, various birds and yes a grizzly bear. The view of the bighorn sheep was excellent as he seemed to like having his picture taken. The view of the grizzly bear too was excellent due to him being close to the trail. The rangers made noises to scare him away, but not before he got close enough for us to pull out our bear spray. It was scary and exciting all at once!

Some things I recommend for this hike:

1. Get to Logan Pass early. Before dawn early. Parking was filling up fast when I arrived around 7 am.

2. Bear spray is essential. I saw a grizzly bear about 200 feet away due to it passing the trail. They are massive and fast. That’s only seconds away. Don’t be stupid. Stay away from the bears, carrying bear spray, and know how to use it!!

3. If you’re afraid of heights, this is not the trail for you. Almost the entire 3.6 miles is beside cliffs that are hundreds of feet high with trail widths less than 5 feet in some places.

4. Make sure to have water, snacks, and a first aid kit. One lady got severe blisters only halfway through the hike but I was able to help her thanks to my fully stocked first aid kit.

5. I highly recommend hiking sticks. They help with balance particularly late in the hike when you’re more fatigued.

I can’t recommend this hike enough. While not for the faint of heart, the Highline Trail is one of the most amazing trails I’ve ever had the privilege to hike!

We attempted to hike the Highline Trail in August of this year but the trail was closed due to bear activity in the area. Photos of the trail look lovely. If you come during this time of year be prepared to hike other trails or to be a snack.

We hiked this trail one day after hiking the Grinnell Lake trail, which caused me some problems. I developed blisters on the bottoms of my toes. A rookie mistake not having extra socks in my pack. It was a warm day when we hiked this. This matters, as there is not a whole lot of shade along much of the trail. The sun just beats down on you. Secondly, the altitude got to me after a while, making any uphill difficult. Note to self--be in better shape next time I do something like this. I do not live at altitude, which makes it harder. My wife and kids (13 and 16 years) did not have nearly as much difficulty as I did. I sucked it up and kept plugging away. We started at Logan Pass, arriving there by 7:30 a.m. I would suggest being in the Longan Pass visitors center lot by 8:00 a.m., as it fills up fast! We hiked about 6 miles out from Logan Pass, just until we could see the chalet in the distance and turned around. We stopped several times along the way to rest, hydrate, eat, and take photos. So many different vistas to view from this trail. So glad we did this. The coolest thing on the trail was a mountain goat who seemed to want to guide us along the trail. I'd love to go back and take the short spur trail to the Grinnell Glacier overlook, making sure to be in better shape next time. That part of the trail was closed, however, when we went.

We hiked this trail twice and greatly enjoyed multiple views of Glacier National Park from different vantage points. We hiked 3 miles each way--wish we had had to time to hike further.

This hike can be long and more strenuous but you can always choose to hike in 3-4 miles and then back out versus all the way down to the Loop. Always see mountain goats on this trail and occasional bear.

This was a very unique hike. I'm not crazy about heights, but my husband really wanted to do it and I am glad we did. If you don't like dropoffs, this hike may not be for you, though. We did see quite a few big horned sheep, a mountain goat, and no grizzlies, so I was thrilled about that. The views are wonderful! We traveled by ourselves, but the trail is fairly busy and we always felt comfortable. We did have a couple who followed behind us on our return, so that is always an option if you want company. There is little altitude change which made for an easier hiking option, but much of the trail is along a ledge with steep drop-offs, so be forewarned.

If you're not afraid of heights, well then, just go. If you don't have the breath for strenuous activity, still go--just go to the "scary" part, stay there and enjoy, and then turn around and come back. I am very short of breath, and even though people were passing us all the time, I stuck with it and it was so totally awesome that I think anyone should do it if they can. I went almost 3 miles in, and then I sat down (by the cliff) and waited while my son went much further and came back. The first part of the trail is not "strenuous" but it does have some ups and downs. There is no restroom break, and no place on the side of the trail to go in the weeds or a "wag bag" or anything--there is just cliff on one side and mountain on the other.

In mid-August, the weather varied. We kept taking off our gloves and winter hats, and then outer coats, depending on whether or not the sun was on us and whether or not the wind was blowing. We went on the trail twice, and once the wind was very fierce and cold--for a while.

Get to Logan's Pass Visitor center no later than 8am to get a parking spot!! The morning we went it started out very cloudy and quite chilly but it was definitely worth the hike. The trail is listed as moderate but I honestly thought it was pretty easy except for the very end heading to Haystack Pass. We did not go to Granite Chalet but instead stopped and had a picnic lunch at Haystack Pass. And were were glad we did. A group of bighorned sheep came down the hill and walked right past the rock we were sitting on. Very cool to see them up close. The hike itself was great. The trail is narrow but definitely doable. My daughter is afraid of heights but she even enjoyed this trail. And they do have a small section with a handrail installed now which makes it a bit more comfortable. There were lots of wildflowers all around us as well. And with the clouds surrounding us in the morning it presented up with some neat pictures of walking in the clouds and only parts of the mountain in view. On the way back, it had cleared up and we had even more wonderful views on the way back. This is a definite must do!

This trail is very beautiful. Gives an excellent view of the valley. Trail is accessible from Logan pass visitor center. Trail is about 7.6 miles one way and hence pack good amount of water and snacks. We spotted Mountain goats, Bighorn Sheep, Black Bear. Highly recommend this trail

Loved this trail! Up way before dawn to make the trip to Logan Pass and secure a parking spot. Hubby and I are 57 and 59-we had only planned on going to Haystack Butte, but fell in love with the trail and ended up hiking the entire trail! The views were simply amazing!! We had read about how unpleasant the last 4 miles are-all downhill and no shade. Definitely harder on the knees, but we actually enjoyed it. We were concerned about the possible wait time for the shuttle at The Loop. We ended up waiting about 35 minutes. We heard from others that their wait times were much longer.

We did this hike from Logan Pass, then down Granite Park Trail to a bus stop, which took us back to our vehicle at Logan Pass. Total about 12 miles, easy for conditioned hikers, but that's a significant distance if you aren't in shape. Saw 3 grizzlies right on the trail, and many mountain goats and bighorn sheep.

The side trip to Grinnell Overlook is also a must if you are fit enough.

We don't enjoy the lower part of the Highline Trail from the Loop. Its boring and a little difficult for what it offers. If you start from the Loop, you may give up and not hike the trail at all.

On the other hand hiking the Highline from Logan Summit to at least Haystack and back is gorgeous in both directions. For those with more stamina, continuing on to the Grinnell Glacier Overlook is worth the extra time.

The Highline Trail is IMO one of the most beautiful and famous trails in our National Parks. It runs from Logan Summit all the way down to The Loop. Most people start at the top and walk down. On the beautiful day we hiked, we had quite a lot of company on the trail. No matter, the views are stunning and everyone was respectful. The wildflower displays in the meadows are incredible beginning early and continuing until the first snow in late Fall. The late June/July flowers include the incredible Bear Grass Plumes. Usually there are quite a number of those in the meadows, but every 7th year the area becomes a virtual sea of Bear Grass. Add in the huge, white, flat blooms of the Cow Parsley, Sassy red Indian Paintbrush, deep purple Lupine, Daisies, Gaillardia and Penstemon and you have something quite memorable to see and photograph.

You will also see Mountain Goats, Big Horn Sheep, marmots, pikas, Bald Eagles if you look up, and all kinds of different birds.

We did this hike a few weeks ago and loved it. We started the day at the Logan Pass VC and arrived there shortly after dawn. Plenty of parking still available then. The trail was closed for a few days right before we did it due to grizzly activity in the Chalet area. So we were hoping to catch a glimpse of one, but never did. We did see some bighorn sheep and mountain goats at the beginning of the hike. The cliff walk near the start is not nearly as bad as some people suggest. My wife has some serious acrophobia but she had no problem with it at all. The 7.5-mile hike to the Granite Park Chalet was very scenic and quite easy with very little elevation gain. I thought I would carry less water and just buy some at the Chalet but be forewarned that it is $6.25 per larger bottle. The hike from there down to the Loop is downhill all the way and not nearly as scenic. If we did this hike again we would probably backtrack to Logan Pass, even though it would add about 3 miles to the hike. By the way, if you hike in Glacier at all, you are foolish to not carry bear spray. All the rangers carry it and so does the former Navy Seal in our foursome. And so should you. Just my two cents....

My son and I planned ahead and decided to dedicate an entire day to do the 15.2 mile stretch between Logan Pass all the way down to Swiftcurrent Motor Inn. We drove our personal car to Logan Pass and left our car overnight. I booked a hikers shuttle 2 weeks in advance from Many Glacier Hotel for $10 the next morning that took us to St Mary Visitor Center and from there I took the free shuttle up to Logan to retrieve my car. As far as the hike goes it was amazing. We went at a leisurely pace and the hike took us 10 hours and we were exhausted at the end. The famous stretch with the cables above the road came up in just the first few minutes of the hike and was not near as scary as I was expecting. Took about 90 minutes to get to the base of Haystack Butte. If you only have a few hours this would be the most logical place to turn around if you are returning to your car at Logan Pass. It is a steep climb up Haystack but takes less than 10 minutes. From here it is about 2 more hours to make it to the halfway point to Granite Park Chalet. The chalet comes into sight from a long distance but it still takes 90 minutes to get there after you spot it. Great place to stop for lunch and unbelievably there is a great cell phone signal here. We stayed for about 45 minutes for lunch. Here most hikers descend down the "Loop" back to Going to the Sun Road but we took the way toward to Swiftcurrent Pass. The sign says it is only 0.9 of a mile to the Pass but it is very steep and we had to stop several times to catch our breath. I think stopping for lunch and resting weighed us down and we thought this was the hardest part of the hike. Once we got to the pass the view was stunning. Something you have to see in person to believe. The climb down the valley is deceivingly long. Took us about 2 hours to get all the way down. The last 3 miles of the hike are not as beautiful as the rest of the hike. You get some occasional glimpses of Bullhead and Fishercap Lake plus a a side trip to Red Rock Falls but most of the hike you feel closed in from the vegetation compared to the jaw dropping views earlier. Was expecting to walk up on a bear at anytime here because the place was loaded with huckleberries. The last stretch is flat but at this point you are so tired and just ready to get back to the room. I really felt a sense of accomplishment by doing this hike and would recommend it to anyone. The one thing I would not recommend is doing this hike in the opposite direction unless you are training for a triathlon. It is about a 3200 foot elevation climb the opposite way and I think that is too much to tackle for average people. Also I would recommend starting this hike early for two reasons. First the parking lot at Logan Pass fills up by about 8:00 every morning plus I would want to get thru the last stretch before darkness is setting in. Don't let your ego get the best of you, plan for this hike accordingly and make sure you are prepared but it is absolutely worth it if you are able to do.

We have visited 11 national parks this summer and hiked some awesome, unforgettable trails... this highline trail tops the list! We took our 7 and 9 year old and slowly navigated the trail at a leisurely pace. Reading reviews and recommendations before we left helped us to create a successful hike. We arrived at Logan's Pass at 7:30 AM to park. There was plenty of parking, however it was filling quickly when we set off an on the trail! There are very steep cliffs along most of the trail so we choose to go very early in the morning to minimize crowding/volume of people sharing trail with us. We walked about 2 hours in (did not make it to chalet) and then turned around and walked back. The views were breathtaking along the ENTIRE trail!!! Saw mountain goat up close and a grizzly (through binoculars) in a snow patch an a mountainside across the road. On our return hike @ 10 AM, the trail was much busier!! It's a narrow, single lane trail and there was a lot of stopping to let others pass which made our return take longer.

Helpful hints:
* Go before 8AM to get a parking spot at Logan's Pass
* Bring or wear bug spray- the mosquitos were think at the beginning of the trail
* Stay mountainside to let other hikers pass

Enjoy the beauty of this amazing trail!!!

I am afraid of heights but I was totally fine. I didnt even hold onto cable. If you have hikers going opposite directions, be patient and only 1 passes at a time. Every hiker was patient amd enjoying their day! We hiked to haystack butte and back.......wow!!!!! what a view!!!! Worth it! Bring a snack. Plenty of rocks at haystack to sit and enjoy the view!

Did this trail in July. Not as hard as I expected. Managed to do it though I admittedly have issues with heights. Note that this hike will put you "close to the edge" in numerous spots. There is a hand rail of sorts in the first part, other places were just as dicey. Great views for the first two thirds of the hike (going from Logan Pass to the Loop - which is the direction you should do the hike). The last third of the hike (after you reach the chalet) was not as scenic and was a series of tougher downhills. Didn't see a ton of wildlife - one goat, two sheep, some ptarmigan, tons of marmots.

My husband and I are in mid fifty and not in great shape but we do walk regularly. The trail to the chalet is along the garden wall and is absolutely breathtaking. It is a little narrow in places with steep drop offs. It is 7.6 miles, but you can just go out as far as you can and then back. We continued on down to the loop after having lunch at chalet. It was 4 miles of downhill over rock steps. Pretty hard on knees and views were a let down after first part of trail. I highly recommend doing at least a few miles of highline trail.

I cannot say enough about this trail. It is one of the more amazing things I have done in my life. Some parts are more challenging, but the reward is well worth it. At one point you are walking along the face of a wall that has views that I have never seen anything like. It is truly spectacular. You CANNOT go to Glacier without hiking Highline.

Highline is THE trail to do at Glacier. And Glacier in general doesn’t have a lot of parking spaces for the amount of visitors in peak season. So, it requires some work logistically to do the hike. We are a family of 4, including a teen and a tween who aren’t so keen on doing a long hike. We had debated whether to do the entire trail. I am really glad we did it.

Difficulty:
The one way trail from Logan Pass to the Loop is 11.8 miles. It is the longest day hike we had done. But the elevation gain isn’t that much. Most of the time it’s pretty flat, walking along the ridge. It’s a very pleasant walk. The only part with some gain is near Haystack Butte, with one switchback. The trail can be seen as 3 parts: Logan Pass to Haystack Butte (3 miles), this is a turnaround spot for people who don’t want to do the whole trail. From Haystack Butte to Granite Park Chalet (4.6 miles), and then to Loop (4.2 miles). Most people do Logan Pass to Loop, as Logan Pass is the highest point on the Sun road, this is the easier way with less elevation gain. Additionally, there is a spur trail near Granite Park Chalet for the Grinnell Glacier overlook. It’s a one way 0.6 mile (1.2 round trip) steep trail. We didn’t do this. Since the weather forecast has 90% chance rain at 3pm, we tried to finish the hike before the rain.

Logistics:
One needs to either park at the Loop and shuttle to Logan Pass to begin the trail or park at Logan Pass, finish the trail at Loop and shuttle to Logan Pass. At the time of our visit in mid August, parking fills up at the Loop around 7:30 and the first shuttle bus going to Logan Pass is an hour later. Parking at Logan Pass fills at 8:30AM and shuttle returning from Loop can take an hour wait too since Loop is the last stop before Logan Pass eastbound and may not have many seats left. We chose to park at Logan Pass right before 8:30. As it turns out, we got extremely lucky, when we finished the hike at 3pm at the Loop, we waited only 1 minute, and our entire party of 4 got on the shuttle. Restrooms are at Logan Pass, Granite Park Chalet, and the Loop.

Wildlife and bear:
On the trail, we saw a few dall sheep, 2 marmots, an elk, and several ptarmigans. Very lucky, no bear encounter. Frankly, I was a bit nervous about it. There is a good # of people on the trail, but it’s not nearly as popular as the Grinnell Glacier hike where I had no concern there at all. Most people on this trail carry bear spray. Our boat captain on the Grinnel Glacier trail told us, bells are not useful, bears will think those are birds. Talking and clapping is useful.

Scenery:
I pretty much agree with the previous review. The overall experience of walking on a ridge (pretty much the whole time) overlooking the mountains, lakes, and wildflowers is very pleasant. But it’s true, there isn’t a lot of change of scenery from beginning to the Granite Park Chalet. The last 4 miles from chalet to the loop was not very interesting and somewhat of a steep descend. So, if you want to just experience the scenery, turning back after a couple of miles is fine. If you want to DO the hike, then, definitely worth it.

My husband is 65 and I am 57 yrs old and pleased to say We finished the hike, all 11.8 miles of it. The scenery is beautiful, the hike is exciting as well. In the beginning you are holding on to a cable as the trail is high and narrow. I took my time and stopped when I needed a break to catch my breath. Now here are my words of wisdom: we parked at the Loop and took the shuttle to The trail head at Logan Pass. The trail ends at the Loop so you then can jump into your car at the end of your long hike. **The last 4 miles of the the hike are all down hill. This being said this, it is imperative that you are wearing good fitting hiking shoes. My bilateral toenails on my 2 big toes took a beating the last 4 miles, sliding in my shoes. I've read if you only have time to do one day hike at Glacier that this is the one to do.

I will focus my review on doing this hike with children. We loved this hike, all four of us. It was filled with spectacular views, only somewhat physically challenging, and exhilarating because of the heights the carved out trail travels. What a fabulous experience. We certainly pushed our 10 and 12 year old a little harder on this NP vacation than we have in years past. Highline was our second of 3 big hikes of the trip, and they were ready for it.

My husband had zero reservations about taking them on this trail, I had only mild reservations about my son. My daughter was 12 at the time of the hike, turned 13 three weeks later, and is an excellent hiker. She is aware of her surroundings, constantly observant, intuitive about keeping pace, etc. My son, who is 10, loves to jump, climb, flip over rocks and other obstacles, and seemingly fall for no apparent reason. He has a good time, and on most trails the jumping, climbing, and flipping is encouraged - but I knew that behavior would not be okay on Highline. He and I had several talks about this leading up to the day of the hike, that he would not be allowed to be so active when hiking this trail, unless he was told otherwise (knowing there would be some spots along the way where he could indulge and let his youthful energy bounce him around for a bit). I'm happy to say, he did remarkably well - I only had to remind him once or twice to stay on trail.

We did this hike by parking at The Loop early in the morning, about 8:15 am. The first shuttle heading east toward Logan Pass was scheduled for 8:47 am. It was on time, but mostly full, and the line at the Loop was long. It took several shuttles to arrive before we finally got a ride to Logan Pass. Because of this delay, we did not reach the trail head until around 10:30 am, much later than we had anticipated. As we approached the cable section of the trail, which is right away, I was anxious, for the kids and me (I'm not a big fan of sheer drop-offs), but I have to honestly say that this section is not that bad. I was in the back of our line, with the kids in front of me, and all three of us loosely held onto the cable the entire time, but it was only to provide comfort. The trail here is much wider than expected. I truly believe anyone, even with a fear of heights, could handle this section. I would at least encourage everyone to try - you can always turn around. Once we were past the cable section, the trail opens up, but still remains a bit perilous because the drop-off to the left of the trail remains steep, no longer a sheer drop-off, but an incline that is steep enough that a fall could be fatal. There was once or twice that I experienced a few seconds of vertigo, but I focused on my feet or on the hillside to my right, and the feeling disappeared. These brief moments of anxiety are so worth the reward - the views from this trail are unparalleled. I was blown away by how magnificent the beauty of Glacier NP is.

We hiked all the way to Granite Park Chalet, then from the Chalet down to the Loop. We reached our car by 4:30 pm, so in all the hike took us 5 hours, and that was with a lot of water & snack breaks, and at least a 1/2 hour rest at the Chalet. 3.5 of those hours are spent surrounded by majestic beauty. The final 1.5 hours between Granite Park and The Loop are unattractive and somewhat miserable. If we ever have the opportunity to do this hike again, we would choose to hike from Logan Pass to Granite Park Chalet, then back to Logan Pass so that we could continue enjoying the views.

If you are a family with children and wondering if you can do this hike, based on our experience it is completely doable. But, you know your children best, so the decision really should be made based on their ability, focus, and patience. 5 hours of hiking might be too long for some kids, even though the trail is relatively flat and consistently offers stunning scenery. Your child might be a jumper and climber (parkour, anyone?) on the trail like my son generally is, and if you feel that he/she will not be able to resist their acrobatic urges, then you should probably keep them away from Highline. Regardless, if you do take children on Highline, and plan to hike most or all of the trail, make sure you pack plenty of water and snacks in their packs. Then, pack some more water. Sunblock, bug spray, and bear spray are other essential items to bring.

Regarding animal safety, most of Highline is open, fully exposed, and heavily traveled. While animal sightings are frequent, your family is less likely to surprise a bear on this trail than many others that travel through dense vegetation. We did see a grizzly bear near the end of our hike as we were approaching The Loop. He was busy eating berries by the stream, so we hiked by without him caring too much about us.

Hiking Highline Trail was an experience I will never forget. Truly a one-of-a-kind day.

This was an amazing hike and easy access from the Logan Pass shuttle stop. Unfortunately when I got to the part where you need to hang onto the chain handrail, I bailed.

We hiked this entire trail to the Loop on 7/24 with our 13 and 16 year olds. We arrived at Logan’s Pass about 8:45 and it was already full. We went to The Loop to catch the shuttle and waited for over an hour for a shuttle to Logan’s Pass. Every shuttle that came could only fit 2-4 people at a time. Our group of 4 had to split into 2 shuttles. The beginning of the hike is a bit scary if you are scared of heights, but my husband, who is scared of heights, was able to complete the hike. We had a goat on the trail for about 30 minutes that created a long line, but he finally left the trail. The first half of the trail to Haystack is not too bad. Some elevation gain between Haystack and the chalet. The worst part of the trail is the last 4 miles from the chalet to the loop. ALL downhill, very steep, no more pretty views and lots of bugs. If we had known this we probably would have turned around and hiked back to Logan’s Pass. Would definitely recommend turning around at Haystack or the chalet if you want the miles. Beautiful views all along the trail (except for those last 4 miles lol).

Great trail that leads to a variety of other locations. Covers a variety of terrain. old chalet is very cool to see and a nice place to hang out and take a break before the next leg of hiking.

Only open a few months of the year this drive is definitely a must! Get to Logans Pass early because it fills up before 9 am. Although there is parking and shuttles available.

Definitely a must if you are hiking. Took 5-6 hours for the 11 miles. Don;t start the hike at the loop unless you like a 3-4 mile strenuous climb....start at Logan Pass.

The views are amazing but the total trail length is about 15 miles. My husband got the beginning symptoms of heat exhaustion after we finished the hike because we were left waiting with no shade at the Loop for over an hour. Not fun.

We didn't even go all the way on the trail but saw big horns, mountain goats and a bear. The views are incredible. It does have section that is along a narrow cliff edge that may not be for everybody. We started at Logan Pass and from there it is mostly downhill except for one fairly steep uphill.

I knew 11.2 miles would be difficult, as my family is not a big hiking family, but I was not prepared for the ruggedness of the terrain. I had done the first mile or so along the garden wall and thought that was the worst of it. OMG, was I wrong. That was the easiest part. It made no sense that there is a wire to hold onto where the trail is wide and flat, but where it's 12 inches wide, with chunky rocks to traverse, and still a pretty steep cliff to fall down on, you are on your own. Also, it was COLD, SLEET, RAIN and WIND. We were freezing and miserable. Now...all of that being said, if you're fit, adept at hiking, and make sure you go on a clear day, it will be the best thing you've ever experienced.

This is a great hike, which is why it is crowded. The vistas are amazing. We found that the crowds were not really a problem, you do get to know the same groups of people and it was kind of fun. The hike is not difficult but it is long. The trail from the chalet down to the Loop shuttle stop does seem to take a long time. If you decide to do the Grinnell Glacier overlook spur, do not believe the official sign that tells you it is 0.6 miles. It is 0.9 and grueling. Absolutely worth it but your lungs will be working hard with the steep assent and high altitude.
Overall the hike is well worth the time.

We did the Highline Trail Sept 1st, Labor Day. Arrived at Logan Pass 6:30am parking lot full. Drove to the Loop(the end of the trail) and started the trail there. (There was an option to wait for a shuttle to take you back to Logan Pass but there was already a line and shuttles didn’t start until 8am) 4 mile up hill climb to the Chalet. Canteen wasn’t open yet to refill our water. 1/4 mile down hill path to their water purified tank. Then back on the trail. Grinnell Glacier over look trail 1.6 mile straight uphill climb, loose rock, sometimes wet, to an amazing overlook view! (Worth the climb). Back down on the trail heading back to Logan Pass. Spectacular views! Temps were 86. Hot! Ended up with 15 miles. 9 hours. Two blisters. Dehydrated. We each carried 2 liters of water (plus we refilled at the Chalet) Electrolyte tablets and mixes. Most of the trail was in the sun. Take away: I don’t recommend doing it backwards. Get to Logan Pass at 5-5:30am Do carry at least 2-3 L of water per person. Electrolyte tablets, gels, water mixes, salty snacks, good hiking shoes and socks(I even put glide on my feet) Hiking sticks are helpful, bear spray, bell, sunscreen, hat, cooling towel(I used my buff and would soak it in the streams to cool off). Age 65 and 61. We were pretty proud of ourselves when we found out that the elevation gain doing the trail backwards was 2500 feet plus!! We wanted t-shirts that said “We did the Highline Trail…backwards!” 😂

One of the best trails ever. We only just made it past the cliff cut, perched high above the Road to the Sun. On the mountain peak across from us we spied a mountain goat.
Only downside is the parking at Logan Pass - get there by 8am to find a spot or circle endlessly later in the day. Or take the free shuttle. Amazing trail, even if you don't go far. Bring water and hiking sticks.
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My husband and I are in our late 50's, in relatively good shape, but are not seasoned hikers by any stretch. We chose the Highline Trail as our final hike in Glacier and I'm so thankful we did. We started at Logan Pass and hiked out about 3 miles before turning around and heading back. While the trail is mostly flat, it's very narrow in places with pretty steep drop offs (so much so that there are cables screwed into the mountain wall near Logan Pass for you to hold on to) - but if you can get past feeling anxious about that, you'll be rewarded with spectacular mountain and valley views. We also saw mountain goats, big-horn sheep, marmots and beautiful patches of wildflowers and bear grass. This is a not-miss hike!

We thought this trail had been over-rated by many others. But, full disclosure: We only walked it for a mile one way before we turned around and headed back. For the mile we hiked out, it was pretty at first and dramatic looking down into the valley, though for us it was looking into a cloud that had filled the valley and didn't move for most of the morning. The trail follows the road for the first mile and we felt we were just seeing the same scenery over and over with no change. We turned back after a mile and did the Hidden Lake Trail which we thought was much more spectacular and worth the effort. Still, it wasn't a bad hike, just did not live up to the hype for us. You may get more mileage if you do more mileage.

We hiked from Logan Pass to The Loop. Group of 8, ages 53, 52, 44, 44, 17, 17, 15 and 13.

This was the hardest hike I personally have ever done. I can honestly say, however, that I am so glad I did this hike! You get unmatched views of the mountains and valleys. You are actually hiking above the Going-to-the-Sun Road.

The wildflowers are beautiful and we were able to see much wildlife.

The Granite Park Chalet was a welcome resting spot before finishing the grueling last 4 miles.

Be sure to carry plenty of water (I recommend SmartWater or some other water with electrolytes in it) or Gatorade/PowerAde.

My husband and the 4 teens took the side trail to the Grinnell Glacier Overlook. They report that was very steep and challenging for them all. I knew I physically could not do that side trip. I'm disappointed I couldn't do it, but the pictures my family took were gorgeous!

On a side note, the rangers are extremely helpful in the event of a medical emergency. One of our party needed medical help and the rangers were quick to respond, along with a volunteer retired physician. The day of our hike there was no less than 7 medical emergencies. Be prepared and be cautious.

The Highline Trail is one of the most exceptional hikes in the world, in one of the most exceptional places in the world. My wife and I were able to do it again after a ten year interval (to be fair, we had booked trips to Glacier in 2020 and 2021, but Covid deferred it to 2022), more confident in our abilities after having hiked the Grand Canyon in between.

Because the express shuttle from Apgar to Logan Pass was no longer active after Labour Day, we were forced to drive to get an early start. We arrived at the pass at 7am and got probably one of the last two or three parking spots.

The first third of the hike, from Logan Pass to Haystack Butte is the most popular part of the trail. It's not very difficult and it has very rewarding scenery as you move along cliff faces to get from one glacial cirque to another. If you turn around at Haystack Butte, it's also a fairly short hike with little physical exertion. For photographers, it should be noted that in the morning, this section is shrouded in the shadows of the Continental Divide. All of my pictures from this section turned out grey as a result.

The second 2/3rds are less aesthetically rewarding. The dynamic peaks of Logan Pass are behind you and often obscured by Haystack Butte. In front of you are Heaven's Peak and the McDonald Creek valley, which aren't AS scenic as Logan Pass. Nor are there any really obvious points like Haystack Butte to mark your travel, luncheon, or turn around. Many people go as far as the side-trail to the Grinnell Glacier Overlook and then turn around, but not nearly as many people go past Haystack Butte at all. The second third, just after Haystack Butte, is also less well-maintained and has some portions that can feel as harrowing as the sheer cliff at the beginning, but without the same wide path or rope to hold.

In the last third, we were tired and ready to get to the end of the trail at Granite Park Chalet. The Highline Trail isn't overly difficult, it just feels very long at 7.4 miles. Granite Park Chalet is an adorable historic chalet, but it offers little comfort or amenities. There is a toilet, and there is a window from which you can order some select food items. No hot foods, but they do have candy bars and one-litre bottles of water for $7.50US. From there you have the option to turn around and go back or take the Loop Trail down to the Going-to-the-Sun Road where you can catch a shuttle back to Logan Pass. We did the latter, and the Loop Trail is easily one of the worst trails we've ever done. Switchbacks all the way down for 4 miles, fully exposed to the sun, with no redeeming scenic value.

Now having done it twice, we will probably be among those who turn around at Haystack Butte. Walking toward Logan Pass is the more scenic route. An alternative could be hiking UP the Loop Trail and ending at Logan Pass, but I wouldn't recommend that.

The Logan pass visitor center ranger recommended this trail as possibility to see some wildlife including bighorn Rams. He was right and about a mile into the trail they were right there. The views were great too even with the smoke from the fires. The trail is not for those with a fear of heights though.

We were excited, and hesitant, to try this hike. There is a section where a narrow trail cuts into the side of the mountain (a garden-hose-like rope is tethered to the rockwall for those afraid of heights). It turned out it wasn't so scary because the path was wide enough for comfort. We had views of the GTTSR and snow capped Heavens Peak. We started in full clouds and halfway through the clouds cleared in just minutes. The view was absolutely amazing.

The Highline Trail is beautiful. I was a little concerned about the first part of the trail from Logan Pass trailhead since I am afraid of height. It was actually OK and the cables definitely helped. We hiked to the Chalet and returned to the Loop shuttle stop via Granite Park Trail. If I would do it again, I'd rather hike the same way back to Logan Pass. Granite Park Trail shorted the trip by 3 miles, but there was no shade due to the wild fire in 2003. There were lots of horse waste on the trail too and very dusty.

It has been a bucket list goal of my husband and I to hike the highline trail and were able to do so in the summer of our 60th year. It is a relatively easy hike considering. The altitude was a challenge and there were times I had to focus on the next step in front of me and ignore the drop off next to me but that was not hard to do. Because of all the forest fires the views were blocked and at times made one a little out of breath but we knew this was possible going into it. For me the biggest challenge was facing the possibility of bear encounter. Did not happen thankfully. We would like to do this again when there are not fires while we still can. But we will return to visitors center at the top rather than the 4 mile downhill trek to the switch back even though it will mean 3+ more miles of hiking. Recommend that you get a life straw to use so water will not become an issue. Lots of water is essential on this hike.

Go early! I got three teenage boys out of bed at 5 a.m. and the grumbling stopped after almost running into our first bear (a young grizzly of about 150 - 200 lbs).

So Beautiful. Hard to even describe! 12 miles. The last 4 miles were the hardest. (From Granite Lodge down) I will turn around next time and go back. Prettiest that way anyway.

This trail starts at the Logan Pass visitor center. It’s spectacular, we saw bighorn sheep and mountain goats. Not good if you have a fear of hights.

Did this hike early in the morning on a 100 degree day in early August. Arrived at Logan Pass around 6:30am and there were only a few cars. We were on the trail by 6:45 and we were only passed by 3 couples between Logan Pass and Haystack Butte. Views on the first 3.5 miles were stunning. We had been told the last few miles were long due to going through an old burned forest so we opted for an out and back to Haystack Butte so we could do other short hikes in the park. Total mileage was about 7 miles and it was completed in about 3 hours not counting our break. Most of the trail is level with small gentle inclines or declines except just before Haystack Butte where there are 2 long switchbacks. Hardest part of the trail was dealing with the drop offs on the side as neither myself nor my husband are fans of heights.

Words fail when describing how beautiful this hike is. Haven't seen scenery this amazing since Switzerland. We strongly recommend starting at The Loop rather than at Logan Pass by parking at Logan Pass (if you're in your own car), and then taking the shuttle to The Loop to start. Why? First, if you are parked at Logan Pass and finish at Logan Pass, you don't have to worry about finishing in time to meet the shuttle. (We saw a number of stranded people at The Loop; we made the last shuttle.). Second, almost all of the elevation change on this hike is between The Loop and Granite Chalet. We wished had done the elevation change as an ascent to the Chalet, rather than a descent from it. It would have really saved our knees.

This is a review for the Highline Trail Loop.

We got to the Logan Pass visitor center by 7:30am as we were told by a Ranger that the lot fills up by 8am and she was not wrong. We started the hike at about 8:15am and there were already plenty of people on the trail. The hike to the Granite Park Chalet was about 7 miles. We ate a packed lunch at the Chalet but they did have water and a few snacks for purchase (cash only). We then hiked the 4 miles down to the going to the sun road where we caught a shuttle back to Logan Pass. The last 4 miles of the loop had no shade cover as a wildfire burnt this area a few years ago. We were in the direct sun the entire way and it was hot! Make sure you have sunscreen and lots of water.

One of, if not the best hike I've ever been on...and we only went about 2.5 miles!

Had our boys who are 6&7, and after doing the hidden lake hike, we were ready to be done.

The first .5 mile is the sketchiest, but also super cool. Views are amazing the whole time. Had a young elk stand right by the trail eating.

We had one full day, saw a lot of the park but this was probably the highlight and I'd recommend if you can only do one!

If you can only do one hike in Glacier National Park, do this one! If you don't feel up to the whole thing, the first 2.5 miles is fairly easy. Every step is an adventure and every turn brings spectacular views. We are 55+ and in below average physical condition. We hiked the first 3.5 miles and back in 5.5 hours including a lunch break. We had to stop to catch our breath a few times, but thought the trip to be well worth the effort. Part of the trail is on a ledge about 4 feet wide along the face of a cliff, but even the acrophobics among us didn't find it too daunting. There is a cable handrail attached to the cliff face to hold onto. This is not a trail through the woods with occasional views, it is a trail along a cliff face and alpine meadows with constant views worthy of magazine covers. Don't miss an opportunity to hike this trail!

This is a beautiful hike and if you are in moderately good shape, you can make this hike. I saw Bighorn sheep and Mt. Goats, but no bears. The first part of the hike along the ledge could be harrowing, just take your time. I would say that if I had it to do over again I think I would hike to the Granite Park Chalet from Logan Pass and turn around and hike back to the Pass. The last four miles downhill were tough on my knees and that last four miles is not all that scenic.

Beautiful trail that traverses the Continental Divide if you take the Grinnell Glacier Overlook. Recommended to start from Logan's Pass if you are hiking one-way and looking to take the shuttle from the other end back to your car. We started just before sunrise at Logan's Pass. It was extremely windy in the Pass parking lot, however once you start the trail, you are a bit more sheltered by the mountains and hills around you. The trail is a little narrow at the start, but very manageable even for those afraid of heights. The trail then has some gradual ups and downs while making its way to the Chateau. Roughly 6.5 miles from Logans Pass you will reach a trail that breaks off to the right up to the Grinnell Glacier overlook. This is a STEEP intense climb 0.9miles to the overlook. But if you do it, you will get to see the Grinnell Glacier and a beautiful side of the park - highly recommend! It took us roughly an hour to get up and down from the overlook. If you are there on a windy day, make sure everything is secured before rounding the final corner to the overlook - the wind rips over that small pass in the mountains.

Be ware of bears - we saw 2 grizzles along our hike - one further away, and one a bit closer than was comfortable. However, people are very vocal on trails in letting you know when they have passed a bear, so you can be aware. But, it is their home, so be smart and keep your eyes open.

Once you reach the Chateau, you will have roughly 2,000+ feet over 4 miles to hike down to the Loop (where you will be able to get the shuttle back to Logans Pass - just check the shuttle schedule to ensure you do not arrive too late for the last shuttle). Otherwise, you can return to Logan's Pass once reaching the Chateau.

Once we reached the Loop shuttle stop, we had approximately 40 minutes to wait (in low season) for a shuttle to stop and take us up to Logan's Pass and back to the car.

We hiked the highline trail to Haystack pass. It was a 11km round trip with 310 meter elevation change. After a few hundred meters walk, we were exposed to the big west glacier valley. It was magnificent with endless mountains and blue sky. Then the trail continues along the valley above the three line for about four kms, which provides open views along the way. The last two kms starts the climb to Haystack pass where we can see a 360 view of the valley. It was fall time and tundras along the trail turned very colourful, which made the hike even more delightful. We really enjoyed the hike and would highly recommend this trail.

Breathtaking views on this 7 mile trail. Hiked it from Logan Pass to the Chalet. Not a hard hike - some ups and downs but nothing terrible. Saw many marmots along the trail. Beautiful, varied trail terrain. This hike is rated number one for very good reasons - scenic beauty, accessibility and ease of hiking. Make sure you have a good plan when you get to the end at the Chalet! You will have 4 more miles downhill to the Loop or you will have to hike 7 miles back to Logan Pass. Take plenty of water and snacks. We carrier bear spray but did not need it.

This is one of the longer trails in the park and it is spectacular! It starts ( or finishes - depending)at Logan's Pass. If you end here you will have an uphill hike for the first four miles to the chalet. I do not recommend doing it this way, but people do.

We saw a mountain goat within the first 10 minutes on the trail, lots of hoary marmots and loads of ground squirrels. the bear grass was in full bloom and as luck would have it - the best "crop" in 50 years so we were told.

The hike is over 11 miles , but in all reality it is gradual - up and down, but heading up. The snow topped mountains are in full view for almost the entire way until to get to the chalet. We crossed lots of snow along the way on the trail. It had just opened up a week to ten days before we arrived. It varies every year, and no way to predict when it will be open.

we were tired and there was a .6 mile hike up a very steep incline to an overview of a "glacier". We decided to do it and later found out it was Grinnell Glacier. The lake was about 98% still under snow and frozen. It was a nice view and we were glad we did it.

The chalet - nice spot and awesome views! Apparently you can spend the night and get a meal there. We were not in "the know" about this, but doubt we would have done it. I am certain it would be great to watch a sunset and rise from here. They were selling a liter of bottled water for about $5.50 - but if you need it you need it. The air is very dry so lots of water is consumed.

The last 4 miles which were down hill were tough on us all. We actually prefer up hill. We were really glad to see the parking lot where we caught the shuttle back to Logan's pass. the hike is a point to point one. Make sure you check out the shuttle schedule so you don't miss the last one.

In order to get a parking space we were told to be there before 9:00 A.M and we were. yes we got a space, but it fills up fast.

How beautiful! This is a great trail, but like so many in Glacier, you must go early. We got to Logan Pass at 7:10 AM and got one of the few remaining parking spaces. To facilitate this, if you’re staying in St Mary you will be far closer to Logan Pass than if you stay in West Glacier, Columbia Falls or Whitefish. By going early you also get the benefit of hiking in the morning sun, and watching the light change as it dances on the mountains. When you return to Logan Pass, cars will be circling looking to take your spot!

probably the most popular and iconic trail in the park. did the trial to granite chalet and back didnt finish the whole loop saw alot of wildlife and great views.

We hiked this trail beginning at Logan Pass at 7am. The views were stunning all the way to Granite Park Chalet. Just before we reached the Chalet, we took the spur trail up to Grinnell Glacier Overlook. Probably the most amazing spot I've ever stood in my life. From the Chalet down to The Loop Trailhead, it was a little disappointing, but still pretty. You will never forget this trail as long as you live. 11.6 mi. total one way, 13.2 mi. if you include the spur up to Grinnell Glacier Overlook.

This is the second time we have hiked this trail in reverse.

I know you'll think I am mad for writing this, but, if you are an experienced hiker, reverse the hike and start at from The Loop and hike up to Logan"s Pass.

Reasons:
-If you get to Logan's Pass before 9am there will be lots of parking spaces in the parking lot. Park here and get the shuttle down to The Loop. Then, at the end of your hike when you reach Logan's Pass, your car will be there and you won't have to hitch-hike (as the buses are often full at The Loop) or wait for a bus.

-you'll feel under less pressure to complete your hike at a certain time to meet the shuttle bus............ as you won't need to meet the shuttle bus!!!!

Hiking the trail "in reverse" you'll find that the first two hours of the hike will be a steady, challenging hike up hill. As you hike up it, imagine the strain on your knees if this is the last four miles of your 11.5 mile hike? As you continue on the trail you'll find that this was the most challenging part of your hike. Once you reach the Sperry Chalet the views will start to appear and you'll marvel at the hoards of hikers coming your way as they hike downhill. If you still feel you have ample energy, food and water, take the trail up to The Grinnel Glacier Overlook. Warning: its steep and exhausting. The views are worth it and its a fantastic spot for a much deserved lunch-break.
Continue up the trail and once you ascend past the Butte, you'll be almost done with the steeper parts of the trail. We saw eleven goats on the garden wall and three sheep. We met three marmots on the way, one of whom wanted some of our lunch, four ptarmigans, numerous pikkas and one very cheeky chipmunk. Ground squirrels often run along the trail in front of you.

The last hour of the hike was a slog, but we met lots of hikers who were hiking down and they were kind enough to stop for a brief chat and many offered enthusiastic encouragement (thank you if you are reading this as we needed it)
Due to the wildfires, the views on this occasion were not as spectacular as when we hiked it in 2013, but nevertheless, it was an amazing hike and we are looking forward to hiking it again next year.

If you hike it in reverse, please take lots of water as you'll need it. This time on our hike, due to the drought conditions, there were no waterfalls to refill water bottles and filter the water.

Moon 2017 "Glacier National Park" rates this hike as one of the best in the park. A very nice hike beginning at Logan Pass slowly ascending over the course of 7.4 miles to Granite Park Chalet. Trail was crowded at the beginning but thinned out after about one mile. Beautiful views on a clear day (miserable visibility the day I hiked from all the brush fires in and around the park). After stopping at the Chalet for lunch I exited via the loop trail, which added another 4 miles to the hike. The loop hike ends at the highway where a park shuttle will take you back to Logan Pass.

We took our 14 year old and 10 year old on the Highline Trail as far as Haystack. Overall it was just under an 8 mile hike round-trip. We got to Logan Pass fairly early which is what you need to do to get a parking spot there. I think you could park down below and take a shuttle up to the trial-head also. Our moving time was 2:42 but actual time was more like 4 hours I think. There was quite a lot of foot traffic on the trail but everyone was polite and shared the trail well. It's not really that long of a hike but you still need to do more than just grab a bottle of water. Definitely empty your bladder beforehand as well and take a light snack. Portions of it were over rough rock, snow pack, waterfalls etc. It was very scenic and beautiful and worth all of the time and effort. BUT, GO EARLY if you go during peak season.

The trailhead warns you to have plenty of water and sun protection-boy were they right! We were hiking on a cloudy day to start but by late afternoon on the way down, we were roasting! We added in the Swiftcurrent overlook once we got to the chalet and it was worth the trek up, Beautiful views all around. Our favorite day of hiking was this combination of trails.

Went on the trail while it was raining. It was dicey at times, but some amazing views. Beautiful place to hike. Would do it again.

There were a few small hills but mostly a flat trail. We only hiked about 2.5 miles and turned around and returned to Logan Pass but after the initial scare of a possibly very narrow trail, we found it was not as treacherous as feared. Well worth the effort for the views!

It was our first hike in GNP, and it was awesome! We got an early start at Logan Pass (which i hear is important to ensure a parking spot, and to avoid congestion on the trail). the trail is fairly lengthy, but no major prolonged inclines. And the views along the garden wall are amazing. Had a moose and golden eagle sighting, and warning of some black bear nearby. Oh, and a few goats. so all sorts of things going on. But it was the compelling views that kept everyone highly motivated and energized throughout the hike. Suggest you get an early start to avoid crowds and to finish majority of hike before exposed to full sun. Later part of hike heading down to loop is less interesting and can get rather hot on a summer day.

Usually a trip with views like this requires a lot more work. We just did the round trip to Haystack butte and were rewarded with a grizzly sow and cub and about 6 goats; all very close.

We only hiked out about 2.5 miles out and back on this day of the highline trail. It was hot and a gorgeous day so we just enjoyed the amazing views and relaxed. The flowers were beautiful

Most suggest hiking from Logan Pass to Loop. This saves over 2,300 ft of climbing. Be aware if you leave your car at the Loop and take the shuttle to Logan pass the shuttle may not be operating as early as you would like to start. If you have time start early from Logan Pass, and come back the same way. The downhill to the loop is no where as scenic or enjoyable a hike. The 0.9 mile spur to the Grinnell overlook is spectacular but difficult. It's steep and trail has plenty of loose rocks. It will add 1 1/2 hours to your hike.

The trail was nothing like what we had seen before with some uncompromising views, adventure and wildlife. Trail is well maintained with ropes for hand-holding/support. We spotted big horn sheep. She was a mama with her kid on the trail and another group of 6 off he trail. Unfortunately we couldn't do the full trail due to snow closures (we visited during July 4th holiday week) and there was still plenty of snow.

Spectacular breathtaking view. A popular but not too strenuous hike. If you are scared of heights, pass on this was as the hike is mostly on the ledge.

This is a wonderful trail, along the moister side of the mountain, better know as Garden Wall, with a great variety of vegetation and terrific views. There is a rocky ledge early in the trail which might be too much for those who don't like heights. Best to go early in the day, hiking in the shade and looking at the sun light view across the valley.

If you do nothing else make sure that you do the first mile or 2 of this. The scenery is amazing. The mountain goats are amazing. Unfortunately we didn't see a grizzly bear, maybe next time.

It is a little less than 4 miles to the pass. From there you have the choice of continuing on to the chalet and the Loop trail (which is an additional 8 miles to get you back to the road) or you can go back the way you came to return to Logan Pass Visitor Center. I was tired and decided to return to the visitor center, maybe a little disappointed I didn't cover the new territory. But I was pleasantly surprised. The return hike gives you a different perspective and this 4 mile stretch is so spectacular it's not so bad repeating it anyway.

We hiked the Highline from Logan to The Loop. The first part from Logan to the Granite Chalet was fairly easy and flat. From the Chalet to the Loop it was almost all down hill. I strongly recommend not going the opposite route because of the extreme uphill at the beginning of the hike if you set out from The Loop. The park calls it Intermediate on the difficulty scale. IF you don't go up the Garden Wall I would agree. However, if you do the .6 mile up to the Garden Wall I would rate it DIFFICULT. First of all, the Garden Wall was totally worth the continental divide views!! But, the .6 mile trip gains almost 1000 feet in a short distance!!= STEEP. Overall, great views, lots of people, memories of a lifetime!!

I enjoyed all but the last 4 miles past the chalet toward the loop is ugly all the trees are dead. The first 7 miles to the chalet are awesome and amazing. People saw grizzly bear w cubs on July 28th so watch out for bears. There's a Porta potty pit toliet at chalet and they sell water and granola bars.

This is not a difficult hike for the fit. Heading up to Granite Chalet - very nice terrain and very diverse. A cloudy/foggy day adds something special to the hike so if you are are comfortable with that, do not change your mind.

Hiked this gradual incline trail (1,100 ft) to Haystack Butte. Gorgeous views in every direction! The trail begins near some narrow cliff ledges (with bars to hold on to), then opening out to flowering meadows, scrubby bushes and pine trees. We even saw a herd of White Mountain Goats (20+) grazing in a rocky chute! At the end of our hike, we saw a herd of Big Horn Sheep! This is a great wildlife viewing hike!

Ive been to over 30 national parks and this is one of the best day hikes Ive ever done! Its also a very easy hike as its almost completely flat with the last 4 miles of the loop trail being all down hill. Total distance is 11.6 miles from Logan Pass visitor center down to "the loop" parking lot.
There are 2 options for this hike. Option 1 is to park at The Loop parking lot and hop on the 1st shuttle to Logan Pass which arrives at 8:45am. Then hike back to your car.
Option 2 is the one I HIGHLY recommend! By 9am the trail is VERY crowded, almost like a line at Disneyland. To avoid this and to have a much better chance at seeing mtn goats and big horn sheep, as well as the beautiful early light on the mtns, park at Logan Pass visitor center and start the hike between sunrise to 7am. The last shuttle from The Loop to Logan Pass leaves at 6:30pm which gives even the average hiker plenty of time to complete the trail.

The High Line Trail was definitely one of the most beautiful hikes I've walked.There was 8 of us in our group ranging in age from the mid 60s to 20s. We took the shuttle from the Apgar Visitor Center to Logan's Pass. Once I got over the initial fear of heights it didn't bother me. The trail was wider in the beginning than I expected. Scenery was breathtaking. The shuttle driver warned us that the last 4 miles from the chalet to The Loop would be very hot due to lack of large trees and to have plenty of water. He was not kidding. It was in the 90's when we hiked it and glad we saved enough water for the end. Saw a Grizzly from one of the ridges and my son said there was a black bear 50 feet off the trail that I had apparently walked passed unknowingly. Near the end of the trail is a stream. I was so hot by then that I just laid down in it to cool off. Could not enjoy it for too long as we were notified that a Grizzly cub was nearby.
The shuttle to get back to Apgar needs to have a better route. The shuttle goes to Avalanche and then we had to transfer to another shuttle that made 4 more stops before we got back to Apgar. It took an hour and a half to get from The Loop back to the Visitor Center and our cars. There should be a direct Loop-Apgar shuttle considering how many people require it.

We hiked part of this trail on a Sunday in summer, and the views were just amazing. We arrived at Logan Pass about 9:30 AM, and of course the parking was totally full. But we got lucky and found a spot about half a mile down on the west side, as we noticed someone getting ready to leave. There are shuttles which will take you here from other parts of the park, but of course this is less convenient. If you want to hike the whole trail, the best plan would probably be to park down by the Loop and take the shuttle to Logan (you could do the reverse if you like a lot of climbing!). We started out from Logan, and hiked about 4 miles out to the top of the saddle between Haystack Butte and Mt. Gould, had lunch, and then returned back (total distance about 8 miles). That hike was not particularly difficult (total elevation about 1000ft): we were not sure that our knees would stand up to the descent to the loop (over 3000ft of descent). We saw mountain goats and bighorn sheep (in the distance) and marmots (everywhere up close!). Luckily, no signs of any bears, maybe because of all the people out there hiking with us (one good thing about the crowds, I guess). The start of the trail was a little scary for those of us who were scared of heights, but not really difficult or particularly dangerous in my opinion, and there was a nice cable to hold on to. This was probably the nicest trail we hiked on for this visit, just beautiful views of the surrounding mountains!

This is a gorgeous hike. So awesome. We started just after sunrise and saw about 40 bighorn sheep in the parking lot at Logan pass. It was amazing. This trail can be very narrow at points but is absolutely stunning. We went to the Granite Park Chalet and hiked down. We rode the shuttle back up to our car. It was amazing. Legs were jelly but such a great hike!!

We were driving the Going to the Sun road and saw people up on a ledge. We decided to hike this trail but not the whole thing. We got started super early - on the trail at 6:30 am. It was cold! But there were very few people. We hiked only to the Weeping wall because of time limitations. It was a very easy hike - and the ledge is bigger than it looks from below!

It's long and difficult at times (at least was for me), but so worthwhile. The trail meanders along the mountainsides, running somewhat parallel to the Going-to-the-Sun Road, before heading back into the mountains to the Granite Park Chalet/campground. It is 7.6 miles with only a 600-foot incline near the middle (most of it in one spot - this was the hard part for me - I am 34 and walk a lot but would not consider myself to be in great shape). But the views, the views - you can see for dozens of miles and feel on top of the earth. It is incredible.

I am not sure if our timing was perfect or if the trail always looks like this, but this is an absolute must hike in July. I would suggest to Not do the whole trail because the last 4 miles past the chalet are a grueling 2400 ft descent without beautiful scenery. Just hike in from Logan pass as far as you like, turn around and go back. I would go in at least 4 miles to see all the different views which would make an 8 mile trip. My husband and I love to hike and have done a lot of day hikes in numerous national parks. This is our #1 pick and now our #1 national park. You need to go when the wildflowers are blooming. We were there July 20.

This trail is highly recommended even if you just do a little of it. Be prepared if you are afraid of heights. I think that could be an issue for you because of the first part of the trail where there is a sort of a handrail.... it is pretty narrow here so that feeling of height is more pronounced I think because you can't help but see how high you are unless you look at the wall next to you. We only walked this trail until about the time the handrail ended because .... it got a little too nerve wracking for one of us. Best thing to do is just try it and if you decide its not right for you, you can turn around. There are places where it isn't too bad to let someone going the other way pass you. Just take a deep breath and don't look down. Very exciting for the adventurous out there. Stunning views.

This was a worthwhile hike, but didn't wow us like others in the park. Maybe it was because the views were partially obscured by smoke from fires outside the park? We arrived at 7:30 am and the parking lot was 1/2 full. You can check out the Logan Pass webcam to see when it fills up---in mid-August this year it was full by 8 am. We hiked 3.5 miles in to Haystack Butte Saddle and then returned to Logan Pass to avoid the joint-destroying descent to the Loop. Beautiful wildflowers along Garden Wall, but the down-valley views were similar to other hikes we went on and maybe we were expecting too much from the hype about this hike.

We visited in July 2017 and it was awesome. On our first trip to Glacier 3 years ago we kept seeing this trail that was high above Going to the Sun Road and wondering how the people got all the way up there. We got home and researched it and found out this was the trail and had looked forward to doing it ever since.

I was a little nervous about how high and narrow the trail was in photos but it was way better than I was expecting. The most narrow area (near Logan Pass) has a cable for you to hold on to. We took trekking poles and that helped ease my fear of falling.

The views are amazing - mountains, the garden wall, wildflowers, waterfalls, and the beargrass was blooming, it truly was magical. We only did a couple of miles of this trail because it was crowded and we were getting eaten alive by horse flies (ouch), but I really enjoyed every minute of it.

We parked at Logan Pass and had to circle the parking lot for a WHOLE HOUR (not kidding) to find a parking spot. It was super frustrating, so wait until later in the afternoon or go early in the morning if you want to park at Logan Pass. Otherwise, just take the shuttle because the crowds up there are horrendous and there just isn't enough parking.

Incredible views! A must do. Get to Logan’s pass early for parking (before 8am). The first section with cables in the most intimidating. But after that....wow! You will be in awe of the views. Hiking to Haystack Butte is approximately 3.5 miles from trailhead.

Without a shuttle running now at Glacier, what is the liklehood of getting a return ride from a tourist when hiking one way on the Highline Trail.
To get a ride back to Logans Pass parking lot.
thanks
richard

Beautiful trail with amazing views of the park. I recommend starting from the top and walking down (for the most part) the 13 miles. You come across so many animals, different terrain, and jaw-dropping valley views - a hikers dream.

The views along the Highline Trail are spectacular. I felt like I wanted to stop every 20 feet to take pictures, but eventually had to stop doing that in order to finish the hike in a timely manner! So yes, do it!

A few notes:

If you are over 50, have knee issues and/or don't normally do a lot of downhill walking, consider going only to Haystack or the Chalet and then back to Logan Pass - and/or wearing knee braces. The hike from Chalet to the Loop is almost all downhill. I am in good shape (run, walk, bike) and had NO problem with the elevation gain and uneven terrain, but was practically a cripple with knee pain within the first mile or 2 past the chalet. (And I don't typically have bad knees. Maybe more elevation training would help with this?)

If you are hiking alone, that's another reason to stop at or before the chalet. There are WAY less hikers on the last leg of the trip, so I was more concerned about surprising a bear or mountain lion.

That leg is also the hottest, least shaded portion of the trail and, in my opinion, not as pretty as the rest of the trail.

Also, if you do go all the way to the Loop, you have to figure out a good way to get from the Loop back up to Logan Pass. With Covid, no shuttles. I hitchhiked back up and easily/quickly found someone to take me, but I have an N95 mask, so I felt comfortable doing that. Gotta decide for yourself.

Get up early; the Logan Pass parking lot fills up quickly. I think this is exacerbated because of no shuttles running due to COVID-19. The lines for the toilet also get long in the morning.

Bring plenty of fluids: I drank 2 liters from my camelback, plus 2 Gatorade bottles.

Bring plenty of food: I ate breakfast and still consumed the following on the trail:
1 cheese sandwich (3 thick slices)
3 bars (RX & Zing)
1/2 apple
1/2 a large peanut butter sqeeze bottle
Dried seaweed packet
2 cucumbers
Applesauce
2 handfuls of almonds

Wear hiking shoes and thick socks. The trail is very rocky.

Bring 2 hiking poles if you can. There is a *lot* of elevation change, both up and down.

Bring a good camera and/or well charged phone to capture the beautiful scenery!

FYI - The attached photo is from the chalet at one of the picnic tables, overlooking the mountains.

My loop of choice was Logan Pass to Swiftcurrent Pass - then back to Logan Pass. I was at the trailhead around 7 am. After seeing the caution sign there about sun exposure and hydration, I went back to my vehicle for more water bottles. The Garden Wall gave me welcome shade almost until Granite Park came into view. It was also a different viewing experience looking from shadows at the peaks to the south and west as they were hit by the morning sun. Smoke from the Sprague fire was noticeable starting west of Haystack Pass. That’s also where there is a view of Lake McDonald. Most of the photos that I have posted show the hazy skies.

After stopping at the Granite Park Chalet for a bottle of thirst quencher, I continued about 1 mile down the Swiftcurrent Pass Trail to get clear views of the Swiftcurrent Valley – views all the way to Sherburne Lake. There were many hikers (mostly younger folks in my estimation) on the return trip from Granite Park to Logan Pass, and few shady spots to take a break. I didn’t notice the rolling elevation near Oberlin Bend when I started the hike, but I sure did on the way back. The 17+ roundtrip miles was enough for one day. For those wanting a shorter hike with plenty of great scenery, try Logan Pass to Haystack Pass (Butte) – returning to Logan Pass.

Have a great hike. Thanks for taking the time to read my review.

This hike was so awesome - the views were truly breathtaking! You can literally look down on the Going to the Sun Road and realize just how sub alpine this is. Highly recommend it. If you have the time, walk the entire length then shuttle back to Logan's Pass. We hiked Hidden Lake in the morning and Highline Trail in the afternoon so we ran out of time.

With two family members suffering of moderate fear of heights, we did plan for this hike. However, as Hidden Lake overlook trail was still covered with snow in the middle of July, we decided to try. Both guys had no problems with hiking on the edge of a mountain and rest of the hike was just beautiful! We hiked just pass the Haystack butte and then returned to Logan Pass. We wanted to hike the entire hike to Loop, but, unfortunately, as that was not a planned hike, we did not pack enough water and snacks. Nevertheless, we had a blast to Haystack and back, beautiful views all the way, lot of bear grass blooming and we saw ground squirrels, marmots and a mountain goat. We will have to come back and finish this hike another time!
Hike details from ViewRanger app: 13.2 km /8.2 miles with 984 m/3228 ft. elevation gain. We spent almost five hours for hiking, lunch break at the Haystack, snowball fight and large number of stops for photos. After all, we had found a parking spot at Logan Pass Visitor center and could take in the beautiful surroundings as long as we wanted :-)

If you are afraid of heights in the least, this trail isn't for you. Even with a cable to hold onto, this could be precarious for some. With all the smoke at Logan Pass, this trail isn't worth it.

We arrived at Logan Pass by 8 and felt lucky to get parking because it was almost full. Instead of ding the whole trail, we hiked out for about 2.5 hours and then returned over the same path. It's beautiful both directions. Some up and down in that stretch, but mostly gradual, easy hiking. Magnificent views. We saw a mountain goat and lots of wildflowers. The rocky part in the beginning, with the rope along the wall doesn't last long. The path remains narrow, but it goes along hillside meadows and through trees. The rocky part in the beginning is where we saw a pika, which the kids loved.

Apart from the awful parking experience known as Logan Pass, this trail has no downsides. You are rewarded with amazing vistas almost from the start and they don't let up. I walked to the haystack and back as my day trip and did it in a couple of hours with breaks and a comfortable pace. I am also afraid of heights and wasn't troubled on this trail. Would recommend going in the morning before it gets too hot. The trail is exposed to the elements. Definitely take water. Didn't see any bears but there were plenty of big horn sheep on the trail itself. Even if you are not the most mobile, go as far as you can on this trail and turn back. It is worth it.

The hike on the Highline trail along the Garden Wall was spectacular. The numerous flowers blooming, water cascading and mountain goats and big horn sheep were plentiful. The hike it not strenuous and a bit exciting at the start!

After wanting to do this for 6 years finally fullfilled my bucket list. Loved it! Did it at 66 years old, what awesome views!

What an amazing hike! We planned beforehand because it is 12 miles one-way if you start or end at the Loop and Logan Pass. A lot of people on the trail were not prepared for a full-day experience and missed out on all of the variety the trail provides.

Assuming you pack enough food and water, and take the free shuttles, this trail has it all. 100 yards into the hike from The Loop we encountered a black bear on the trail eating huckleberries. We stopped at the chalet for water and a bathroom break and talked with several people who had spent the night. Next was the hike up to the glacier overlook. Only 3 of the 5 people in the family could do this. It was steep and over 1 mile long to the top even though the sign says 0.6 miles. For those that made it to the overlook, we did some mild rock climbing/scrambling and had a snack on the Continental Divide. As we walked down we encountered many marmots, squirrels, and foraging animals that were totally comfortable with humans. We felt like we were in a petting zoo. The next portion of the trail had waterfalls and amazing views of the park and garden well. We took the Haystack Butte "side trail", but could only go up halfway before most of the family (we have 3 teenagers) decided it was too steep and too much rock climbing. Going halfway was still amazing. On the final segment from Haystack Butte to Logan Pass we passed a mountain goat literally sunning himself on a rock right on the trail. We later learned from a ranger that animals hang out on the Highline Trail as camouflage and safety from bears. The last portion of the trail had cables to hang onto beacuse it was only 3 feet wide in some spots with a sheer dropoff. This was one of the best hikes we've ever taken. In the top 5 out of 200+ in my lifetime.

My husband and I had a very enjoyable hike on the Highline Trail. We made it a point to arrive early, around 7:00 a.m. and the parking lot at Logan’s Pass had plenty of spaces available. There were big horn sheep in the parking lot when we arrived. We started our hike as the sun was rising, so the majority of our hike to Granite Chalet (7 miles) was cool and shady, which we very much enjoyed. The return hike was full sun and very warm. We took the Loop trail back and the trail is not nearly as scenic as Highline. It was all downhill, which is easier than climbing, but can be brutal on the knees. We had 2L of water each, and we ran out as we finished our hike. Highline is a spectacular hike and we will do it again!

This was our first hike in the park and I am glad we did it first because each hike only got better. Instead of doing the whole thing we parked at logan pass and hiked about 4 miles in and then 4 miles out. The whole hike was pretty much flat, which is my kind of hiking! The views are great and even a little intimidating at points where you realize you’re looking straight down onto the highway below. The only problem is that for those 4 miles, the views don’t really change all that much. For the most part you are looking at the same mountains and the same valley.

Also, around 9am, the trail became PACKED with other people. It was frustrating to have to wait for a good place to pass each set of slower hikers in front of us, and the hikers behind us were always on our tail and it felt like they were part of our conversation. When we turned around, it was a nightmare to try and get back to logan pass. The path is just too narrow and it is too popular of a hike.

If I were to do it again, I think I would either dedicate a whole day to the 13+ miles and do it end to end or only do a mile or two before turning around and dedicate the rest of my day to a hike with more varied views. I would also try to get on the trail before 8am so I could have a few hours of enjoying nature before everyone else shows up.

I'm a wuss. I admit it. So when I heard about the ledge part of this hike I wasn't sure I'd be up for it. Then I heard that they'd taken down the cable rail for the season. I was sure I wasn't going to want to do it. But on my way out of town I figured I'd check it out. I didn't have time to walk far, but figured I'd go as far as I could and get a few pics.

As I approached the trail (after parking at the Logan Visitor Center), I could see people walking normally on it (not clinging to the wall, crying and wetting themselves as I'd envisioned). They seemed casual and there was room for them to walk as they would anywhere. This put me at ease. At some point the trail may have gotten down to 4 feet or whatever, but that's not everywhere. In some places it's much wider. So as I walked the trail leaves the trees and eases you onto the ledge. It's a subtle change that helps you. And the drop off is not straight down. It's somewhat sloping which gives you the feeling of having a little more space. So I walked it, taking pics and videos as I went, feeling totally at ease. Once I realized it wasn't so bad it was kind of fun. But before you know it you're done and you're on a normal path (that's just as narrow but without the drop-off it feels easier, I guess).

I didn't have time to walk the whole trail so I went about 20 minutes beyond then turned around and headed back. So I can't speak to the rest of the trail. A ranger told me the scenery changes a bit after about 3 miles or so (if I remember correctly). But the scenery on the ledge is spectacular.

If nothing else, just go as far as you can. You may find that you can do the whole ledge section.

What an amazing hike! We left Logan pass at 9am and hiked highline to the granite park chalet. We then finished with the loop back to the shuttle. This is a great hike but really long. I also took the glacier overlook trail which is an absolute must. This was my favorite view in the entire park. It's steep and I wouldn't drag young kids up it. But the rest of the hike is appropriate. I will say that the mile markers are WAY off. I measured 15.5 miles when you include the glacier overlook. That part was marked as .6 miles one way which I found to be double that. We got to the loop shuttle stop around 4pm. Pack lots of water and pace yourself. It's worth the sore legs and feet! I didn't see bighorn sheep but others claimed to. Say hi to Mr. Marmot for me.

We arrived at Logan's Pass by 8 a.m. to avoid parking issues. No problem parking, but definitely get there by 8:30 a.m. We loaded up on water and sandwiches (and bear spray) for the 12 mile hike and followed the signs that lead us across the road to the trail head. The trail was not overly crowded and you had to be sure-footed in some areas. For some distance we would be walking on the path right above Going to the Sun Road - I looked down once and that was enough. It was wonderful to see Glacier Chalet in the distance after 7 miles and it was a beautiful, quaint site. We stopped there to enjoy our lunch and use the outhouse. Continued on the trail for 4 more miles to "The Loop" where we caught the shuttle back to Logan's Pass. This was our first of three (10 + miles) hikes in three days and it was a good starting hike as far as elevation.

This is a five star attraction with two huge caveats. One, and most importantly, the first quarter mile is quite scary. There is a huge drop-off with only a railing on the other side to hold onto. It's very safe but not for everyone. Second, getting there and back is a total hassle. Budget at least 90-120 minutes each way. If you get there at 7 AM and have a GTTS pass. You're all set. For the rest of us, there is a very poor shuttle system or taking a chance on parking. That said, once you get out there the experience and the views are unbeatable. It's tought to get there given the weather conditions, etc.

Some parts of trail a lil scary but great trail with great vistas at every step. Watch out for bears! Mountain goats frolicking on steep mountainsides. Great trail. Not for the 'heights are not my thing' hikers

You start with a hike along a cliff for about a quarter mile. Not bad but not for faint of heart. You hold on to a garden hose as you walk along this section. I would not bring small children but it is a great trail. We went to Haystack and in the sun for most of it. Sat in snow at Haystack having lunch. About 8.5 mies round trip. You can continue on and do a 14 mile loop. We did not.

This is a must do hike in Glacier for the views alone. The only thing I didn’t like about it was the always present view and sound of the road below, the nearly constant sun exposure and the lack of vegetation and shade at haystack butte. If you need a place to rest that’s somewhat in the shade, go to the top of Haystack and on the far side there are trees and a nice rock to sit on. Don’t stop before then where all the rocks are, it’s better just on the other side. It took my family 2.5 hours each way including being disrupted by an exciting bear encounter in the meadow before Haystack Butte.

We planned on taking this hike but it was closed for a week while we were there because of a carcass on the trail that the bears were eating. We walked on a short portion of it and it looked like a fun trail. Maybe next time!

This was the longest hike we've been on as a family. The kids, both 11, had previously hiked up Mt Washburn in Yellowstone and the shortened Inca trail to MP. Neither one really compares, as this is the longest trek they've had to endure. Both were cranky before we even got a look of the Granite Park Chalet. Once we headed up the hill to see the Grinnell glacier, they were miserable. But we had the good fortune of encountering many hikers who encouraged them along the way and all but guaranteed the effort will be well rewarded. It certainly was! The views across the park from the glacier overlook are incomparable! The pictures of the mountain and glacier from the overlook are priceless. On a practical note, this ended up being a nearly 15 mile hike. We parked at Logan Pass and started on the trail at 9:30 am. It was chilly, but as soon as we got into the sun, everyone lost the top layer. We took our time along the trail, stopping for pictures and some snacks. We got to the overlook around 1:30-2 pm and stayed up there for about an hour, devouring our lunch. Our Camelbacks were all out of water by the time we started the descent, so we stopped at the Granite Park Chalet to refill. We were down at the Loop by 6:30 pm to catch one of the last shuttle buses back to the Logan Pass parking lot. A great and exhausting day that will hopefully be relived at many family gatherings.

This classic hike in Glacier NP has everything one would want in a hike; wild life, wild flowers and gorgious views.

We caught the last day of the free shuttle, parking at The Loop, and got out at Logan Pass a day after the snow shut everything--including the roads--down, and an hour after they opened them again. It was near white out at the Pass when we got on the trail. Only one small group in front and they broke up to knee deep wet snow for us. The experience made up for the lack of views, and we got to experience the Granite Park Chalet as a pass-through to the car, and as extraordinary as it was, when we got to our two days at the Sperry a few days later we knew we'd made the right choice for us.
Seeing this country with fresh snow is worth the trade in views, though, two days later the snow was pretty much gone again. Maybe we'll see the distances next time.

This is a trail that no matter how many you have hiked is absolutely unforgettable. Where good hiking shoes, you will be walking on and over rocks. You have to be careful walking, but the trail is safe. Don't try to finish this trail if you are not fit, just walk in a bit, turn around and walk back. Show good sense and just sample it rather than push too hard. Take your binoculars so that you can view the mountain goats from a distance.

We are in our early 60s and not seasoned hikers but this is a 'doable' trail. Mostly younger hikers but a few in the 'senior pass' club.

We began at Logan's Pass where we parked our car. However, even arriving there shortly after 9 am, the parking lot was full and we parked in a pull off spot just east and walked back up to the trailhead (.3 mile).

I'm not a big fan of narrow paths and sharp drop offs but this was not as frightful as pictured. There is a 'handrail' all along this first area where the trail is fairly narrow and the drop off is steep. There are a few other places along the way where the trail is fairly narrow but the drop off is more sloping. I didn't have any anxiety about those places.
The scenery is amaaaazing. Breathtaking.....with changing views throughout the day. We were in the shadows for the first 2-3 miles (we started around 10 am on Aug 25) before the sun crested the mountains for the noon hour.
The trail is very walkable and fairly flat with a few ups and downs and plenty of places to stop and rest. (and take pictures).
We had a fairly 'close encounter' with 4 Bighorn sheep. We never felt threatened and were glad for the closeup. We also saw a group of mountain goats under a rock ledge around the 5-6 mile spot. They are VERY white and even from a distance are not hard to spot.
The chalet was a nice break at 8 ish miles. We were tempted to take the side trail up to the Continental Divide but our day was running out (and our legs were too). We heard it was 'worth it' but very windy at the top.
The walk Down from the chalet back to The Loop was indeed downhill all the way and good exercise for the quads and ankles. Some along the way almost discouraged this shorter steeper route but 4 miles vs 8 miles back the way we came, seemed like a viable option. We're glad we did the downhill option but by the time we arrived at The Loop parking lot our legs felt like spaghetti noodles.
Still we are glad we did this hike.

Highline trail along the continental divide is arguably one of the best day hikes in North America (including the Kalalau trail)

From logan pass to the loop is 11.6 miles total (7.6 miles to granite park chalet and 4 miles from there to the loop). You can park your car at the loop or at Logan pass...

Spectacular vistas...

Do not take this trail if you are really "afraid of height"s. The first three miles is an easy walk, not much elevation. I thought I would be afraid of the skinny nature of the trail, and I found it to be 100% easy to walk. There is a cable to hold onto at the beginning of the trail for 1/3 of a mile. Totally safe!
We walked in and turned around and walked back on the same path, we did not do the switchbacks, which we were told were very strenuous.
We did see big horn sheep, and normally I believe the views are stunning. We unfortunately had smoke from the fires of neighboring states

We drove up from a campground in West Glacier toward the end of August and got to Logan Pass by 7 a.m. in order to beat the crowds. Great strategy; trail was completely uncrowded until we got near the chalet. Definitely head up to see the Grinnell Glacier Overlook; it's a bit of a grunt after a mostly level trail but only for a half mile. Totally worth it as the views into the Grinnell Glacier drainage are spectacular. Once past the chalet the trail switchbacks down to the Loop in about 4 miles; thanks to erstwhile fires, that's an open slope with a hot sun, so save enough water to get through it comfortably. The other advantage of doing the trail early is that the line for the shuttle is still short. The folks in line before us only had to wait through one shuttle, and we caught the next one with them (folks in line behind us had to wait, though). Driver told us that we were among the first on the shuttle up that day and that by afternoon the line gets longer and they try to dedicate shuttles just to running the Highline Trail hikers back up from the Loop to Logan Pass.

This is a full-day hike with some of the most varied (and dramatic) scenery, an abundance of wildlife and in Summer, wildflowers that look out-of-this-world. If you have the stamina to cover ~13 miles, you can do it all.

Don't miss the Glacier Overlook - after completing 7 miles of hiking, I wasn't sure if I wanted to extend the trip, but am so glad we went the extra 1.6mi to see the view. You will never forget it!

I took the first shuttle up from the Lake McDonald area and had a lovely morning hike. Unfortunately, the vistas were hidden behind foggy clouds, so the scenery was more "peek a boo" than would have been ideal. But a lovely hike in morning solitude is always great. Bring bear spray! Just the day prior they had hazed a Grizzly sow and cub away from the trail.

Did this trail on a beautiful cool, clear, mostly sunny day and were rewarded with the walk of a life time. Vistas everywhere you look for just about the entire walk. I will say though that it is a cliff walk, with the majority of the walk - at least 3/4 of it along sheer cliffs with very steep drops. There is a grab rope at the start, but thats it. After that you need to be very sure footed. Not for the faint hearted, but so pleased to have done it. Not overly strenuous but requires a good deal of concentration, you would not want to trip on those cliff edges. Lots of people on the trail. Just do it and you'll be raving about it for years to come.

I spent an entire day hiking the Highline trail solo, I started off my day at 7 am and caught the bus down at the visitor center, the bus dropped me off at Logan Pass. Saved me gas and having to drive after a long hike. From Logan Pass I started the Highline Trail and blazed through it. Had a run in with a bighorn who didn't want to share the trail with me. Made it to the chalet after a few hours and hung out, headed back down to "The Loop" and made it onto one of the last buses back to the bottom! Highline wasn't my favorite hike in the park, but its still one of the classics everyone should try out!

We started at Logan pass. Near the beginning was the part where you are near a cliff, but the trail was wider then it seems in pictures, and there things to hold on to. After that you hike quite a bit above going to the sun road with incredible views the whole time. We saw bighorn sheep right next to the trail, and ate wild huckleberries! After about the first 10 miles you get to the granite park chalete. You can refill on water there but it's very expensive. I'd recommend bringing a lot of water, as the trail is exposed and hot despite the temperature at 40 degrees in the morning. From the chalete it's 4 miles of difficult down hill to the parking lot. In all it was an incredible hike!

2nd best hike I have ever been on and visited and hiked over 25 National parks. The only hike that I will recommend more than this was the narrows at Zion. This hike was amazingly beautiful above the clouds. Had a Goat pass within a foot of me. Views are incredible. The hike is not as scary as I had expected, but is not for those with a fear of heights.

Though it is impossible to get lost - you are on a 6ft wide path the whole way, there are also no markers so you have no idea how far you have gone. Not the easiest to tell how far you have gone or how much further to Grinell Glacier fork. Recommend tracking on your phone.

This is a must do if you make it Glacier.

This trail offers great views and doesn't gain or lose too much elevation at any one time. It definitely has short periods of elevation gain in the middle and a decent stretch of downhill at the end, but nothing overwhelming. If you're in shape enough to hike 12 miles then you will likely find this hike to be worth it.

Nice hike with incredible views. Don't worry about the cliffs. It's MUCH easier than it sounds. You will be glad you hiked the trail if you do. My wife is afraid of heights and this was easy for her.

The trail is about 11 miles long and can easily be done in several hours, take your time and take a camera.
I parked at the bottom and took the shuttle to the top. By doing this you end up descending several thousand feet instead of climbing. Just makes the hike easier and more enjoyable.
The scenery is stunning. One of the best trails I did this summer. Comparable to Angels Landing and Half-Dome in my opinion

We unanimously agreed this was our favorite day and hike of our family vacation. The views are stunning.

We enjoyed the hike = most of it closed due to the fires and smoke hazards, but still, the part we saw was nice.

The Highline Trail is as it says, high but this allowed us to have magnificent views over the valley. We parked at Logan’s Pass just before 7.30 am and the trail seemed fairly quiet.

This hike does begin with a rocky path and rope along a rock face, but it is plenty wide enough and not as scary as the photos suggest. We did see some people clinging on for dear life though so it may test nerves for a few I guess. We could see the GTTSR but it was partially closed when we visited so there were no cars to see (or distract you!)

Once we passed this section, it widened out much more and occasionally meandered through woodland. It was flat most of the way but the terrain can be uneven, with some areas covered in rocks. We went as far as Haystack Butte and on our return journey the number of people had increased significantly, not ideal on the rock face if you suffer from a fear of heights.

This is a great hike, relative easy and incredibly rewarding.

Everything about Glacier Park was awe-inspiring, but this trail was my favorite part of the whole thing! It's got some narrow parts, not too scary for regular people and not too hard a climb, but if you are really afraid of heights you might want to think twice. I recommend trying it out, and if you get overwhelmed, just turn around. The views around every corner are totally worth the effort!!!

I have hiked in 40 of the 59 US National Parks and I returned to Glacier just to have the opportunity to do this 15.2 mile point to point hike. Previously, in 2011, I only hiked the Highline from Logan Pass as a 6.8 mile out and back.

I totally agree with mhulkman's review that if you only do 1 hike in Glacier, this is the one to do. And if can add one more hike in the area, I recommend Crypt Lake in Waterton as the one to do. You will have hiked the best of both parks, and some of the best in North America.

Most people hike the Highline from Loan Pass to the Loop, or vice versa, but as the title says, we hiked it up over the Continental Divide, then down past Swiftcurrent Glacier and along the valley lakes to Swiftcurrent Motor Inn.

This route is 15.2 mile point to point, broken up in halves at 7.6 miles with 690 of elevation gain to the chalet as exactly the halfway point. From the Granite Park Chalet, which is a good place to stop for lunch, it is another steep 0.9 mile to the top of Swiftcurrent Pass on the Continental Divide.

After the Divide, it is all downhill with a steep descent of over 2,300 feet on the switchbacks along Swiftcurrent Glacier. When you reach the valley floor below the Glacier it is fairly level along the chain of lakes and on to the Motor Inn.

A big day with sore feet, but worth it!

We did the ranger led tour on was was supposed to be the first 2 miles of the trail. We barely went a mile before she turned around. She was somewhat knowledgeable about the geology and plants. The trail is an easy walk and worth doing.

This trail is crazy fun, very narrow in parts with a steep drop off, not for the faint of heart, especially since it can get a little windy. Park at Logan's Pass - take your time finding a spot, people are always leaving you just need to be patient. Fun trail, different where you have to hold on to a garden house that's affixed to the wall for you to hold as you traverse the narrow high line passage to get to the other side of the trail. You can do just 2 miles of it and still love it.

We hiked from Logan pass to Granite Park Chalet and back again. Arrived at the Logan Pass visitors centre at 7.50am to find it already full so had to park a mile down the road. The path itself follows the side of the steep hillside apart from Haystack pass and has some very narrow sections (the roped section at the beginning is not the worst). However, if you can avoid constantly looking at your feet so will see amazing views of the whole park, fields of wildflowers, geological formations and wildlife all the way which is not the case for many of the up and back walks.

The route to Granite park was pretty busy but with everyone going the same way it as fine. The way back was a little more challenging as we were against the flow initially, the route up to haystack pass was longer and the temperature had gone up. However, as most people seem to head down the loop the way back became a lot less crowded allowing us to see Bighorn sheep, mountain goats and deer on the path.

The views were also different on the way back as you face different mountains and see things you missed on the way out. However, it is significantly longer than descending via a loop with a lot more climbing

It was interesting to drive going to the sun RD the day before hiking this trail. It gave us a different perspective with many breathtaking views while hiking alongside a variety of wildflowers. So much to take in on this trail. You can do part or all of it. We hiked 4 miles in to the peak which was a nice lunch spot. Logan Pass parking lot fills quickly, so arrive early by 8am or earlier. Enjoy! A must see.

One of my favorite hikes I did on my trip! It is a longer hike so go early and bring lots of food and water. The parking lot fills up REALLY fast. We had to drive around for 20 minutes until a nice family leaving gave us their spot. The heights aren't too bad even though they look it in the pictures. Most of the trail isn't that anyway. We saw bighorn sheep, deer, marmots and more. Highly recommend.

I would consider myself a day hiker of average ability. My friend and I did the Highline trail starting at Logan Pass and then down the Highline Loop trail to the shuttle stop. Because my intentions exceed my ability, I also did the Garden Wall Trail to overlook the glacier lake. The Highline Trail is amazing and well-marked. It's difficulty comes in its length rather than the trail itself, as there are only one or two places where it is steep or rocky. It offers spectacular cloud-level views and an opportunity to see wildlife. I saw mountain goats, big horned sheep, and lots of bear poop (but no actual bears). I highly recommend it even if you only do a few miles. Take your weather gear, as the clouds bring surprises. The Highline Loop trail at the end is a good option if you want to do the whole trail then take a shuttle back to Logan Pass. Be aware that the Loop Trail is all downhill, which your knees will notice. As a note, the Garden Wall Trail overlook is nearly 7 miles from Logan Pass. The views from the top are gorgeous, but the trail is quite steep, and it is the most difficult hike I did in the park. Overall- definitely do part or all of this trail. It's amazing.

One of the best day hikes I have ever taken. High up in the clouds, spectacular views of the mountains, wild flowers blooming everywhere, sun breaking through. Not too difficult a hike up, gradual ascent 7 1/2 miles to the chalet, stop for lunch and a breather there, then 4 miles down to the Loop parking area. Recommend getting an early start to beat the crowds, parking at the loop, shuttling or hitchhiking up to the trailhead at Logan Pass, so you end the hike back at your car. Wonderful day in Glacier National Park. Highly recommended.

I did the ranger led hike from Logan Pass. If you're doing the full hike I would recommend parking at The Loop and taking the shuttle to Logan Pass. Not only is parking difficult at Logan Pass but the hike ends at The Loop. You'll be tired from the hike and having to wait for a shuttle isn't fun, especially if there is a large group of you. Often the shuttle fills quickly. Now, on to the hike. It was a full day and while I hear the ranger led hikes move slow I didn't find that but I did find the amount of stops excessive. If you are not an experienced hiker I do think the ranger led hikes are a good option. The scenery was beautiful although a little smoky from the wildfires. I highly recommend this hike.

Fantastic hike. Did it the "traditional" way from Logan's Pass to The Loop, took the shuttle back up.

About 7 miles in, just before the chalet, we spotted a young grizzly feeding on the side of the hill above the trail.

It ended up walking parallel to the trail for about 100 yards.

It was obviously looking for food and had zero interest in us.

Made the hike even more spectacular.