Live Your Best Lives
  1. Travel FAQs
  2. United States
  3. Montana (MT)
  4. Glacier National Park

St. Mary and Virginia Falls questions

I’ve been reading conflicting information about this hike(s). Is this one trail or two? How long is it and where is the trailhead? Thanks for the assistance!

The St. Mary and Virginia Falls hike is typically considered one trail, but it involves two waterfalls along the way, so some confusion can arise. Here's a breakdown of the trail and its features:

  • Trail Overview: The St. Mary Falls and Virginia Falls hike is one continuous trail, but there are two distinct waterfalls to see: St. Mary Falls (the first stop) and Virginia Falls (the second stop). It's a beautiful and moderate hike in Glacier National Park.
  • Length: The total round-trip hike is approximately 3.6 miles (5.8 km). It’s considered a relatively easy to moderate hike with a steady but not overly steep incline.
  • Trailhead: The trailhead for the St. Mary Falls and Virginia Falls hike is located at the St. Mary Falls parking lot, just off the Going-to-the-Sun Road. It’s about a 10-minute drive from the St. Mary Visitor Center.
  • Elevation Gain: The hike gains about 700 feet in elevation, making it a relatively short but rewarding trail with beautiful views of the waterfalls.
  • Details: You’ll first pass St. Mary Falls, which is located around 0.9 miles from the trailhead. From there, you’ll continue another 1.7 miles (total of 3.6 miles round trip) to reach Virginia Falls. Both waterfalls are stunning and worth the short hike!

This is one of the most popular hikes in the park and is accessible for most hikers, with great views along the way. It's definitely worth doing if you have the time during your visit!

More Glacier National Park Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

waterfalls
Virginia

Popular Destinations

Shenzhen Observatory
Jiuquan
Nagqu Prefecture
Turpan Karez Folklore Park

Popular Travel Questions